22LR-How many have a revived interest?

[22-rimfire]

We all have seen ammo prices climb about 30% or more in the last year. It has affected my shooting and spending habits. I have been shooting more 22rf now than before and spending my money on new 22 rifles instead of centerfire handguns or rifles. How many of you are in the same condition and what are you shooting?

I have been shooting my Remington 541-S,TC Classic, and others and have two new rifles (CZ452 Varmint & Weatherby Mark XXII) to scope and see how they do. I have been having a lot of fun shooting the 22's at the range and getting back into the 22 saddle again. Trying to shoot good groups at 50 or 100 yds can be quite challenging and fun. Shooting at 25yds is to build your confidence!

 

[xsquidgator]

I dealt with increasing prices by taking up reloading (didn't save any $, but I shoot a lot more). However, the cheapness, ubiquity, fun factor, and TEOTWAWKI usefulness of rimfire caused me to pick up a 10/22. With a rimfire scope on it I can have almost as much fun as shooting one of my "real" scoped rifles, for a lot less than even reloaded centerfire rifle ammo.

I am 100% ready for the next 6-pack of tin cans that tries to invade my house.

 

[MCgunner]

I reload. Ammo costs seldom concern me. But, I've NEVER lost interest in rimfires. I love 'em, just love 'em. Nothing quite beats a day in the woods chasing squirrel with a rimfire and plinkin' with a .22 is a far better past time than watching some moronic football game on TV. I burn a lot of rimfire ammo. And a .22 rifle will always be a good companion on my woods hikes.

I have a recently traded for Remington M597 magnum I'm really lovin' at the moment, just don't love the cost of the ammo. LOL But, for 100 yard pin point plinkin', it's awesome.

I own the following:

Mossberg M152 semi auto with scope - the rear aperture broke off it years ago or it wouldn't have the scope. I may put another aperture on it some day. This is the gun with the fold down forward grip you may know. Not sure why they put that feature on it, sort of lame. My step dad gave it to me right after he married my mom. I was 14. I was all agog at getting a semi auto. LOL He'd bought it to carry in his truck while working oil fields in the 50s in Oklahoma. He was a heavy equipment operator by trade.

Charter AR7 - Believe it or not mine works, is very handy for motorcycle and boat travel, accurate enough, and I like it. YMMV

Remington M512X - A tube magazine bolt rifle and almost target rifle accurate with any brand of ammo. I've had this since my 9th birthday and when I really wanna HIT what I aim at, I pull it out. I have a scope on this one to utilize the unreal accuracy. Even with CB shorts it's a tack driver.

Ruger 10/22 stainless - Hogue overmolded stock, love it. It's an iron sighted plinker and general duty knock about gun. Never bobbles, adequate accuracy, no real gripes. I love it, too!

Remington 597 Magnum - Haven't hunted with it, not sure I ever will, but it's extremely accurate like 512 and powerful and flat shooting. It is 100 percent reliable and with the plastic magazines. I put a Vorquartsen hammer/sear in it and now it has the best trigger of any of my .22s. It wears a scope and still has its open sights on it, though I can't see using it without the scope.

I'm still looking to increase my little collection. You can never own enough .22s and I'm convinced all .22s have merit. I've yet to fire one I didn't like, even an AR7.

 

[foghornl]

Oh, Yeah!

I enjoy shooting .22LR's for lotza reasons..Number One being I am a "Cheap Galoot"

Single-Six, MKII, 10/22 and OLD Marlin 99

 

[Markbo]

Before I started reloading I shot more .22LR than everything else combined. After I became a reloader I still shoot more .22LR than everything else combined. I just get to shoot a lot more centerfire too!

 

[slzy]

is there anything that can be done with the fired cases? i have several coffee cans full of them.

 

[SGW42]

I never left the saddle. Learned on a .22 and never stopped shooting it. It's always been what I take to the range.

 

[doc2rn]

slzy- Yes take them to a recycling center.

 

[Markbo]

Yes! You can make your own bullets! There are die sets that allow you to first crimp the rim into the body. Lead wire is then cut to the correct length and inserted into the case, then another die creates a .223 caliber bullet in the 52-53gr range. A final step is a die with an extended point that makes a very small, but consistent HP at the point. They tend to be very frangible, but very consistent in weight, so driven at less than maximum velocities, they work very well.

Only caveat is that rims with very heavy firing pin marks that extend to the edge are not the best candidates. I personally am saving mine. I may never need them, but if I do I will have to start up!

 

[dm1333]

I've always loved shooting my .22s. What could be more fun than sitting on a rock in a gravel pit on a sunny day busting every fragment of a clay pigeon that you can see into smaller fragments? CCSA has an active .22 benchrest league that has caused me to spend a lot of money on ammo for matches that I never win!

 

[Lightsped]

I shoot waaaay more .22lr than all other ammo combined. It isn't like I don't have the other calibers as I have multiple firearms or most every caliber out there. I have been buying alot more .22lr guns during the past year or so than any of the other calibers.

 

[22-rimfire]

I read that recycled brass is fairly high right now at places that will accept it. I started saving my empties or trying to. It is higher than aluminum.

 

[jwxspoon]

I read an article in which fired .22 brass cases were used as jackets for cast .223 bullets. Looked fairly easy, with a really neat result.

jw

 

[waterhouse]

Like others, I never really got away from .22s, but with ammo prices and recently acquired suppressor I have been shooting them more lately.

 

[Zach S]

I find that 22lr is boring.

That said, I have a 1911 frame at the 'smith getting some work done to it, and it will be a dedicated frame for a .22 conversion kit. I'm also planning on getting a conversion for my AR15, and eventually build an AR15 around it using a 9mm upper and a KKF 1:16 bbl.

.45 and .223 aint cheap, and I dont have room for a press (although I am keeping my brass). .22lr is boring, but its cheap.

 

[Eightball]

I picked up my .22 plinkers before the prices rose, and have shot it away since. And to boot, some of 'em are a small version of my bigger stuff, so many of the lessons learned carry over.

But I also reload.

 

[UnTainted]

the 10/22 and the buckmark have always gone to the range. My wife and I will eat up a brick with 'em between my center-fire rifles and my center-fire handguns.

LONG LIVE THE .22LR!!!

 

[mnw42]

I get hot and cold with the .22lr, but I seem to be shooting it more and more. a brig only lasts about half as long now.

 

[trickyasafox]

I reload and cast. I can shoot 9mm for about what it costs to shoot 22. 45 is almost no different.

even though I can do that, I still love 22lr, and it is probably my favorite caliber to shoot.

 

[22-rimfire]

I hear more and more good things about the Remington 597. Used to be all you heard was crap. Maybe I need to consider one for the accumulation? LONG LIVE THE 22LR!!

 

[Mac Attack]

Yes I have renewed my interest in .22Lr due to the price increase of ammo. I have also taken up blackpowder firearms which are actually more expensive to shoot than a centerfire firearm, but you shoot a lot slower and each shot is more satisfying.

I picked up a GSG-5 not too long ago and have shot 2500 rounds in 4 weeks. I don't shoot that many centerfire rounds in 3 months. I also have a .22 conversion unit for my AR15 and 1911 so between the GSG-5, AR15 and 1911 I can practice on the same platform for a lot less than normal ammo. For my long range plinking needs I break out my bull barreled, scoped Ruger 10/22 or my scoped Marlin microgroove. To be honest with you I actually enjoy shooting my .22's more than my centerfire firearms.

 

[U.S.SFC_RET]

the 22lr is the epitomy of practice. In a general sense and at a firing range you can always brush those skills without burning up the pocket book.
They didn't call it the 22 trainer for nothing.

 

[davera]

Oh yeah. My last 5 acquisitions have been .22 rimfire -

Ruger Single Six
Marlin 39A
Winchester 320
Winchester Thumb Trigger model
Winchester 61
Winchester 60A (just this weekend)

Oh my last 6 acquisitions.

 

[Markbo]

I have even put together two pupose built 1911 conversions so I could shoot more .22 on RIA frames. The Marvel outshoots the Kimber, but the Kimber is prettier!

 

[antsi]

Zach S,

For your 1911 conversion, be sure to look at the Marvel Precision one. The accuracy on these things is phenomenal. It is not uncommon to see them on the line at bullseye pistol competitions.

And what do you mean, boring?

Personally I believe .22 LR is the ultimate training and practice round. It helps to build good habits. The more I .22 I shoot, the better I shoot. Some of the most intense marksmanship competition in the world is shot in .22 LR.