.22 LR vs .22 WMR: Is the Magnum Rimfire Worth the Extra Money?
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They look like cousins, but they are not interchangeable. One is the cheapest, most popular cartridge in America. The other hits more than twice as hard and costs noticeably more to shoot. Here is what the extra money buys you.
TL;DR for Skimmers
.22 LR and .22 WMR fire nearly the same diameter bullet, and both are rated to the same SAAMI maximum average pressure of 24,000 psi. The difference is the case: the .22 WMR is longer and wider, holds more powder, and pushes a 40-grain bullet about 60 percent faster with roughly two and a half times the muzzle energy. That makes the WMR the better choice for coyotes, varmints, and hunting at 100 yards. .22 LR wins on price, availability, low noise, and sheer fun per dollar, which is why it remains the default for plinking, training, and small game inside 50 yards. The two cases are not interchangeable, so you cannot swap ammunition between guns chambered for each.
The Actual Numbers: Velocity and Energy
Per SAAMI testing, a .22 WMR fires a 40-grain bullet at about 1,875 fps. A typical .22 LR high-velocity load moves a 40-grain bullet at roughly 1,235 fps, and standard-velocity loads run closer to 1,080 fps. In energy terms, CCI's Maxi-Mag .22 WMR delivers about 312 ft-lbs at the muzzle against about 135 ft-lbs for CCI's Mini-Mag .22 LR. Even at 100 yards, a .22 WMR bullet still carries around 50 percent more energy than a .22 LR does at the muzzle.
Those figures come from rifle-length barrels. Barrel length matters a lot more to the WMR, which needs more barrel to burn its extra powder. In AmmoMan's testing from a 4.3-inch pistol barrel, CCI Maxi-Mag 40-grain WMR averaged about 1,287 fps and 140 ft-lbs, while Federal Automatch 40-grain .22 LR averaged about 1,010 fps and 91 ft-lbs. The WMR still wins, but the gap narrows considerably in a short revolver or pistol.
Why the Same Pressure Gives Such Different Results
Several sources, including American Rifleman and Outdoor Life, cite a SAAMI maximum average pressure of 24,000 psi for both cartridges. The WMR gets its extra performance from the case, not from running hotter. It is based on the .22 WRF and is longer and wider than the .22 LR case, so it holds more propellant and gives that powder more room to work behind the same size bullet.
Chambers Are Not Interchangeable
Never assume the two will swap. A .22 WMR cartridge is longer and wider and will not chamber in a .22 LR gun. The reverse is the real hazard: firing a smaller .22 LR round in a .22 WMR chamber can produce swollen or split cases and gas leaking back from the chamber, which can injure the shooter. Check the barrel marking before you load anything.
Cost and Availability
This is where .22 LR pulls ahead. It is the most widely stocked centerfire-alternative cartridge on shelves, comes in a huge range of loads from subsonic to high-velocity, and costs noticeably less per round than .22 WMR. Magnum ammunition is available from every major maker but the selection is narrower and the price premium adds up over a few hundred rounds. For high-volume practice, .22 LR is hard to beat.
Which One Should You Buy?
- Plinking, training, and new shooters: .22 LR. It is cheap, quiet, and has almost no recoil.
- Small game inside 50 yards: .22 LR does the job for squirrels and rabbits with proper shot placement.
- Coyotes, groundhogs, and varmints out to 100 yards: .22 WMR. The extra energy and flatter trajectory make a real difference.
- Backyard pest control with minimal noise: .22 LR, especially subsonic loads.
- Trail gun or kit gun revolver: either works, but the WMR gives noticeably more power if you accept more noise and cost.
Comparison Table
| Category | .22 LR | .22 WMR |
|---|---|---|
| SAAMI max pressure | 24,000 psi | 24,000 psi |
| Typical 40 gr muzzle velocity (rifle) | ~1,080-1,235 fps | ~1,875 fps |
| Typical muzzle energy (rifle) | ~135 ft-lbs | ~312 ft-lbs |
| From a 4.3 in pistol barrel | ~1,010 fps / ~91 ft-lbs | ~1,287 fps / ~140 ft-lbs |
| Case size | Shorter, narrower | Longer, wider (based on .22 WRF) |
| Cost per round | Lower | Noticeably higher |
| Best suited for | Plinking, training, small game | Varmints, coyotes, 100-yard hunting |
FAQ
Is .22 WMR the same as .22 Magnum? Yes. .22 WMR stands for .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire, and most shooters just call it .22 Mag.
Can I shoot .22 LR in a .22 WMR rifle? It is not recommended. The shorter .22 LR case does not fit the longer magnum chamber properly, and firing it can swell or split the case and leak gas back toward the shooter.
Is .22 WMR good for self-defense? It delivers more energy than .22 LR, but both are small cartridges. Most defensive use favors larger calibers, and barrel length strongly affects magnum performance in a handgun.
Is .22 WMR good for deer? No. It is a varmint and small game round, and it is not recommended for deer-sized game.
The Bottom Line
.22 LR is the better all-around rimfire because it is cheap, available, quiet, and easy to shoot. .22 WMR is the better hunting cartridge for coyotes and varmints because it carries significantly more energy and reaches out further, at the cost of higher ammo prices and a narrower selection. If you already own a .22 LR and want to hunt at 100 yards, a .22 WMR rifle is the logical next step. If you are buying your first rimfire, start with .22 LR.
Where to Buy
Shop in-stock .22 LR and .22 WMR ammunition at Brownells.
Looking for a rimfire rifle or revolver? Check current listings at Palmetto State Armory.
