Rimfire ammunition remains the most economical and versatile choice for shooters, with .22 Long Rifle leading as America's most popular cartridge. Saint Barbs Bullets stocks precision match ammunition from Eley and Lapua for competitive shooters, high-velocity hunting loads from CCI and Federal for small game and varmints, and bulk plinking options from Winchester and Aguila for training and recreational shooting.
Beyond .22 LR, we stock .17 HMR for flat-shooting varmint control, .22 WMR (Winchester Magnum Rimfire) for extended-range small game hunting, and specialty rimfire calibers. Each offers distinct advantages: .22 LR provides unmatched affordability with minimal recoil, .17 HMR delivers exceptional accuracy at distance, and .22 WMR bridges the gap with increased energy. Bulk options and free shipping available.
.22 Long Rifle Ammunition
High-Velocity Loads: Operating at 1,200-1,400 fps, high-velocity .22 LR ensures reliable cycling in semi-automatic firearms. CCI Mini-Mag (36gr copper-plated hollow point at 1,260 fps) is the gold standard for reliability. Federal Champion (36gr CPHP at 1,260 fps) offers similar performance at competitive prices. Winchester Super-X (37gr HP at 1,280 fps) excellent for hunting squirrels and rabbits.
Standard Velocity: Operating at 1,070-1,150 fps, standard velocity offers excellent accuracy with reduced noise. CCI Standard Velocity (40gr lead round nose at 1,070 fps) favorite among precision shooters. Often delivers better accuracy than high-velocity in bolt-action rifles.
Subsonic Ammunition: Operating below 1,100 fps, subsonic .22 LR eliminates supersonic crack for extremely quiet suppressed shooting. CCI Quiet (40gr LRN at 710 fps) ideal for backyard plinking. CCI Subsonic (40gr LHP at 1,050 fps) offers better cycling reliability.
Match-Grade Ammunition: Precision rimfire for competition. Eley Tenex is the Olympic standard. SK Rifle Match offers Eley-level performance at lower cost, popular in NRL22. Lapua Center-X provides excellent accuracy at mid-tier pricing. Essential for competitive shooting but unnecessary for plinking or hunting.
.17 HMR (Hornady Magnum Rimfire)
Delivers exceptional accuracy and flat trajectory for varmint hunting. Tiny .172 inch diameter bullet (17gr, 20gr) achieves 2,400-2,550 fps with minimal recoil. Hornady Varmint Express (17gr V-MAX at 2,550 fps) features polymer-tipped bullets for rapid expansion. CCI A17 (17gr Varmint Tip at 2,650 fps) optimized for semi-automatic rifles. Flat trajectory extends effective range to 150-200 yards. Ammunition costs 2-3x more than .22 LR but delivers superior long-range performance.
.22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire (.22 WMR): Bridges gap between .22 LR and centerfire cartridges. Firing 30-50gr bullets at 1,900-2,200 fps, delivers 300+ ft-lbs energy—triple that of .22 LR. Effective for small game hunting at extended ranges (100-125 yards). CCI Maxi-Mag (40gr TMJ at 1,875 fps) offers reliable feeding. Hornady Varmint Express (30gr V-MAX at 2,200 fps) provides flat trajectory. Ammunition costs 3-4x more than .22 LR.
Bulk Rimfire Ammunition
High-volume shooters save with bulk purchases. We offer .22 LR in 500, 1,000, 3,000, and 5,000-round cases from Federal, Winchester, CCI, and Aguila. Federal Champion 525-round packs provide excellent value. Winchester M-22 1,000-round packs offer reliable performance. Bulk purchases reduce cost per round by 20-40% while ensuring adequate supply.
FAQ
Q: What's the most accurate .22 LR ammunition?
A: Match-grade ammunition (Eley Tenex, SK Rifle Match, Lapua Center-X) delivers best accuracy, but performance varies by rifle. Test multiple brands in your specific firearm. Many precision rifles shoot CCI Standard Velocity exceptionally well at fraction of match ammunition cost.
Q: Can I use high-velocity .22 LR in any .22 rifle?
A: Yes, all .22 LR firearms can safely fire high-velocity, standard velocity, and subsonic ammunition. However, semi-automatic firearms may not cycle reliably with subsonic loads due to insufficient energy.
Q: Is .17 HMR better than .22 LR for hunting?
A: .17 HMR offers flatter trajectory and more energy at distance, making it superior for varmint hunting beyond 75 yards. However, .22 LR is more economical, widely available, and adequate for small game within 50 yards.
Q: Why is match ammunition expensive?
A: Match ammunition undergoes extensive lot testing, uses premium components, and is manufactured to extremely tight tolerances. Eley Tenex is tested at factory with velocity and accuracy data provided for each lot.
Q: How long does rimfire ammunition last?
A: Properly stored rimfire ammunition (cool, dry conditions) remains viable for decades. Rimfire primers are more sensitive to moisture than centerfire, so avoid damp storage.
