Remington 22 LR Ammo for Plinking and Small Game in Australia

From the back paddocks of rural New South Wales to the clay-banked river flats outside Perth, Australians with a Category A licence have long relied on the humble .22 Long Rifle as their go-to rimfire round. Remington's 22 LR catalogue covers everything from bulk-packed plinking fodder to hollow-point loads designed for humane small game harvests, and the line-up is well suited to the country's mix of introduced pest species and recreational shooting culture. Whether you are popping off rounds at tin cans on a mate's property near Bendigo or stalking rabbits along the Murray, the right Remington 22 LR load can make the difference between a satisfying afternoon and a frustrating one.

Aussie shooters appreciate that rimfire ammunition is affordable, produces minimal noise suitable for suburban-fringe properties in places like Geelong or the Adelaide Hills, and works in everything from a semi-auto 10/22 to a single-shot bolt-action handed down through generations. With pest animals such as European rabbits, red foxes and brushtail possums causing ongoing agricultural and ecological damage, the .22 LR has earned a practical role alongside its recreational one. Understanding the options in Remington's range helps you match the round to your purpose.

The Rimfire Tradition Down Under

Australia's relationship with .22 rimfire stretches back more than a century, with the round becoming a staple on properties from the wheat belt of Western Australia to the cattle country of central Queensland. Many first-time licence holders cut their teeth on a .22, and it remains the most common calibre registered under Category A in states like Victoria and Tasmania. The round's modest recoil, low cost and accuracy potential at 50 to 100 metres make it ideal for newcomers learning the basics of breath control and trigger discipline.

Local retailers have noticed steady demand for bulk rimfire packs, particularly during rabbit plagues in the southern states and around Mildura where numbers spike after good winters. Hunters and land managers often run a .22 alongside a centrefire rifle, using the rimfire for closer work and quieter follow-up shots. This blend of utility and accessibility has cemented the .22 LR as a cornerstone of Australian recreational shooting.

Remington's 22 LR Range at a Glance

Remington's rimfire selection includes high-velocity offerings, standard-velocity rounds, and specialty loads that suit different barrels and purposes. Bulk packings of 325 or 500 rounds are aimed squarely at the plinking market, giving shooters plenty of trigger time without breaking the bank. Higher-end match-grade options feature tighter tolerances for those chasing accuracy out of premium bolt-action rifles, while hollow-point and soft-point projectiles deliver controlled expansion on rabbits, possums and foxes at sensible distances.

Beyond the standard offerings, Remington also produces shotshell loads in .22 calibre that cycle through the company's 870 platform and other smoothbores. For those weighing how barrel length shapes ammunition selection across the Remington family, the Remington 870 ammo guide offers useful parallels that apply to rimfire rifles as well. Handgun shooters using a Remington RP45 or similar will find the .22 LR conversion market strong, though the focus here stays on rifle and small-game use.

Grain Weight and Bullet Style for Aussie Conditions

Selecting the right projectile weight matters more than many casual shooters realise. Standard 36-grain and 38-grain hollow-points from Remington expand reliably on small game out to about 70 metres, making them a solid choice for garden-variety rabbit control around properties near Ballarat or the outskirts of Hobart. Heavier 40-grain subsonic loads appeal to those running suppressed setups or hunting close to livestock where a quieter report helps avoid spooking other animals in the mob.

For pure plinking, the 36-grain high-velocity round is hard to beat. It leaves the muzzle at around 1280 feet per second, producing a flat trajectory that makes tin-can work and paper targets feel almost effortless. Match shooters competing in club events from Brisbane to Sydney typically favour 40-grain solid points for their consistent performance across varied lighting conditions. Bullet style and seating depth both play a role in how a particular rifle groups, so experimenting with two or three Remington loads often pays dividends.

Plinking on the Farm and in the Bush

A typical plinking session in regional Australia might involve setting up reactive targets against a sandstone ridge, hanging tins from fence wires, or laying out golf balls across a dam wall. The goal is relaxed fun with a side of skill-building, and Remington's bulk .22 LR offerings are tailor-made for these afternoons. Many shooters in the Riverina and Wimmera regions report that running a few hundred rounds through a semi-auto helps maintain proficiency without the cost of centrefire ammunition.

Group outings at local gun clubs remain popular, with branches of organisations like SSAA running casual rimfire events across capital cities and regional centres. A Saturday spent comparing group sizes, swapping wind-reading tips and ribbing mates about missed shots is a familiar ritual for many Aussie firearm enthusiasts. The appeal mirrors that of any high-skill recreational pursuit, and many weekend shooters describe the same focus and nerve that competitive players chase elsewhere; if you enjoy pursuits that demand precision and a steady hand, the casino high stakes tournament atmosphere shares more with match shooting than you might think.

Small Game Hunting in Australian Terrain

Rabbit numbers fluctuate dramatically across the country, with dry summers reducing populations in inland areas and wet seasons boosting them along the eastern seaboard. Effective control usually means getting within 80 metres and using a hollow-point that drops cleanly. Remington's 36-grain HP rounds have earned a loyal following among landholders in the southern tablelands and Barossa Valley, where rabbits damage pasture and undermine fence lines.

Foxes are a trickier proposition, often requiring shots beyond 100 metres and a projectile that holds together on impact. Heavier 40-grain soft points perform admirably from accurate rifles, particularly when shot from a supported position at dusk. Possums in fruit-growing regions such as the Goulburn Valley can be taken with subsonic loads to reduce neighbourhood noise, though shooters should always confirm local council rules about discharge times and proximity to dwellings before heading out.

Licensing, Storage and Buying in Australia

Every state and territory maintains its own firearms licensing framework, but the .22 LR rifle sits firmly in Category A across the board. Applicants typically complete a safety course, demonstrate a genuine reason for ownership such as sport shooting, pest control or collecting, and pass a background check. Renewal cycles and storage inspection requirements vary, with NSW and WA generally regarded as having stricter compliance regimes than some other jurisdictions.

Storage rules require Category A firearms to be kept in a locked container of approved strength, with ammunition stored separately or in a separate locked compartment within the same safe. Many Australian shooters invest in quality gun safes that bolt to a concrete floor, both for compliance and to keep curious kids and opportunistic thieves at bay. When purchasing Remington 22 LR ammunition online, orders are shipped either directly to your home address for eligible calibres or transferred through a nominated firearms dealer, depending on the product and your location.

Browse the Remington Firearms Store catalogue today to compare current .22 LR stock, bundle bulk packs for your next plinking day, and arrange shipping to your preferred dealer in capital cities and regional towns across Australia.