22 WMR ammo

22 WMR ammo — the .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire, also called .22 Magnum or .22 Mag — is the rimfire that bridges the gap between the plinking .22 LR and centerfire varmint rounds. It drives a 30- to 40-grain bullet near 1,900–2,000 fps, roughly doubling the energy and reach of a .22 LR while keeping rimfire’s low recoil and report. That makes it an excellent small-game, predator, and pest cartridge out to about 125 yards. This page covers what it’s good for and how it differs from the .22 LR.

Tatted Tacticals stocks .22 WMR from CCI, Federal, Hornady, and Winchester — hollow-point hunting, polymer-tip, and FMJ loads, in boxes and bulk.

.22 WMR vs. .22 LR

The .22 Magnum is a bigger, more powerful rimfire than the .22 LR — faster, flatter, and harder-hitting, with roughly double the energy. Critically, the two are not interchangeable: the .22 WMR case is longer and wider, so you cannot safely fire .22 LR in a .22 WMR chamber or vice versa. Use each only in a firearm marked for it. For longer reach with a flatter, faster bullet, the .17 HMR is the other premium rimfire choice. Our .22 WMR ballistic data compares the loads.

What the .22 Magnum Is Good For

The .22 WMR is a small-game and varmint cartridge: rabbits, squirrels, and especially predators like fox and coyote at moderate range, plus pest control where more reach and energy than a .22 LR is wanted. It’s also a popular choice for compact trail and defense revolvers. For larger varmints at distance, centerfire rounds like the .22-250 take over. Standards follow SAAMI specifications.

Buying .22 WMR

Rimfire ammo can’t be reloaded, so buy in quantity when prices are good. Federal law sets the minimum age for rifle ammunition at 18; per ATF guidance, confirm federal rules and review our ammunition shipping rules and state restrictions before ordering.

.22 WMR Ammo — Frequently Asked Questions

Are .22 WMR and .22 Mag the same?

Yes. .22 WMR (Winchester Magnum Rimfire), .22 Magnum, and .22 Mag are all names for the identical cartridge. The names are used interchangeably on ammo boxes, and any firearm marked for one fires all of them. It is not the same as the smaller, less powerful .22 LR.

Can you shoot .22 LR in a .22 WMR?

No. The .22 WMR uses a longer, wider case than the .22 LR, so the two are not interchangeable — firing .22 LR in a .22 WMR chamber is unsafe and unreliable, and the reverse won’t chamber. Use each cartridge only in a firearm specifically marked for it. Some revolvers offer convertible cylinders for both.

Is .22 WMR stronger than .22 LR?

Yes, considerably. The .22 Magnum produces roughly double the muzzle energy of a .22 LR, with higher velocity and a flatter trajectory, extending effective range to around 125 yards. It costs more per round and isn’t interchangeable, but for predators and longer small-game shots it clearly outperforms the .22 LR.

What is a .22 Magnum good for?

Small game and predator hunting — rabbits, squirrels, fox, and coyote — plus pest control and compact trail revolvers, out to about 125 yards. It offers more reach and energy than a .22 LR while keeping rimfire’s low recoil and noise. For larger varmints at long range, a centerfire cartridge is the better tool.

Can you buy .22 WMR ammo online?

Yes. In most U.S. states you can buy .22 WMR online and have it shipped to your door. The minimum age for rifle ammunition is 18, and some states and municipalities add restrictions or shipping limits, so confirm your state and local laws before ordering.