22 Short Ammo

About .22 Short Ammo

Introduced by Smith and Wesson in 1857 for the first Model 1 revolver, .22 Short holds the distinction of being the oldest rimfire cartridge and the oldest commercially produced metallic cartridge still in active production. It fires a .222-inch diameter, 29-grain lead bullet at approximately 1,080-1,130 fps from a standard rifle barrel, producing around 80-90 ft-lbs of muzzle energy. From a short pistol barrel, velocity drops to 850-950 fps and energy falls to 50-65 ft-lbs.

In its original black powder form, .22 Short was a legitimate defensive and small game cartridge. Converted to smokeless powder in the 1890s, it settled into its modern role as a low-power, low-noise rimfire option for pest control, gallery shooting, and situations where the full power of .22 LR is unnecessary or undesirable. CB cap and subsonic loads reduce noise to the point where shooting outdoors in suburban or rural settings is practical without ear protection for most shooters, though hearing protection is always recommended.

What Is .22 Short Best For?

• Pest control in confined spaces: The reduced power and noise of .22 Short, particularly CB cap loads, make it a practical choice for controlling rats, mice, and similar pests in barns, outbuildings, and other settings where a full-power .22 LR would be excessively loud or over-penetrating.
• Small game at close range: Squirrel and rabbit at distances inside 30-40 yards where the reduced noise and power are acceptable. Not a substitute for .22 LR at typical small game distances.
• Gallery and pump-action rifle shooting: Many vintage gallery rifles and pump-action .22s such as the Winchester Model 62 and Remington Model 12 were designed to cycle .22 Short, .22 Long, and .22 LR from the same tube magazine. Shooting .22 Short in these rifles is a traditional and enjoyable use of the cartridge.
• Collecting and historical interest: As the oldest commercially produced metallic cartridge in continuous production, .22 Short has significant appeal to firearms historians and collectors. Several commemorative and specialty loads have been produced over the years.
• Suppressed shooting: Subsonic .22 Short from a suppressed rifle produces some of the quietest suppressed fire available from any firearm, making it practical for pest control and close-range small game where minimal noise disturbance is a priority.

Bullet Types Available

• Standard Velocity (29gr LRN): The most common .22 Short loading. Lead round nose at approximately 1,080 fps from a rifle barrel. Suitable for general use in any .22 Short rated firearm.
• High Velocity (29gr): Pushed to approximately 1,130 fps for marginally more energy. The performance difference over standard velocity is minimal in practice.
• CB Caps / Subsonic: The quietest .22 Short option. CCI CB Short loads push a 29gr bullet at approximately 710 fps, producing noise levels comparable to a pellet rifle in some conditions. Ideal for pest control where noise is a concern. May not cycle semi-automatic actions.
• Hollow Point (27-29gr): Slightly faster expansion for pest control and small game. Limited availability compared to lead round nose loads.

Firearms Chambered in .22 Short

Most modern firearms chambered in .22 LR will physically accept .22 Short cartridges due to the shared rim and bullet diameter, but semi-automatic actions will generally not cycle reliably with the shorter, lower-powered round. Bolt-action and single-shot .22 LR rifles will fire .22 Short safely as a single-shot without reliable semi-auto cycling. Firearms specifically designed for or known to cycle .22 Short include the Winchester Model 62 pump-action, Remington Model 12, various Colt Single Action Army gallery revolvers, and numerous vintage single-shot target and gallery rifles. Several revolvers chambered in .22 LR will also cycle .22 Short reliably from the cylinder. Always verify your specific firearm's compatibility before running .22 Short in it at volume.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I shoot .22 Short in a .22 LR firearm?

In most cases, yes from a safety standpoint, but with limitations. .22 Short shares the same rim and bullet diameter as .22 LR and can be safely fired in most .22 LR chambers. Semi-automatic .22 LR firearms will typically not cycle reliably with .22 Short due to the reduced power. Bolt-action and single-shot rifles will fire it safely as a single-shot. Pump-action gallery rifles designed for all three .22 rimfire lengths will cycle .22 Short reliably.

What is the difference between .22 Short, .22 Long, and .22 LR?

All three share the same .222-inch bullet diameter and rim dimensions but have different case lengths and power levels. .22 Short is the smallest and least powerful with a 0.421-inch case. .22 Long uses the same powder charge as .22 Short in a longer case with minimal performance improvement and is largely obsolete. .22 LR uses a longer case with more powder and a heavier 40gr bullet, producing significantly more velocity and energy. .22 LR has displaced both shorter variants for virtually all practical applications.

How quiet is .22 Short compared to .22 LR?

Standard velocity .22 Short is modestly quieter than standard velocity .22 LR. CB cap .22 Short loads are dramatically quieter, approaching pellet gun noise levels in some conditions. From a suppressed rifle, CB cap .22 Short is one of the quietest practical firearm combinations available. Hearing protection is always recommended regardless of how quiet a load appears.

Is 22 Short good for self-defense?

No. 22 Short produces 50-90 ft-lbs of energy depending on barrel length, well below what most defensive shooting instructors consider adequate for reliable incapacitation. .22 Short should not be relied upon for personal defense when any other option is available.

How much does .22 Short ammo cost per round?

Expect to pay roughly $0.08-$0.15/rd for standard velocity and high velocity loads and $0.12-$0.20/rd for CB cap or specialty loads. .22 Short runs slightly higher per round than .22 LR due to lower production volume. Buying in bulk is the most effective way to reduce your cost.