.22 Short
Professionally Reviewed by:
Nathaniel Boos
Nathaniel Boos is a lifelong firearms enthusiast and shooter, renowned for his experience as a long-range shooter, ammunition importer/exporter, and firearms manufacturer. With years of hands-on experience, he is a trusted authority in the ammunition and firearms industry.
Credentials:
- • 2x Team Safari Competitor
- • KRG Training Level 1, 2, and Force on Force CQB certified
- • Licensed Texas Conceal Carry Holder
- • Kranz Firearms Training Group Advanced Carbine Certified
.22 Short: At a Glance
| Key Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Firearm Type | Pistol, Revolver, Rifle |
| Primer Type | Rimfire |
| Used For | Target shooting, Small game hunting, Plinking |
| Case Design | Rimmed, Straight |
| Year Introduced | 1857 |
.22 Short: At a Glance: Pros and Cons
Pros
- ✔ Extremely low recoil
- ✔ Very quiet report
- ✔ Inexpensive ammunition
- ✔ Suitable for indoor shooting ranges
- ✔ Excellent for training new shooters
Cons
- ✘ Limited effective range
- ✘ Low stopping power
- ✘ Not suitable for self-defense
- ✘ Less accurate than larger calibers
- ✘ Limited bullet weight options
.22 Short: A Comprehensive Overview
The .22 Short is one of the oldest rimfire cartridges still in production. Developed in 1857 for the Smith & Wesson Model 1 revolver, it was originally designed as a self-defense round. Despite its age, the .22 Short remains popular for target shooting, small game hunting, and pest control due to its low recoil, minimal noise, and affordability.
History and Development
The .22 Short was introduced in 1857 by Smith & Wesson for their Model 1 revolver. It was the first American metallic cartridge and was initially loaded with a 29-grain bullet and 4 grains of black powder. The cartridge was designed to be a compact, low-recoil option for self-defense, particularly for ladies' pocket pistols.
Throughout its history, the .22 Short has seen various improvements and applications. It was used in the 1896 Summer Olympics as the first cartridge for Olympic shooting events. During World War II, it found use in training rifles and as a survival round in aircraft emergency kits.
Today, the .22 Short is primarily used for target shooting, particularly in indoor ranges where its low noise is advantageous. It's also popular for small game hunting and pest control at close ranges. While no longer considered suitable for self-defense, its historical significance and practical applications ensure its continued production.
Performance Characteristics
The .22 Short is known for its low recoil and minimal muzzle report. It typically fires a 27-29 grain bullet at velocities ranging from 700-1,080 feet per second, depending on the load and barrel length. While not as powerful as its larger counterparts like the .22 Long Rifle, it remains effective for its intended purposes at short ranges.
One of the key advantages of the .22 Short is its compact size, allowing for high capacity in firearms designed for it. This makes it particularly popular in gallery guns and for recreational plinking. Its low power also makes it suitable for use in populated areas where overpenetration might be a concern.
Timeline of .22 Short Development and Usage:
.22 Short Performance Characteristics
The .22 Short offers unique performance characteristics that have kept it in production for over 160 years. Here's a breakdown of its key performance attributes:
| Characteristic | Performance |
|---|---|
| Bullet Weight | 27-29 grains Lightweight bullets suitable for small game and target shooting |
| Muzzle Velocity | 700-1,080 fps Varies based on load and barrel length |
| Muzzle Energy | 44-72 ft-lbs Sufficient for small game at close ranges |
| Effective Range | 50-100 yards Best suited for short-range applications |
| Recoil | Minimal Allows for comfortable shooting even in small firearms |
Bullet Weight vs. Muzzle Velocity
This chart shows how bullet weight affects muzzle velocity for common .22 Short loads.
.22 Short: Effective Range for Different Applications
This table provides estimated effective ranges for .22 Short ammunition in various applications. Ranges are based on typical bullet weights and velocities.
| Application | Effective Range (yards) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plinking | 0-50 | Ideal for casual target shooting and practice |
| Target Shooting | 0-75 | Suitable for indoor and outdoor target practice |
| Small Game Hunting | 0-25 | Effective for small rodents and pests at close range |
| Pest Control | 0-30 | Useful for controlling small pests in urban or suburban areas |
Note: Effective ranges can vary based on factors such as bullet selection, shooter skill, wind conditions, and specific firearm characteristics. The .22 Short is known for its low recoil and quiet report, making it suitable for close-range applications. Always prioritize safety and adhere to local laws and regulations.
Applications for .22 Short
The .22 Short's characteristics make it suitable for specific applications:
Caliber Comparisons: .22 Short
The .22 Short is one of the oldest rimfire cartridges still in production. To understand its place in the firearms world, it's helpful to compare it to similar cartridges. Click on each comparison to see more details:
Recoil Energy Comparison
Compare the estimated recoil energy of .22 Short with other rimfire cartridges. (Based on a 4 lb pistol)
Ballistic Trajectory Comparison
This chart compares the ballistic trajectory (bullet drop) of .22 Short with other rimfire cartridges over distance.
Wind Drift Comparison
This chart compares the wind drift of .22 Short with other rimfire cartridges in a 10 mph crosswind.
Energy Retention Comparison
This chart compares the energy retention of .22 Short with other rimfire cartridges over distance.
Sectional Density Comparison for .22 Short
The .22 Short is one of the oldest self-contained cartridges in existence, first introduced in 1857 for Smith & Wesson's first revolver. It has a low sectional density due to its small bullet size and light weight.
| Cartridge | Bullet Weight (gr) | Sectional Density |
|---|---|---|
| .22 Short | 29 | 0.065 |
| .22 Short HP | 27 | 0.060 |
| .22 Short CB | 29 | 0.065 |
Note: The .22 Short has a relatively low sectional density compared to larger calibers, which contributes to its limited penetration and energy retention. It is primarily used for short-range target shooting, small game hunting, and pest control.