.22 ammo

[Canine]

Midway has .22 ammo on sale for $21.50 for a box of 325.Best price I've seen.I miss the old days when we could get a box of 500 for$7.50.

 

[LeeRevell]

Sadly those "Old Days" prices will not be seen again.  I had been ordering from a few less-gouging online sources during the rimfire scarcity, paid more than I really thought 'fair', but it is a seller's market.  Stocks are just reaching the box stores and LGS shops again.  I have plenty now (over 10K of various rimfire calibers/types), so am not currently looking.  Online deals are still out there, if you search.
I used to be a real rimfire enthusiast, but during the years-long scarcity I branched into BP/Cap&Ball and air guns, to help fill the gap.  I have paid more for a couple air rifles than I have for most mass-market .22LR rifles!  But it allows me to shoot indoors (being single really helps here!) during bad weather days and without freaking the neighbors.  But I do still dearly love my rimfires!  I just ration my shooting now.  No more burning throug a 500-pack in a weekend! 

 

[minimotos95]

IIRC $25 is about what I was quoted for the 325 or 333 boxes in the 4 corners area when it is available. It's insane that it costs almost as much if not more to shoot 22lr than centerfire reloads but that's the way it is and will stay I guess. I am betting prices will go up again as the election nears and will likely not return to this ~7c/rd price

I was able to trade some 20ga birdshot I had laying around for enough 22 to justify pulling my r597 out of long term(disassembled) storage. Good deal for both parties.

 

[Canine]

I have 1000 or so 22 rounds.I just stopped shooting them when the shortage peaked.I have a Marlin 22 mag that is the most accurate rimfire I have ever had.But hell,I can reload and shoot my 243 for less than wmr.If I could find any at all.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

IIRC $25 is about what I was quoted for the 325 or 333 boxes in the 4 corners area when it is available. It's insane that it costs almost as much if not more to shoot 22lr than centerfire reloads but that's the way it is and will stay I guess. I am betting prices will go up again as the election nears and will likely not return to this ~7c/rd price

What centerfire cartridge can you reload for close to or less than 8¢ each?

 -- Spiff

 

[Canine]

None.But I can reload 243 or smaller for less than the $.30 per round WMR sells for.

 

[highdesertranger]

my buddy and I was just having this conversation this weekend. it's a shame that rimfire is so expensive. there is no reason for it that we could figure. manufacturers should have been able to overcome any shortages rather quickly. so why has this shortage been going on for so long? highdesertranger

 

[minimotos95]

What centerfire cartridge can you reload for close to or less than 8¢ each?

 -- Spiff

I have personally loaded 38 special with commercially produced wadcuttets for 8c/rd recently. If you cast your own, use whatever primers are cheap and light plinking powder charges most handgun cartridges smaller than the 45acp can be fed for under 10c a round.

 

[LeeRevell]

What centerfire cartridge can you reload for close to or less than 8¢ each?

 -- Spiff

In my case, that would be my 7.62X38R rounds for my Nagant revolver.  At least once the brass is on it's second loading and after.  The brass being the most expensive upfront cost.  So, reformed .32-20 brass, cast lead bullets I cast myself from scrap lead, and a leetle dab of powder and cheap Wolf primers.  Great little plinking and fun shooting load.  And the old Nagant is a great conversation starter at the range too.
I do ave a small stash of .22WMR and .17HMR ammo, but hardly shoot them anymore.  I'll likely sell those guns eventually.  Really need to cull out the .22LR guns too.  Too many in the herd to keep feeding.  
If another .22LR shortage happens, I'll break down and see if the .22LR reloading kit works as advertised.  Could be fun to play with, just for giggles.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

I have personally loaded 38 special with commercially produced wadcuttets for 8c/rd recently. If you cast your own, use whatever primers are cheap and light plinking powder charges most handgun cartridges smaller than the 45acp can be fed for under 10c a round.

Do you shoot a pistol?  If so, do you have to reduce the strength of the recoil spring to cycle the action?

In my case, that would be my 7.62X38R rounds for my Nagant revolver.  At least once the brass is on it's second loading and after.  The brass being the most expensive upfront cost.  So, reformed .32-20 brass, cast lead bullets I cast myself from scrap lead, and a leetle dab of powder and cheap Wolf primers.  

Would you two guys be so kind as to identify the powders and loads you use?

I currently shoot 70 rounds of .45 acp (1911) and 30 rounds of .44 mag a week (revolver) and it gets expensive:  costs ~$0.20 a shot for a light load in the .44.  I use a .22 conversion for the 1911 and CCI .22LR at ~$0.10 each.

Thanks much.

 -- Spiff

 

[minimotos95]

I have 2 Recoil springs for my 45 a wore out factory 14lber that will cycle everything from weaker than starting loads to +p and the 16lb heavy Recoil spring that cycles rounds from standard 230gr ball to my 45 super handloads. I have only loaded 25 rounds of my own casting(Lee 230gr lrn) with a grain of red dot under the starting load in my Alliant book IIRC(sorry don't have access to it or my notes). It ran through the USP fine with the older lighter Recoil spring. A 1911 is going to be more finicky with light loads as the Recoil spring does more of the work than the lock up compared to the USP. It doesn't take much powder to push a 45 slug out of the barrel but be careful working down to light loads.
44 I have never reloaded for so can't comment on

 

[LeeRevell]

Do you shoot a pistol?  If so, do you have to reduce the strength of the recoil spring to cycle the action?


Would you two guys be so kind as to identify the powders and loads you use?

I currently shoot 70 rounds of .45 acp (1911) and 30 rounds of .44 mag a week (revolver) and it gets expensive:  costs ~$0.20 a shot for a light load in the .44.  I use a .22 conversion for the 1911 and CCI .22LR at ~$0.10 each.

Thanks much.

 -- Spiff

I favor two powders for hangun ammo - Red Dot and Bullseye.  Both tend to be popular and cheaper.  Lil Gun is my go to for .357 Magnum and .22 Hornet.

 

[Canine]

Lee,how do you like the Hornet?I've known a couple of guys who had them and neither one could find a load that beat 1 1/2 in 3 shot groups.One was a Ruger,I don't remember what the other was.

 

[Canine]

Of all the guns I've ever had,The one I miss the most is a Win. model 70(new model) chambered for 270 Weatherby Mag.Any elk or deer inside 400 yards was meat on the pole.Then there was the Rem 788 in .222.Then.... oh hell.I may cry.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

I have 2 Recoil springs for my 45 a wore out factory 14lber that will cycle everything from weaker than starting loads to +p  ... powder to push a 45 slug out of the barrel but be careful working down to light loads.
44 I have never reloaded for so can't comment on

I don't know why I never thought of worn out springs  :huh:  I have a few.   I will have to try working up some lighter loads.  i am familiar with working down to light loads.  .44 is a revolver, so cycling is not an issue.  It's only been the last couple of years that I have thought of loading for cost rather than just reducing recoil.

Thanks again.

 -- Spiff

 

[LeeRevell]

Lee,how do you like the Hornet?I've known a couple of guys who had them and neither one could find a load that beat 1 1/2 in 3 shot groups.One was a Ruger,I don't remember what the other was.

I love the wee Hornet but iit takes practice and testing.  The brass is thin and delicate.  The load range is very tight with little difference between min and max.  Powders make the biggest difference as does primer type.  Small pistol primers are best I find.  I had bought a proffesional reloader's loads once, and they were very tight shooting.  I have nearly duplicated his loads by testing.  I can get under an inch at 100 yds.  His loads did a good 3/4" group.  
Bullet choices are good.  I find my BRNO rifle prefers 40 and 45 grain bullets best.
the .22 Hornet can be loaded to match anything from .22Short to .22WMR ballistics.
My rifle is a singleshot so I take my time aiming.
My best rimfires tend to be the singleshots too.  I utterly love my big BSA Mk. II Martini British match rifle in .22LR.  Fourteen pounds of singleshot accuracy!

 

[Dupree]

Can anyone point me to info on carrying a gun/rifle in an rv. I've been looking it's a bit overwhelming. Thanks.

Sent from my GT-N5110 using Tapatalk

 

[USACelt]

The .22 shortage is as simple as the FOLLOW the money scam. If you think about it for a second.
I remember the days of plinking the .22 with little thought about $$$, The pinch of Gov and the 2nd, and the avid shooters at ranges(and hoarders) make the
makers of ammo look to the more profitable rounds to be made avl.

JUST my opinion

 

[USACelt]

Dupree, I would suggest that you should investigate the firearms laws of the areas you are going to travel. Most all states have different or various laws.
try this site for some info.

http://www.handgunlaw.us/

 

[LeeRevell]

Spiff, I primarily use Red Dot and Bullseye for handguns.
3.2 grains of Red Dot is my go to load for my 7.62X38r Nagant, and works well for .38Special too.
I favor Bullseye for .45ACP. Not home now, so I don't have access to my load data.
For the .22Hornet and .357Magnum, I love Lil Gun powder. Reduces felt recoil but gives same velocities as other powders.
Many handloaders rave about Unique, but that "Flammable Dirt" just gums up my Colt auto and Ruger revolver to the point of failure, after only a few magazines or cylinders full. I dumped it. Garbage, in my experience.
Favorite load for the .22Hornet, 12 grains of Lil Gun under a 45 grain V-Max bullet. Very tight shooting! Nice thing about the Hornet is being able to load from light .22LR range to beyond .22WMR level. Very versatile caliber.