Cartridge .22 LR (.22 Long Rifle) caliber 5.6 mm. was developed by . Stevens Arm & Tool Companyin 1887.

This cartridge is the most widespread and most commonly used in the world and, undoubtedly, is the world record for the number of issued (and spent).

Initially, the round used 40 grain bullet (2.6 grams, 1 grain is about 0.064 - 0.065 grams) and the charge black (SMOKE) gun powder with weight 0.324 gr.

Modern bullets weighs 2.60 g, the speed of bullets 320 m / s (energy - 140 J), using weapons with barrel 152 mm long (6 inches), when used in rifle, it has average speed of 350 m / s or higher.

Currently, the round - one of very few (in fact - all three), remaining popular cartridges using ring ignition (ie, triggering apparatus is located on the ring in zakraine casings).

There are several types of .22 LR:
- Subsonic, option at subsonic speeds of bullets 335 m / sec.
- Standard-velocity, the option to the standard speed of a bullet 340-345 m / sec.
- High-velocity, high-speed version of bullets 365-400 m / sec.
- Hyper-velocity, the option with an ultrahigh speed bullet 425 m / sec.

The actual speed of the holder depends on many factors, key of which is a long barrel firearms, and manufacturers.

The most extended training and sporting ammunition .22 Long Rifle.

.22 LR is also a popular hunting ammunition: it uses for hunting small furry animals, as well as small rodents (gopher, etc.).

The effective range is about 150 meters.

Chuck .22 LR produced a huge number of samples of long-barreled weapons (not including pistols and revolvers) - single-and multi-rifle with a variety of schemes perezaryazhaniya, self-guns (rifles) and even fully automatic models.

The main advantage .22 LR are: low cost, low efficiency, low noise and high precision. By the main shortcomings of its small ammunition relates power.