Does anyone reload for 22?

[Collo Rosso]

.22lr has been making something of a comeback in my area - South Carolina.

I'm on the opposite end of the State and well...not around here. Before Christmas I stopped at a Walmart and found a 1K round box of Winchester M-22. 1 box! I'd never heard of it before but at under $60 I bought it. Since then I haven't seen much more.

 

[rwsmith]

Buy me ammo......

Hot dog! It's only about $160 to buy all that stuff and get started. Can't wait.

By me ammo and I'll shoot for a day.
Teach me to reload and I'll shoot a lifetime.

 

[rwsmith]

I don't have......

I'm on the opposite end of the State and well...not around here. Before Christmas I stopped at a Walmart and found a 1K round box of Winchester M-22. 1 box! I'd never heard of it before but at under $60 I bought it. Since then I haven't seen much more.

At this time I don't have a .22. But it sounds like I should start looking for ammo just in case.

 

[Clovishound]

At this time I don't have a .22. But it sounds like I should start looking for ammo just in case.

Every gun person should have at least one .22.

 

[andyo5]

Reloading .22LR is impractical. The primer material is unavailable and dangerous to handle, the cases are not reloadable, and nobody I know even makes dies for reloading .22LR.

 

[k22fan]

Starting in 1866 while the US Army's main arm was still a muzzle loader The Swiss army's main arm was a bolt action tubular magazine rifle. It fired a .41 caliber 350 grain bullet from rimfire cartridge. Eventually the surplus rifles were sold in the U.S. where ammo remained readily available until WW II. After WW II many of their bolts were converted to fire a cartridge that was identical except for being centerfire. If the election goes sour that's what we may have to do to our .22 LRs.

 

[Magload]

Starting in 1866 while the US Army's main arm was still a muzzle loader The Swiss army's main arm was a bolt action tubular magazine rifle. It fired a .41 caliber 350 grain bullet from rimfire cartridge. Eventually the surplus rifles were sold in the U.S. where ammo remained readily available until WW II. After WW II many of their bolts were converted to fire a cartridge that was identical except for being centerfire. If the election goes sour that's what we may have to do to our .22 LRs.

Yep I am sure glad I have several bows and make my own arrows. I bet they will limit the number of arrows a bow quiver can hold.

 

[rwsmith]

I don't think it's the expense...

I don't think it's the expense that's the problem. The time spent on reloading one cartridge is intensive. And somebody mentioned a 'satisfactory round'. How does it feel when you get the first dud? It would have to be a 'Road Warrior' state of society for me to even consider it.

 

[PatriotX]

At this time I don't have a .22...:

I'll be your friend and not tell anyone.

 

[Rule3]

Reloading .22LR is impractical. The primer material is unavailable and dangerous to handle, the cases are not reloadable, and nobody I know even makes dies for reloading .22LR.

Yes it is impractical but read the thread from the beginning.
Perhaps post #14

 

[Muss Muggins]

Reloading .22LR is impractical. The primer material is unavailable and dangerous to handle, the cases are not reloadable, and nobody I know even makes dies for reloading .22LR.

I've read the associated link(s) and a couple others. Reloading .22 LR is EOTWAWKI stuff, and the people that are trying it are doing it with that it mind, from what I can glean . . .

 

[Boogsawaste]

That process loading 22lr makes a Lee loader seem like a fully automated progressive!

I actually sold off all of my 22lr guns and it hasn't bothered me. I do have a 22 caliber break barrel air rifle now though. I plink with it and take care of small pests. Draws a lot less attention than a firearm in a neighborhood when doing so also.

 

[rwsmith]

There's a special kit.....

Reloading .22LR is impractical. The primer material is unavailable and dangerous to handle, the cases are not reloadable, and nobody I know even makes dies for reloading .22LR.

There is a kit with what you need that's kinda like a Lee Hand Loader with everything in it for not too much money.

 

[68sixspeed]

Omg -- I won't even bother reloading 9mm with the prices so low now, let alone every thinking of that 22 rimfire process. If ammo gets that scarce to make us reload 22 we would have a lot bigger problems or maybe the end days. Then I just need one 45 round for myself!

 

[ChuckS1]

.22lr has been making something of a comeback in my area - South Carolina. It was difficult to find for nearly 2 years, now the big sporting goods stores, like Gander and Field and Stream, normally have them on the shelf whenever I go in. Prices range from .06 to .10 each. They nearly always have something in the .10 each range. We shoot a lot of .22 so I pick up a couple boxes whenever they have something I like.

I have found that some brands and types are more reliable and or accurate than others. It's nice to be able to be at least a little picky about what I buy.

As to cost of .22 being higher than reloading, I reload 9mm and .38 for around $12 - $14 a hundred. IOW .12 to .14 each. The only way I could reload cheaper than .22 is by casting with free lead. That would bring my time invested up by a considerable amount. I have seen videos of the process and would consider it iffy at best.

Using range brass and my own cast bullets, I can reload .45 ACP for 5 cents a round. Other calibers you mentioned for no more than that, as well. I don't necessarily save money, but I shoot a lot more.

 

[Tom S.]

I've reloaded rimfire for years! When the magazine is empty, I reload it.

 

[rwsmith]

Not really.....

Problem I guess is the brass isn't re-usable - so it's buy brass endlessly.

Another issue from what I can tell is the powder mixture?

Thanks for the info - Not having had a 22 before, I have no clue about it so had to ask

The kits I've seen come with a tool for digging the primer out of the rim and replace new stuff?

 

[mauser9]

Face it! When the hoarding stops the shortage will be over. But if you know who gets elected get ready for another 4 years of shortage.

 

[scattershot]

Yep I am sure glad I have several bows and make my own arrows. I bet they will limit the number of arrows a bow quiver can hold.

Especially on those assault bows.

 

[venomballistics]

I wish that the concept of mouse gun cartridges in more substantial platforms would take off.
32 ACP could have everyone saying "What 22?" in fairly short order.
Its as cheap and reasonably reloadable as we have.