The value of .22lr

I've been researching my first rifle, which I had intended to use for deer and later hopefully Chamois and Tahr.

Everywhere on the internet tells me the first gun anyone should own should be .22LR. I've shot a bit before, and I'm struggling to understand the benefits of .22 - other than dirt cheap ammo.

I've seen it described as a good platform to use for learning shooting fundamentals, but these posts and articles are usually light on the details of what these "fundamentals" are, and why you need a .22 to learn them.

It seems like a smart idea to have a light & cheap calibre in NZ for stuff like rabbits and wallabies, but .22 doesn't seem to be that good for this either, being not particularly great at longer rangers, and not having much punch for game bigger than rabbits.

So what am I missing here? If oyu're not teaching kids or plinking in the back yard, is there a good reason why you should have a .22?
Can it be safely skipped as a first rifle, or even a "must have" calibre?

You'll learn much from shooting a .22, every good shooter, owns and shoots a .22 on a regular basis

Cheap to buy, cheap to run.

most people would say it is a necessity to have a .22.

Personally i cant remember the last time i fired one and am not planning on using one anytime soon, but i dont do enough small game blasting to justify the need for cheap ammo, i would rather use the .17hmr. I havent actually put THAT many rounds down a 22lr tube. If you do have some decent experience shooting than just make the call. A suppressed 223 will have next to no recoil and the ability to kill the odd deer, perfect for roos goats etc etc, just factor in it will be about $1 a shot. If cost isnt a factor there is no reason why you HAVE to get a .22lr.

While i had use of an air rifle and 22lr from a very young age the first rifle i "owned" was a 303 and then 308.
Yea 22s are great for cheap practice. But not essential. Particularly if you don't live near small game. Ie if you have to travel might as well hunt something that will fill a hole in the freezer.



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My first rifle was a Bruno Model 2E, I sold it a few years ago and regret it still (anyone knowing the where a bouts of a customized Model 2 serial 350444 let me know, I want too buy it back).
Cheap to run are .22 and you can learn good shooting habits which will travel with you to the bigger calibres. I used to shoot smallbore with mine even though it was scoped the old fuddies at the club I joined said they didn't care what I shot as long as i shot accurately and safely. Great guys they were, I learn t heaps

And I think you'll will find all top competition shooters,nearly all started with small bore and many continue to do so,

Cheers - that's made me feel better about my decision. I'm after tools, not toys.

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Originally Posted by Maca49

You'll learn much from shooting a .22, every good shooter, owns and shoots a .22 on a regular basis

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What is it that a .22 gives you that another caliber wouldn't? Is it just because it's cheap, you get more time behind the rifle, and therefore more experience?

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Originally Posted by chalkeye

Cheers - that's made me feel better about my decision. I'm after tools, not toys.



What is it that a .22 gives you that another caliber wouldn't? Is it just because it's cheap, you get more time behind the rifle, and therefore more experience?

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Pretty much

I depends on your needs?

I live in the country and fire mine every night. I let the dogs off, walk around the house a couple of times and can usually shoot a rat, possum or rabbit pretty much every time I do this. For me the enjoyment I get from owning/using my .22lr is priceless and I wouldn't be without one.

kj

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Originally Posted by chalkeye

What is it that a .22 gives you that another caliber wouldn't? Is it just because it's cheap, you get more time behind the rifle, and therefore more experience?

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Lots of practice is the main thing, also being fairly ballistically challenged it gives you plenty of experience in dealing with wind and drop at closer ranges - teaches you principles which apply to centrefires at longer ranges which you might not be able to practice at as often.

It takes many thousands of rounds to carve the muscle memory of shooting into the shooter. I didn't become a talented rifleman until I spent thousands of rounds of CCI standard velocity teaching myself proper trigger control and breathing technique, as well as finding out which body positions worked for me. To become a good shooter, all these things need to gel and become a subconscious reaction. Chances are if you bank on using a big rifle to learn ya, you will always shoot like shit and go broke doing it.

I love to use the 22lr, shot many hundreds of rabbits over the last three years. A great tool to learn on. Hold over for longer shots, hold under for mid range shots and look along the barrel for the really close shots. The ballistics you have to work around with the round make it fun. I've done very limited range work with it, I find the good tasting reactive furry targets the best.

About nine bucks a box, these days.

I think beavis nailed it.

I wouldn't be without my 22.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/28/e2ypyby4.jpg
Especially at this time of year. Damn Randy hares!

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:) I just need my 22LR for dumb rabbits, 204 for smart rabbits, 12g for fast rabbits, 308 really really big rabbits and all the rest of my guns are for sport.

In short the rifles are cheap, and so to are the rounds. It has no kick means you'll have no flinch reflex allowing you to work on those few vital skills; naturally alignment to the target, maintain a constant sight picture and following the shot through, controlled trigger work and where you chose to shoot in your breathing cycle.

You can mag dump till your blue in the face and still be able to afford a steak and cheese after.

Can also do long range shooting without needed a loooong range

The .22lr is priceless:D I never leave home without it.
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Originally Posted by Dundee

The .22lr is priceless:D I never leave home without it.
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There's grass growing in your seat latch ya rough bugger:)

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Originally Posted by puku

I wouldn't be without my 22.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/28/e2ypyby4.jpg
Especially at this time of year. Damn Randy hares!

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.22. Check
Kiddy seat. Check
GTG:pacman:

Cocked to by the looks :wtfsmilie:

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Originally Posted by BRADS

There's grass growing in your seat latch ya rough bugger:)

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Might start break feeding cause of the shit weather:D

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Originally Posted by Dundee

Might start break feeding cause of the shit weather:D

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And the headlines read, "Firearms and a large quantity of grass discovered on rural vehicle" :D

A newbie myself and I wouldn't skip it. About 800 rounds through mine in 4 outings (two at targets). That's a lot more practice than I'd have got if I'd gone straight to centerfire.

It's great just being able to blast away as long as you like and not even think about the cost of ammo.

One thing no-one else has mentioned is that the relatively limited range of a .22 on small game sized targets, esp if you are learning to shoot, means that you end up learning all the basics of observation, sneaking and stalking too. :thumbsup:

Also a subsonic 22 with spotlights is a great tool to go possuming with which can get you fur (and $$ for fur) whilst doing a service to our native bush by killing pests.

The small round makes less noise and doesn't alarm as many people/ neighbours

Best things I like are you don't have to worry about loosing brass and they're handy if you can't be shagged reloading. :thumbsup:

Read this article the other day, it's a wonder they shoot at all.
American Rifleman - The Impossible .22 Rimfire

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Originally Posted by Dundee

The .22lr is priceless:D I never leave home without it.
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Shit DD that rifles worth more than the Quad!

Buy one or don't buy one ... no one really cares. Learning about ballistics, becoming a better hunter, being a safer gun handler and a better marksman ... shoot a .22lr. I own 13 rifles all different calibres except I have three .22's. I shoot my .308 10 rounds a year ... I shoot my .22's thousands of rounds a years and the others somewhere in between. Keep safe in the hills.

I shoot 5 times as much with my 308 as my 22, but in saying that would have fired hundreds of thousands of air rifle and 22lr as a youngster.

I've owned them, but no longer have good access to private land, therefore it's hard to justify to the wife that I need one. I shoot my 223 and 270WSM every weekend on public lands near home.

Sure I would like to have one again for the times a rabbit sits out in front of me, but get better value from the large rifles and a couple of shot guns.


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Had 3 .22rifles on the quad tonight going up the track,2 xtra peeps on board never fired a shot but a mob of mutton ran up the track in front of us. (Woops I meant a flock of sheep).:D

There is one very common thread here which is most of these guys (who sound experienced) all shot a lot of .22LR's when they started ... even though some don't do it much now, I bet $100 if you gave them the choice between a .22LR, 10 acres & 100 bunnies and a night out with the Mrs at the movies ... they would shoot the .22LR ... need I say more.

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Originally Posted by Gunzrrr

There is one very common thread here which is most of these guys (who sound experienced) all shot a lot of .22LR's when they started ... even though some don't do it much now, I bet $100 if you gave them the choice between a .22LR, 10 acres & 100 bunnies and a night out with the Mrs at the movies ... they would shoot the .22LR ... need I say more.

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Agree haven't been to the flicks since the Titanic movie was on.:D

even 1acre and 10 bunnies wins hands down over the movies with missus :D

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Originally Posted by Dundee

Agree haven't been to the flicks since the Titanic movie was on.:D

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You didn't get dragged to that chick flick did you Dundee? If you did, did anyone spoil the end and tell you the ship sinks?