{"id":13731,"date":"2024-05-14T17:13:09","date_gmt":"2024-05-14T17:13:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/?p=13731"},"modified":"2025-09-29T05:41:20","modified_gmt":"2025-09-29T05:41:20","slug":"most-lethal-22lr-ammo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/most-lethal-22lr-ammo\/","title":{"rendered":"Most Lethal 22LR Ammo"},"content":{"rendered":"

When most people think of lethal ammunition, they might not immediately consider the diminutive .22 Long Rifle (LR) cartridge. Yet, with advancements in bullet technology and propellant mixes, even this small cartridge can pack a serious punch. So what is the most lethal 22LR ammo? It depends on several factors, including your intended purpose.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I generally lean away from recommending anything rimfire for self-defense. Still, the .22LR can be surprisingly effective for specific tasks and purposes. If your property is overrun with varmints, or pests, it’s hard to find a more efficient round to remove them. Let’s dive into the world of .22LR \u2013 especially rimfire hollow points \u2013 and discuss some top lethal picks.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rimfire Hollow Point Overview<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Hollow Point: The hollowed-out tip of the bullet allows for expansion when striking a target, increasing its lethality.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Before we hop into our specific ammo recommendations, let\u2019s review what makes a hollow point bullet unique. Unlike traditional full-metal-jacket bullets, hollow points have a small hollowed-out tip<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This design causes the bullet to expand upon striking a target, creating a larger wound channel. This property makes hollow point bullets more lethal than other types, ensuring quicker incapacitation of the intended target. <\/span>For .22LR cartridges<\/span>, this can mean the difference between a “poke” and a “punch.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Most Lethal 22LR Ammo<\/h2>\n

We narrowed our list down to six of the best and most lethal .22LR cartridges on the market, which include:<\/span><\/p>\n

CCI Stinger 32 grain CPHP<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Yeah, it’s fast. CCI Stingers are 32gr CPHP rounds with an impressive 1,640 FPS muzzle velocity.<\/p><\/div>\n

A favorite among many .22LR enthusiasts, the CCI Stinger<\/a> is known for its impressive speed and accuracy. The 32-grain copper-plated hollow point bullet flies at a scorching 1,640 feet per second (fps), providing excellent energy transfer on impact. Its lighter weight also means a flatter trajectory, which is great for accurate shooting.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lethal Feature: <\/strong>Pure velocity. Stingers might be small, but they attack targets like a swarm of angry copper-plated bees traveling at 1,640 FPS.<\/p>\n

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Caliber<\/th>\nBullet Type<\/th>\nBullet Weight<\/th>\nVelocity (Muzzle)<\/th>\nEnergy (Muzzle)<\/th>\n50 Yards (Velocity\/Energy)<\/th>\n75 Yards (Velocity\/Energy)<\/th>\n100 Yards (Velocity\/Energy)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
.22LR<\/td>\nCPHP<\/td>\n32gr<\/td>\n1,640 FPS<\/td>\n191 FT LBS<\/td>\n1,292 FPS\/119 FT LBS<\/td>\n1,162 FPS\/96 FT LBS<\/td>\n1,066 FPS\/81 FT LBS<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n\n

CCI Velocitors 40gr HP<\/b><\/h3>\n
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CCI’s Velocitor is a mean little round, with 40gr of expanding hollow point mass to dump into soft targets.<\/p><\/div>\n

The heavier sibling of the Stinger, the Velocitor offers a 40-grain hollow point bullet traveling at a still-respectable 1,435 fps. Its higher weight ensures deeper penetration and, combined with its velocity, guarantees a reliable expansion on impact.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lethal Feature: <\/strong>Flat trajectory, high velocity, 40 grains of consistent, target thumping, tissue disrupting, hollow point power.<\/p>\n

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\n\n\n\n\n
Caliber<\/th>\nBullet Type<\/th>\nBullet Weight<\/th>\nVelocity (Muzzle)<\/th>\nEnergy (Muzzle)<\/th>\n50 Yards (Velocity\/Energy)<\/th>\n75 Yards (Velocity\/Energy)<\/th>\n100 Yards (Velocity\/Energy)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
.22LR<\/td>\nHP<\/td>\n40gr<\/td>\n1,435 FPS<\/td>\n183 FT LBS<\/td>\n1,230 FPS\/134 FT LBS<\/td>\n1,149 FPS\/117 FT LBS<\/td>\n1,084 FPS\/104 FT LBS<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n
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\n \"product\"\n <\/div>\n
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\n CCI 22 LR 36 Grain HP - 100 Rounds <\/div>\n
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\n $14.85 <\/div>\n \n Shop Now\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\n \"product\"\n <\/div>\n
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\n 22 LR - 36 Grain CPHP - CCI Mini-Mag - 5000 Rounds <\/div>\n
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\n $558.85 <\/div>\n \n Shop Now\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n