When most people think of lethal ammunition, they might not immediately consider the diminutive .22 Long Rifle (LR) cartridge. Yet, with advancements in bullet technology and propellant mixes, even this small cartridge can pack a serious punch. So what is the most lethal 22LR ammo? It depends on several factors, including your intended purpose. 

I generally lean away from recommending anything rimfire for self-defense. Still, the .22LR can be surprisingly effective for specific tasks and purposes. If your property is overrun with varmints, or pests, it’s hard to find a more efficient round to remove them. Let’s dive into the world of .22LR – especially rimfire hollow points – and discuss some top lethal picks.

Rimfire Hollow Point Overview

Before we hop into our specific ammo recommendations, let’s review what makes a hollow point bullet unique. Unlike traditional full-metal-jacket bullets, hollow points have a small hollowed-out tip. 

This design causes the bullet to expand upon striking a target, creating a larger wound channel. This property makes hollow point bullets more lethal than other types, ensuring quicker incapacitation of the intended target. For .22LR cartridges, this can mean the difference between a “poke” and a “punch.”

Most Lethal 22LR Ammo

We narrowed our list down to six of the best and most lethal .22LR cartridges on the market, which include:

CCI Stinger 32 grain CPHP

A favorite among many .22LR enthusiasts, the CCI Stinger is known for its impressive speed and accuracy. The 32-grain copper-plated hollow point bullet flies at a scorching 1,640 feet per second (fps), providing excellent energy transfer on impact. Its lighter weight also means a flatter trajectory, which is great for accurate shooting.

Lethal Feature: Pure velocity. Stingers might be small, but they attack targets like a swarm of angry copper-plated bees traveling at 1,640 FPS.

CCI Velocitors 40gr HP

The heavier sibling of the Stinger, the Velocitor offers a 40-grain hollow point bullet traveling at a still-respectable 1,435 fps. Its higher weight ensures deeper penetration and, combined with its velocity, guarantees a reliable expansion on impact.

Lethal Feature: Flat trajectory, high velocity, 40 grains of consistent, target thumping, tissue disrupting, hollow point power.

Most Lethal 22LR Ammo: Winchester Varmint HE 37gr HP-SEG

The Varmint HE is a segmented hollow point bullet designed to break apart upon impact, causing multiple wound channels. Ideal for varmint hunting, the 37-grain projectile boasts a velocity of 1,435 fps, making it both fast and lethal.

Lethal Feature: Segmented hollow point bullets that fragment when striking soft targets at high velocities.

Federal Small Game 38gr CPHP

Federal’s offering in the high-performance .22LR arena, the Small Game, is designed for bunny-sized targets. The 40-grain hollow point offers consistent accuracy and terminal performance, making it a top choice for small-game hunters.

Lethal Feature: Hollow point performance with pinpoint accuracy. Consider running this in your bolt action precision rifle to achieve optimum performance with your custom barrel.

Norma Hunter-22 Power 40gr HP

A relatively new entrant, Norma’s Hunter-22 Power impresses with its 1,263 fps velocity and a 40-grain hollow point bullet. It offers a balanced combination of speed, accuracy, and terminal performance.

Lethal Feature: Disruptive wound channel. If you need a rimfire round that creates a devastating wound channel without over-penetrating small game, this is it.

Aguila Interceptor 40gr CPSP

The Interceptor is Aguila’s fastest .22LR ammo. The 40-grain copper-plated solid point bullet speeds at an impressive 1,470 fps. It’s an excellent choice for those who prioritize speed and energy transfer. Hollow point? Nope, but Interceptors get the job done by disrupting tissue with high-velocity solid-point bullets. 

Lethal Feature: Speed and energy. Aguila packed this spicy little round with a charge to benefit longer-barreled rimfire rifles. 

Understanding Rimfire Ballistics

Ballistics, in its simplest form, is the study of a projectile in motion. For rimfire cartridges like the .22LR, several factors influence their performance – primarily bullet weight and velocity. A lighter bullet will generally travel faster but might not penetrate as deeply, while a heavier bullet may offer deeper penetration at the cost of speed. 

The hollow point design also plays a significant role in ballistics. As I mentioned earlier, these bullets expand upon impact. In ballistic gel tests, one can observe how different hollow points expand, fragment, or penetrate. The most lethal .22LR ammo tends to show a combination of deep penetration and significant expansion, transferring maximum energy to the target. 

The Intricacies of Performance: Barrel Quality and Length

It’s crucial to note that while the ammunition plays a significant role in the cartridge’s overall performance, it doesn’t operate in isolation. Several factors can influence how a particular ammo behaves once fired. Among the most critical are the quality and length of the rifle’s barrel.

A high-quality barrel, crafted with precision and attention to detail, can markedly improve the accuracy and consistency of your shots. Imperfections inside the barrel, such as pits or rough spots, can adversely affect bullet travel, leading to less predictable trajectories and decreased accuracy.

Barrel length also plays a pivotal role. Generally speaking, longer barrels provide the expanding gasses from the ignited gunpowder more time to push against the bullet. This typically results in higher bullet velocities. However, there’s a point of diminishing returns where more barrel length doesn’t contribute to increased speed and might even hinder overall performance.

Of course, this can be somewhat subjective, as with many things in the world of firearms. Different shooters might have varying experiences based on their unique setups and preferences. 

As we delve into the best ammo options, I’ll also incorporate ballistic and range data. These insights offer a more comprehensive understanding of each ammunition’s real-world performance, ensuring you’re equipped with all the information you need before making a choice.

Most Lethal 22LR Ammo: Sleeper Cartridges

While the .22LR might not be the first cartridge you think of for lethality, it’s a serious contender with the right ammo. Whether for varmint control, small game hunting, or plinking with a bit more “oomph,” selecting one of the ammunitions above will ensure you get the most lethal bang for your buck. 

That said, gun quality also plays a significant role in cartridge performance. Pairing one of these contenders with a premium quality firearm will help you squeeze every ounce of performance out of them. On the other hand, using a bottom-dollar weapon can diminish the performance of even the most expensive cartridges.

The bottom line is that lethality stems from a combination of firearm quality, cartridge quality, and shooter skill. But having a precision cartridge like those in our list goes a long way toward increasing the lethality of the .22LR.

If you’re looking for the most accurate .22LR ammo at 100 Yards, be sure to check out our article here.