22lr Ballistics Chart: Bullet Drop and Trajectory

A standard 40-grain .22 LR cartridge, such as the widely used CCI Mini-Mag Copper-Plated Round Nose, leaves the muzzle at a published velocity of 1,235 feet per second (fps). When zeroed at 50 yards with a 1.5-inch sight height, the bullet drops 11.6 inches from the physical bore line at 100 yards, resulting in a point of impact 4.9 inches below the optical line of sight. By 150 yards, velocity decays to 878 fps with a 17.8-inch downward trajectory. This 22LR ballistics chart: bullet drop and trajectory chart provides a researched baseline, but actual ballistic performance varies significantly depending on bullet weight, ammunition type, muzzle velocity, barrel length, sight height, zero distance, and environmental conditions.

22LR Ballistics Chart

Distance (yards)	Velocity (fps)	Energy (ft-lbs)	Bullet Drop (inches)	Trajectory / Point of Impact
0	1,235	135	0.0	-1.5
25	1,146	117	-0.6	0.0
50	1,074	102	-2.6	0.0
75	1,014	91	-6.2	-1.6
100	963	82	-11.6	-4.9
125	918	75	-19.0	-10.3
150	878	68	-28.6	-17.8

Note: Calculations are based on CCI Mini-Mag 40-grain Copper-Plated Round Nose (CPRN) ammunition. Published muzzle velocity is 1,235 fps. Estimates assume a 50-yard zero, a 1.5-inch sight height above the bore, standard atmospheric conditions, and a G1 Ballistic Coefficient of 0.125. Bullet drop represents absolute fall from the bore line, while trajectory represents the point of impact relative to the line of sight.

Understanding the 22LR Ballistics Chart

The data in the table illustrates how rapidly a .22 LR bullet loses momentum and altitude. Muzzle velocity begins at 1,235 fps but decays quickly due to aerodynamic drag, falling to 963 fps by 100 yards. This loss of speed directly impacts stopping power, with the bullet’s retained energy dropping from 135 ft-lbs at the muzzle to just 82 ft-lbs at 100 yards.

Bullet drop, which measures the pure effect of gravity, increases drastically as the bullet travels. At 50 yards, the bullet has fallen 2.6 inches from the level of the bore, but by 150 yards, that drop expands to 28.6 inches. To compensate for this, the rifle is zeroed at 50 yards, meaning the barrel is angled slightly upward. This adjustment creates a trajectory where the point of impact aligns perfectly with the line of sight at both 25 and 50 yards before falling to 4.9 inches below the crosshairs at 100 yards.

22LR Bullet Drop Chart

Bullet drop measures the vertical distance a bullet falls below the extended centerline of the rifle’s bore due to gravity. If the barrel of the rifle were perfectly level, the 40-grain .22 LR bullet in our chart would drop 2.6 inches at 50 yards, 11.6 inches at 100 yards, and 28.6 inches at 150 yards.

However, shooters do not aim along the bore line; they look through sights mounted above the barrel. To hit a target at 50 yards, the barrel is pitched up slightly toward the target. This upward tilt fights gravity, causing the bullet to travel in an arc. Because of this required compensation, absolute bullet drop from the bore line is always a much larger negative number than the actual point of impact observed by the shooter through their optics.

22LR Trajectory Chart

Trajectory describes the bullet’s flight path relative to the shooter’s line of sight. Using a standard 1.5-inch scope height and a 50-yard zero, the .22 LR bullet begins its journey 1.5 inches below the optical crosshairs. As it travels, the upward angle of the barrel causes the bullet to rise, intersecting the line of sight at 25 yards, peaking slightly, and intersecting it again perfectly at 50 yards.

Beyond 50 yards, gravity overcomes the bullet’s upward momentum. At 75 yards, the trajectory places the point of impact 1.6 inches low. At 100 yards, the shooter must aim 4.9 inches high to hit their target. It is important to note that switching to slower standard-velocity ammunition (around 1,070 fps) will steepen this arc, requiring more elevation holdover, while hyper-velocity loads (1,400+ fps) will flatten the trajectory slightly.

Factors That Affect 22LR Ballistics

Several variables influence how a .22 LR cartridge performs in flight. Modifying any of these factors will change the figures seen in a standard ballistics chart.

• Bullet weight and bullet design: Lighter 36-grain bullets fly faster initially but lose velocity quicker due to lower mass. Aerodynamic designs, such as round nose bullets, maintain velocity better over distance than flat-nosed hollow points.
• Muzzle velocity: Subsonic loads start below the speed of sound, offering quiet operation but a steeply arched trajectory. High-velocity loads shoot flatter, extending the rifle’s usable range.
• Barrel length: The powder in a .22 LR cartridge generally achieves complete combustion within 14 to 16 inches of barrel length. Barrels significantly longer than this may actually slow the bullet down slightly due to internal friction.
• Zero distance and sight height: A taller sight requires a steeper barrel angle to achieve the same zero, which changes where the bullet crosses the line of sight. Changing the zero distance from 50 yards to 100 yards shifts the entire trajectory arc upward.
• Wind, temperature, and air density: Cold, dense air increases drag, causing bullets to drop faster. Furthermore, because .22 LR bullets are incredibly light, they are highly susceptible to wind drift, making crosswinds a primary concern at distances beyond 50 yards.

Frequently Asked Questions About 22LR Ballistics

1. How much does a .22 LR bullet drop at 100 yards?

A standard high-velocity 40-grain .22 LR bullet zeroed at 50 yards typically drops about 5 to 6 inches below the line of sight at 100 yards. The absolute bullet drop from the level bore line is roughly 11.5 to 12 inches, depending on the exact muzzle velocity and environmental conditions.

2. What is the typical muzzle velocity of .22 LR ammunition?

Standard-velocity .22 LR ammunition generally travels at 1,050 to 1,070 fps, remaining subsonic. High-velocity loads typically reach 1,200 to 1,260 fps, while hyper-velocity specialty rounds can exceed 1,400 fps. Muzzle velocity dictates how flat the bullet shoots and how much energy it carries.

3. How much energy does a .22 LR bullet retain at 100 yards?

A 40-grain high-velocity .22 LR bullet that starts with 135 ft-lbs of energy at the muzzle will retain approximately 80 to 85 ft-lbs of energy at 100 yards. Standard-velocity loads will retain slightly less, usually around 70 to 75 ft-lbs at the same distance.

4. What is the effective range of .22 LR?

For target shooting, the .22 LR is highly accurate up to 100 yards, with experienced shooters pushing it to 200 yards or beyond using specialized optics. For small game hunting, the effective ethical range is generally limited to 50 to 75 yards to ensure sufficient energy for a clean harvest.

5. How far can a .22 LR bullet travel?

When fired at an optimal upward angle of roughly 30 degrees, a standard .22 LR bullet can travel a maximum distance of approximately 1.5 miles (about 2,600 yards). Because of this extensive maximum range, shooters must always ensure a safe backstop is present.

6. What zero distance is commonly used for a .22 LR rifle?

A 50-yard zero is the standard recommendation for most .22 LR rifles. Because of the cartridge’s trajectory, a 50-yard zero often places the bullet right on the crosshairs at 25 yards as well, keeping the bullet within a half-inch of the line of sight at all practical indoor and close-range hunting distances.

7. How does barrel length affect .22 LR velocity?

A .22 LR cartridge reaches its maximum velocity in approximately 14 to 18 inches of barrel length. Unlike larger centerfire rifle cartridges, the small powder charge burns completely in a short distance. Longer barrels provide a longer sight radius for iron sights but do not meaningfully increase velocity.

8. Why does .22 LR bullet drop increase at longer distances?

As the bullet travels, air resistance slows it down, causing it to cover less forward distance over the same amount of time. Gravity pulls the bullet downward at a constant rate, meaning the slower the bullet moves at extended ranges, the faster it drops relative to the distance covered.

9. Does bullet weight affect .22 LR trajectory?

Yes. Lighter bullets, such as 36-grain hollow points, launch at higher speeds and shoot flatter at close range but lose momentum rapidly due to poor aerodynamics. Heavier 40-grain bullets start slightly slower but retain energy better, resulting in a more predictable trajectory at 100 yards and beyond.

10. How accurate is a .22 LR ballistics chart?

A published ballistics chart provides a highly reliable mathematical estimate based on controlled test barrels. However, real-world accuracy varies depending on your specific firearm’s barrel length, optical sight height, atmospheric pressure, and the consistency of the ammunition lot being used.