REMARKABLE RIMFIRE: THE .22 LONG RIFLE CARTRIDGE

The cartridge simply known to many as a “.22” is a revolutionary cartridge that goes way back.

Let’s take a close look at the .22 Long Rifle cartridge historically and what it offers in the modern era.

Way back in 1887 an incredible cartridge was born: the .22 Long Rifle. The cartridge was a rimfire, that meaning the whole back edge of the cartridge rim is hollow and filled with a priming compound. When the firearm’s firing pin crushes the hollow rim, it ignites the primer and then that ignites the charge.

The usual projectile weight is 40 grains but I have used cartridges in this great caliber that sports from 29 grains up to a staggering 60 grains (the 60 grain Aquilla Sniper Subsonic cartridges use a .22 short case to allow for the much longer projectile). Also hollow point and leadless projectiles are available.

Well the .22 long rifle cartridge took off in popularity and spurred many other larger caliber rimfire cartridges, though most of those went obsolete. That was certainly not the case for the .22 Long Rifle cartridge. It is possibly more popular now then ever.

J. Stevens was the inventor and gun maker that introduced the .22 Long Rifle cartridge. A brace of his handy and very accurate single shot tip up pistols are pictured below. They also date way back but the official serial number manufacture dates have been lost to time.

For many new shooters, they were taught on the quieter and accurate .22 Long Rifle cartridge. My story is much the same as many others. My grandfather’s rifle, a Savage Model 4C bolt action, was my first firearm and the one I was taught with. It is my favorite squirrel hunting rifle and is also great accurate fun on the gun range.

There are so many options for ammo when you are using the .22 Long Rifle cartridge. There are even birdshot loads that have a tiny payload of lead shot for shooting close range small vermin. I have used them inside of the barn on invasive starlings. This allows removal of problem vermin without blasting holes in anything valuable like barn roofs. Below is an old Super-X box of crimped brass case birdshot loads. CCI makes an even better grouping modern load for slightly more range using plastic caps over the tiny lead pellet payload.

Speaking of CCI .22 cartridges the Stinger is a 32 grain hollow point that is absolute dynamite on vermin. They work great on pests up to groundhog size with the hollow point driven at hyper-velocity speeds. They really come apart quick in your intended target!

My favorite pest loads that are back from a bit were the “Quik-Shok MPB” .22 Long Rifle cartridge. This spicy hyper velocity cartridge fires a segmented hollow point projectile. The segments upon impact peel back like a banana peel and continue in different directions inside of the target. CCI bought out this brand but now sell their own version.

Bulk packed ammo is a great deal for the plinking enthusiast and small game hunter. Lately I have found the Federal Bulk Pack “Automatch” 325 round 40 grain lead round nose to work well for me. The price is also a still a value.

The .22 Long Rifle cartridge is really the almost do it all cartridge. While too light for big game (though some have used them for that), it is a solid choice for vermin and small game. It also is highly addictive to use for fun and will even make a novice shooter happy by lack of recoil, accuracy potential and of course it still is the cheapest bang going! Everyone should have at the very least one .22 Long Rifle chambered rifle and/or pistol for recreation.