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You Wouldn't Expect This from a .22 LR

The world of long-distance shooting has long been dominated by large-caliber rifles designed for precision and high energy delivery over hundreds of meters. However, when the small .22 LR cartridge appears among these powerful options, shooters usually just chuckle. Yet, the .22 LR has opened up long-range shooting to many enthusiasts under significantly more accessible conditions.

You Wouldn't Expect This from a .22 LR

No, you usually don't shoot .22 LR at 500 meters or more, the unofficial starting long-range distance for centerfire cartridges. In European sporting events, it’s typically shot up to 300 meters—external conditions affect the .22 LR trajectory similarly to how they affect large-caliber ammunition at two or even three times the distance. The 22’s are experiencing a renaissance in the sporting world, and the .22 LR is no longer just for small competitions or hunting small game within 100 meters.

A Bit of History

The .22 Long Rifle is a rimfire cartridge introduced by J. Stevens Arms & Tool Company in 1887. Before its invention, there were other .22” cartridges, specifically the .22 Short from 1857 and the .22 Long from 1871. The .22 LR combined their properties. It consists of a cartridge case with a rim filled with a priming compound, which also serves as the primer, along with powder and bullets of various materials and properties. You can find ammunition ranging from inexpensive plinking rounds to specialized hunting, subsonic, high-velocity, biathlon, cold-weather, and precision shooting rounds for 50 and 100 meters.

Emergence of a New Discipline

Many shooters know the .22 LR for short-range shooting, often not exceeding 100 meters. It’s commonly used in beginner training, fun plinking, or small game hunting at close range. I believe the growing popularity of this cartridge has three main reasons. First is the cost—not only of the ammunition itself but also the equipment needed. For 100-meter shooting, you don’t need a scope costing tens of thousands, expensive chassis systems, or other tactical gear; often, you can use a rifle you already own.
The second reason is the availability of long range shooting grounds, which in Europe are increasingly restricted due to safety and noise pollution limits. A small range behind a village is unlikely to be shut down for .22 LR shooting.

The third reason is the challenge of shooting at distances over 200 meters. Here, you must consider both theoretical ballistics and all external factors that challenge the theory in practice. The knowledge gained from shooting .22 LR will benefit you. With some exaggeration, you can say you could shoot a whole wagonload of .22 LR cartridges. While it won't teach you to absorb recoil, it will help with aiming, breathing control, shooting positions, trigger pull, and correcting your own mistakes, all at significantly lower costs than centerfire rounds.

More Than Just Fun

Some might argue that mastering .22 LR ballistics has direct implications for hunting. Although it's true that, with the right skills and conditions, this cartridge can be used to hunt small game at surprising distances, it's essential to approach such situations with caution. Just because a bullet can reach the target doesn't mean it should be used for hunting. Ethical hunting requires a humane approach, not pushing the limits. However, the experience gained from long-range .22 LR shooting is beneficial for centerfire cartridges. For .22 LR long range, its place is on the range, but the skills you acquire will be valuable for hunting.

Setting Up for Success

My journey with .22 LR for long distances began in 2021. Over the past seasons, my now fifteen-year-old son and I have participated in training and competitions in the Czech Republic, Germany, and Scandinavia. I started with what I had at home and gradually upgraded my equipment. My base was the CZ 457 rimfire in American stock. I initially used it in .17 HMR for fox hunting around the village, but eventually dedicated it to sport shooting. I began by changing the caliber—I bought the 20” varmint barrel with match dimensions chamber, then replaced the hunting stock with a sport stock with an adjustable butt plate and cheek piece. I shot a season with it and gradually upgraded it with a precision trigger and optics. Currently, I use a Zeiss LRP S5 525-56 scope, borrowed from my larger rifle. The scope's excellent glass and extensive elevation adjustment greatly facilitated my .22 LR experiments. Most of the time, I shot NORMA TAC-22 cartridges, which my rifle loves, and now I'm testing NORMA XTREME LR-22 for distances over 200 meters.

NORMA XTREME LR-22 for Long Distances

In NORMA's 2022 portfolio, the NORMA XTREME LR-22 line is new, featuring bullets with a modified shape and pointed rear to optimize the aerodynamic vortex behind the flying bullet. In my rifle, this ammo achieves an average muzzle velocity of 375 m/s, which is 30 m/s more than the NORMA TAC-22. The XTREME LR-22 surprised me: at 50 meters, the group wasn't "one hole," as I'm used to, but it became more linear with increasing distance. At long range, the spread widens due to external factors. Imagine a "1 MOA" rifle: at 100 meters, you have a spread of under 3 cm, but at 600 meters, you likely won’t hit a 1 MOA target (about 17.5 cm) with every shot due to external conditions or ammo properties. This applies even more to .22 LR. Even before fine-tuning and practice, I was hitting a 25 cm gong at 300 meters every 3-5 shots with NORMA XTREME LR-22, which wasn’t possible with NORMA TAC-22. However, remember TAC-22 is designed for dynamic disciplines up to 50 meters, not a long-range precision.

My Journey Beyond 100 Meters

Initially, hitting targets within 100 meters was easy and accurate, as expected. Moving to 100-200 meters presented some challenges, but with practice, I could regularly hit metal targets the size of a clay pigeon. In distances up to 200 meters, it was mainly about creating a stable position. At 200 meters, wind plays a crucial role, but you can learn to adjust "by feel" without complex ballistics—just watch the impacts.

Beyond 200 meters, new challenges arise, and even slight changes in conditions make shooting difficult. Shooting at a patch at 50 meters? Forget about it. At 300 meters, you'll be happy to hit a 50 cm target with any of your shots initially. Reading aerodynamic flow and keeping a DOPE (Data On Previous Engagements) diary becomes essential. Not just side wind, but vertical air currents also affect the bullet. Even in calm weather, atmospheric pressure and humidity will influence elevation. It’s crucial to record weather conditions and their impact on targets in the DOPE diary. For 300 meters, my benchmark is a 25 cm gong, and even after a season of training, I’m not 100% sure I’ll hit such a target with the first shot. At 300 meters, the bullet has a residual speed of about 250 m/s and without elevation correction, it drops about 4.5 meters below the target.

300 Meters and Beyond?

Shooting .22 LR at 350 meters is comparable to shooting .308 Win at 800 meters. For me, dynamic positions are out of the question. For 300 meters or more, I need a stable shooting position, a perfectly stabilized rifle, precise control, and accurate trigger pull. At these distances, every breath, heartbeat, and even a slight cant of the rifle affects your shot, and any butterfly wind gust can blow you off target by tens of centimeters. It's not feasible to shoot satisfactorily under any conditions at these distances, which also limited my training sessions this season. My current limit is hence 300 meters, and I’ll keep working to extend it.

Unexpected Joys of .22 LR Long-Range Shooting

Starting with long-range .22 LR shooting offers a cost-effective entry into a challenging and rewarding discipline. It's not just about sending a bullet far; it's about diving into ballistic details, reading the wind, and mastering shooting skills. If you have a .22 LR rifle at home, consider stepping out of your comfort zone. You might discover a new passion. Start with what you have—even shooting at 150 meters with a .22 LR is a lot of fun. Personally, I’d recommend trying NORMA XTREME LR-22 rounds—they’ll simplify your journey into precise, enjoyable shooting.