Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Rimfires why keep 22lr rifle?

Or two, or three, or.....

What I’m thinking. They’re fun, inexpensive to shoot, and can keep meat on the table if need be.

I have some old single shots, Crickets, 10/22s and just bought on impulse a Savage mkii FV-SR. I'm excited to get it paired up with a can.

My favorite 22lr is a Winchester model 55. I found it in an old house a farmer was going to burn down. He told me to go in a take whatever I wanted, ended up finding it under a mattress with the tag still on it. $35 was the original cost.

I have killed everything from mice to 2000# steers with a 22lr. I own a few and 30,000 rounds of ammo for them. What else can you shoot 30,000 times for around $650?

I would give up electricity before my .22s.......

I like those old single shot 22s my favorite is a Winchester 02 - 22. My grandfather bought it for his 3 sons in turn they all taught their kids to shoot with it. Sadly I am the last living of the group except for my son and his, so you know where that gun is going next.

Leo, a word of caution. If you pursue this project you can expect jacketed bullets to stick in the barrel frequently at .22 LR velocity. Play it how you want but if you’re inclined to operate in that velocity realm you need to use cast bullets. It’s no fun tapping bullets out of the barrel.

22LR i kill alot of varmints out in the country works great where i live,its loaded and ready to go 24/7 hangin in the garage, wife know`s where and how to use it also. Marlin bolt-action, extra clip loaded and ready too for wifey if she needs extra.

I'm not sure if Indiana has the same firearm restrictions as Wisconsin, but there was a time here when you could only use a rimfire cartridge during the majority of the year. That rule pretty much convinced me that I should be using a .22 LR or a .22 WMR for my varmint hunting.

Down loading a .223 is probably do able, but more expensive and a pain in the butt. Even using the least expensive bullets you can find would make it cost prohibitive. It most likely wouldn't shoot to the same point of aim as your standard load. Keeping those loads separate from regular loads and on and on. A lot of work to produce something that is cheaper and less hassle.

Wow!! That's some great shooting right there....

Wish I could help you out. But I don't help people to make a decision. Nor have I asked others to help me do so. Because only you can do that. That aside,once I buy a firearm I don't sell them. .22lr and .223 I don't even bother reloading. Everyone should own a 22lr for many good reasons.I own three of them and an 8 round revolver Ruger snubby for my wife. So I'll break my code and humor you-DON'T GET RID OF IT ! lol. As for .223 it is one of the most fun-and popular-center fire cartridges one can own; for many good reasons as well. I own my AR and am getting a Sako and Anschutz in .223 in the future. My favorites are many of the .30 calibers up to .325wsm. And have quite a few. I bring them up because if they are my favorites, yet will happily own and never sell (3-.22lr & 3-.223 rifles); it is like saying to you: KEEP THEM BOTH !!! So much for me not trying to help others make decisions. lol

Some rely on luck, others on skill. I’ve found that while practice enhances skill it also promotes luck’s intervention. I’ve shot a fair number of tiny groups in my day but wouldn’t stake my life on being able to shoot such a group anytime soon.

Anyone who owns a firearm and doesnt own a 22LR is suspect IMO.

Its just not American. Its not normal.

No, not kidding.

Woa.

Is it just me or does anyone else get the impression 260Remguy has a fondness of rimfires? lol.

another thought ; i have always lived in the country i keep a snow shovel ,dirt shovel, garden hoe and many other tools plus a loaded 22 L.R. hanging up in same garage,1 in the house and another one in my pole shed, i consider them all tools same as a shovel, we grew up with loaded 22 L.R. ready to use on the farm and house of parents home and grandparents too , my 7 year old grandson is now learning why,how,safety and when to use it for fun and as a tool to get rid of varmints. > yes its the American way for us country folk. Pete53

Go ahead do it for a while then get back to us.

Let us know how making CB's worked out, or how to beat the sometimes under $.03 per round, never mind the time involved.

Your loony badge is revoked.