Standing at the WallyWorld ammo counter today and a guy made a statement that didn't sound right, he says the reason .22 ammo is in high demand is that guys are using in their AR platforms in stead of .223 or 5.56. I thought to myself thats crazy
.22 Question
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vigil617
US Veteran
What I heard recently -- and I would appreciate any confirmation or denial from anyone in the know -- is that the company CCI produces most of the .22 ammo domestically, even that which is marketed by different companies such as Remington. I was told CCI is "vertically integrated" and as such, produces all of the components of the round as well, and because other calibers are so much more lucrative now, its production of .22 ammo has dropped, creating the shortage.
Is this a load of you-know-what, or is there some truth to it?
Is this a load of you-know-what, or is there some truth to it?
The answer to the question posed in the OP is, NO, of course not, without conversion devices, ARs chambered for .223/5.56mm ammo can't fire .22 rimfire, as anyone other than an ignoramus would know... As to other other ammunition manufacturers relying on CCI supplying components, I think not, given the routine reliability of CCI rimfire ammo, and the conversely unreliability of Remington rimfire... Pay no attention to WallyWorld know-it-alls...
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Some truth
There are a lot of high techy-looking rifles that are actually chambered to shoot rimfire that have become popular, but not nearly enough to account for this there's-none-and-you-can't-buy-it-at-any-price deal for the last 4 months. Before Sandy Hook, ammo and components were available. After Sandy Hook, they weren't.
There are a lot of high techy-looking rifles that are actually chambered to shoot rimfire that have become popular, but not nearly enough to account for this there's-none-and-you-can't-buy-it-at-any-price deal for the last 4 months. Before Sandy Hook, ammo and components were available. After Sandy Hook, they weren't.
wyccad915
Member
That's strange. Today I sold 4 boxes of ammo to a guy and he asked something along the lines of what I shoot them with. I told him I just have a .22 rifle and an M&P 22 and then he said something about he just bought an AR and blah blah. I kinda was thinking the same thing as you.
Any AR platform can shoot 22LR, If it has a dedicated upper OR one of several adapters. The Army (Ohio National Guard) has been using adapters for practice and indoor qualifying for several decades. Ivan
mkk41
US Veteran
The .22 LR AR's have become quite popular. There have been .22 LR conversion kits for years. I have one myself. The military even used them at bases without sufficient room for 5.56 compatible ranges. And I can use mine on the club indoor range.
OP, I think there is definitely some truth to that. I bought my M&P 15-22 because shooting 5.56/.223 was getting expensive (post-panic). I suspect many others did too, or at least bought a dedicated upper. In addition to that, .22 conversion kits became scarce during the panic just like everything else.
I've got 12,000 rds of .22lr on reserve now (all at less than .05). I never kept that kind of ammo for my AR (maybe 500 rounds).
I've got 12,000 rds of .22lr on reserve now (all at less than .05). I never kept that kind of ammo for my AR (maybe 500 rounds).
Brian41
Member
Could be some truth to it as I built a 22lr AR last year due to the expence of 5.56. I then went out and bought up a good supply of 22lr for it too. Probably many others did too. It's fun to shoot the same platform as my other rifles and lots cheaper too. CCI AR tactical ammo was made for them and works well in them too if you can find any now.
I have a CMMG conversion kit for my MSR, and I use it all the time. Probably not as much as shooting my M&P 15-22, but I DO use it. The best thing about the CMMG conversion and owning several mags for the 15-22 is that the CMMG conversion kit allows use of the 15-22 mags!
The reason for the 22 ammo shortage is the HOARDERS who keep buying everything is sight. If you have more than 10,000 rounds of 22 ammo on hand ( and are not a active competitor) you are a hoarder, and the cause of the problem.
CH47gunner
US Veteran
I like to think of it as being prepared -
SW_shooter
Member
demand > supply = shortage
_____________________________
demand = lots of people want it
supply = what manufacturers and retailers have available
shortage = difference between first two and in the wrong direction
_____________________________
demand = lots of people want it
supply = what manufacturers and retailers have available
shortage = difference between first two and in the wrong direction
Aticus
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Several years ago I read that the combined production of 22 rimfire ammo (all manufacturers, all types) was something like 4 or 5 million rounds a day and that satisfied the demand. If that demand is doubled, for whatever reason, then production can't keep up with demand and there is a shortage. Remember four years ago there was a great shortage of ammunition because of a panic. We're seeing the same thing now. Relax, it will end in time.
wyccad915
Member
just something I found on the cci tactical ammo I bought.
I beg your pardon --- I have more than 10,000 rounds of.22 rimfire on hand, and with the exception of some subsonic purchased recently, none bought more recently than 2011, most earlier, little by little, as prices crept higher and higher in an easily discernible trend. For example, Federal 550 bulk pack plated HP was available at about $10 for years at WalMart, but in 2010, began creeping higher and higher, and simultaneously was becoming increasingly scarce. I did what any prudent consumer of any fungible, non-perishable commodity would do, and began stocking up when the ammo was available at a reasonable price. After it exceeded around $15 a box, I quit buying, figuring that I had an adequate supply, and was unwilling to pay a higher unit cost... I disagree with your apparent premise that having a reasonable supply of ammo in inventory constitutes "HOARDING", or is any evidence of greed or moral turpitude, as your post seems to imply. Those of you who missed the boat ought not castigate those of us who didn't.
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