Time to stock up on 22 lr ammo again.
- Thread starter GunnyUSMC
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TTv2
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The .22 shortage from the last time is the reason I got into reloading for .32 caliber revolvers and rifles. Yeah, I know there are no autoloaders that take .32 Mag and .327 Federal, but when an ammo crunch comes, the first priority is limiting ammo use. When .22 LR prices go north of what it costs me to reload a .32, I shoot .32 instead because it uses less powder than 9mm or .38 does.
I advise everyone who doesn't reload to get into it and I would point you to 9mm or .38/.357 because it's common and you probably already have guns in those calibers anyway. You don't have to buy a $500 progressive press to do it, but you will spend money up front for tools and machines and materials. It beats overpaying for ammo you don't have.
I advise everyone who doesn't reload to get into it and I would point you to 9mm or .38/.357 because it's common and you probably already have guns in those calibers anyway. You don't have to buy a $500 progressive press to do it, but you will spend money up front for tools and machines and materials. It beats overpaying for ammo you don't have.
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GunnyUSMC
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Joe Bob Outfitters has Eley Targer on sale for $5.95 right now.
https://www.joeboboutfitters.com/El...287143233&mc_cid=34e1ff1d90&mc_eid=432b3246b5
https://www.joeboboutfitters.com/El...287143233&mc_cid=34e1ff1d90&mc_eid=432b3246b5
Elkins45
Member
That picture makes me feel better about my hoarder tendencies.I’m terrible with spreadsheets. I just have a quick look and say to myself, looks like I could use some more of that.
I did relabel. Color coded to make it easier to keep track.
View attachment 804432
A bunch of us shooters got together around 1967 and bought casting equipment, one buying the pot, another the sizer, the third, some molds/handles, etc. We also got together scrounging used wheel weights and lead or Linotype. We molded mostly .38 cal wadcutters and .44 Mag and .45 (ACP).
As I remember we cast for about 75 cents a hundred. Loaded ammo for about $1.50 a box for .38 wadcutters and they shot really great!
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GunnyUSMC
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I just placed another order for 8650 rounds of 22 ammo. 5000 rounds of it is standard velocity Aguila and the rest is a mix of different brands and types.
I'm hoping to make a range trip when the weather gets nice and test out a bunch of ammo.
I'm hoping to make a range trip when the weather gets nice and test out a bunch of ammo.
TTv2
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I'd love to do the same, but free lead isn't as easy to come by in present times and the anti-lead regs and laws show no signs of stopping.
There's also the issue of time of gathering lead, casting, sizing/lubing... I can't devote that time to doing that stuff, but I don't mind buying bullets and reloading them. You solution of having a group perform different operations is a good one, I don't have that available to me.
I've only cast once since moving here about 2012. It's a chore and I don't need to do it because I don't shoot CF handguns as much these days. I still have some ingots left from more than 20 years ago and can mold bullets, but still don't do that either. I shoot mostly factory 9mms and don't even reload them because they're so cheap and I hate those tapered cases. Sometimes I'll reload .45s, using factory cast bullets.
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GunnyUSMC
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Lets not turn this into a reloading topic. It's about the low prices of 22lr ammo.
When I got into 22 lr, it was right at the end of the shortage. You had to look for decent ammo, as it was just starting to come back. Now everywhere around me is fully stocked.
I know I should probably buy bulk, but I stick to Mini Mags - works well in all (just 4) of my 22 lr's. So I'll just buy a few hundred every so often. I do have some of the CCI Tactical, but it isn't always cheaper than buying Mini Mags by the hundred. And I don't shoot as much as most of you.
I know I should probably buy bulk, but I stick to Mini Mags - works well in all (just 4) of my 22 lr's. So I'll just buy a few hundred every so often. I do have some of the CCI Tactical, but it isn't always cheaper than buying Mini Mags by the hundred. And I don't shoot as much as most of you.
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GunnyUSMC
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Target Sport USA has Mini Mags for .06 cents a round.
https://www.targetsportsusa.com/cci...rain-copper-plated-round-nose-0030-p-892.aspx
Quite a variance in the quantity of 22 folks go through in a year,,,
Back in the day, burnin' up a brick in one outing was unheard of.
Go back even further, and if you came home with fewer shells than you left with, and didn't bring home any game, you'd better have a good excuse or you got yer butt in trouble!
Today, a brick is ~nothing~ to a lot of folks,,, For some, multiple cases is commonplace..
No wonder they make umpteen million rounds of 22lr each day,,,,,,
Back in the day, burnin' up a brick in one outing was unheard of.
Go back even further, and if you came home with fewer shells than you left with, and didn't bring home any game, you'd better have a good excuse or you got yer butt in trouble!
Today, a brick is ~nothing~ to a lot of folks,,, For some, multiple cases is commonplace..
No wonder they make umpteen million rounds of 22lr each day,,,,,,
JTHunter
Member
Boy oh boy. Reading these post and seeing all those ammo cans of Gunny's makes me glad I have so few calibers to get or reload. .22LR & Mag, .25 ACP, .32 ACP, .380 ACP, .38 Sp./.357, .243, 7.62x39, and 12 gauge, although I only reload for the .380, .38, & .243. There is no public range nearby and the R & P club near here is so bloody pricey (~$350/yr.!!), I don't get to shoot much. The .25 & .380 is a "safe queens" and are hidden in the house JIC. The .32 is too but it also has the problem of a worn out barrel.
If I'm just plinking at small .22 silhouettes at 50 yards, or shooting gallery practice indoors at 50 feet, about the most reliable and inexpensive ammo has been the Federal "Target Grade Performance" Auto Match. It works well in semi-auto handguns and rifles and is pretty accurate for the money. No...I don't shoot 50 yard groups with it, but it will hold about 1 to 1 1/2" at that range with my rifles.
CCI Standard Velocity ammo is about as accurate in most of my rifles as anything, until you get into Eley's Target. The biggest surprise is Fiocchi Biathlon. It's not very expensive, yet more accurate than about anything in its price range. It may be hard to get in some areas.
JP
CCI Standard Velocity ammo is about as accurate in most of my rifles as anything, until you get into Eley's Target. The biggest surprise is Fiocchi Biathlon. It's not very expensive, yet more accurate than about anything in its price range. It may be hard to get in some areas.
JP
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GunnyUSMC
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The first case arrived today.
A return to panic buying ( and panic pricing) is just one election away so I encourage people to stock up while it's available and cheap. I'm selling ammo I don't use anymore to make room for ammo i"m currently shooting. From the reports I'm seeing here I don't have nearly enough ammo. In 22 LR, I have maybe 10 bricks. I plan to buy up a bunch in Tulsa at the gun show. I always do well there.
the kid will burn through most of a 525 count box in a single outing with the Henry Youth .22LR and Ruger SR22. Now to just get him to want to focus more on the fundamentals instead of just turning money into noise a lot of the time. 
also, SGAmmo has FED745 on sale @ $194.90 for 5250, or $0.0371/rnd.
https://www.sgammo.com/product/22-l...in-high-velocity-copper-plated-hollow-point-f
I'm hoping prices hold out for a bit longer, as i'm planning on taking advantage of one of those 0% for 18+ month credit card deals around mid-october, especially if the Blue Wave is looking stronger (aka: BK doesn't get on SCOTUS.)
also, SGAmmo has FED745 on sale @ $194.90 for 5250, or $0.0371/rnd.
https://www.sgammo.com/product/22-l...in-high-velocity-copper-plated-hollow-point-f
I'm hoping prices hold out for a bit longer, as i'm planning on taking advantage of one of those 0% for 18+ month credit card deals around mid-october, especially if the Blue Wave is looking stronger (aka: BK doesn't get on SCOTUS.)
pharmer
Member
I bought 10,500 rds for $400 from Target Sports. I like the service and outerbox. I had 25K rds 10 years ago(all around $.02/rd, bought another 5K at "yard sales" over the last 10 years. Still have maybe 8K. Should be enough to get through the next 6 years should the worst happen politically. Joe
Jeb Stuart
member
I just ordered a number of different ammo. For instance 1,000 rds. of Aguila Interceptor for my Ruger LCR22. It is a hot little round and makes shooting it very fun out of this revolver fun. I also order a couple of tubs of Remington Goldens. My Bersa loves them. Ordered a couple of thousand rounds of Federal Game Shok, and Federal standard velocity in the Blue box. For a few rifles I ordered a thousand rounds of CCI standard.
I alway Pick up a few boxes of ammo at Walmart at each visit. I am lucky as the "Armory" is located in my town and I stop by there to get other ammo on sale.
The Interceptor was only about $38.00 for a brick of 500 from SWA.
I alway Pick up a few boxes of ammo at Walmart at each visit. I am lucky as the "Armory" is located in my town and I stop by there to get other ammo on sale.
The Interceptor was only about $38.00 for a brick of 500 from SWA.
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Your pictures are stunning Gunny. I'm toying with the idea of buying a case of Aguila too. That cardboard box looks a little flimsy to me and I wonder if UPS/FEDEX comes close to mashing the corner of a box now and then. It would certainly mash a carton of ammo too.. Maybe they oughta' use a wooden ammo crate?? Did your carton sustain any injury?
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GunnyUSMC
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The box was in another box with some packing.
The corner of one brick had a small crush spot. And only one box of fifty rounds had a crumpled corner, no damage to the ammo.
Styx
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I never understood, and I guess I never will. How on earth did a possible AWB spark a 22lr ammo shortage??? That makes absolutely no sense to me.
Anyway, I never owned a 22 firearm or ammo until the shortage hit. Around that time I purchased a cheap Phoenix Arms pistol and a 10/22. I've been stocking up ever since...
Anyway, I never owned a 22 firearm or ammo until the shortage hit. Around that time I purchased a cheap Phoenix Arms pistol and a 10/22. I've been stocking up ever since...
Jeb Stuart
member
Someone mention the Mighty Phoenix? Great little trainers for the small pistols. I went to renew a range membership and they had a sale going on. Buy a gun and get half off the range fee. Saw one of these for $85.00 and bought one, thinking it would not be much of a gun. Man was I wrong. Later bought another. I like training with Pocket guns and these babies are great for that.Amazing how a $85.00 gun can outshoot guns costing 3-4 times as much.
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