Shooting smaller to shoot more

jfeenin · Feb 10, 2014

Am I the only one who over the past few years has turned to shooting smaller and smaller calibers and/or eastern bloc ammunition in order to be able to shoot more and more often? I have found that my recent firearm purchases over the past few years have been guided by the economy of caliber in almost every case. The SKS is one of the best bangs for the buck even at what seem to some of to be ridiculous prices now because Russian 7.72x39 is so cheap compared to any comparable US caliber.

When it came to buy a handgun, the 9mm is markedly cheaper to shoot than the 45 so that helped bend the preference to the 9mm. Now I find myself looking at the possibility of a small 22 handgun similar in size and shape to my 9mm Shield to be able to practice with more affordably than even 9mm. Even with .22 hard to find when you can find it even at paying $50 for a brick of a $1000 that is about 7-10x cheaper than 9mm still. 1000 rounds for my AR is still ~$400 or so and that?s looking at the brass cased Wolf 5.56. Admittedly that?s a good deal but anything US made is usually considerably more. It?s hard to touch the venerable 22LR for value though.

I was just wondering how many other people have dusted off their 22?s in recent years or had cost of ammunition play more prominently in a purchase that it once would have.

Avtomat-Acolyte · Feb 10, 2014

A couple of years ago I bought 10,000+ rounds of .22 Long Rifle on an impulse while inside a Wal-Mart killing time.

I have only shot approximately one of the 550 round packs in six years.

I need to get out more.

Avtomat-Acolyte · Feb 10, 2014

But, yes, to your question.

That's why I don't own any .30-06, 7.62 NATO or any "oddball" / "wildcat" chambered firearms.

Tigerstripe · Feb 10, 2014

now every one of us hates you.

just kidding, that was a smart move.

PANZER22 · Feb 10, 2014

I rarely shoot anything above 22LR even though it is still hard to get.....I have a number of larger rifle and pistols that I will shoot with friends on occasional weekends.......I have a nice hoard of 45 ACP, 38/357, and 9mm and shoot a few mags now and then......I gave all of my 30 06, 308, 303, 7.62x39, 5.56/223 to my son since I won't be shooting those rifles again.....He has a nice collection and big safe.

My emphysema keeps me from too vigorous activity.

rotarymike · Feb 10, 2014

I collect WWII-ish rifles, but don't generally keep a huge stash of ammo, just enough to shoot every now and again.

It does seem like I shoot 9mm, .22 and .30-06 more than anything else. .30-06 is still cheapish at .57/round for Greek M2 Ball surplus (CMP). 9x19 seems to have come close to pre-craze prices. Haven't bought any new .22 in years though, and I've only got 2 and a partial bricks left.

I've been considering getting a .22 pistol for target shooting - combat handguns just don't seem have the accuracy that something like a Ruger MkII does. But then again, they won't jam as often either.

biganimal · Feb 10, 2014

I cast and reload so I can shoot all I want when I can get the time to hit the range. I shoot everything from 25acp to 45/70 and usually can average about a dime each. Powder and primers are usually bought in bulk. Bullets are cast, swaged, or traded for. I loaded some 45/70's last week that cost me 8cents each. Can't shoot rim fire for that.

Crunchy Frog · Feb 10, 2014

I shoot larger in the sense that I rarely shoot my .22s because I have difficulty finding ammo (at other than scalper prices that I refuse to pay). I have decent stores of small pistol primers so I shoot the .38s instead. I can load .38s for less than the price of .22s.

Clicker · Feb 12, 2014

Like biganimal & Crunchy Frog I reload and cast pistol caliber projectiles. Its a sad state of affairs when you can shoot 9mm, 45acp and 38/357 for less than 22LR.

bigfutz · Feb 12, 2014

If you want to shoot bigger, get a Mosin Nagant. I saw 7.62x54R advertised today for $160'ish/880, about half the price of 223.
http://m.sportsmansguide.com/Product.aspx?a=865012

On the other hand, I only shoot reloadable with the exception of 22.

bilall · Feb 12, 2014

I like shooting the Mosin with this ammo, but you need to remember a couple of things:
- It has corrosive primers. Take your Windex with you and do a quick cleaning as soon as you finish shooting.
- It is steel-core. Not permitted at most ranges as it attracts a magnet.
- It is Berdan-primed and is not reloadable.
Still very cheap shooting and a big bang.

jfeenin · Feb 12, 2014

I actually have two Mosin's and several hundred rounds for them but when they run out 7.62x54R is still more expensive than 22LR by quite a bit. I have actually considered selling the Nagant's but really it's a case of it's almost not worth the bother for what you get for them. I used to reload when I had my own house up north but when I sold that and went into apartment living and moved here I gave all that stuff away. So since I have to buy it 22's are the cheapest bet albeit still oddly hard to find. Nevt behind that in rifle would be the 7.62x39's and in handgun (for calibers I have) 9mm...

Crunchy Frog · Feb 12, 2014

Clicker said:
Like biganimal & Crunchy Frog I reload and cast pistol caliber projectiles.

I don't cast my own bullets but many of my friends to. I purchase mine from small commercial casters, primarily Randy Clark of Clark's Bullets in Conover, NC. He brings them to our local cowboy action and Wild Bunch Action Shooting matches so I don't pay shipping, AND his prices are just about the best I've seen anywhere (OK, aside from some vendors who give best pricing on large lot purchases; I usually purchase a couple of 500 count boxes at a time.

So, Clicker, you know that lead bullets are what we use in cowboy and WBAS, right? Ever been to a match for a look-see? The "Geechee Gunfighters" is the SASS affiliate near you, at the Palmetto Gun Club near Summerville.

How many shameless plugs can I get into one reply? No affiliation, etc.

Tigerstripe · Feb 12, 2014

rotarymike said:
I collect WWII-ish rifles, but don't generally keep a huge stash of ammo, just enough to shoot every now and again.

It does seem like I shoot 9mm, .22 and .30-06 more than anything else. .30-06 is still cheapish at .57/round for Greek M2 Ball surplus (CMP). 9x19 seems to have come close to pre-craze prices. Haven't bought any new .22 in years though, and I've only got 2 and a partial bricks left.

I've been considering getting a .22 pistol for target shooting - combat handguns just don't seem have the accuracy that something like a Ruger MkII does. But then again, they won't jam as often either.

ive got 2 mark 11 pistols and have never had a jam.

bigfutz · Feb 13, 2014

Yes 22 is still #1 on the cheap list, but I can't get over that "I used to pay $20 a brick" hump. So while $40 a brick is very economical, I can't bring myself to pay it. The prices have even affected my ability to shoot any 22 I might have bought pre-panic due to its current value i.e. replacement cost.

biganimal · Feb 13, 2014

bigfutz said:
Yes 22 is still #1 on the cheap list, but I can't get over that "I used to pay $20 a brick" hump. So while $40 a brick is very economical, I can't bring myself to pay it. The prices have even affected my ability to shoot any 22 I might have bought pre-panic due to its current value i.e. replacement cost.

I guess I am giving away my age here but I remember buying 22LR for 79 cents for a box of 50

Tigerstripe · Feb 14, 2014

i bought some odd brand 22s for 24 cents a box of 50 at jm fields and roses stores.

i must have been around 9 so that was 50 years ago.

11B3XCIB · Feb 14, 2014

Still finding $7 CCI Mini mags and $10 225ct remington golden bullets about every weekend when I look.

Tigerstripe · Feb 14, 2014

Academy at westgate HAD 8 boxes of rem golden bullets, 525 pack for $23.31 after tax. limit one.

i got one and told my wife if a bunny came a hoppin that i hoped he would bring a box.

EDIT

the bunny just called and there are no more bulk packs at Acadmey.