What makes a 22 LR rifle or pistol fun?

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My most common own caliber is .22. I keep wanting to new guns in .22lr that are affordable to keep things fun at the range. I want a 2nd TX22 in FDE, also searching now fora no longer made Sig 226 in 22LR and kinda want a Walther P22 or full size PPQ .22... And well a Beretta M9 .22
 
I've been wanting a 22 pistol for a while now and finally settled on a heritage rough rider. I don't mind single action and mostly shooting single action with my double action revolvers anyway. I was a little nervous about buying a semi auto 22 pistol as I figured they might be as finicky as my semi auto rifle.

I guess if I'm not happy with it one in not out much money and two from the reviews it should be a fun shooter. I actually really went way out of my comfort zone on this one. Too bad I can't pick it up until election day. Stupid 10 day waiting period for California. I am actually really excited to see how it shoots as well as start pushing myself to shoot rim fire somewhat seriously. I need a good weekend with no red flag fire danger weather. I also have a chore list of rifles to sight in I think 4 now and 3 loads to work up for center fire pistol. Cross your fingers I need some good weather so I can get to the range.
 
I've bought two guns this year...both.22s.
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Cheap shooting fun.
Low recoil on old injuries.
Low report.
Good practice.
Easily accurate.

I can go along with the connection to childhood memories of shooting .22s. I have some pretty fond memories myself
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What is the rifle in the picture you posted. That looks like something I would own.
 
Not a good picture and I've changed the stock on this but this was the AR I was thinking about using the conversion kit in. I usually only use this rifle when loading 223/5.56 workups.

It's been through many changes and modifications in the last year or two. It started out as I a featureless side charger and has been mixed at change between about 4 different uppers and lower stock changes. IMG_20200410_070115692.jpg
 
Low cost, high accuracy, low noise, versatility and high fun factor are why I like the 22lr cartridge. And it's many launchers.

It's a cheap and cheerful way to learn long range shooting skills at modest range.

It falls like a brick past 100 yds. So you gotta get good with range estimates, otherwise it's over or under a dozen or so yards at 300.

Taking it to 500+ yds is a hoot. I feel like an artillerist.
 
I have always loved the .22 Long Rifle catridge and the guns that fire it. It’s a fun cartridge. It’s simple. One doesn’t expect a lot from it but shooting it gives one so much. Memories. Inexpensive fun. A great way to pass time with friends and family or even alone.

I have had lots of fun shooting many different guns in many different cartridges and calibers, but the one I enjoy most when I want to enjoy shooting is the .22 LR.
 
I started with a 22, and 2 of my 3 kids have (smallest is still in a BB gun) but I never left them. The vast majority of my range time is in 22lr

Cost is the biggest reason, even back in the day every pull of the trigger on an AR was $0.189, a 30rd mag of was over $5, and goes quick. I can get a lot of trigger time for cheap out of 22.

I have the same heritage arms, I want to upgrade to a Ruger single 10 at some point.

One of my favorite 22's is a CZ 452 ultralux bolt action, build quality makes most other bolt 22's look like dollar store toys. 28" barrel, lower noise with regular 22's, pellet gun quiet with subsonic. I got a steel single shot adapter for a Brno (I think) makes for a nice pace and with sub sonics makes for a nice "first shots" gun.
 
I'm curious as to what the best barrel length is for a 22 rifle? I didn't realize until last night while doing some research that my Remington 597 has a 20 inch. I always assumed it was 16 inches. I did see volquartzen stopped making barrels for the 597 but the still make an extractor and a hammer. I'm not exactly sure from my experience if replacing the hammer would make much difference.

I did find jarvis makes barrels for the 597. About $250 plus probably another $150-200 for a nice stock. At that point I'm still not sure I would be happy putting $500ish into the Remington that's about what I get a Ruger precision for new or probably several other better rifles.
 
Waterboy3313 said:
I'm curious as to what the best barrel length is for a 22 rifle? I didn't realize until last night while doing some research that my Remington 597 has a 20 inch. I always assumed it was 16 inches. I did see volquartzen stopped making barrels for the 597 but the still make an extractor and a hammer. I'm not exactly sure from my experience if replacing the hammer would make much difference.

I did find jarvis makes barrels for the 597. About $250 plus probably another $150-200 for a nice stock. At that point I'm still not sure I would be happy putting $500ish into the Remington that's about what I get a Ruger precision for new or probably several other better rifles.
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Generally speaking, a .22 lr reaches its max velocity at 16" and will start to slow down after that. That doesn't mean it's a disadvantage to have a longer barrel. With irons, a longer barrel gives a better sight radius and more aiming precisionl from you as the shooter. It also cuts down on muzzle blast.

If you're looking for an accurate platform, IMO you'd be well served to start with a CZ 457 or a Tikka T1x.
 
Waterboy3313 said:
I've been wanting a 22 pistol for a while now and finally settled on a heritage rough rider. I don't mind single action and mostly shooting single action with my double action revolvers anyway. I was a little nervous about buying a semi auto 22 pistol as I figured they might be as finicky as my semi auto rifle.
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I've got eleven .22s, 6 pistols, which are all autos, and 5 rifles, 4 of which are autos, and none are finicky, other than the occasional misfire due to today's crappy ammo.

Right now my Ruger Mark IV 22/45 Lite is getting the most use, as it is used every week in Steel Challenge. I'd suggest you seek those out as they are the most fun I've ever had shooting. Participate in SC with a good group and you become brothers. (sisters too)
 
That brings me to my next question who makes decent 22LR ammo anymore. I guess it will be trial and error as I know my Remington does not like any of the Remington branded ammo I've tried in it. Standard or thunderbolt types I've tried gave me a lot of trouble. I have had good luck with the standard CCI stuff.

One of the biggest reasons I decided on the revolver was I figured it would cut down on frustration. I would hate to buy a brick of ammo that wouldn't reliably run a semi auto action.
 
There are a few floating around here. They don't get used much except for the Volquartsen 22 short conversion of a 10/22
 
Waterboy3313 said:
That brings me to my next question who makes decent 22LR ammo anymore. I guess it will be trial and error as I know my Remington does not like any of the Remington branded ammo I've tried in it. Standard or thunderbolt types I've tried gave me a lot of trouble. I have had good luck with the standard CCI stuff.

One of the biggest reasons I decided on the revolver was I figured it would cut down on frustration. I would hate to buy a brick of ammo that wouldn't reliably run a semi auto action.
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Depends on how good you need and what your particular gun likes. SK, Lapua, and Eley all have various grades of excellent target ammo, but you'll pay for it. CCI Minimags and Standard Velocity is always very reliable (for rimfire) and normally gives great accuracy at near-bulk pricing. I've found Aguila Super Extra to have similar accuracy as CCI, with slightly lower reliability, but in normal times it's dirt cheap. Blazer is another good one and personally I have good luck with Rem Golden Bullets but others have not. The rest is generally "just OK".

Most guns are more accurate with standard velocity or sub-sonic, but I have one particular Savage MKII that prefers the high velocity stuff.
 
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I like .22 handguns for practice because of ammo costs, low noise and low recoil but it is also beneficial in not developing a flinch as some shooters do with a .357 or other centerfires.
 
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Waterboy3313 said:
That brings me to my next question who makes decent 22LR ammo anymore. I guess it will be trial and error as I know my Remington does not like any of the Remington branded ammo I've tried in it. Standard or thunderbolt types I've tried gave me a lot of trouble. I have had good luck with the standard CCI stuff.

One of the biggest reasons I decided on the revolver was I figured it would cut down on frustration. I would hate to buy a brick of ammo that wouldn't reliably run a semi auto action.
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In my experience, current Winchester and Remington .22 LR ammo is unreliable, not as accurate as others. I shoot you it when I have to, not because my guns and I like it.

I’m happier with CCI, Fiocchi. Aguila, Federal, Blazer.

Unfortunately these days availability is the main factor.
 
That looks like an easter basket.

I will be excited to try out the pistol. I really don't care much to go to the indoor range but if we still haven't had any rain by the day I can pick it up I might have to stop on my way home.

Off the top of my head I can't remember ever shooting a 22 mag pistol or rifle for that matter.
 
Nothing for me. I've sold off every 22lr pistol I've ever owned and I just keep one rifle around because it was a gift, and 22lr is handy for varmints around the property.

Otherwise I don't even look at them or worry about ammo. I have probably 3000 rounds or so. Most folks would consider that a paltry supply, but when I go shoot, I never reach for a 22.
 
Hello Danwin, what are those tiny .22 shells in the round tin at 8 o’clock in your photo? I’ve never seen those before.
 
GIGGY said:
Hello Danwin, what are those tiny .22 shells in the round tin at 8 o’clock in your photo? I’ve never seen those before.
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Those are 6mm BB caps (primer driven, no powder) made by RWS. I shot a few through a Ruger Super Single-Six.

They are not quiet and went through a piece of 3/8" plywood.
Her Ivory.jpg
 
Waterboy3313 said:
I've never looked into 22 shooting competitions. I actually didn't even know it existed. I will have to do some research on this.
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Quite a few centerfire competition have some .22 alternative,,,
Certainly not every competition but enough to ensure a wide variety to choose from.

BPCR Silhouette has a 22BPCR counterpart with smaller animals at closer distances (50, 100, 150, and 200 yards)

Regular silhouette has a .22 counterpart at 40, 60, 77, and 100 yards.

Steel challenge has the counterpart of Rimfire Steel Challenge

And there's always just having fun plinking away at tin cans.

If I'm in a slow fire mood at the range,,,
I print out silhouette targets on paper and stake them out,,,
Then take a single-shot .22 rifle and shoot a slow 40 round stage for score.

If I'm in a more active frame of mind I stake out a few Rimfire Steel Challenge stages,,,
I don't have the steel targets they use but it was easy to fake up some cardboard targets instead,,,
Then I use my shot timer and shoot the stages for score and time just as if I were in a formal competition.

The whole thing about .22 for me is two-fold,,,
I'm not a recoil junky at all,,,
And it's cheap.

Even at today's prices of about $23.50 per 550 rounds,,,
I can shoot my faux Rimfire Steel Challenge all day for that amount,,,
And if I'm doing one of my slow fire silhouette days it's only costing around $4.00.

"Nuff said?

Aarond

.
 
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