Have you ever wondered how far can a 22 bullet travel? Well, we guess this is why you are here. This guide will tell you the maximum distance a 22 bullet can travel.
Let’s start with some facts. Despite being famous for hunting, sport shooting, and training, a 22 bullet is a weaker one. A 22 caliber rifle can only accurately hit the target under 300 yards. On the other hand, a powerful 22 LR bullet shot from a barrel with the correct elevation can cover over 1.3 miles.
Scroll down to learn the maximum distance a 22 bullet precisely covers and methods to cover the furthest distance with it when shooting. Lastly, don’t forget to look at the factors that can affect the speed of a 22 bullet.
Understanding a 22 Bullet:
Before we learn how further a 22 bullet can travel, it’s important to know the basic of it, including its size and features.
A 22 bullet is a small round of 5.6mm and has a .22-inch caliber – referring to the length of the cartridge. Due to its small size, the bullet has a lower muzzle velocity than other types, reducing its recoil, sound of the report, and even lethality.
4 Main types of 22 Bullets:
A 22 bullet comes in four different types. Below we have briefly discussed each of them.
- 22 Short: It is the tiniest shot, primarily designed for pistols and pocket guns.
- 22 Long: It is an older, slower, and more expensive round but has been quite popular for decades due to its high-volume shooting.
- 22 LR: This one is similar to the previously discussed 22 long with a minor difference. For instance, it is more propellant than 22 long; hence, it shoots farther.
- 22 WMR: It is a high-powered magnum load with more propellant and heavier bullets.
5 Factors Affecting the range of 22 bullets:
Generally, a 22 bullet travels at a speed of 700 to 900 mph. However, the speed and the distance it covers depend on the following factors.
- Barral Arc Range:
The angle and trajectory at which you fire a shot impact its speed and the miles it covers. For instance, if you fire your 44-40 or 30-30 loads parallel to the ground, it will travel a few inches before striking the ground.
On the other hand, if you fire a round at 20 -30 degrees up in the air, it will travel much farther before hitting the ground.
- Barrel length:
The barrel length is another important factor affecting a bullet’s speed and travel length. A firearm with a longer barrel will shoot a bullet farther than a shorter barrel. The reason is that a longer barrel provides more space for gas expansion to push the bullet, creating a higher bullet velocity and kinetic energy.
- Bullet Style:
The bullet style is another notable factor to consider that affects the speed of a bullet. For instance, a bullet with a round nose is less aerodynamic than a bullet with a pointed nose; hence it covers a short distance.
Besides, a bullet grain also greatly impacts its speed. The heavier a bullet is, the less distance it will cover, consuming more energy from the propellant.
- Cartridge Powder:
Only expert shooters know how cartridge powder impacts a bullet’s travel distance. The type and amount of cartridge powder play a huge role in a bullet’s travel distance.
The powder that burns inside the cartridge acts as a propellant to create high-pressure gases which shoot the bullet out of the barrel. The more powder a cartridge has, the greater the energy will be generated and the farther the bullet will travel.
- Weather conditions:
Lastly, weather conditions also significantly affect how far a bullet can travel. Rain, snow, wind, etc can affect a bullet’s range by noticeable amounts. Similarly, air density, gravity, and temperature can blow a bullet off course.
Conclusion:
Traveling bullet depends on various factors, as we discussed above, including the types of firearms it is shot from. However, if we have to quote a particular figure, a 22 LR round shot from a rifle at an ideal barrel arc range covers more than 2 kilometers before it drops on the ground.
As far as lethality is concerned, a 22LR cartridge could kill a deer if shot from an accurate barrel arc range. That said, a 22LR cartridge in the United States is not legal for animal hunting as it lacks enough power to ensure a quick kill.