.22 Long Rifle Cartridge, as
Introduced and 125 Years Later

The .22 Long Rifle cartridge is the most popular cartridge in existence. Every year, billions of .22 LR cartridges are purchased and shot. It is popular for both target shooting and hunting, and is used by many for self defense. It has been used by the military establishments of most countries, mostly as a training round, but also in combat. The .22 LR has been used to kill most animals from the smallest, including some insects, on up to elephants.

The .22 Long Rifle is derived from the .22 Short cartridge, both are rimfire cartridges which use a heeled bullet which is outside lubricated. The .22 Short was introduced by Smith & Wesson in 1857. The .22 Short was for their first cartridge revolver, the number 1, a seven shot bottom break revolver. The .22 Short derived from the .22 BB cap, a primer powered cartridge. The BB cap was introduced in 1845. It shot a round ball added to what had been a percussion cap. The Short used a 29 grain bullet and 4 grains of fine black powder. The .22 Long used a longer case, five grains of black powder and the 29 grain bullet. It was introduced in 1871. All four cartridges, the BB cap, the Short, the Long and the Long Rifle survive and can be purchased today.

A fifth cartridge, the .22 Extra Long contained six grains of fine black powder, and used a 40 grain bullet. It was introduced in 1880. It enjoyed commercial success for a few years. The Long Rifle used a 40 grain bullet, from the Extra Long Rifle, the lengthened case of the Long, and five grains of fine black powder. .....