TAKE IT TO THE LIMIT

Despite its low velocity and arched trajectory, the .22 LR is more accurate and versatile than you might think. Mark Ripley sees what it can do at long range.

Since its introduction in 1887 the humble .22 long rifle (LR) cartridge has stood the test of time, remaining one of the most popular rimfire cartridges available. Only in recent years has the .17 HMR gained similar fame. With ammunition being fairly cheap and subsonic rounds making it near-silent, it’s clear to see why it’s useful, especially as a tool for pest control. However, the .22 LR does have its downsides. Its arched trajectory over short range is one, and its infamous reputation for ricocheting is another. I’m sure most .22 LR owners are familiar with the ‘whizz’ of a ricocheting bullet. The good news is, that this whizz is caused by the bullet cartwheeling in the air in a far from aerodynamic way, thus causing it to rapidly slow down. And chances if it has dumped the majority of its initial energy on whatever it’s ricocheted off, it’s unlikely to go more than a few hundred metres..

Negatives aside, the .22 LR is one of the most enjoyable cartridges to shoot. It’s ideal for beginners and a great practice calibre. I often incorporate a couple of hours of .22 LR shooting in my Vulpine Firearms training days. Since the principles of shooting a centrefire rifle are mirrored in the .22 LR, it saves clients the cost of centrefire ammunition. With a safe backstop and open area, ricochet risks are greatly reduced, allowing the round’s potential to be further explored. The .22 LR’s heavy bullet and low velocity cause rapid drop-off, meaning many shooters zeroed at 50yd disregard it past 80-100yd. This is more due to its drop than a lack of accuracy. While high-velocity ammunition exists, I’ve found it less accurate in many rifles and it’s also much louder, so there’s little advantage over the .17 HMR except in the cost of ammunition.

Its versatility, from pistol and rifle target shooting to discreet pest control, has kept it in widespread use. Recently it has found a following in PRS shooting disciplines, where shooters can engage targets at 500yd. To achieve the required accuracy for long-range shots, competitors often spend thousands on the best rifles and premium target ammunition. This often costs two to three times as much as standard RWS or Winchester subsonics.

I’ve always had a soft spot for the .22 LR. Despite brief affairs with a couple of HMR rifles, I keep returning to it as my favourite rabbit and small game rifle. Keen to explore the full potential of any rifle, I used to regularly shoot my trusty CZ 452 further than most people would. However, a couple of years ago I purchased a more dedicated precision .22 LR and started seeing the calibre’s true potential. My new rifle, a Bergara B14R, immediately impressed me with its build quality and, more importantly, its excellent accuracy.

The first step was to buy as many brands of ammunition as I could find locally and pick a dry, still day for testing. The rifle shot impressively straight out of the box, and while it handled all ammunition well, Eley Match and Eley Force produced one-hole, 10-shot groups at 50m. Due to local availability, I stuck with the Eley Match and, like many PRS competitors, bought as much of the same batch as possible.

The next step in setting up a long-range system was to work out the ballistics. I already had a 20 MOA rail and an Element Titan 3-18×50 scope. Using a ballistic app on my phone I confirmed the drops in the field after chronographing the velocity. With some tweaking I achieved impressive shots at longer ranges, consistently hitting targets out to 300yd when the wind was kind. More recently I switched to the Element Ballistics app paired with the Element Helix 1500 Laser Range Finder, which provides accurate corrections at the press of a button. It displays both the range and the necessary corrections within the unit.

While target ammunition gives good accuracy at range, I haven’t yet found a hunting bullet that performs as well at distance. However, if you can place a .22 bullet in a rabbit’s head or a crow’s chest, a target bullet is just as effective, even with the reduced downrange velocity. Accuracy and shot placement are key to ensuring humane kills on live game.

For a bit of fun I set myself a challenge the other morning to hit an empty 12-gauge shotgun cartridge at 230yd. I limited myself to 10 shots and was impressed that the Helix 1500 got me almost bang on with my first shot. With a couple of extra clicks on the elevation (probably necessary because I hadn’t updated the app’s weather settings) and about a 1 MOA hold-off for the slight breeze, I hit the cartridge with my eighth shot, with all others close.

With several rabbits grazing on the hillside unperturbed by my antics, I decided to try picking a few off. I started with some comfortable 100yd shots, killing two with clean headshots. The next closest rabbit was at 220yd. After my earlier cartridge challenge, I felt confident about this shot. Again, I was rewarded with a clean headshot, and I took a few more at similar distances, only being caught out by a change in the wind on one shot. I finished with another clean kill at 243yd.

Shooting such a lightweight, low-velocity bullet means wind has a greater effect than with centrefire rounds. To shoot at extended ranges, you either need a still day or a good understanding of how the wind will affect your shots. You must be able to read the wind well or take a few practice shots beforehand to judge its effect before shooting live game. This highlights the high skill level of competitors in long-range .22 PRS matches.

Determining how far a .22 LR rifle is effective depends on various factors. These include the rifle’s accuracy, the ammunition’s consistency, the shooter’s marksmanship and knowledge of ballistics, and the wind conditions on the day. As in long-range centrefire shooting, you must be confident in your ability to make the shot.

Ultimately the .22 LR is an effective small-game cartridge up to 100yd. With homework and favourable conditions it can be pushed to 200–250yd with consistency. Beyond that it’s still fun on targets, although spotting misses becomes tricky and ammunition reliability may be an issue. With ballistic apps, scopes and the growing popularity of .22 PRS we may see more long-range ammunition becoming widely available, earning the .22 LR more respect at longer distances.