.22lr Trajectory Calculator
See how .22lr stacks up in our full caliber comparison chart — energy, drop and recoil for every rifle caliber side by side.
Compare up to 5 different loads. The current caliber (.22lr) is pre-selected for the first load.
.22lr Trajectory Chart
.22lr Ballistics Data
| Range (yd) | Elevation (in) | Elevation (MOA) | Elevation (MIL) | Windage (in) | Windage (MOA) | Windage (MIL) | Time (s) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | -1.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1235.0 | 135.5 |
| 10 | -0.68 | 6.36 | 1.849 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.025 | 1199.67 | 127.86 |
| 20 | -0.11 | 0.52 | 0.152 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.051 | 1167.51 | 121.1 |
| 30 | 0.2 | -0.64 | -0.186 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.077 | 1137.97 | 115.05 |
| 40 | 0.24 | -0.58 | -0.169 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.104 | 1110.98 | 109.66 |
| 50 | 0.01 | -0.01 | -0.004 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.131 | 1086.32 | 104.84 |
| 60 | -0.53 | 0.83 | 0.243 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.159 | 1063.77 | 100.53 |
| 70 | -1.36 | 1.86 | 0.54 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.187 | 1043.07 | 96.66 |
| 80 | -2.52 | 3.01 | 0.875 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.216 | 1023.99 | 93.16 |
| 90 | -4.01 | 4.25 | 1.237 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.246 | 1006.32 | 89.97 |
| 100 | -5.85 | 5.57 | 1.622 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.276 | 989.85 | 87.05 |
| 110 | -8.03 | 6.97 | 2.026 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.306 | 974.44 | 84.36 |
| 120 | -10.59 | 8.42 | 2.448 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.338 | 959.92 | 81.86 |
| 130 | -13.52 | 9.92 | 2.885 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.369 | 946.19 | 79.54 |
| 140 | -16.84 | 11.47 | 3.337 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.401 | 933.12 | 77.36 |
| 150 | -20.55 | 13.07 | 3.803 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.433 | 920.63 | 75.3 |
| 160 | -24.68 | 14.72 | 4.281 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.466 | 908.67 | 73.35 |
| 170 | -29.23 | 16.41 | 4.772 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.499 | 897.18 | 71.51 |
| 180 | -34.21 | 18.14 | 5.275 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.533 | 886.09 | 69.75 |
| 190 | -39.63 | 19.91 | 5.79 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.567 | 875.37 | 68.08 |
| 200 | -45.51 | 21.71 | 6.316 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.602 | 865.0 | 66.47 |
Take this table to the range
The .22lr reference load above as a wallet-size DOPE card: the same zero, standard conditions, holds in MOA, a 10 mph wind column, and a blank column to write in what the rifle actually does.
Download it as it is, or customize the size (turret cap, armband, index card), the columns, the wind speeds and units.
Print at 100% (“Actual size”). Laminate it or use waterproof paper for the field.
Available .22lr Ammunition Ballistics
| Product | Velocity (fps) | BC | 50yd Drop | 100yd Drop | 150yd Drop | 200yd Drop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aguila .22 LR 38gr Copper Plated HP Ammo Ballistics | 1280 | 0.124 | 0.0" | -5.5" | -19.5" | -43.5" |
| Aguila .22 LR Super Extra High Velocity 40gr SP Ammo Ballistics | 1255 | 0.161 | 0.0" | -5.3" | -18.7" | -41.2" |
| Aguila Super Extra .22 LR 40gr Standard Velocity SP Ammo Ballistics | 1130 | 0.158 | 0.0" | -6.6" | -22.3" | -48.4" |
| Aguila Super Extra HV .22 LR 38gr HP Ammo Ballistics | 1280 | 0.124 | 0.0" | -5.5" | -19.5" | -43.5" |
| Armscor .22 LR 40gr Standard Velocity Ammo Ballistics | 1135 | 0.13 | 0.0" | -6.7" | -23.1" | -50.4" |
Zeroing the .22lr
Every table in this section uses the same reference load as the calculator above, 40gr G1 .125 at 1,235 fps, with a 1.5" sight height over the bore, at standard conditions (59°F, sea level, no wind for drop; 10 mph crosswind for drift). Rimfire velocities are low, so the zero you pick changes the drop at 100 yards more than any bullet choice does. Change the bullet, velocity or sight height in the calculator above to solve your own load.
.22lr zero comparison
| 50-yd zero | 75-yd zero | 100-yd zero | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Near zero | 23 yd | 15 yd | 11 yd |
| Far zero | 50 yd | 75 yd | 100 yd |
| Max ordinate | +0.3" | +1.3" | +3.0" |
| Max ordinate distance | 37 yd | 46 yd | 57 yd |
| Hold-dead-on window (4" vital zone, ±2") | 0–75 yd | 0–91 yd | 0–31 yd (peak is over the zone; back inside 82–112) |
| Sight in at 50 yd | +0.0" (+0.0 MOA) | +1.3" (+2.5 MOA) | +3.0" (+5.6 MOA) |
| Drop at 100 yd | -5.9" | -3.3" | +0.0" |
| Drop at 150 yd | -20.6" | -16.7" | -11.8" |
| Energy at 100 yd | 87 ft-lb | 87 ft-lb | 87 ft-lb |
How to read it: filled circles are the near and far zero, where the bullet's path crosses the line of sight;the triangle is the peak (max ordinate). The shaded band is the 4" vital zone, ±2" either side of the line of sight. Dashed line: where the bullet goes subsonic. The dashed line marks the edge of the hold-dead-on window. The chart is zoomed to where the zero matters; the tables below run to 200 yards.
Key terms
- Near zero
- Where the bullet first climbs up through the line of sight. It starts below the sight, because the sight sits above the barrel.
- Far zero
- Where it falls back down through the line of sight. A "200-yard zero" is the far zero; the near zero comes with it.
- Max ordinate
- The highest the bullet gets above the line of sight, between the two crossings. This is what makes a zero shoot high in the middle.
- Point blank range (MPBR)
- The zero that keeps the whole arc inside a vital zone for the longest distance, so you can aim at the centre and hold dead-on.
.22lr with a 50-Yard Zero
Zeroed at 50 yards with a 1.5" sight height, the 40gr load first crosses the line of sight at 23 yards, peaks +0.3" at 37 yards, returns to zero at 50, and is -5.8" at 100 and -20.6" at 150 yards. It drops below the speed of sound at 35 yards.
| Range (yd) | Drop (in) | Drop (MOA) | Drop (MIL) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lb) | Wind drift, 10 mph (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | -1.5" | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1,235 | 136 | 0.1 |
| 25 | +0.1" | +0.30 | +0.09 | 1,152 | 118 | 0.5 |
| 50 | +0.0" | +0.01 | 0.00 | 1,086 * | 105 | 1.6 |
| 75 | -1.9" | -2.42 | -0.70 | 1,033 * | 95 | 3.4 |
| 100 | -5.9" | -5.57 | -1.62 | 990 * | 87 | 5.7 |
| 125 | -12.0" | -9.16 | -2.66 | 953 * | 81 | 8.7 |
| 150 | -20.6" | -13.07 | -3.80 | 921 * | 75 | 12.1 |
| 175 | -31.7" | -17.27 | -5.02 | 892 * | 71 | 16.0 |
| 200 | -45.5" | -21.71 | -6.32 | 865 * | 66 | 20.3 |
40gr G1 .125 at 1,235 fps, 1.5" sight height over bore, standard conditions (59°F, sea level), 10 mph full-value crosswind. Positive drop is above the line of sight. * Below the speed of sound (1125 fps) from 35 yards; expect groups to open up past the transition.
.22lr with a 75-Yard Zero
Zeroed at 75 yards with a 1.5" sight height, the 40gr load first crosses the line of sight at 15 yards, peaks +1.3" at 46 yards, returns to zero at 75, and is -3.3" at 100 and -16.7" at 150 yards. It drops below the speed of sound at 35 yards.
| Range (yd) | Drop (in) | Drop (MOA) | Drop (MIL) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lb) | Wind drift, 10 mph (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | -1.5" | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1,235 | 136 | 0.1 |
| 25 | +0.7" | +2.73 | +0.79 | 1,152 | 118 | 0.5 |
| 50 | +1.3" | +2.45 | +0.71 | 1,086 * | 105 | 1.6 |
| 75 | +0.0" | +0.02 | 0.00 | 1,033 * | 95 | 3.4 |
| 100 | -3.3" | -3.14 | -0.91 | 990 * | 87 | 5.7 |
| 125 | -8.8" | -6.73 | -1.96 | 953 * | 81 | 8.7 |
| 150 | -16.7" | -10.64 | -3.09 | 921 * | 75 | 12.1 |
| 175 | -27.2" | -14.83 | -4.31 | 892 * | 71 | 16.0 |
| 200 | -40.4" | -19.28 | -5.61 | 865 * | 66 | 20.3 |
40gr G1 .125 at 1,235 fps, 1.5" sight height over bore, standard conditions (59°F, sea level), 10 mph full-value crosswind. Positive drop is above the line of sight. * Below the speed of sound (1125 fps) from 35 yards; expect groups to open up past the transition.
.22lr with a 100-Yard Zero
Zeroed at 100 yards with a 1.5" sight height, the 40gr load first crosses the line of sight at 11 yards, peaks +3.0" at 57 yards, returns to zero at 100, and is +0.0" at 100 and -11.8" at 150 yards. It drops below the speed of sound at 35 yards.
| Range (yd) | Drop (in) | Drop (MOA) | Drop (MIL) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lb) | Wind drift, 10 mph (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | -1.5" | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1,235 | 136 | 0.1 |
| 25 | +1.6" | +5.90 | +1.72 | 1,152 | 118 | 0.5 |
| 50 | +3.0" | +5.61 | +1.63 | 1,086 * | 105 | 1.6 |
| 75 | +2.5" | +3.18 | +0.93 | 1,033 * | 95 | 3.4 |
| 100 | +0.0" | +0.03 | +0.01 | 990 * | 87 | 5.7 |
| 125 | -4.7" | -3.56 | -1.04 | 953 * | 81 | 8.7 |
| 150 | -11.8" | -7.47 | -2.17 | 921 * | 75 | 12.1 |
| 175 | -21.4" | -11.67 | -3.39 | 892 * | 71 | 16.0 |
| 200 | -33.8" | -16.11 | -4.69 | 865 * | 66 | 20.3 |
40gr G1 .125 at 1,235 fps, 1.5" sight height over bore, standard conditions (59°F, sea level), 10 mph full-value crosswind. Positive drop is above the line of sight. * Below the speed of sound (1125 fps) from 35 yards; expect groups to open up past the transition.
Maximum Point Blank Range for the .22lr
Maximum point blank range (MPBR) is the zero that keeps the bullet inside a vital zone, never more than half its height above or below the line of sight (an 8" zone is ±4"), for as far as possible. Zero at the distance in the table and you can hold dead-on from the muzzle to the far edge of the window.
| Vital zone | Zero at | Hold dead-on from | To (MPBR) | Max ordinate | Near / far zero | CSV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4" (coyote, varmint, paper) | 86 yd | 0 yd | 100 yd | +2.0" at 51 yd | 13 / 86 yd | Download |
MPBR assumes a centred hold, a level shot and no wind; it is a ceiling, not a licence to skip ranging. The far edge of the window is where the bullet has already fallen half the vital zone.
Which Zero Should You Use for the .22lr?
The .22 LR bends more between 50 and 100 yards than any centerfire cartridge on this site does between 100 and 300, so the zero you pick decides what the rifle is for. With this 40gr high-velocity load and a 1.5" scope height, a 50-yard zero is a plinking and small-game zero: a quarter inch high at 37 yards, then 5.9" low at 100 and 20.6" low at 150.
A squirrel rifle that has to reach 100 yards is better zeroed at 75. That puts the bullet 1.3" high at 46 yards and 3.3" low at 100, a spread you can hold for on a head-sized target. The maximum-point-blank-range zero for a 4" zone is 86 yards, which keeps the bullet inside ±2" from the muzzle to 100 yards; if you shoot squirrels and rabbits at unknown distances, that is the zero to set.
Zero at 100 only if you dial or hold with a reticle: the bullet is 3" high at 57 yards, which means missing over a ground squirrel at the distance you meet most of them. Two more things the tables show: this high-velocity load goes subsonic at about 35 yards, which is why standard-velocity ammunition often groups better at 50 and beyond, and a standard-velocity load at 1,070 fps drops noticeably more, so re-zero when you change ammunition.
Guidance reviewed 2026-09-13.