Short answer: standard velocity and high velocity .22 LR both work in most rifles. Subsonic stays under the speed of sound and is quieter. Choose by gun, range and use.
Standard velocity
Slower and often more accurate in many rifles. A good match for target shooting.
High velocity
Faster with a flatter path, common for plinking and small-game use.
Subsonic
Loaded to stay under about 1,100 feet per second. It is quieter, and some semi-autos may not cycle with it, so test first.
Match your gun
Rifles and pistols can each prefer a certain brand. Buy a small test box before a case.
Our .22 LR ammo guide has more.
The main types
- Standard velocity: subsonic or near-subsonic, quiet and gentle. Good for plinking and for suppressed use.
- High velocity: faster and flatter, often used for small game and general shooting.
- Match grade: made for consistency and tight groups in target rifles and pistols.
Which gun it runs best in
Some semi-automatic rifles and pistols cycle better with one type than another. A rifle or pistol with a tighter barrel may group better with match ammunition. Test two or three kinds in your firearm to see which it likes.
Practical tips
- Buy a few boxes of different brands and compare groups.
- Keep a note of what runs without stoppages.
- Store rimfire ammunition cool and dry.
Browse our ammunition by caliber to see what is in stock.
Keep building
Browse AR-15 parts, read the custom AR-15 build guide, or let our Palmetto, FL shop help with gunsmithing and custom AR builds.