Top.22 Magnum Ammo for All Applications (2023).

Updated 08/30/2023There are many excellent.22 magnum ammo options. Here are some of the top choices that bring out the best in the mini magnum.What Are The Best .22 Magnum Ammunition Options:HuntingCCI GamepointWinchester DynapointPest ControlCCI Maxi-Mag TNTHornady Varmint ExpressAguila Silver EagleRangeFiocchi Range DynamicsFederal Champion TrainingSelf-DefenseHornady Critical DefenseFor more than a half-century, one .22 rimfire cartridge has ruled them all–the .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire (.22 Magnum for short). There is no comparison. With more case capacity, the cartridge hits harder and shoots flatter than its small-bore rimfire cousins. The.22 Magnum cartridge is not without its problems. It’s not all rainbows, mist-ified prairie dog, and rainbows. The cartridge is superior to the tried-and-true.22 Long Rifle, but it still has its limitations. Fortunately, there are solutions to these performance problems. The first step is to choose the right gun for your application. The second step is to choose the right ammunition. Fortunately, there are many specialized.22 magnum ammo options for target shooting, pest control, hunting and self-defense. Best.22 MagmoHunting. Quite simply,.22 magnum ammo in the hunting category must walk a thin line. It must be able to deliver the high velocities, range advantage, and terminal performance that the cartridge is known, while also not being overdone. You should use ammunition that is based on large-game hunting cartridges, preferably with controlled-expansion bullets. These projectiles are thicker and do not release all their energy at impact. They will thoroughly penetrate a critter while still leaving some meat for the plate. It’s a good choice for pelt hunter who prefer to take a lighter rifle in the field. CCI offers two different loads of.22 Magnum ammunition: the heavier load is perhaps more versatile. It’s hot but not as hot as the 35-grain ammunition, which has a velocity of 2,100 fps. Gamepoint is a very reliable feeder. Like most soft-point ammunition, it plays well with most semi-autos. It’s a good choice for chasing fast prey, such as rabbits or foxes. www.cci-ammunition.comWinchester DynapointPerhaps only second to CCI in .22 Magnum ammo options, Winchester has a load for nearly any endeavor. Few can beat the 45-grain Dynapoint when it comes to meat-hunting. It’s true that it is one of the most tame options available, with a velocity of 1,550 fps, which is very low for a magnum cartridge. The option is perfect for close-range shots in dense woods. It offers just the right amount performance without being overwhelming. The copper-plated hollow-point Dynapoint bullet is a top-notch bullet. It is also reliable in its expansion and holds together well, resulting in a deep and lethal wound channel. Winchester.comPest controlThe.22 Magnum is the best choice for putting varmints to sleep. This class of ammunition is generally topped with thin-coated bullets that are accelerated to high speeds. It’s a deadly combination. This gives these options devastating ballistics with bullets that release their energy quickly and explode. Ammo that is accurate to within a few millimeters of the cartridge’s limits. When shopping for pure varmint ammunition, keep in mind the expansion rate. Some may not be suitable for larger critters such as coyotes. The allusion is obvious to anyone who has used Speer TNT bullets in any caliber. The combination of a thin metal jacket and a soft lead core makes for one of the most explosive bullets on the market. The bullet design is further enhanced by a wide hollow point that guarantees an almost immediate energy release and devesting effects. CCI’s ammunition for.22 Magnum is backed up by a charge which generates a muzzle speed of around 2,220 fps from most long guns. The 30-grain stuff is great for woodchucks and smaller rodents. Its rapid expansion makes it marginal for larger vermin. www.cci-ammunition.comGet More .22 Magnum Info:Hornady Varmint ExpressFor some, you aren’t shooting varmints if you aren’t shooting with Varmint Express. The.22 Magnum ammo, like the other loads of the iconic Hornady range, features a ballistic tip V-Max bullet. This is a technology that the company pioneered. This feature improves both the terminal performance and the ballistic coefficient of the bullet (how well it cuts through the air). Hornady 30-grain load is capable of both. Most rifles will allow you to shoot at 150 yards and almost point-blank on a prairie-dog sized target. When it reaches its target, you won’t see much. The V-Max bullets explode at 2,220 fps. www.hornady.comAguila Silver EagleWhile Aguila made headway with its centerfire ammunition in recent years, its bread-and-butter is choice rimfire options. Silver Eagle 40 grain.22 Magnum ammunition is one of the most versatile. It’s a good mix of varmint and hunting ammunition, though it tends to lean more towards the latter. Its semi-jacketed design and weight make it a formidable weapon against any varmint, whether it’s a rat, raccoon or coyote. Nickel-coated Brass is also a nice touch, as it not only makes it corrosion resistant but also allows for smooth feeding. If you prefer semi-autos, this is a reliable option. www.aguilaammo.comRangeThere is nothing too technical about this class of .22 Magnum ammo. These are the most affordable, accurate, and reliable ammo you can take to the range. Range fodder, like its centerfire counterparts is usually topped with an FMJ bullet. Fiocchi Range DynamicsFiocchi Range Dynamics is an affordable and enjoyable range choice. This.22 Magnum ammunition is made by the Italian manufacturer using a tried and true formula. It’s topped with a 40 grain bullet and fired out of the muzzles of most long guns with 1,900 fps. This cartridge gives the shooters the results they want, with a range between 150 yards and maybe a little bit further in some cases. Handgun shooters will also find the flat-nose FMJ rounds responsive and the right stuff to stay competitive in a bullseye contest. fiocchiusa.comFederal Champion TrainingAgain–current price trends aside–Federal’s .22 Magnum target ammunition doesn’t dent your pocketbook. The Champion line offers the same quality without compromising. The ammunition is a flat-nose FMJ round that shoots at 1,900 fps. Why change something that works? www.federalpremium.comSelf DefenseIt should be pointed out the .22 Magnum isn’t a ideal self-defense cartridge. The cartridge is deadly, there’s no doubt about that. It’s not clear if the cartridge can stop a threat reliably. Comparing the.22 with other self-defense options like the 9mm, the.40 S&W, and others, it’s hard to say that the.22 is a reliable option. The cartridge may be the only option for some people. It’s worth discussing the best.22 magnum self-defense ammunition. Hornady Critical DefenseAn old-school.22 magnum ammunition option geared towards self-defense, Hornady gets the most out of the caliber. It’s a fascinating concoction. It’s important to ensure that rimfire loads have enough penetration to reach vital organs. Critical Defense is a great choice. It has a penetration of 12 inches in bare ballistics gel. Hornady goes one step further and improves the ammo’s ability to wound with FTX Bullet. The rimfire rounds are the same as the Critical Defense centerfire ammo. They feature a hollow-point polymer bullet with FlexTip insert. The insert prevents the bullet from clogging, and ensures a reliable expansion to create a larger wound channel. The 45-grain load has been optimized for the small carry guns that are typical for this caliber, leaving a 1.875 inch snubbie when fired at 1,000 fps. www.hornady.comNEXT STEP: Download Your Free Storm Tactical Printing Target Pack62 Printable MOA targets with DOT drills – Rifle range in YARDSThis impressive pack from our friends at Storm Tactical includes62 printable targets for rifle and handgun ranges. The target grids and the bullseye sizes have been converted to MOA. Subscribe to the Gun Digest newsletter and we will send you your print-at home target pack immediately. Enter your email below.