Bulk 22 Long Rifle Ammo

Overview of 22 LR Ammo

22 Long Rifle is the most widely produced firearm cartridge in the world and has been for most of the past century. More 22 LR rounds are manufactured annually than any other caliber combined, which is why it remains the most affordable centerfire-adjacent option for high-volume range training, small game hunting, pest control, and introducing new shooters to the fundamentals of marksmanship. A 40gr load at 1,080-1,280 fps produces virtually no recoil, minimal noise without a suppressor, and enough energy for reliable performance on small game out to 100 yards.

Reliability varies significantly between 22 LR loads, particularly in semi-automatic platforms. Not all 22 LR rifles and pistols cycle all loads consistently. CCI Mini-Mag is the most widely recommended all-around reliability benchmark because of its consistent velocity and clean-burning powder. Federal AutoMatch was specifically engineered for finicky semi-automatic actions. Standard Velocity loads run at lower pressure and are preferred for suppressed use where cycling speed is less critical.

Popular 22 LR Brands and Loads We Carry

• CCI Mini-Mag 36gr CPHP: 5,000 rounds (0031). The most popular premium high-velocity 22 LR on the market. Copper-plated hollow point at 1,260 fps, packed in 100-round reusable plastic dispensers. The reliability benchmark for semi-automatic 22 rifles and pistols.
• CCI Stinger 32gr CPHP: 5,000 rounds and 500-round brick. At 1,640 fps, the fastest standard-production 22 LR load available. Purpose-built for varmint hunting with explosive terminal performance. Note: Stinger uses a slightly longer case and will not chamber in all 22 LR firearms.
• CCI Standard Velocity 40gr LRN: 5,000 rounds (0035). Loaded to match the velocity of competition-grade 22 LR at a reduced price. Preferred for suppressed shooting and accuracy-focused applications.
• CCI Blazer 40gr LRN: 5,000 rounds (0021). The most affordable CCI 22 LR option for high-volume plinking and range training.
• Federal Champion 40gr LRN: 5,000 rounds (510). Reliable all-around performance for plinking, target shooting, and small game hunting at 1,240 fps.
• Federal AutoMatch 40gr LRN: 3,250 rounds (AM22). Specifically engineered for reliable feeding and cycling in finicky semi-automatic 22 rifles and pistols.
• Federal Small-Game 40gr CPRN: 5,000 rounds (710). Copper-plated round nose at 1,240 fps for small game hunting where minimal meat damage is a priority.

Best 22 LR Ammo for Specific Uses

Why Buy 22 LR Ammo from BulkMunitions?

• In stock and ready to ship. We only list ammunition that is physically in our warehouse. No backorders.
• Next-business-day shipping from our Knoxville, TN warehouse on orders placed before our daily cutoff.
• 5,000-round cases on the loads that matter. CCI Mini-Mag, Stinger, Standard Velocity, Blazer, and Federal Champion are all available in 5,000-round cases for the best per-round pricing on the most popular 22 LR loads.
• We tithe 10% of profits to Christian-based, 2A-supporting organizations every quarter, and our customers vote on where it goes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most reliable 22 LR ammo for semi-automatic rifles?

CCI Mini-Mag is the most widely recommended 22 LR load for reliable cycling in semi-automatic rifles and pistols. Its consistent velocity, copper-plated bullet, and clean-burning powder minimize the fouling and velocity variation that cause cycling issues in blowback actions. Federal AutoMatch was specifically engineered for reliable cycling in semi-automatic platforms and is another strong choice. Budget rimfire from discount sources often has inconsistent priming that causes failures to fire, which is why brand selection matters more in 22 LR than in most calibers.

Will CCI Stinger work in any 22 LR firearm?

Not always. CCI Stinger uses a slightly longer case than standard 22 LR and will not chamber in firearms with tight chambers or short leades. Many revolvers, semi-automatic pistols, and some bolt-action rifles will not accept Stinger reliably. If your firearm is not confirmed Stinger-compatible, CCI Mini-Mag is the better choice for high-velocity performance with universal compatibility. Browse our full CCI ammunition selection for the complete rimfire lineup.

Is 22 LR good for self-defense?

22 LR is a marginal self-defense choice, producing 80-140 ft-lbs of energy depending on barrel length, well below what most instructors consider adequate for reliable incapacitation. Rimfire ignition is also less reliable than centerfire under high-stress conditions. A 22 LR firearm is far better than nothing, but if a centerfire option is practical it is a meaningfully more capable defensive choice.

More About 22 LR Ammo

22 Long Rifle was introduced by the J. Stevens Arms and Tool Company in 1887, derived from the earlier 22 Long cartridge by adding a heavier 40-grain bullet. It was the first cartridge to use smokeless powder in a rimfire configuration and offered a significant performance improvement over the black powder 22 Short and Long that preceded it. By the early 20th century it had become the dominant small-bore cartridge for target shooting, pest control, and small game hunting in North America and Europe.

The cartridge's endurance is a function of versatility. A standard 40gr load at 1,080-1,280 fps produces enough energy for squirrel and rabbit hunting, pest control in agricultural settings, and target shooting at distances out to 100 yards, while generating essentially no felt recoil and minimal noise. The same cartridge that a child shoots for the first time at a summer camp is used by Olympic and Paralympic competitive shooters at 50 meters. No other firearm cartridge spans that range of applications from a single loading.

22 LR ammunition scarcity during the 2012-2016 period and again during the 2020-2022 pandemic ammo shortage exposed how fragile supply chains become when demand surges for the world's most popular rimfire cartridge. During peak scarcity, 22 LR sold for 10 to 20 times its pre-shortage price at retail. The lesson most 22 LR shooters took from those periods was to buy in bulk and maintain an inventory rather than purchasing on demand. Buying 5,000-round cases at BulkMunitions when stock is available remains the most practical approach to ensuring you always have 22 LR on hand.