Understanding the .22 LR: The Least Powerful Hunting Rifle

The least powerful hunting gun is typically considered to be the .22 Long Rifle (.22 LR). It is a rimfire cartridge that is commonly used for small game hunting, pest control, and target shooting. The .22 LR has a muzzle velocity of approximately 1,250 feet per second (fps) and a muzzle energy of about 100 foot-pounds (ft-lbs). It is generally not considered to be powerful enough for hunting large game, but it is well-suited for small animals such as rabbits, squirrels, and prairie dogs.