Bulk .22 LR: What Cheap Actually Buys You

.22 LR is still the cheapest way to shoot a lot of rounds, and buying it in bulk is how most rimfire shooters keep costs down. But "cheap" covers a wide range of quality. Some bulk .22 cycles every semi-auto you own and groups well enough for small game. Some shoots fine in a bolt gun but stovepipes in your 10/22. This guide explains what you actually get at the budget end, how to buy bulk without regret, and when paying more makes sense.

We don't print prices, because rimfire pricing changes weekly and varies by case quantity. Our case pricing and rebates guide covers how to time a bulk buy.

What cheap .22 usually gets right

Modern bulk .22 LR from established makers is far better than the unreliable bulk packs many older shooters remember. In most guns, most of the time, it goes bang, feeds and hits a can at 25 yards. For plinking, training kids and basic function practice, that's all you need. High-velocity copper-plated loads are the sweet spot for semi-autos. The extra energy cycles actions reliably, and plating keeps the gun cleaner.

Where cheap .22 falls short

• Consistency. Rim thickness and powder charge vary more in bulk ammunition. That shows up as fliers at 50 yards and beyond. Serious rimfire competitors sort by rim thickness. See our rim sorting guide.
• Duds. Rimfire priming compound is spun into the rim. An occasional failure to fire is normal for the category. Strike a dud again rotated a quarter turn, keep the muzzle pointed safely, and wait before clearing it.
• Fouling. Unplated lead bullets leave more residue in actions and suppressors. See our suppressor fouling guide.

Hollow points for small game

Bulk hollow points are fine for squirrels and rabbits at sensible distances, provided your rifle groups them well. Zero with the load you'll hunt with. Point of impact can shift between loads. Our rimfire zeroing guide and small game guide cover the rest.

When to pay more

Pay for better ammo when accuracy decides the outcome: NRL22, PRS rimfire, silhouette, or long shots on small game. Target and match loads are usually standard velocity with tighter consistency. They're designed for bolt guns and match semi-autos rather than for cycling everything. Our rimfire competition guide explains the step up.

How to buy bulk without regret

1. Buy one box first. Run it through every rimfire you own: semi-auto, bolt, pistol and revolver.
2. Shoot groups at your normal distance, from a rest. See our rests and bipods roundup.
3. Count malfunctions. A few in a box of 50 in one gun tells you something about that gun and that load.
4. Buy the case of the winner, ideally from one lot, and store it cool and dry.

Every rifle has its preferences. Two rifles of the same model can prefer different loads, which is why the one-box test matters more than any online ranking.

FAQ