Best 22lr Ballistic Calculator

22LR Ballistic Calculator

Results at 100 Yards

Bullet Drop/Rise:

Adjustment (MOA):

Velocity at Target:

Energy (Ft-Lbs):

function calculateBallistics() { var v0 = parseFloat(document.getElementById('muzzleVelocity').value); var bc = parseFloat(document.getElementById('ballisticCoefficient').value); var zero = parseFloat(document.getElementById('zeroRange').value); var sightH = parseFloat(document.getElementById('sightHeight').value); var target = parseFloat(document.getElementById('targetDistance').value); var weight = parseFloat(document.getElementById('bulletWeight').value); if (isNaN(v0) || isNaN(bc) || isNaN(zero) || isNaN(target)) { alert("Please enter valid numbers in all fields."); return; } // Simplified Drag Model for 22LR (Subsonic/Transonic focus) function getDropAtDist(distYds) { var distFt = distYds * 3; // Velocity decay approximation: v = v0 / (1 + (v0 * k * t)) // For simplicity in JS, we use a standard deceleration curve based on BC var k = 0.00015 / bc; var t = (Math.exp(k * distFt) – 1) / (k * v0); var dropFt = 0.5 * 32.17 * Math.pow(t, 2); var velocityAtDist = v0 / (1 + (k * v0 * t)); return { drop: dropFt * 12, time: t, vel: velocityAtDist }; } var targetStats = getDropAtDist(target); var zeroStats = getDropAtDist(zero); // Calculation of Bore Angle // The angle required to hit center at zero range var boreAngleInchesPerYard = (zeroStats.drop + sightH) / zero; // Relative drop at target // Path = (Bore Angle * Target Distance) – Gravity Drop – Sight Height var relativeDrop = (boreAngleInchesPerYard * target) – targetStats.drop – sightH; // MOA Calculation var moa = (relativeDrop / (target * 1.047)); // Energy Calculation: (Weight * Velocity^2) / 450436 var energy = (weight * Math.pow(targetStats.vel, 2)) / 450436; document.getElementById('resTarget').innerText = target; document.getElementById('dropInches').innerText = relativeDrop.toFixed(2) + " in"; document.getElementById('dropMOA').innerText = Math.abs(moa).toFixed(2); document.getElementById('impactVelocity').innerText = Math.round(targetStats.vel) + " FPS"; document.getElementById('impactEnergy').innerText = Math.round(energy) + " ft-lbs"; document.getElementById('ballisticsResult').style.display = 'block'; }

Mastering .22LR Ballistics: A Comprehensive Guide

The .22 Long Rifle (22LR) is one of the most popular cartridges in the world, favored for its low recoil, affordability, and surprising accuracy. However, because the .22LR travels at relatively low velocities (typically between 1,000 and 1,200 FPS), it has a very "loopy" trajectory compared to high-powered centerfire rifles. Understanding your 22LR ballistics is the key to stretching your effective range from 50 yards out to 200 yards and beyond.

Key Variables in 22LR Trajectory

• Muzzle Velocity: Most standard 22LR rounds are "Standard Velocity" (approx. 1070 FPS) or "High Velocity" (approx. 1260 FPS). Standard velocity is often more accurate because the bullet stays subsonic, avoiding the turbulence caused by breaking the sound barrier.
• Ballistic Coefficient (BC): This measures how well the bullet cuts through the air. For a typical 40-grain lead round-nose 22LR, the BC is usually around 0.110 to 0.150.
• Zero Range: Most rimfire shooters zero their rifles at 50 yards. This provides a flat enough trajectory to hit small targets from 20 yards to 60 yards without significant holdover.
• Sight Height: This is the distance from the center of your scope to the center of your barrel. It is crucial for short-range calculations because it determines the initial upward angle of the bore.

Realistic Examples

If you are using a standard 40-grain projectile with a muzzle velocity of 1070 FPS and a 50-yard zero:

Range	Drop (Inches)	Adjustment (MOA)
25 Yards	+0.2″	-0.8 MOA
50 Yards	0.0″	0.0 MOA
75 Yards	-2.8″	3.5 MOA
100 Yards	-7.5″	7.1 MOA

Why Use a 22LR Ballistic Calculator?

Unlike a .308 or 6.5 Creedmoor, the .22LR drops significantly even at short distances. By 150 yards, a .22LR can drop over 25 inches. If you are shooting in NRL22 competitions or small game hunting, knowing your exact "dope" (Data Observed on Previous Engagements) is the difference between a hit and a miss. This calculator helps you predict that drop so you can adjust your scope turret or use your reticle's holdover points accurately.