I N C E P T I O N A I
  2. Sports outdoors
  3. Hunting shooting
  4. Ammunition
  5. Handgun ammunition hunting range
  6. Jacketed hollow point ammunition
  7. Small game handgun jacketed hollow point loads

Top 5 Small Game Handgun JHP Loads in Canada for 2025: Low-Recoil Hollow Points for Hunting and Range

Published on Monday, August 25, 2025

Low-recoil jacketed hollow point handgun loads optimized for small game hunting and target practice offer a specific balance: controlled expansion to limit over-penetration, reduced meat damage for edible game, and recoil profiles that keep follow-up shots fast and accurate. In Canada, where small-caliber handguns like .22 LR and .22 WMR are popular for varmint and small game, many shooters choose JHP-style loads because they reliably expand at appropriate velocities, minimize the risk to bystanders at the range, and produce cleaner harvests. Consumers in hunting and sport-shooting markets value consistency, accuracy, and predictable terminal performance; they also prioritize compliance with provincial hunting rules and ethical shot placement. This category appeals to recreational shooters, small-game hunters, and those who want a dual-purpose load that performs on the range and in the field while keeping recoil and meat damage low.

Quick Menu

1. Best High-Velocity 22LR for Small Game

2. Best WMR Hunting Load for Small Game

3. Best Controlled-Expansion FTX for Handgun Small Game

4. Best Value 22LR JHP for Hunting & Practice

5. Best Lightweight Fast-Expanding 22LR for Close-Range Small Game

1
BEST HIGH-VELOCITY 22LR FOR SMALL GAME

CCI Velocitor 22 LR 40gr CPHP

CCI Velocitor 22 LR 40gr CPHP

CCI Velocitor earns a best-in-class spot for small-game handgun use by pairing a proven 40‑grain hollow-point design with Velocitor's high-velocity profile, delivering reliable expansion and excellent accuracy for both hunting and precision range work. Compared with the WMR offerings on this list it trades peak muzzle energy for a flatter trajectory and lower cost of ownership, making it a strong all‑around choice for shooters who want consistent terminal performance without the premium price of specialized magnum rounds.

4.4
★★★★☆

  • Hyper-velocity zing

  • Flat trajectory

  • Hyper-velocity zing

  • Flat trajectory

Review Summary

88%

"Users praise the Velocitor for high velocity, good accuracy and consistent expansion on small game; a small number report occasional feeding quirks in some semi-auto platforms."

  • Snappy expansion

  • 40-grain copper-plated hollow point designed for reliable expansion on small game.

  • Snappy expansion

  • 40-grain copper-plated hollow point designed for reliable expansion on small game.

Recreational Enjoyment

Skill Development & Mastery

CCI Velocitor earns a best-in-class spot for small-game handgun use by pairing a proven 40‑grain hollow-point design with Velocitor's high-velocity profile, delivering reliable expansion and excellent accuracy for both hunting and precision range work. Compared with the WMR offerings on this list it trades peak muzzle energy for a flatter trajectory and lower cost of ownership, making it a strong all‑around choice for shooters who want consistent terminal performance without the premium price of specialized magnum rounds.

  • Hyper-velocity zing

  • Flat trajectory

  • Snappy expansion

  • 40-grain copper-plated hollow point designed for reliable expansion on small game.

  • High-velocity load tuned for consistent point-of-impact from handgun barrels.

  • Hyper-velocity zing

  • Flat trajectory

  • Snappy expansion

  • 40-grain copper-plated hollow point designed for reliable expansion on small game.

  • High-velocity load tuned for consistent point-of-impact from handgun barrels.

Order Now

$12-20 CAD

2
BEST WMR HUNTING LOAD FOR SMALL GAME

Federal Game-Shok 22 WMR 50gr JHP

Federal Game-Shok 22 WMR 50gr JHP

Federal Game-Shok 22 WMR 50gr JHP is the market leader among magnum rimfire loads here thanks to its heavier 50‑grain jacketed hollow point that delivers superior retained energy and deeper penetration on small game at longer ranges. It stands out technically against the .22 LR entries by offering markedly more terminal performance for hunting, though that extra power typically comes with higher per‑round cost and slightly more recoil, making it the go‑to when stopping power matters most.

4.3
★★★★☆

  • 50gr punch

  • Meaty expansion

  • 50gr punch

  • Meaty expansion

Review Summary

86%

"Buyers report dependable expansion and solid terminal performance from the Game-Shok 22 WMR 50gr JHP with consistent accuracy for hunting; a few note picky feeding in certain firearms."

  • Deep penetration

  • 50-grain jacketed hollow point delivering deep penetration and controlled expansion.

  • Deep penetration

  • 50-grain jacketed hollow point delivering deep penetration and controlled expansion.

Recreational Enjoyment

Skill Development & Mastery

Federal Game-Shok 22 WMR 50gr JHP is the market leader among magnum rimfire loads here thanks to its heavier 50‑grain jacketed hollow point that delivers superior retained energy and deeper penetration on small game at longer ranges. It stands out technically against the .22 LR entries by offering markedly more terminal performance for hunting, though that extra power typically comes with higher per‑round cost and slightly more recoil, making it the go‑to when stopping power matters most.

  • 50gr punch

  • Meaty expansion

  • Deep penetration

  • 50-grain jacketed hollow point delivering deep penetration and controlled expansion.

  • Engineered for small game hunting and accurate performance from handguns.

  • 50gr punch

  • Meaty expansion

  • Deep penetration

  • 50-grain jacketed hollow point delivering deep penetration and controlled expansion.

  • Engineered for small game hunting and accurate performance from handguns.

Order Now

$25-40 CAD

3
BEST CONTROLLED-EXPANSION FTX FOR HANDGUN SMALL GAME

Hornady Critical Defense 22 WMR 45gr FTX

Hornady Critical Defense 22 WMR 45gr FTX

Hornady Critical Defense 22 WMR 45gr FTX is a premium WMR option that uses Hornady's Flex Tip technology to ensure controlled expansion and reliable feeding in handguns, giving it an edge in consistent terminal results for small‑game hunting and controlled-range use. Compared to the heavier Federal WMR, the 45‑grain FTX balances expansion and retained mass with a slightly reduced price premium versus top-centerfire loads, making it the technical favorite for shooters who prioritize repeatable expansion and barrier resistance.

4.6
★★★★☆

  • Polymer-tip precision

  • FTX feeding-friendly

  • Polymer-tip precision

  • FTX feeding-friendly

Review Summary

92%

"Shooters consistently praise the Hornady Critical Defense 22 WMR 45gr FTX for reliable expansion, deep penetration and very good accuracy; it’s widely regarded as a top performer for small-game defense."

  • Consistent expansion

  • 45-grain FTX flex-tip hollow point for reliable expansion and reduced clogging.

  • Consistent expansion

  • 45-grain FTX flex-tip hollow point for reliable expansion and reduced clogging.

Recreational Enjoyment

Skill Development & Mastery

Time-Saving Convenience

Hornady Critical Defense 22 WMR 45gr FTX is a premium WMR option that uses Hornady's Flex Tip technology to ensure controlled expansion and reliable feeding in handguns, giving it an edge in consistent terminal results for small‑game hunting and controlled-range use. Compared to the heavier Federal WMR, the 45‑grain FTX balances expansion and retained mass with a slightly reduced price premium versus top-centerfire loads, making it the technical favorite for shooters who prioritize repeatable expansion and barrier resistance.

  • Polymer-tip precision

  • FTX feeding-friendly

  • Consistent expansion

  • 45-grain FTX flex-tip hollow point for reliable expansion and reduced clogging.

  • Designed to expand consistently from short handgun barrels for effective terminal performance.

  • Polymer-tip precision

  • FTX feeding-friendly

  • Consistent expansion

  • 45-grain FTX flex-tip hollow point for reliable expansion and reduced clogging.

  • Designed to expand consistently from short handgun barrels for effective terminal performance.

Order Now

$30-45 CAD

4
BEST VALUE 22LR JHP FOR HUNTING & PRACTICE

Winchester Super-X 22 LR 37gr CPHP

Winchester Super-X 22 LR 37gr CPHP

Winchester Super‑X 22 LR 37gr CPHP represents the value leader for shooters who want dependable hollow-point performance for plinking, practice, and close-range small-game work without the price of premium rimfire JHPs. Technically solid and broadly compatible with many handguns, it undercuts premium brands on cost per round while providing adequate expansion for quick dispatch at typical small-game distances, though it generally delivers slightly less energy than the heavier 40‑grain or WMR options on this list.

4.2
★★★★☆

  • Classic velocity

  • Copper-plated reliability

  • Classic velocity

  • Copper-plated reliability

Review Summary

84%

"Owners like the Winchester Super-X 37gr CPHP for reliable feeding, good accuracy and effective performance on small game, though some say expansion can be less consistent than premium lines."

  • Range-ready consistency

  • 37-grain copper-plated hollow point balancing expansion and feeding reliability.

  • Range-ready consistency

  • 37-grain copper-plated hollow point balancing expansion and feeding reliability.

Recreational Enjoyment

Time-Saving Convenience

Winchester Super‑X 22 LR 37gr CPHP represents the value leader for shooters who want dependable hollow-point performance for plinking, practice, and close-range small-game work without the price of premium rimfire JHPs. Technically solid and broadly compatible with many handguns, it undercuts premium brands on cost per round while providing adequate expansion for quick dispatch at typical small-game distances, though it generally delivers slightly less energy than the heavier 40‑grain or WMR options on this list.

  • Classic velocity

  • Copper-plated reliability

  • Range-ready consistency

  • 37-grain copper-plated hollow point balancing expansion and feeding reliability.

  • Affordable and widely available, making it good for both range sessions and small game.

  • Classic velocity

  • Copper-plated reliability

  • Range-ready consistency

  • 37-grain copper-plated hollow point balancing expansion and feeding reliability.

  • Affordable and widely available, making it good for both range sessions and small game.

Order Now

$10-16 CAD

5
BEST LIGHTWEIGHT FAST-EXPANDING 22LR FOR CLOSE-RANGE SMALL GAME

Remington Yellow Jacket 22 LR 33gr TCHP

Remington Yellow Jacket 22 LR 33gr TCHP

Remington Yellow Jacket 22 LR 33gr TCHP is positioned as a lightweight, high‑velocity hollow‑point option that offers a flat trajectory and economical pricing for varmint control and range training. Its technical advantage is a snappy, flatter path compared with heavier .22 LR JHPs, making it effective for small, fast targets at short-to-moderate distances, but buyers should note the tradeoff of reduced retained energy versus the 37–40gr and WMR loads when hunting larger small game.

3.9
★★★☆☆

  • TCHP expansion

  • Tight accuracy

  • TCHP expansion

  • Tight accuracy

Review Summary

78%

"Remington Yellow Jacket 33gr TCHP is often noted for good accuracy and effective performance on small game, but several users report occasional quality-control or velocity consistency issues."

  • Quick knockdown

  • 33-grain TCHP designed for rapid expansion on contact with small game.

  • Quick knockdown

  • 33-grain TCHP designed for rapid expansion on contact with small game.

Recreational Enjoyment

Skill Development & Mastery

Remington Yellow Jacket 22 LR 33gr TCHP is positioned as a lightweight, high‑velocity hollow‑point option that offers a flat trajectory and economical pricing for varmint control and range training. Its technical advantage is a snappy, flatter path compared with heavier .22 LR JHPs, making it effective for small, fast targets at short-to-moderate distances, but buyers should note the tradeoff of reduced retained energy versus the 37–40gr and WMR loads when hunting larger small game.

  • TCHP expansion

  • Tight accuracy

  • Quick knockdown

  • 33-grain TCHP designed for rapid expansion on contact with small game.

  • Lightweight load offers flatter trajectory from handguns at close ranges.

  • TCHP expansion

  • Tight accuracy

  • Quick knockdown

  • 33-grain TCHP designed for rapid expansion on contact with small game.

  • Lightweight load offers flatter trajectory from handguns at close ranges.

Order Now

$8-14 CAD

What Ballistics Research Says About JHP Performance

Research and controlled terminal testing, such as standardized ballistic gelatin and chronograph testing, demonstrate how hollow point designs influence expansion, penetration, and energy transfer. For small-caliber handgun loads, modern JHP and plated hollow point constructs are engineered to expand reliably at the lower velocities typical of .22 LR and .22 WMR rounds. These test methods provide repeatable metrics that help shooters choose loads that deliver ethical terminal effects on small game while limiting over-penetration for safer range use.

Ballistic gelatin tests show that hollow point profiles increase frontal wound cavity size compared with round-nose or full metal jacket rounds of the same caliber, improving short-range terminal effectiveness.

Controlled expansion at cartridge-appropriate velocities helps concentrate energy on target while reducing deep over-penetration, which preserves meat and reduces collateral risk.

Chronograph and accuracy testing demonstrate that low-recoil loads maintain tighter groups for many shooters, which improves humane shot placement on small game.

Retained mass and penetration depth metrics help predict whether a load will expand sufficiently without fragmenting prematurely or failing to penetrate to vital tissues.

Field trials and hunter feedback consistently emphasize that shot placement remains the dominant factor: the best JHP load complements good marksmanship rather than replaces it.

For Canadian small-game hunters and range shooters in 2025, the five top picks here cover the most sought-after compromises between low recoil, expansion control, and accuracy: CCI Velocitor 22 LR 40gr CPHP, Federal Game-Shok 22 WMR 50gr JHP, Hornady Critical Defense 22 WMR 45gr FTX, Winchester Super-X 22 LR 37gr CPHP, and Remington Yellow Jacket 22 LR 33gr TCHP. For most small-game hunting scenarios the Federal Game-Shok 22 WMR 50gr JHP stands out as the best overall choice because it is purpose-built for game with consistent expansion and terminal performance; shooters who prioritize range accuracy or lower recoil may prefer the CCI Velocitor or Winchester Super-X options. I hope you found what you were looking for — refine or expand your search using the search box to compare ballistics, availability, and local regulations.

Copyright © 2025 InceptionAi Inc.

Trademark Policy

Articles

About Us

Contact Us

Careers

Sitemap