.22 long rifle

The .22 long rifle, usually abbreviated .22 LR, is a rimfire cartridge of .22 caliber that originated in the United States, where the J. Stevens Arms & Tool Company introduced it in 1887. It descends from the .22 BB Cap of 1845 and the .22 short of 1857, and it joins the case of the .22 long of 1871 to a 40-grain bullet, which gave it more length and velocity than its forebears and pushed the .22 extra long cartridge out of use. The round uses a heeled bullet whose diameter matches the case. It is chambered in rifles, pistols, revolvers and submachine guns, and by quantity sold it is the most common ammunition manufactured in the world. Low recoil and modest noise suit it to marksmanship training, small-game hunting, pest control and recreational shooting, and military cadets commonly train on .22 LR rifles. It lacks the stopping power needed for larger game.