22 ammo questions

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doubletap213

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hey guys, i just purchased a new henry lever action 22. i love this little gun, it takes 22lr, 22l, 22s which i love. im new to the 22 world and i went on a shopping spree for ammo. now my question is what exactly is the difference between 22lr 22l and 22s besides length of the case. i also purchased some 22 short CB ammo which is as silent as a BB gun. any thoughts?
 
I think the 22l and 22s are older versions of the cartridge, even though the lr itself is almost 150 yrs old by now. They are lower power, but allow some versatility because of their low power and often low noise, like the BB snap caps with bullet :D
 
There is much more to this equation than the question asked. Even in just Long Rifle - there is standard velocity around 1100 FPS IIRC(?), hyper velocity and mini-magnums at around 1300 FPS IIRC (?), and Aguila Super Max at around 1600 FPS IIRC (?). Then there are sub-sonic rounds in Long Rifle at around 1000 FPS. And, within all these speed ranges, there are some difference in bullet weights - 30 grain, 36 grain, 40 grain, etc. Add in round nose, hollow point and the like, and you have a big pile of stuff to try in your rifle :)

The best bet is to get one box of everything at Wally World, the local ranch supply and your local shooters store. Make notes and try them all. I suggest 50 yds as that will show the best spread vs trajectory. Be very consistent with your hold and sight picture and you will be able to tell what the gun likes best. Every 22 likes different rounds. It's just the way it is.

You can look here for range of choices: http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/category/categoryId/378 :)

Lots of folks have real good luck with CCI. I have good performance from some Aguila products. Also had very good performance with some Eley "club" grade target loads. I don't spend the money on true match ammo I have not shot a rim-fire match 30 years.
 
Hmm interesting, thanks for the info. i just picked it up for a little fun with my wife and daughter. i also wanted a tough reliable 22 for getting food in one of those *cough* shtf scenarios everyone talks about.
 
I would stick with the .22LR. You will generally get better accuracy. Just for plinking fun, I would try the Federal bulk ammo in the boxes of 525 or 550.

I have a match grade Ruger 10/22 that has outperformed centerfire rifles at 100 yards. I clean the barrel only when I notice a degradation in accuracy. I try to clean the receiver and chamber after every shooting, though my chamber is tighter anyway because of the match grade barrel. You might actually get better accuracy by not cleaning the chamber as much.
 
Hmm interesting, thanks for the info. i just picked it up for a little fun with my wife and daughter. i also wanted a tough reliable 22 for getting food in one of those *cough* shtf scenarios everyone talks about.
Definitely stick with the 22LR ammo. It's more plentiful; less expensive; more powerful; etc... You can even get into the stingers and such that are pushing that 1600 fps and can do a lot. But for plinking; the normal $20 for a box of 500-550 rounds is perfect.

On a side note: The whole concept of a 22LR as a survival type weapon if necessary, is Dead On Balls Accurate. It is the perfect weapon. Many people equate "Survival" with warding off bad guys and such, and that they need their AR's, AK's, etc... That may be true; however, real survival is about food and water. Some think because they have been hunters for decades, that they are good to go with their 30-30, 7mm mag, 30-06, etc... That is the LAST thing you want to use for getting food. Don't let anyone tell you differently. That 22LR will get you food that you can carry; e.g. rabbit, squirrel, pheasant, sage grouse, dog, cat, etc... At close range to the head, you can even take out a deer. But MOST IMPORTANTLY, people up to 10 miles away aren't going to hear you pull the trigger, and come to you wanting some of your food.
 
I have found CCI MiniMags and Wolf Match Target to be very reliable and consistently accurate .22LR ammo. Federal and Winchester bulk packs are likewise great for plinking and informal target shooting.
 
I bought a new 22 rifle in case things get bad, I was looking at accuracy and reduced noise, I bought a CZ452 Ultra Lux, it has a 28 1/2" barrel, is unbelievable accurate and quite as my pellet rifle. I am using CCI Sub Sonic ammo.
 
For that don't know - the biggest accuracy issue for 22's is the sonic barrier. As long as the round stays sub-sonic it will be deadly accurate. Or, as long as it stays super-sonic, same applies. It's when it slows from fast to sub-sonic that it crosses an instability envelope that will drastically upset the flight path.

With regular long rifle cartridges, that barrier is somewhere between 75 & 100 yds in a lot of cases. Staying inside 75 yds with mini-mags and things fall down just like they are supposed to :)
 
Remember that those little CB, BB caps & some Sub-sonics can get lodged in the barrel of your rifle. Make sure you barrel is clear if you make a shot & "Something" isn't right. IIRC some of those were intended for revolver use only. Some of them will not cycle semi's properly.

+1 As for the .22lr being the perfect "SHTF" firearm. IMO a "SHTF" firearm has to fit certain categories to qualify. .22lr fits them all.

Food: As stated already you can drop a deer if need be. SHOT Placement is key.

Defense: Ask a Dr. or LEO how many people they seen killed by a .22. The number will stagger you.

Ease of carry: IMO this is the most important. If a "SHTF" senrio does happen, there will be a lot of traveling & moving around by foot. That means you have to carry everything you need to survive on your back. I can carry 1000rds of .22lr in the front pockets of my Carharts. How many of you "AR all the way" guys can carry 1000rds of .223 without breaking a sweat?

Storage: I can get 5000+ rds in a dry box.

I'm not trying to knock AR's out of the "SHTF" role, I own a few myself but in a "SHTF" senario, it's gonna be my .22lr's that foot the bill. I honestly believe the .22lr was the perfect cartriage ever made.
 
yea thats why i purchased the 22. i have gone over and over shtf stuff on every site and yea an AR is great BUT it is a major pain to clean especially when you would have to in a pinch. i generally keep to manual cycling weapons because i think IMHO they are going to be more reliable in the long run plus are less menacing looking. your mind is your most powerful weapon and most people dont have the capacity to think clearly under a stressful situation such as a SHTF. also just some food for thought, what about Traps? snares, spring snares, lethal impaling traps for would be intruders? they require no ammunition, are easily made and work 24/7. all you would have to do is keep your party members aware of them. Thoughts?? lets keep it going!
 
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When the bad guys come, the least likely thing for them to steal is a ratty old single shot 22. But to the owner, it'll do a lot of work and put meat in the pot. Hide the ammo and let them take the shiny or black ones if you must. Keep the beater .22 out in the shop/barn and make sure the barrel is rusty ON THE OUTSIDE. They'll leave it alone :)

I have an old single shot JC Higgins that looks awful - shoots just fine :)
 
Being we're on the SHTF topic; I also keep a crossbow. 1st: I'm a lefty, so I've never been very good with righty bows. And lefty bows cost too much. Plus; with a crossbow, you can lay on the ground in a prone position and use it. I've nailed an elk and 2 deer with a crossbow. I still think the 22LR is more practical, but it's nice to have pure quietness. If I was home, in the suburbs type environment, and wanted that squirrel or whatever for dinner, the pump up pellet gun is also very efficient.
 
Federal makes a copper plated 38 gr HP that's rated at 1280fps and comes in 400 rd boxes that's a pretty dandy squirrel round. Works great in pistols too.

That's on par with CCI minimag 36gr plated hp at 1260 which prices out about the same.

Remington makes a nifty varmint round called the yellowjacket thats a 33gr plated hp at 1500 fps. These can be hard on auto loaders but in a lever gun are great. CCI stingers are 32 gr and even faster at 1640. Both of these are fine on squirrel, rabbits etc with a head shot, but with a body shot can make a mess. Both of these are 'premium priced' at about $6-7/50 rounds.

CCI 22 shorts can get up to 1100fps from a rifle, not all of them 'sound like a pellet gun'. the 27gr hollowpoint can be had at Midway for $830/100 rds. This gives you a lot of rounds in the magazine. I forget how many 22 shorts a Marlin can take but it will take 18 long rifles or like 25 shorts. I could be wrong maybe it's 16 and 21, but it's a BUNCH of rounds for a hunting/survival rifle, without having loose rounds rattling in your pocket.
 
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