.22 Short is a variety of .22 caliber (5.6 mm) rimfire ammunition. Developed in 1857 for the first Smith and Wesson revolver, the .22 Short was the first American metallic cartridge. The original loading was a 29 grain (1.88 g) bullet and 4 grains (260 mg) of black powder. Developed for self defense, the modern .22 Short, though still used in a few pocket pistols and mini-revolvers, is mainly used as a quiet round for practice by the recreational shooter. Due to its low recoil and good inherent accuracy, the .22 Short was used for the Olympic 25 m Rapid Fire Pistol event until 2004. There is also a .22 short blank for use in starting pistols.

The low recoil, high inherent accuracy, subsonic muzzle velocity, low inherent noise levels and small size of this caliber are also said to have made it the assassin's choice. If precisely placed at short range, a .22 Short from a silenced pistol can be just as lethal as a full-powered rifle cartridge. Because of the bullet's low penetration, it will often become lodged in the target causing a host of other issues.

Bullets are lead (usually coated with grease or wax or copper plated), in round nose or hollow point styles. The standard velocity .22 short launches a 29 grain (1.88 g) bullet at 1,045 ft/s (319 m/s) with 70 ft·lbf (95 J) of energy from a 22 in (559 mm) rifle barrel. As a hunting round, the high velocity hollow point Short is useful only for tiny pests like mice, rats, and small birds. For small game hunting, the greater energy and wider ammunition selection of the .22 Long Rifle makes it a far superior choice.

(Work cited from http://www.chuckhawks.com/22_rimfire_cartridges.htm, updated for new RFP rules)

Specifications

• Length:
  • Case: 0.423 in (10.7 mm)
  • Overall: 0.686 in (17.4 mm)
• Bullet weight: 29 gr (1.88 g)

See also

• .22 BB
• .22 CB
• .22 Long
• .22 Long Rifle
• .22 Magnum

Pistol and rifle cartridges