How far can a .22 shoot? Effective range vs maximum range, with safety data
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Maximum range: the safety number
Hunter-ed.com's national course says a .22-caliber bullet "can travel over 1½ miles" and stresses a solid backstop that won't cause ricochets [1]. Maximum distance happens with the muzzle angled upward, not when shooting level, which is why shooting at the sky or over a ridge is dangerous. Ricochets off water, rocks and frozen ground can also send bullets in unexpected directions.
- Always know what's beyond your target.
- Use an earth berm or proper backstop; never shoot at a skyline.
- Avoid flat, hard surfaces in front of the target.
Effective range: what you can actually hit
"Effective" depends on the target, the shooter and the conditions. Published ballistic tables give the physics [2]:
| Range | Drop (50 yd zero) | 10 mph wind drift | Velocity | Energy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 yd | 0.0 in | 1.6 in | 1,086 fps | 105 ft-lb |
| 100 yd | -5.9 in | 5.7 in | 990 fps | 87 ft-lb |
| 150 yd | -20.6 in | 12.1 in | 921 fps | 75 ft-lb |
| 200 yd | -45.5 in | 20.3 in | 865 fps | 66 ft-lb |
AmmoSight: 40 gr, G1 0.125, 1,235 fps, 1.5 in sight height, standard conditions [2].
Energy isn't what limits a .22's range; it's how fast drop and wind errors add up. At 150 yd, a 10 yd range-estimation error or a 3 mph wind misjudgment can mean a miss on a small target. GunVera calls 150 yd "a wall" for field use for this reason [3].
Practical ranges by use
| Use | Typical practical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Squirrels (head shots) | 25–50 yd | Small vital zone |
| Rabbits | 25–75 yd | Hollow points help |
| Small pests | Out to ~100 yd with good dope | Hyper-velocity loads shoot flatter [3] |
| Paper and benchrest | 50 yd / 50 m and 100 yd | Standard competition distances |
| NRL22 | Out to 100 yd | Set by the rules [4] |
| Steel / ELR22 | 200–300+ yd | Specialist shooting, heavy dialing [5] |
These are editorial guidelines, not limits. Your own proven range, where you reliably hit a vital-size target, is the real limit. Check local hunting rules; some states restrict rimfire for certain game.
Our range results (coming soon)
This box will hold our own groups, chronograph data and photos for this topic once we've shot and recorded them. Until then, every accuracy number on this page comes from the published source cited next to it. We have not tested these rifles or products hands-on for this article.
How long-range rimfire shooters stretch it
- Standard-velocity match ammo starts subsonic and avoids the unstable transonic transition [2].
- Canted bases (20–50 MOA) for enough elevation: MDT T1x base, MDT CZ 457 base.
- FFP mil scopes with plenty of travel: Vortex Diamondback Tactical 6-24x50, Bushnell Match Pro ED 5-30x56.
- Wind meters and practice: Kestrel 2500NV; see PRS rimfire and ELR22.
- Verified dope: a Garmin Xero C1 Pro chronograph plus a trued ballistic app.
.22 LR vs .17 HMR and .22 WMR
If you need consistent hits past 100 yd on small targets, the magnum rimfires shoot flatter. See .17 HMR vs .22 LR vs .22 WMR.
Choosing ammo for distance
- CCI Mini-Mag: high-velocity all-rounder for small game.
- CCI Standard Velocity or SK Rifle Match: steadier past 100 yd in many rifles.
- Lapua Center-X: premium match load for long-range rimfire.
Bottom line
A .22 can carry more than a mile and a half, so treat it with the same backstop discipline as any rifle. For clean hits on game, most shooters stay inside 50–75 yd. For targets, 100 yd is a realistic stretch for a good rifle and shooter, and specialists go much farther with careful dope and wind calls.
Why angle matters
A bullet fired level hits the ground relatively close because gravity pulls it down from the height of the muzzle. Raise the muzzle and the bullet climbs before it falls, staying in the air much longer and traveling much farther. That's why the maximum range figure is so much larger than any practical shooting distance, and why hunters are taught never to shoot at animals silhouetted on a ridge or high in a tree without a backstop behind them.
Ricochets
.22 LR bullets are soft lead, but they can still skip off water, flat rock, steel and frozen ground. A shallow angle of impact makes ricochets more likely. Set steel targets so they face slightly downward, keep a safe distance from steel (follow the target maker's minimum), and shoot into soft earth berms where possible. Good rimfire steel options: Caldwell KYL Rimfire Challenge, Birchwood Casey KYL spinner, Do-All prairie dog popper.
Range planning checklist
- Is there a solid berm or hillside behind every target?
- Could a miss or ricochet reach a road, building, trail or livestock?
- Are you shooting downward into the ground, not across open fields?
- Do you have permission and know local discharge rules?
What about the .22 Short and .22 WMR?
A .22 WMR is faster and carries farther than a .22 LR, so its danger area is larger; a .22 Short is slower. Treat any rimfire with the same backstop discipline.
Hunting distance: a personal test
Before the season, shoot from the positions you'll actually use (sitting against a tree, kneeling, leaning on a sling) at 25, 40 and 50 yd on a 1 in dot for squirrels or a 2 in dot for rabbits. The farthest distance where you hit nine of ten shots is your effective range for that game, regardless of what the cartridge can do on paper.
FAQ
How far can a .22 bullet travel?
Hunter education material says a .22-caliber bullet can travel over 1.5 miles. Always use a safe backstop.
What is the effective range of a .22 LR?
For small game, most shots are inside about 50–75 yd. Skilled target shooters hit at 100 yd and much farther with good dope and wind reading.
How much does a .22 drop at 200 yards?
With a 50 yd zero, published tables show a 40 gr high-velocity load about 45 in low at 200 yd.
Is a .22 lethal at 100 yards?
It still carries roughly 80–90 ft-lb at 100 yd, but drop and wind make precise shot placement hard. Shoot only within your proven range.
Sources
- Hunter-ed.com: importance of safe backstops
- AmmoSight .22 LR trajectory table (G1 0.125, 1,235 fps)
- GunVera .22 LR ballistics chart (maker velocities, JBM-calculated drop)
- NRL22 2027 Rules (valid May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027)
- ELR22 Association
Confidence: maker specs and prices are high confidence as of the date seen; forum and owner reports are low–medium confidence and labeled as such.
Not affiliated with Sako/Tikka, CZ, Bergara, Ruger, Savage or any retailer. We have not tested products hands-on for these guides; figures come from cited sources. Affiliate disclosure · Privacy · Terms · Rimfire Builds is operated by Tomahawk Designs LLC, Utah · contact@rimfirebuilds.com