what is it about 22LR firearms that makes them universally recommended for beginners? aside from the "cheapest ammo on the planet", what makes 22LR stuff more sensible and a better 'teacher' than other rounds like 17HMR or 9mm or ###XX? why would starting with some of those other rounds be a bad thing in comparison?
other than price, why is 22LR for me?
- Thread starter BP7
- Start date
- Location
- Sudbury, On
9mm has recoil.
17hmr costs as much 9mm.
Really, .22lr is 99% so you can learn the basics without killing the bank. Until you hit up an informal plinking session, then look back and realize you just blew a hundred bucks to have fun for a couple hours (roughly what I blow if I shoot my CX4 Storm in an afternoon), it doesn't hit you how much ammo costs!
17hmr costs as much 9mm.
Really, .22lr is 99% so you can learn the basics without killing the bank. Until you hit up an informal plinking session, then look back and realize you just blew a hundred bucks to have fun for a couple hours (roughly what I blow if I shoot my CX4 Storm in an afternoon), it doesn't hit you how much ammo costs!
To add to the above points, its also very accurate, and near impossible to wear out the firearm shooting 22LR. Its also quieter than most every other cartridge and more acceptable to shoot in certain locations than louder, more powerful rounds. That makes it welcome in rural backyards, certain indoor ranges, gravel pits, etc.
Brutus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Whether you just a habitual plinker, or 'graduating' to any shooting discipline, the nice thing I like about 22 LR, is one can just about aquire any downsized similar firearm. This downsized rimfire firearm, can be as close as possible to it's older centrefire brother.
This could be merely the same common sights (tang peep/scope) or even share the action style, grip and barrel length too.
Hence you are getting yourself schooled in all marksmanship principals, in a smaller/ cheaper/shooting clone, well before the $$$ layout for the "high powered" firearm you want to move up to.
My two bits....
PS: Maybe one day in the future a spouse/son/daughter/nephew/neice, may just one day want to check out your shooting sport under your careful supervision.
This day, it would be very handy to have the light kicking, easy on the ears and budget, rimfire firearm!
This could be merely the same common sights (tang peep/scope) or even share the action style, grip and barrel length too.
Hence you are getting yourself schooled in all marksmanship principals, in a smaller/ cheaper/shooting clone, well before the $$$ layout for the "high powered" firearm you want to move up to.
My two bits....
PS: Maybe one day in the future a spouse/son/daughter/nephew/neice, may just one day want to check out your shooting sport under your careful supervision.
This day, it would be very handy to have the light kicking, easy on the ears and budget, rimfire firearm!
I think I wrote this in another thread recently but I can't remember, so here goes again. When I started shooting, like most people I started with a .22 handgun, but I saw it more of a stop-gap before getting into centrefire, a cheap way to practice trigger control and develop good shooting habits.
Then it stayed in the safe for a while when I discovered the wild world of centrefire handguns but now, a couple of years later, I find myself being drawn to rimfire again, and my Buckmark comes with me on almost every range trip.
All in all, it's a real fun caliber.
Then it stayed in the safe for a while when I discovered the wild world of centrefire handguns but now, a couple of years later, I find myself being drawn to rimfire again, and my Buckmark comes with me on almost every range trip.
All in all, it's a real fun caliber.
ok, but other than "cheaper ammo", what other perks do i get? lower recoil, ok, that i can understand. does the lower recoil then open up a whole ton of other "effects" or benefits?
or another way to look at it - what will going through 100 rounds of 22LR teach me that going through 100 rounds of 9mm / 17HMR / etc won't? (other than fiscal responsibility)
or another way to look at it - what will going through 100 rounds of 22LR teach me that going through 100 rounds of 9mm / 17HMR / etc won't? (other than fiscal responsibility
)
The lower recoil allows you, like I said, to practice trigger control and develop good shooting habits instead of running the risk of developing a flinch right from the getgo. Flinches are hard to shake off once they set in.
Oh, and:
But if you really need so much convincing why don't you just get what appeals to you?
Oh, and:
But if you really need so much convincing why don't you just get what appeals to you?
starting with rimfire will teach you the proper techniques like trigger pull etc... and you can find out what stance/positions work for you, thus you'll become a better shooter at a lower cost. Then when you want some more punching power, you'll be making tighter groups on the paper using tand the skills you learn wont be getting frustrated. And tight groups is what its all about
As others have said, by having a .22 you will be able to hit the target without it looking like you took a shot gun to it. The recoil from a larger caliber may cause you to gain flinches and anticipation of the shot. Both push you away from being able to hit. If you want you could also cure this by shooting a target pellet gun. When I first started shooting handguns I thought my P226 was terribly inaccurate. Luckily one of my RCMP buddies was there and shot it. He blew a hole through the center of the target with all 10 rounds. To fix the problem I kept switching from the large caliber to the pellet gun allowing me to calm down and stop flinching and anticipating the shot (you would not believe how badly one will move a firearm prior to training yourself not too). By the way later I changed the pellet gun to a .22 because it was a heck of a lot more fun having something go bang. PS: I would switch betwen shooting 40 rounds small caliber to relax and then 20 rounds large caliber to learn. Good Luck!
- Location
- Ontariariario
As a general rule, .22 firearms are quite a bit less expensive than a centerfire.
(unless you go with something pretty high end)
This allows you to spend similar amounts of cash as buying a centerfire but you can spend a big part of the budget on ammo.
More practice = better marksmanship. (usually)
(unless you go with something pretty high end)
This allows you to spend similar amounts of cash as buying a centerfire but you can spend a big part of the budget on ammo.
More practice = better marksmanship. (usually)
Starscream
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Alberta
Long lifetime of the gun is a huge benefit. Many a moon ago during summer camp we learned to shoot in a small pit about 10 yards long using Cooey 39 rifles that were still plenty accurate. I shot out the the clip holding up the paper target out just for the fun of it using one of those. The evil glare I got from the instructor was well worth it.
Thing was, the youngest rifle there was manufactured in the late 1950's (or so I was told). To this day I'm told those rifles are still being enjoyed by kids every summer... and the old badger is still just as cranky. A good 22LR gun is something your great great great grandkids can be enjoying decades from now.
Thing was, the youngest rifle there was manufactured in the late 1950's (or so I was told). To this day I'm told those rifles are still being enjoyed by kids every summer... and the old badger is still just as cranky.
A good 22LR gun is something your great great great grandkids can be enjoying decades from now.hmm, ok, so it seems the big benefit is "recoil -> flinching -> anticipation -> bad habit". and interesting 'option' of alternating between a pellet gun and a normal handgun! i hadn't thought about that - and i think i still have my cheapie BB gun kicking around somewhere (or can pick up a new one for $100 or so). that might even let me get additional 'practice' in a basement or back-yard at times when i can't get to the range for proper discharges.
As a hunter, a .22 enables you to hunt rabbits, squirrels, and grouse (before they flush) without damaging a lot of the meat (subject to shot placement). It's not a be-all and end-all caliber (anything larger than a rabbit would require a larger caliber), but it can provide an entry into the hunting world.
Another benefit is that they don't heat up during rapid fire like a centrefire. You can load up 25-50 round mags and empty one after the other without an appreciable loss in accuracy. Everyone needs a Ruger 10/22 if just for the great high capacity mags offered.
I bought a 30-06 for my first gun and my friend picked up a .22
Kind of wish it was my first gun as well seeing how much more he was able to shoot when we went out.
I was like aww ammo costs.
Then again we have a lot more fun shooting things like 2L popbottles and Milk jugs with the 30-06.
Everyone I talk to trying to get them into firearms I tell them to get a 10/22.
Speaking of this I need to get a scope mounted on mine now.
Kind of wish it was my first gun as well seeing how much more he was able to shoot when we went out.
I was like aww ammo costs.
Then again we have a lot more fun shooting things like 2L popbottles and Milk jugs with the 30-06.
Everyone I talk to trying to get them into firearms I tell them to get a 10/22.
Speaking of this I need to get a scope mounted on mine now.
