.22 LR vs .22 Magnum: Which Rimfire Should You Buy?
February 26, 2026 · AmmoBin.com
.22 LR is the most popular cartridge on earth; .22 WMR (Magnum) is its bigger, faster sibling. The choice comes down to cost versus reach and energy.
Power and range
.22 Magnum is meaningfully more powerful than .22 LR — higher velocity, more energy, and effective to longer range. It's a better small-predator and pest round; .22 LR is ideal for plinking and small game inside ~100 yards.
Cost — the big gap
.22 LR is dramatically cheaper and is the king of high-volume, low-cost plinking. .22 WMR costs several times more per round, so it's used more selectively.
Most shooters keep .22 LR for cheap practice and reach for .22 Mag when they need extra punch. Compare live .22 LR and .22 Magnum prices.
Frequently asked questions
Is .22 Magnum more powerful than .22 LR?
Yes — .22 WMR has significantly more velocity, energy, and range than .22 LR, at several times the cost per round.
Is .22 LR or .22 Mag better for plinking?
.22 LR — it's far cheaper and has near-zero recoil, making it the best high-volume plinking and training round.
Compare live prices