I shot a whole brick 2-3yrs ago and not an issue but the last brick I opened acts pretty odd. My buddy doesn't wear ear plugs when shooting 22 for some reason and taps me and says what's in there shorts? I said huh? he said some of those are louder than the others. I fired about 3 shots at a squirrel Saturday and watched the bullet impact a branch about 3'' low and #4 hit him somewhere and I was shooting off sticks, kneeling. I'm going to try it again and see what happens with them before I write it all the way off.
I thought I was over the 22LR "ammo panic" but I guess not completely....
- Thread starter berettaprofessor
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22-rimfire
Member
Back in the 80's I lived in the "big city" and didn't shoot much. But when 22 ammo was put on sale, I couldn't resist. It has something to do with my upbringing of never really having enough of the necessary things or just barely enough. Anyway, I suspect I have ammo cans full of bricks bought during that time that I don't even know where they are. Probably will turn up when my house gets totally cleaned out after I die and somebody is going to wonder why I had all this 22 ammo. But I don't care about that. I wish I knew where the stuff is so I can shoot it up (assuming it still shoots okay). The majority of it is Remington golden bullets from when they were very reliable and my preferred general shooting fodder. This is stuff bought at under $10/brick.
I actually had a bad lot of CCI Mini Mags a few years back--at least 400 rds. Ten shots would group consistently into 2 inches @50 yards with five scattered and five in a cloverleaf pattern around half an inch. This repeated itself through most of the batch. Found another guy on the Rimfire Central forum who was getting similar results. This was purchased at Walmart (or was it Sportsmans Warehouse?). Dug up some of my old MM and it would still put 10 in a quarter sized hole.
I also have my suspicions about bulk 22 anyway. What if a company does batch testing and finds less than desirable performance on a lot? Why not dump it in a big box and sell it at reduced cost? Lately I've heard several complaints at the range for various brands...Winchester 555, Blazer, Federal Auto Match, Remington's notorious "Golden Bullet", etc. I have some of the G.B. purchased 20 years ago and it gets no complaints from me. Accurate and consistent.
I wonder if manufacturers are unloading bulk packaged inventory now made during the "drought" years to meet Walmart's price objective.
I stack CCI Velocitors and Mini Mags now that they are somewhat available and have sold off the Stingers.
M
I also have my suspicions about bulk 22 anyway. What if a company does batch testing and finds less than desirable performance on a lot? Why not dump it in a big box and sell it at reduced cost? Lately I've heard several complaints at the range for various brands...Winchester 555, Blazer, Federal Auto Match, Remington's notorious "Golden Bullet", etc. I have some of the G.B. purchased 20 years ago and it gets no complaints from me. Accurate and consistent.
I wonder if manufacturers are unloading bulk packaged inventory now made during the "drought" years to meet Walmart's price objective.
I stack CCI Velocitors and Mini Mags now that they are somewhat available and have sold off the Stingers.
M
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Given that a) I haven't had trouble finding 22LR in over a year, b) that I can find almost any brand I'm looking for lately when I want it, and c) that I have a pretty decent stockpile now, I thought I was past buying 22LR on impulse....
But then, today, in Dick's, I spotted a small pyramid of Eley 40 grainTarget 22LR on clearance for $3.58/50 rounds. There were around 18-20 boxes. I bought 10.
May run back tomorrow to buy the rest.Unless one of you gets there first.
Nothing wrong with that provided money spent doesn't affect obtaining more important things in life (like higher quality food items) and you get to use up all the ammo you have bought. I would hate to be the family member of the guy was was left with several tons of ammo after he passed away. It happened someplace in California and they did not know how to best get rid of it.
John Joseph
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I succumbed to the Rim fire Siren's song yesterday at Walmart. CCI-SV for $37+ change for a brick of CCI-SV
pharmer
Member
I had about 10K rds of assorted .22's before the "panic." I shoot about 2K rds a year. I still have 10 K and haven't paid over $.05 rd (except for "Stingers"). Joe
I got lucky during the Obama drought of eight years that I did not have to buy single box of 22's at the super high marked up prices. I've always purchased rimfire ammo every pay period and other calibers whether a box or case but at least a box. I like to shoot at least 100 to 500 rounds of 22 for every range session I attend which is usually twice a week. It is my go to round for my weak hand practice.
Alte Schule
Member
This thread reminds me of the time I attended a gun show at the NRG Center in Houston. I think it was December '14. CCI Mini Mags were selling for $25 for a hundred round sleeve. I had heard about the artificial shortage of .22 but I really didn't give it much thought as I had 2-3 thousand rounds of mini mags for my Walther P 22 and at least that much in other brands for my rifles. Seeing it first hand was another thing. Lines 30 people deep with glazed eyes and money in their hands ready to make a score. If I was the unscrupulous type I could have made some money by selling some of my stash at half the going price out in the parking lot.
Probably a month after that I ran into a old co worker and his son at Academy that I hadn't seen in six years. He was trying to find .22 ammo to go plinking and wasn't haven't much luck. Brought him back to my house and gave him 500 rds of CCI & Remington. I didn't want his money. Three days later I found a case of beer on my porch and a photo of him and his son at their stock pond rifles in hand.
Probably a month after that I ran into a old co worker and his son at Academy that I hadn't seen in six years. He was trying to find .22 ammo to go plinking and wasn't haven't much luck. Brought him back to my house and gave him 500 rds of CCI & Remington. I didn't want his money. Three days later I found a case of beer on my porch and a photo of him and his son at their stock pond rifles in hand.
Reloadron
Contributing Member
I cant believe how many people do shoot 22lr a lot. I just don't get much enjoyment out of it like shooting 223rem, etc. My buddy will put 3x3 wood blocks at 100yards and hit them with his 22 Rossi single shot with like a 2x scope and enjoys it a lot. Idk if its the lack of recoil, lack of noise or what but i just don't get my kicks from shooting 22lr. I've got about 1k rounds I've had for the last 3yrs and maybe shot 100rds of it. Ive tried bolts, pumps, and autos to see if it would trip my trigger and nothing.
22-rimfire
Member
There are many that feel that way. Did it "trip your trigger" when you were a kid? I like it for the very reasons that you mention as well as the precision involved. Most shooting is just punching holes in a paper target and I can do that with a 22 rimfire easier than with a 223/5.56. I have larger caliber stuff when I want to spend a bunch of money shooting or want some "recoil".
My first gun was a revelation 12ga 29'' barrel smooth bore and we would shoot Winchester rifled lead slugs for fun at paper. LOL. I purchased my first 22 rifle about 3yrs ago for squirrel and coon hunting with a buddy and his dog. I guess i don't like mine because it doesn't shoot well half the time. Only thing that can get me precision is cci standards.
JTHunter
Member
Over the last couple of years, this area has had "grand openings" for Gander Mt., Academy early this year, and Dick's a month ago. All have had "reasonable" (less than $0.07/rd) prices and I've been able to get a nice supply. Granted, they were all bulk pack with some being Winchester (222, 333, & 555 rds.) and some Remington (Golden 525 & Thunderbolts 500 {which I did NOT buy!}).
The local Walmart has only had .22 ammo sporadically over the last 5 years with most of that showing up in the last 12-18 months. For the most part, their prices have not been as good as Academy's and Dick's opening prices but were slightly better than GM's about 2 months after GM opened.
FWIW, I still evaluate .22 prices to how close it gets to the $0.02/rd. price I paid for Winchester Wildcats (LRN solids) in 1999.
The local Walmart has only had .22 ammo sporadically over the last 5 years with most of that showing up in the last 12-18 months. For the most part, their prices have not been as good as Academy's and Dick's opening prices but were slightly better than GM's about 2 months after GM opened.
FWIW, I still evaluate .22 prices to how close it gets to the $0.02/rd. price I paid for Winchester Wildcats (LRN solids) in 1999.
bassjam
Member
I’ve been purposely avoided the ammo section of Walmart, and refuse to even go in my local Cabelas and Field & Stream. I have enough .22 ammo to last me about 5 years, but I know I don’t have the self-control to stop myself from buying more if I happen to see it on a shelf for a good price!
Then again, the only better than a 5 year supply....is a 10 year supply!
Then again, the only better than a 5 year supply....is a 10 year supply!
22-rimfire
Member
I may well have a lifetime supply if I limit my shooting to bulk packs/promotional grade 22 LR. I haven't really been shooting all that much unfortunately. I just got out of the habit during the Obama ammo panic and allowed my range membership to lapse.
I still deep down think in terms of 2 cents a round but I know those prices are long gone. I still have some of that stuff. I also remember 1 cent a round prices on bricks ($5.00 bricks). That's about as far back as I go.
If I wander into Cabelas and not really buying anything, I'll usually pick up a couple 100 ct boxes of CCI HV.
I still deep down think in terms of 2 cents a round but I know those prices are long gone. I still have some of that stuff. I also remember 1 cent a round prices on bricks ($5.00 bricks). That's about as far back as I go.
If I wander into Cabelas and not really buying anything, I'll usually pick up a couple 100 ct boxes of CCI HV.
I would do the same thing at the firing range. I would always take a brick or two and an extra rifle in case the fathers took their children to shoot and they would run out because all they could find was a box of 50. I would offer them all the ammo they wanted for their kids free of charge. And as real honest men are some would insist on paying and I would only charge them whatever the price I had paid $1.99...ok I did increase the price to $2.00, always had a hard time giving change. I have never been a true capitalist at heart. It is not in me to profit from someone else misery or bad luck. Karma is my friend.
everydefense
Member
I just found these Remington rebates on .22 Golden Bullet today; gonna buy some this week:
https://www.remington.com/sites/default/files/rebate/file/Pre Black Friday Ammo.pdf
https://www.remington.com/sites/default/files/rebate/file/Pre Black Friday Ammo.pdf
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Like I said in my earlier post my cache lasted me over 8 years and I have already replaced it. Now I am stocking up every pay period on 22 magnum and I have 3- five gallon buckets full of 5.56/223 brass for reloading and converting to 300 blackout too. Amazing how much you can find on the range now that we have President Trump in the Oval Office. People forget how dismal it was a year ago.
With all the recent mass shooting and the recent election where the Democrats had a great turn out, I am preparing to keep myself occupied again in my retirement years in case I have to deal with Democrats and Liberals taking over the Oval Office again.
OP
OP
berettaprofessor
Member
Well, I haven’t bought a bulk pack since around 2012, but I am susceptible these days to good prices on subsonic target and match ammo (he says to justify buying another 10 boxes at the $3.58 price). If I saw Wolf Match again, I might buy all I could before I checked the cost...so many of mine shoot it well.
22-rimfire
Member
I like to keep about 10 bulk packs in my cache for family outings (plinking). Loved Wolf Match. Target grade 22 ammo is what I will shoot up and be left with a heaping pile of promotional grade stuff. I resisted buying a bulk pack at all for years as I like individual 50 ct boxes the best. My favorite general purpose 22 ammo is the Federal Lightning/Champion (510's) and I have a about a 10K pile of that stuff. But I really never inventory 22 ammo other than a glance.
1911 guy
Member
Not only is .22 a great "plinking" cartridge, it's also one of the most important tools for skill maintenance on centerfire guns.
Deus Machina
Member
Having trouble here, too. The local shops are still having issues with most of it. The nearby Wal-Marts have gotten in a full compliment of the common calibers, and prices have even dropped back to almost pre-panic prices. But still no .22LR.
FROGO207
Member
WM can't buy it for the lowball price they are willing to pay per unit so they are waiting out the manufacturers. Meanwhile we all suffer shortage at their stores. Look at the story of Rubbermaid their greed and dealings with WM for a lesson in going bankrupt. It is out there on the net. Still there seems to be a fair supply of .22 ammo at other stores but at a slightly higher price than WM was selling it for.
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