.22LR vs .22WMR Rifle
- Thread starter CarloNord
- Start date
A few months ago, I went into my local gun shop, Del Selin's and purchased 300 Sierra 30 grain flat base and 500 50 grain Hornady FBSP.
My cost on those 800 projectiles was just around $180, taxes in. I buy primers, 5k at a time and powder in 8lb jugs.
I will admit the powder I purchased for the 223 was purchased close to a decade back, but for the 22 Hornet and 218 Bee, Lil Gun, last spring.
The bullets I bought work great in my rifles. They aren't popular choices for most people, so were likely NOS and reasonably priced to move.
The folks purchasing just enough to load a hundred rounds or less at a time, pay through the nose.
Canada Ammo had some great prices on powder this spring, I believe it's all gone for a few months now.
Comparing the cost of reloading during times of component drought to normal times????????
What I'm not sure of, is whether time of normalcy will return. What we're seeing today, may just be the tip of the iceberg.
All of the materials, such as metals and chemicals, used to produce ammunition is going to be in extremely high demand for such things as the electrical components needed to build the infrastructer to handle the Carbon Free World that's being promoted. Copper, Tin, Zinc etc prices are going to go through the roof.
That's why I mentioned to the OP that he should clean off the shelves. $15/box is going to look cheap next year at this time.
The old adage, buy it cheap and stack it deep is ringing true again.
I had a phone call today from a fellow that wants to buy a box of reloads from me. He was willing to pay more than store value, not because he wasn't legally able to purchase them, but because the LGSs didn't have what he wanted in stock.
If I didn't know this fellow as well as I do, I would have turned him down. He's been a very busy fellow during this whole Covid situation and didn't get around to stocking up for his usual 100 rounds per annum, practice and hunting stash.
I reloaded a couple of boxes of once fired cases he had on hand and called it square. He's a nice guy and would have done the same, if the situation were reversed.
Others that have asked I refused.
Lots of folks unprepared for the reality of the present situation.
Hopefully it will get less dire.
- Location
- Western Manitoba
Maybe quite bit to do with the platform?? I have two .22 Magnum - Ruger 77/22M with Leupold VX-2 3-9 EFR scope. The Ruger 96/22M with Leupold VX-1 2-7 Rimfire scope. Not trading off either, so far. Several .22 Long Rifle - likely the BRNO No.1 with 2-7 Leupold VX-Freedom and the CZ Scout with Leupold 4x Rimfire about tops there. The .22 have QD rings because I want my Grandkids to shoot with iron sights. The Ruger 96/22M has the factory irons, but I used fixed Burris rings - so need tool to remove. The Ruger 77/22M has no barrel sights, and uses the Ruger rings. The Ruger 10/22 has the cheapest possible accuracy mods, then I installed a rear aperture and fibre optic front sight - at our plinking ranges, so far shoots MUCH better than I can, with those sights!!!
I've got an older Marlin tubular repeater in .22 mag., can't part with it. Just a great hunting rifle compared to a .22LR. Both have their place, I certainly don't target shoot with the .22 mag. Like an elderly Typhoon pilot once told me," with machine gun you hit it, with cannon you destroy it".
Just spent some time watching youtube videos, not about the guns but the ammo. I really wanted a 22WMR but decided against it, even more when you look at the ammo choices you have today in 22Lr. Can't comment on the badger, would never spend my money on that joke.
leadchucker62
CGN Regular
- Location
- southwestern ontario
Good day all: Over the years i've had a few 22mags, 2bolts and a pump,i found that the accuracy was weak and ammo expensive.
Then the 17 hornady hornet came out.
That was game over for the 22mags, i bought a cz527 american in 17hh and never looked back.
3650fps and groups in the .3's with factory ammo, reloads, same speed slightly better groups.
Z
Then the 17 hornady hornet came out.
That was game over for the 22mags, i bought a cz527 american in 17hh and never looked back.
3650fps and groups in the .3's with factory ammo, reloads, same speed slightly better groups.
Z
With match grade bullets I presume???
I lucked out at a pre pandemic gun show and picked up two 500 count boxes of Sierra MK #9390, 80 grain bullets for ten cents each, or $50/box. Boxes still had the original sticker prices on the plastic overwrap. $185 each.
Most folks just aren't serious enough to purchase in that quantity, no matter how good the price is.
It was a great price. $100/1000 for Match King 223 bullets is cheaper than cast lead. Everyone else at the show passed on it, because there are large red letters on the boxes stating they are for 1-7 to 1-8 twist barrels only.
Well I bought them just in case and I find it very difficult to pass on such a deal. They could easily have been used as trade goods, somewhere along the way.
Ganderite was good enough to give me a load that would propel them over 2900fps out of my Howa built Mossberg MVP, with 1-9 twist and after changing out the scope, those bullets are some of the most accurate I've shot out of that rifle.
Deals on bullets were and are still out there. Dealing with big box stores only, really limits your selections.
That being said, if time is at a premium and the big box store has what you want, then you pay for the convenience.
Really? I keep hearing that the .17 is the least accurate of the three, most affected by wind too. I also heard that it utterly destroys anything rabbit and smaller, even headshots not being safe. I went hunting with a guy who brought his, and while I never shot it, he liked it so I guess that's what counts.
Hey Carlo~leadchucker is referring to 17 Hornet, not sure if you are? We're in the rimfire forum, so I have a hunch you may be referencing 17HMR. (or less likely, 17M2) 17 Hornet is a favorite of mine and in spite of how excellent a job it does, how accurate/fast/capable..I'm not sure LC is suggesting it as an alternative to 22WMR. I suspect it's a "why would I need a 22WMR if I have this thing?" reference
Maybe I'M wrong...
17 Hornet is truly an impressive, small centerfire caliber and I've shot a bunch of groundhogs with mine. I've easily anchored them at a (ranged) 197 yards, and they're not tiny animals. I can't comment on it's use on critters destined to be table fare.
As for hitting grouse in the noodle or don't shoot them at all=to each, their own. Everyone brings their own sensibilities to these pursuits, and I think it's a silly assertion to say that the only "good" shot on a grouse is a head shot. Maybe the person commenting has more cooperative grouse than the ones I've encountered when hunting them here in S. Ontario. You're lucky enough just to see one, you'd be at a disadvantage with a rifle more than 1/2 the time-regardless of how good a shot you fancy yourself to be.
Hey Carlo~leadchucker is referring to 17 Hornet, not sure if you are? We're in the rimfire forum, so I have a hunch you may be referencing 17HMR. (or less likely, 17M2) 17 Hornet is a favorite of mine and in spite of how excellent a job it does, how accurate/fast/capable..I'm not sure LC is suggesting it as an alternative to 22WMR. I suspect it's a "why would I need a 22WMR if I have this thing?" reference
Maybe I'M wrong...
17 Hornet is truly an impressive, small centerfire caliber and I've shot a bunch of groundhogs with mine. I've easily anchored them at a (ranged) 197 yards, and they're not tiny animals. I can't comment on it's use on critters destined to be table fare.
As for hitting grouse in the noodle or don't shoot them at all=to each, their own. Everyone brings their own sensibilities to these pursuits, and I think it's a silly assertion to say that the only "good" shot on a grouse is a head shot. Maybe the person commenting has more cooperative grouse than the ones I've encountered when hunting them here in S. Ontario. You're lucky enough just to see one, you'd be at a disadvantage with a rifle more than 1/2 the time-regardless of how good a shot you fancy yourself to be.
Oh, I was referring to the .17HMR. I was under the impression that it was the only cartridge in that calibre. I only really dabble in rimfire as I'm getting back into hunting after 10-ish years, next year I think I'll try for deer. As for headshots on chickens, I was taught if you can't hit the head, you don't shoot at all, and so far every single shot I've taken has been a headshot or a miss. I've usually gone with a shotgun though and that really necessitates a headshot unless you want pulled chicken with lead flavouring, like my poor mom found out.
Thanks for the clarification!
This CZ 457 17 HMR on 50m I shot last week (5 round group)
Same day on 100m (5 round group)
This CZ 457 17 HMR on 50m I shot last week (5 round group)
Same day on 100m (5 round group)
Can't argue with results, nice work!
