Good 22 WMR ballistics data helps you match a load to the job. The .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire shoots the same bullet diameter as a .22 LR, but it pushes it much faster. That extra speed changes how far you can reach, what you can hunt, and how the round behaves out of a short barrel. This guide lays out the published velocity and energy for the loads we stock, then explains how to read those numbers.
Every figure below comes from the maker’s box data for a product on our shelves. We name the load next to each number so you can check it yourself.
What Is 22 WMR?
WMR stands for Winchester Magnum Rimfire. Winchester brought it out in 1959. Most shooters just call it the 22 Mag. So yes, 22 WMR and 22 Magnum are the same cartridge.
It is not the same as a .22 LR. The WMR case is longer and a bit wider. A .22 LR round will not fit a WMR gun safely, and a WMR round will not chamber in a .22 LR gun. It is also not the same as the old .22 WRF. Always shoot the cartridge stamped on your barrel.
The 22 WMR fills the gap between the .22 LR and small centerfire rounds. It is a common pick for squirrels, rabbits, groundhogs, foxes and coyotes at modest range. If you want an even flatter rimfire, the 17 HMR is built on a necked-down WMR case. See our 17 HMR ballistic data guide to compare.
22 WMR Ballistics Table: Loads in Stock
This table groups our loads from light to heavy. Velocity is muzzle velocity in feet per second. Energy is muzzle energy in foot-pounds.
| Load | Grain | Bullet | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lb) | Pack |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winchester Varmint LF | 25 | Lead-free polymer tip | 2,100 | 245 | 50-round box |
| Winchester Varmint HV | 30 | V-Max | 2,250 | 337 | 50-round box |
| CCI V-Max case | 30 | V-Max | 2,200 | 322 | 500-round case (10 x 50) |
| Federal V-Shok | 30 | Speer TNT HP | 2,200 | 322 | 50-round box |
| CCI TNT Green | 30 | Lead-free HP | 2,050 | 280 | 50-round box |
| Remington AccuTip | 33 | Polymer tip | 2,000 | 293 | 500-round case (10 x 50) |
| CCI Maxi-Mag JHP | 40 | JHP | 1,875 | 312 | 500-round case (10 x 50) |
| Winchester Super-X JHP | 40 | JHP | 1,910 | 324 | 50-round box |
| CCI GamePoint | 40 | Soft point | 1,875 | 312 | 500-round case (10 x 50) |
| Federal Champion FMJ | 40 | FMJ | 1,880 | 314 | 50-round box |
| CCI Maxi-Mag Clean | 46 | Fragmenting HP | 1,875 | 359 | 50-round box |
| Hornady Critical Defense | 45 | FTX | 1,700 | 289 | 50-round box |
| Federal Game-Shok | 50 | JHP | 1,530 | 260 | 50-round box |
| Federal BYOB 250 | 50 | JHP | 1,530 | 260 | 250-round pack |
Two patterns jump out. Light 30-grain polymer tips run fastest. Heavier 40 to 50-grain bullets run slower but carry more weight into the target.
How to Read Muzzle Velocity and Energy
Muzzle velocity is how fast the bullet leaves the barrel. Higher speed means a flatter path and less time for wind to push the bullet. The Winchester Varmint HV 30-grain V-Max lists 2,250 fps, the fastest load in the table. That makes it a good fit for small varmints at longer rimfire range.
Muzzle energy blends speed and weight. It hints at how hard a bullet hits, but it is not the whole story. Bullet build matters just as much. A fast, thin-jacketed varmint bullet comes apart quickly. A 40-grain jacketed hollow point holds together better and goes deeper.
Look at the CCI Maxi-Mag 40-grain JHP. It is listed at 1,875 fps and 312 ft-lb. The 30-grain V-Max loads list 2,200 fps and 322 ft-lb. The energy is close, but the bullets act very differently on game.
Barrel Length Changes the Numbers
Box data is shot from a test barrel, usually a rifle-length barrel. A handgun or a short carbine will give you less speed. A lot of WMR powders are tuned for rifles, so the loss in a short revolver can be large. That is why defense loads made for short barrels list much lower numbers.
The Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel 40-grain lists 1,050 fps and the CCI Uppercut 40-grain JHP lists the same speed. These figures reflect short-barrel testing, so do not compare them straight against rifle data.
Altitude and Temperature
Thin air at high altitude means less drag, so bullets hold speed a little better downrange. Cold weather can drop velocity a bit. Hot weather can raise it. Confirm your zero in the conditions where you will hunt.
Which Bullet Weight Fits Which Job?
30 to 33 Grains: Varmints
Polymer tips like V-Max and AccuTip are built to break up fast. They suit prairie dogs, ground squirrels and crows where you want a quick stop and little pass-through. The Remington Premier AccuTip 33-grain lists 2,000 fps and 293 ft-lb.
40 Grains: All-Round Small Game and Practice
The 40-grain JHP and soft point loads are the middle ground. They work on rabbits, groundhogs and foxes. FMJ loads like Federal Champion 40-grain FMJ limit meat damage on small game and make cheap practice ammo.
45 to 50 Grains: Heavier Game and Defense
Heavier bullets trade speed for depth. The Federal Game-Shok 50-grain JHP lists 1,530 fps and 260 ft-lb. Hunters reach for these on coyotes and larger pests. Hornady Critical Defense at 45 grains lists 1,700 fps and 289 ft-lb.
Can you hunt deer with a 22 WMR? Many states do not allow rimfire rounds for deer. Check your state’s hunting rules before you go.
Is 22 WMR Good for Self-Defense?
This is one of the most searched 22 WMR ballistics questions. The honest answer: it beats a .22 LR, but most experts still favor a centerfire handgun. If you carry a 22 Mag revolver, pick a load made for short barrels. Federal Punch, Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel, CCI Uppercut and Winchester Silvertip were built for that role. Laws on carry and on hollow points vary by state and city, so check your local rules.
For more on how defense loads are judged, read our guide to reading 22 LR gel test results. The same ideas apply to the Magnum.
Specialty 22 WMR Loads
Need to keep lead out of the field? The CCI TNT Green and Winchester Varmint LF loads use lead-free bullets. The CCI 22 WMR shotshell throws #12 lead shot for snakes and pests at very close range. It is not a long-range load.
Shop 22 WMR Ammo
Browse every load in our 22 WMR ammo collection. You will find bulk cases for practice, varmint loads for the field and short-barrel loads for carry. Buy a few boxes, test them in your own gun and keep the one that groups best.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 22 WMR stand for?
WMR stands for Winchester Magnum Rimfire. Winchester introduced the cartridge in 1959. It is a rimfire round that fires a .22 caliber bullet faster than a .22 LR. Most shooters simply call it the 22 Mag or 22 Magnum.
Is 22 WMR the same as 22 Magnum?
Yes. The 22 WMR and the 22 Magnum are the same cartridge. You will see both names on ammo boxes and gun barrels. It is not the same as the .22 LR or the older .22 WRF, so always match the round to the marking on your barrel.
What is 22 WMR good for?
The 22 WMR suits small game and varmints such as rabbits, squirrels, groundhogs, foxes and coyotes at modest range. Light polymer-tip loads fit varmints. Heavier 40 to 50-grain hollow points fit larger pests. Check state rules before using it on any game.
Is 22 Mag good for self-defense?
It hits harder than a .22 LR, but many people still prefer a centerfire handgun for defense. If you carry a 22 Mag, choose a load built for short barrels, such as Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel or CCI Uppercut. Laws on defensive ammo vary, so check local rules.
What is 22 WMR vs 22LR?
The 22 WMR uses a longer, wider case and runs much faster than a .22 LR. In our stock, 40-grain WMR loads list around 1,875 fps, while many 40-grain LR loads list near 1,235 fps. The two are not interchangeable. Never fire one in a chamber marked for the other.
