The Cartridge That Raised Us

by Shane Jahn

One of the most overlooked and important cartridges in our collection is one of the smallest and oldest. I’m referring to the 5.7x15mmR that made its debut in 1887. You’ll recognize it by its American name, the .22 Long Rifle (.22 LR). Not to be confused with the .22 Short, .22 Long, and a few others of the .22 genre, the .22 LR is its own man. Along with the .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire (WMR), it is undoubtedly the most common of the .22 rimfires out there today.

The latter 1970s saw advances in .22 LR ammunition when CCI brought out the Stinger. Other ammunition manufacturers quickly followed suit by trimming a little weight from hollow point bullets and beefing up velocities. All these years later we are still seeing advancements in .22 LR ammunition, and there is plenty to choose from.