The 22 LR is a favorite for plinking, training and small game, but it is tiny. A 40-grain bullet at rimfire speed carries a small slice of the energy of a centerfire round. That’s why 22LR ballistic gel tests get so much attention. People want to know if a rimfire can reach useful depth, and which bullet does it best.
This guide explains how to read those tests and how the hollow point and specialty 22 LR loads at Bulk Ammo Vault compare. We have not run our own gel tests. We don’t quote depth or expansion numbers for specific loads. All velocity and energy figures come from our catalog.
What Gel Testing Shows
Testers fire into calibrated 10% ordnance gelatin, chilled and checked with a steel BB before use. They record three things:
- Penetration: how far the bullet traveled.
- Expansion: how wide it opened, if it opened at all.
- Weight retention: how much of the bullet stayed together.
The FBI protocol sets a target of 12 to 18 inches of penetration for duty handgun ammo. Rimfire testers use that window as a reference point. Keep in mind that the 22 LR was never designed to meet a duty standard.
The Rimfire Problem: Depth vs Expansion
With a light bullet, you can’t have it all. A 22 LR hollow point that opens wide often stops sooner. A round nose that doesn’t open may go deeper. Many rimfire gel tests show this trade-off clearly.
Some makers chase depth with solid or flat-nose bullets. Others chase damage with hollow points that break into pieces. When you read a test, ask which goal the load was built for.
Barrel Length Changes Everything
Rimfire powder burns fast, but a 22 LR still gains speed in a rifle barrel. Most factory velocity numbers come from a rifle-length test barrel. A 2-inch pocket pistol may run much slower.
Our catalog shows this with the Federal Punch 22LR 29 Grain. Its listing gives 1,080 fps and 75 ft-lbs from a 2-inch test barrel. Federal built Punch for defensive handguns, so it lists a handgun number. Most other 22 LR loads list rifle numbers.
When you read a 22LR ballistic gel test, always check what gun fired it. A rifle result won’t match your pistol.
22 LR Hollow Point and Specialty Loads We Carry
| Load | Bullet | Grain | Velocity | Energy | Pack |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CCI Stinger 22LR 32 Grain Plated Hollow Point | Plated Hollow Point | 32 | 1,640 fps | 191 ft-lbs | 50-round box |
| CCI Velocitor 22LR 40 Grain Plated Hollow Point | Plated Hollow Point | 40 | 1,435 fps | 183 ft-lbs | 500-round case (10 x 50) |
| Aguila Interceptor 22LR Hollow Point 40 Grain | Plated Hollow Point | 40 | 1,470 fps | 192 ft-lbs | 50-round box |
| Winchester Hyper Speed 22LR 40 Grain Plated Hollow Point | Plated Hollow Point | 40 | 1,435 fps | 183 ft-lbs | 100-round box |
| Winchester Xpert 22LR 42 Grain Plated Hollow Point | Plated Hollow Point | 42 | 1,320 fps | 162 ft-lbs | 100-round box |
| CCI Mini Mag Hollow Point 22LR 36 Grain Plated | Plated Hollow Point | 36 | 1,260 fps | 127 ft-lbs | 100-round box |
| Federal Game Shok 22LR 38 Grain Plated Hollow Point | Plated Hollow Point | 38 | 1,260 fps | 138 ft-lbs | 50-round box |
| CCI Mini Mag Segmented Hollow Point 22LR 40 Grain | Fragmenting Hollow Point | 40 | 1,235 fps | 135 ft-lbs | 100-round box |
| Winchester Silvertip 22LR 37 Grain Fragmenting Hollow Point | Fragmenting Hollow Point | 37 | 1,060 fps | 92 ft-lbs | 50-round box |
| Federal Punch 22LR 29 Grain Nickel-Plated Flat Nose | Nickel-Plated Flat Nose | 29 | 1,080 fps | 75 ft-lbs | 500-round case (10 x 50) |
| CCI Uppercut 22LR 32 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point | Jacketed Hollow Point | 32 | 950 fps | 64 ft-lbs | 500-round case (10 x 50) |
| CCI Subsonic 22LR Hollow Point 40 Grain | Lead Hollow Point | 40 | 1,050 fps | 98 ft-lbs | 100-round box |
Hyper velocity hollow points
The CCI Stinger 32 Grain lists 1,640 fps and 191 ft-lbs. The Aguila Interceptor 40 Grain Hollow Point lists 1,470 fps and 192 ft-lbs. High speed helps hollow points open. Light bullets like the Stinger may lose depth as a result. The heavier Interceptor and the CCI Velocitor 40 Grain keep more mass for the same speed range.
Standard high velocity hollow points
Loads like the CCI Mini Mag 36 Grain Hollow Point and Federal Game Shok 38 Grain run in the 1,200s. These are classic small-game loads for squirrels and rabbits.
Segmented and fragmenting
The CCI Mini Mag Segmented Hollow Point is designed to split into pieces. The Winchester Silvertip 22LR 37 Grain is listed as a fragmenting hollow point at 1,060 fps. In gel, look for a short, wide track with small fragments.
Defense-focused rimfire
The CCI Uppercut 32 Grain JHP lists 950 fps. Like Punch, it targets short-barrel handguns. Read gel tests for these loads only from short barrels, since that’s how they’re meant to be used.
Is 22 LR Good for Self Defense?
It’s a common question. Here’s the honest answer. The 22 LR is low in power compared with common defense calibers. Its strengths are low recoil, light guns and easy practice. Some people, such as shooters with weak hands or limited strength, choose it because they can shoot it well.
If you go that route:
- Pick a load built for short barrels, like Punch or Uppercut.
- Test reliability. Rimfire priming can fail more often than centerfire. Fire a lot of your chosen load in your gun.
- Practice often. Placement matters even more with a small round.
Laws on self-defense and hollow points vary. Check your state and local rules.
Reading Tests the Right Way
- Was the gel calibrated?
- Bare gel or heavy clothing? Clothing can plug small hollow points.
- Rifle or pistol, and what barrel length?
- How many shots? Rimfire results can vary shot to shot.
For more on specific brands, see our CCI 22LR ammo guide and Federal 22LR ammo guide.
Shop 22LR Ammo
Browse every load in our 22LR ammo category, from bulk round nose to hyper velocity hollow points. Use 22LR ballistic gel results to narrow the list, then test what runs best in your gun.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 22lr good for self defense?
The 22 LR is low in power compared with common defense calibers, but some shooters pick it for low recoil and light guns. If you do, choose a load made for short barrels, test reliability in your gun, and practice often. Laws vary, so check your state and local rules.
Do 22 LR hollow points expand in gel?
Some do, especially high-speed loads fired from rifles. Expansion drops at lower speed, so a hollow point from a short pistol barrel may not open much. Clothing can also plug small cavities. Check the test gun and barrel length before you compare results.
What is the difference between CCI Stinger and Velocitor?
Both are CCI hyper velocity 22 LR hollow points. In our catalog, the Stinger uses a 32-grain bullet listed at 1,640 fps, while the Velocitor uses a heavier 40-grain bullet listed at 1,435 fps. The lighter bullet is faster. The heavier one keeps more mass.
How loud is a 22lr?
A 22 LR is quieter than centerfire rounds, but standard and high-velocity loads are still loud enough to damage hearing. Always wear ear protection. Subsonic and low-noise loads like CCI Quiet 22 are quieter, especially from a rifle or with a legal suppressor.
