Field reference · rimfire rifles

Rimfire Cartridge Chart

Common rimfire cartridges: what each is made for, a typical load, speed, energy, practical range and point-blank range in a scoped rifle. Speed, energy and BC are typical figures for the listed load; real numbers vary by brand, lot and barrel length. Tap a column header to sort.

	Made for					Twist rate for typical load	Practical range

How MPBR is figured

From a rifle with a scope 1.5" over the bore, sea-level air and a G1 drag model. Every round gets a 2" small-game zone (squirrel head or body); the .17s and .22 WMR also get a 4" varmint zone. Sight-in height is given at 50 yards, the usual rimfire zero distance.

Keep in mind

Rimfire accuracy varies a lot by ammo brand; try several in your rifle.
.17 bullets are light and blow around in wind more than their speed suggests.
Velocities and BCs are typical rifle figures from my own knowledge, not looked up. Pistols run slower.