Buy .22 LR Rimfire Rifle Ammo Online in Australia

22 LR (Long Rifle) is a highly versatile rimfire ammunition cartridge designed for pest control, target shooting, and small-game hunting at close to medium ranges. As the world’s most popular rimfire round, it offers shooters low recoil, mild report, and excellent practical accuracy in both bolt-action rifles and semi-automatic platforms.

Types of 22 LR

Subsonic ammunition — Suited for suppressed shooting and quiet pest control where minimizing noise is crucial, typically operating below 1050 fps to avoid breaking the sound barrier.
High and hyper velocity ammunition — Suited for small game hunting at extended ranges where flat trajectories and maximum impact energy are required, exceeding velocities of 1200 fps up to 1435 fps.
Target and match grade ammunition — Suited for precision paper punching and competitive shooting, utilizing consistent projectile weights and tight velocity tolerances for supreme accuracy.
Bulk pack ammunition — Suited for high-volume plinking and general practice, offering a large quantity of lead round nose or hollow point rounds at a lower cost per round.

How to choose

Velocity threshold — Select subsonic rounds below 1050 fps for quiet, suppressed operation, or opt for high-velocity options between 1200 fps and 1435 fps to ensure flat trajectories over longer distances.
Bullet weight — Choose lighter 29-grain to 36-grain bullets for high velocity and rapid expansion on light pests, or heavier 40-grain to 45-grain bullets for stable flight and deeper penetration.
Projectile construction — Opt for hollow point (HP) bullets to ensure rapid expansion on target for ethical pest control, lead round nose (LRN) for smooth feeding and clean target holes, or copper-plated and polymer-coated bullets to minimize barrel leading.
Pack size — Select standard 50-round or 100-round packs for precise match shooting, or scale up to bulk packs containing 400 to 1375 rounds for high-volume training and plinking.

Buying in Australia

To purchase or possess 22 LR rimfire ammunition in Australia, you must hold a valid Category A or B firearms licence. Additionally, shooters must comply with state-specific safe storage regulations, which mandate storing ammunition securely in a locked container separate from firearms.

How this differs from related categories

17 HMR operates at much higher velocities exceeding 2550 fps using a necked-down, bottlenecked 17-calibre projectile, whereas the 22 LR is a straight-walled round.
22 WMR features a longer case with a larger powder capacity, generating higher muzzle energy and velocity than the standard 22 LR.
17 Mach 2 uses a necked-down 22 LR case to fire a smaller 17-calibre bullet at higher velocities of approximately 2100 fps.
224 Valkyrie is a high-power centrefire rifle cartridge engineered for long-range tactical precision, whereas the 22 LR is a low-powered rimfire cartridge.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between subsonic and high-velocity 22 LR ammo?

Subsonic 22 LR ammunition operates below the speed of sound, typically under 1050 feet per second (fps), preventing the loud "crack" when fired, making it ideal for suppressed rifles. High-velocity ammunition exceeds 1200 fps (and up to 1435 fps for hyper-velocity rounds), providing a flatter trajectory and harder impact over longer distances at the expense of more noise.

Should I choose a hollow point or a round nose bullet for pest control?

Hollow point (HP) projectiles are designed to expand rapidly upon impact, delivering maximum kinetic energy to ensure quick, humane dispatch of small pests. Lead round nose (LRN) projectiles do not expand significantly but offer reliable feeding in semi-automatic actions and are ideal for target practice where clean paper holes are preferred.

Can I shoot 22 LR ammunition in a rifle chambered for 22 WMR?

No, you must never fire 22 LR ammunition in a 22 WMR (Winchester Magnum Rimfire) chamber. Despite sharing a similar bullet diameter, the 22 WMR case is longer and wider, meaning a 22 LR cartridge will not fit securely, potentially causing unsafe case rupture and gas blowback.

What paperwork do I need to purchase 22 LR ammo in Australia?

To buy 22 LR rimfire ammunition in Australia, you must hold and present a valid Category A or B firearms licence corresponding to the calibre. Online purchases require verification of your licensing details, and physical collection or delivery must comply with state-specific police registry rules.