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Best 22 Short Ammo

What is 22 Short Ammo? 🔍

🚀 .22 Short ammo is a small-caliber rimfire cartridge that was introduced in the mid-19th century. It is a popular cartridge for target shooting, plinking, and small game hunting. The rounds are often used in small, compact firearms such as single-shot rifles, revolvers, and derringers.

22 Short Ammo

Features 🔋

🔹 It has a small bullet diameter of 0.22 inches, which makes it suitable for use in small firearms.
🔸 The low recoil makes it an ideal cartridge for beginners or for those who do not want to experience heavy recoil.
🔹 The cartridge produces minimal noise when fired, making it ideal for use in indoor shooting ranges or in areas where noise levels need to be kept low.
🔸 The bullet weighs between 20 and 30 grains, making it lightweight and easy to handle.
🔹 The cartridge has limited power, which makes it suitable for target shooting and small game hunting.
Our Top Pick
22 Short – 29 Gr LRN – CCI Short Target
For those seeking a blend of high performance and cost-efficiency, look no further than CCI's Short Target line of ammunition! This 22 Short ammo is made to deliver unbeatable accuracy without any recoil fatigue - meaning you can fire all day long with your arms still feeling fresh.
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Benefits 💣

📍 Accuracy: The low recoil and lightweight bullet make it easier to achieve accurate shots, especially for beginners.
📍 Low noise: The minimal noise makes it an ideal choice for indoor shooting ranges, where noise levels need to be kept to a minimum.
📍 Versatility: The cartridge can be used for a variety of purposes, including target shooting, plinking, and small game hunting.
📍 Affordability: .22 Short ammunition is relatively inexpensive compared to other types of ammunition, making it an affordable option for those on a budget.
📍 Low recoil: The low recoil makes it an excellent option for individuals who may have difficulty handling the recoil of larger calibers.
Our Top Pick
22 Short Ammo – 29 Grain Lead Round Nose – CCI Ammunition
Whether you're after pests or varmints, the CCI 22 CB load delivers precise and loud shots at close range for a variety of targets. Perfect for hunting or target practice, this round comes in a pack of 100 that are sure to satisfy your needs.
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What are the types of 22 Short Ammo? 💡

📢 There are a few different types available, which can vary in bullet design, velocity, and other factors. 🔎 Here are some of the most common types:

🔰 Lead Round Nose (LRN) ⇢ the most common type of .22 Short ammunition, featuring a simple lead bullet with a rounded nose.
🔰 Hollow Point (HP) ⇢ designed to expand upon impact, creating a larger wound channel and increasing stopping power.
🔰 Copper-Plated (CP) ⇢ have a thin layer of copper over a lead core, which can help reduce fouling in the barrel and provide better accuracy.
🔰 High Velocity (HV) ⇢ features a lighter bullet and a faster muzzle velocity, resulting in flatter trajectories and better performance at longer ranges.
🔰 Subsonic ⇢ has a lower muzzle velocity than standard ammunition, which helps to reduce noise levels when fired.
Our Top Pick
22 Short Ammo – 29 Grain Copper Plated Lead Round Nose – Winchester
When you're in search of reliable and precise ammunition, Winchester's Super-X is the perfect choice. For nearly a century now, this superior performance round has been supplying shooters and hunters with an unbeatable quality product.
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Our Selection 8 Best 🚀 .22 Short Ammo – Editor’s Choice

1# 22 Short – 27 Grain CPHP – CCI Short – High Velocity

22 Short - 27 Grain CPHP - CCI Short - High Velocity 

100 Rounds

Looking for a high-quality, high-velocity hollow point ammo that will help keep your barrel clean? Look no further than CCI Short High Velocity! This new production ammo is perfect for rapid, controlled expansion, and the copper-plated bullet will help keep your barrel in top condition. Non-corrosive and non-reloadable, this ammunition comes packaged in a handy reusable plastic container – perfect for taking to the range. So don’t settle for second best – try CCI Short High Velocity today!

Video review

Pros:
  • High velocity
  • Hollow-point bullet for rapid expansion
  • Copper plated to help keep the barrel clean
  • Comes in a reusable plastic container
Cons:
  • May not be as powerful as other brands
  • May not provide enough penetration

 

2# 22 Short – 29 gr LRN – CCI Short Target

22 Short - 29 gr LRN - CCI Short Target 

100 Rounds

CCI’s Short Target line of ammunition is perfect for those who want the perfect combination of performance and affordability. This 22 Short ammo is designed to give you match-accurate precision without all the recoil, so you can shoot all day without tiring your arms out. The clean-burning propellants help keep your firearm’s action clean, so you can spend less time cleaning and more time shooting. Whether you’re plinking at the range or looking to score some serious competition points, CCI’s Short Target line has the perfect ammunition for you.

Video review

Pros:
  • Low recoil
  • Match accuracy
  • Cycles IRF-class firearms
  • Clean burning propellants
Cons:
  • Higher price
  • Limited availability

 

3# 22 Short – Noise Blanks – CCI

22 Short - Noise Blanks - CCI  100 Rounds

Looking for a way to train your dog or keep pests at bay without using live ammo? These 22 Short blanks from CCI are the perfect solution! Made with select propellants and priming compounds, they provide a clean burn with little residue left behind. And because they’re chambered in 22 short or 22 long rifles, they can be used in any firearm designed for those calibers. However, it’s important to remember that although these blanks are designed for less-than-lethal force, they could still cause serious injury or death if used improperly. So be sure to handle any firearm loaded with this ammo with the same care and respect as you would with any other. CCI has been making quality ammunition products since 1951, so you can trust their products to perform as advertised. If you’re looking for a safe and effective way to use a firearm without live ammo, CCI’s 22 Short blanks are a perfect choice.

Video review

Pros:
  • Clean burning
  • Low residue
  • Can be used in any firearm designed for 22 short or 22 long rifles
  • Made by a reputable company with over 50 years of experience
Cons:
  • Could still cause serious injury or death if used improperly
  • Must be handled with care, just as if it were live ammo

 

4# 22 Short Ammo – 29 Grain Lead Round Nose – CCI Ammunition

22 Short Ammo - 29 Grain Lead Round Nose - CCI Ammunition

100 Rounds

If you’re looking for a great load for target-shooting or plinking, look no further than 22 Short Ammo. This high-velocity load features a copper-plated round nose bullet that minimizes fouling, making it a great choice for extended shooting sessions. Plus, the great accuracy and overall performance of this load make it a winner in any situation. So don’t let its diminutive size fool you – 22 Short Ammo packs a big punch!

Video review

Pros:
  • High velocity
  • Copper-plated round nose bullet minimizes fouling
  • Great accuracy and overall performance
  • Perfect for target-shooting and plinking
Cons:
  • May not be powerful enough for larger targets
  • Can be difficult to find in stores

 

5# 22 Short Ammo – 27 Grain Copper Plated Hollow Point – CCI Ammunition

22 Short Ammo - 27 Grain Copper Plated Hollow Point - CCI Ammunition

100 Rounds

Whether you’re varmint hunting or plinking, CCI® has the perfect 22 Short round for your needs. 22 Short Hollow Point is specifically designed for excellent stopping power and reliable expansion, making it a great choice for small game hunting. It features reliable CCI priming and brass for consistent performance. So when you need a 22 Short that goes the distance, choose CCI.

Video review

Pros:
  • Excellent stopping power
  • Reliable expansion
  • CCI priming and brass for consistent performance
Cons:
  • May not have the stopping power you need for small game hunting

 

6# 22 Short Ammo – 29 Grain Lead Round Nose – CCI Ammunition

22 Short Ammo - 29 Grain Lead Round Nose - CCI Ammunition

100 Rounds

The CCI 22 CB load comes in 22 Short Volley, a round that delivers accurate, deafening blasts at close range for a range of capturing targets and pests. These rounds are ideal for varmint hunting or plinking and come in a pack of 100. They keep the noise level down, which is ideal for most shooting applications, and deliver accuracy that’s suitable for varmint hunting or plinking. The CCI 22 Short Volley is a reliable round that has been used for years to good effect. This quiet yet powerful load keeps noise to a minimum, is accurate, and is an excellent varmint and target-shooting round.

Video review

Pros:
  • Low noise level
  • Good accuracy
  • Economical
  • Suitable for varmint hunting or plinking
  • 100 rounds per pack
Cons:
  • May not be as powerful as other rounds
  • May not be desirable for some applications

 

7# 22 Short Ammo – 29 Grain Round Nose Brass Cased – Remington

22 Short Ammo - 29 Grain Round Nose Brass Cased - Remington

500 Rounds

Interested in a powerful and affordable round of ammunition for your 22-caliber firearm? Check out 22 Short Ammo! This 29-grain round-nose brass-cased ammunition is engineered for easy cycling and solid performance. It’s been recently improved for even more high-velocity .22-caliber excitement and it’s also a great value. You can find it in 50-round boxes, 525-round bricks, and economical 1,400-round buckets. Whether you’re trying to get better, or just getting started, then pick up a 525-round Value Pack or 1400-round Bucket O’ Bullets. Each comes packed with 36-grain, high-velocity Remington Golden Bullet, top-notch rimfire ammo with smooth, reliable function. So don’t wait any longer, order your 22 Short Ammo today!

Video review

Pros:
  • Improved design
  • Smooth function
  • Reliable
  • Easy to find
Cons:
  • May not be as powerful as other rounds
  • Slightly more expensive than some other rounds

 

8# 22 Short Ammo – 29 Grain Copper Plated Lead Round Nose – Winchester

22 Short Ammo - 29 Grain Copper Plated Lead Round Nose - Winchester

50 Rounds

Looking for a great choice in .22 short ammunition? You can’t go wrong with Winchester’s Super-X. Since 1922, Super-X has been providing top-quality performance ammunition for all types of shooters and hunters. This 29-grain copper-plated lead round-nose ammunition is perfect for target practice or small game hunting. It produces visible smoke signatures, making it a great choice for dog training or event starter guns. With its time-proven dependability and legendary excellence, you can count on Winchester’s Super-X ammo to make every shot count.

Video review

Pros:
  • Superior quality and performance
  • Time-proven dependability
  • Legendary excellence
  • Perfect for target practice or small game hunting
  • Visible smoke signatures
  • Affordable price point
Cons:
  • Not ideal for long-distance shots
  • Only suitable for recreational shooting

 

22 Short Ammo: Long or Short Barrel? 🔫

🔎 22 Short ammo is designed to work well in both long and short barrels. However, the performance of the ammo may vary depending on the length of the barrel.

🔗 Generally speaking, a longer barrel will provide higher velocity and better accuracy due to the increased amount of time the bullet has to accelerate before leaving the muzzle. This is because the longer barrel allows for a longer period for the expanding gases from the burning gunpowder to push the bullet forward. 🔗 On the other hand, a shorter barrel may provide better maneuverability and is generally easier to handle. The shorter barrel can also be beneficial in certain situations, such as in close-quarters combat, where a longer barrel may be cumbersome.

📢 Ultimately, the choice of barrel length for the 22 Short ammo will depend on your intended use and personal preference.

🎥 Watch the video to see the performance of both:

FAQ 🤔

Are 22 shorts ammo quiet?
⚖️ The noise level of 22 shorts ammunition can vary depending on the specific type of ammunition being used and the firearm it is fired from.

📌 Compared to other types of ammunition, such as 22 long rifles, 22 shorts tend to be quieter because they typically have less gunpowder and a lower velocity. However, they may still produce a noticeable level of noise when fired.

⚠️ It’s important to note that even a quiet round can still produce noise levels that can cause hearing damage if proper hearing protection is not worn.

What is .22 Short Ammo good for?
📢 It can be used for a variety of purposes. Here are a few examples:

  • ✅ Target shooting: .22 Short ammunition can be used for target shooting at short ranges. Its low recoil and relatively low noise level make it a good choice for beginners or those who want to practice shooting without disturbing neighbors or nearby wildlife.
  • ✅ Pest control: It can be effective for pest control, such as dealing with rodents or pests around the home or farm.
  • ✅ Plinking: The ammo can be used for recreational plinking, which involves shooting at informal targets for fun.
  • ✅ Small game hunting: While not as powerful as some other calibers,these rounds can still be used for small game hunting, such as rabbits or squirrels.

🔔 Overall, it is a versatile cartridge that can be used for a variety of purposes, and it remains a popular choice for many shooters.

How far will a 22 Short bullet travel?
📏 The distance that this bullet will travel depends on several factors, including the type of bullet, the weight of the bullet, the velocity of the bullet, and the angle at which it is fired.

📍 On average, a .22 Short bullet can travel anywhere from 100 yards to 300 yards, depending on the factors mentioned above.

⚠️ However, it’s important to note that the effective range is typically much shorter than this. It is generally considered to be around 50 yards or less, particularly when it comes to accurate shot placement. This is because the bullets have a relatively low velocity and tend to lose energy quickly over distance.

At what range is a 22 lethal?
📏 According to the FBI’s Ballistic Research Facility, the effective range of a .22 LR (Long Rifle) cartridge for self-defense is generally considered to be about 50 yards or less.

📌 However, it’s important to note that a .22 LR cartridge can be lethal at much longer ranges, particularly if it strikes a vital area such as the head or heart.

Can I shoot 22 Shorts Ammo in a Ruger Wrangler?
✅ Yes, you can generally shoot .22 Short ammunition in a Ruger Wrangler revolver.

🔫 The Ruger Wrangler is a single-action revolver that is chambered for .22 LR (Long Rifle) ammunition but can also fire .22 Short and .22 Long ammunition. ⚠️ It’s important to note that if you do shoot this ammunition in the Ruger Wrangler, you will need to manually eject the spent cases, as the revolver’s ejector rod may not be able to extract the shorter cartridges.

What is the best 22 short ammo?
💁🏽 There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best ammo for one person may not be the best option for another.

💣 However, some of the most popular 22 short ammo options include CCI Velocitor, Aguila Super Extra, and Federal Champion.

Conclusion 🧾

In the article, we provided a helpful overview of some of the top .22 Short ammunition options available on the market today. We also highlighted the versatility and effectiveness of this ammo and provided some useful guides to help you choose the best ammunition for your specific needs and firearms. Hope you found it helpful! 😉😎

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Chicklet_0911
Chicklet_0911
1 year ago

Man, this ammo is the real deal! I’ve used it for target shooting and it’s so accurate and reliable. Never had any misfires or issues.

Prototype
Prototype
1 year ago

Based on my research, the most powerful .22 Short ammunition available is the CCI Mini-Mag .22 Short Copper Plated Hollow Point with a 29-grain bullet. Although the advertised velocity is 1080 fps, this is likely achieved with pump, lever, or bolt-action rifles.
In my personal testing with a Ruger Single Six with a 5.5-inch barrel at a range of about 10 yards, the CCI Mini-Mag .22 Short produced a loud report similar to a .22 LR and caused some dents in a frying pan. However, the CCI Mini-Mag .22 LR with a 40-grain bullet caused significantly more damage to the pan and started to penetrate after several shots.
It’s also worth noting that the CCI Copper Plated Hollow Point with a 29-grain bullet is a fun choice for the small and compact North American Arms revolver.

Opulent Putog
Opulent Putog
1 year ago

A friend of mine recently purchased a used Beretta pistol, possibly a model 950, chambered in 22 Short. Can you provide some suggestions on the type of ammunition that would be suitable for this firearm?

_Extrors
_Extrors
1 year ago

I have a nostalgic fondness for .22 Shorts as they remind me of my childhood days 50 years ago when I used to make zip guns from car antennas. Currently, I own two dedicated short rifles – a Winchester 74 and a Miroku Browning SA. Both have clipped recoil spring coils and lapped bolts, and they cycle CCI Minicaps flawlessly. 
I own also a Marlin 39a in S-L-LR, and I’ve noticed that the Minicaps only hit the 25-foot balls, seldom the 50-foot ones, and never out to 75 feet. I suspect that the LR chamber and 16″ twist of the Marlin cannot extract the full accuracy potential of the shorts. However, the Marlin is quite accurate with CCI Quiets out to 75 feet, so I prefer to shoot them out of that gun.

Relluted3009
Relluted3009
1 year ago

using them for years and it’s never let me down. I always have some on hand for target shooting or pest control. highly recommend it. great post

Llllinglessuc
Llllinglessuc
1 year ago

I’m interested to know if it’s possible for a 22 Short to produce a group size of 1 inch or less at a distance of 50 yards.

Arissarume
Arissarume
1 year ago

When the rapid-fire used to be .22 short, my go-to choice for ammunition was the Eley .22 Short Rapid Fire Match. Out of all the options available for my OSPs, it was the most accurate. While the RWS R25 was a popular choice among many, I found that it had a softer recoil impulse than the Eley, but I could never come across a lot that was as precise as my match lot of Eley.

Sinet Ciccino
Sinet Ciccino
1 year ago

I was surprised at how powerful the 22 Short Ammo was! I thought it wouldn’t be enough to take down a varmint, but boy was I wrong. It packs a punch!

Havi Mi Vida
Havi Mi Vida
1 year ago

Is it suitable for self-defense?

Big Ben
Big Ben
1 year ago

never had any issues with misfires or jams. it’s always worked perfectly for me.