Does anyone reload for 22?

[pcgunner]

I've been considering getting a .22 handgun of some type - mostly to cut down on the cost of shooting.

However, at least in my area the price of .22 factory ammo is only a dollar cheaper than .9mm.

I currently reload for all my calibers - .9mm, .380, .38sp/.357, .45ACP, .45Colt, 6.5x55 mauser

I've looked for and been pricing .22 components and the prices seem to be similar to my .9mm components.

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance

 

[chaparrito]

Um, there are .22 reloading components?
Who knew?

 

[WNC Seabee]

Um, there are .22 reloading components?
Who knew?

SURE!

.223 components are all over the place.....22LR? not so much.

 

[pcgunner]

Um, there are .22 reloading components?
Who knew?

Yah, I found a few - haven't found everything yet though - bullets and brass has stuff

 

[bigggbbruce]

Is it April already?

I did see one guy reloading 22. Long arduous process.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Before this thread gets out of hand, there are extremely few who have successfully reloaded the 22LR because it's a rimfire cartridge so it doesn't have replaceable primers. The compound is not commercially available either. Finding heeled bullets might also be a problem not to mention dies.

If you are looking for inexpensive you can probably find the components to reload the 9mm or .38 Special at a lower cost than buying .22LR ammo. (I never ever thought I would say that!)

 

[H Richard]

The last I heard the cost to attempt to reload 22RF far exceeded the cost to reload center fire and it was "dangerous" as any mishandling of the pre loaded "primed" brass can set off an explosion if you ding the edge of the brass. It requires special dies and lots of expertise to produce a satisfactory round.

 

[pcgunner]

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

 

[bigggbbruce]

The video I saw, he scraped the compound out of the old brass.
Used 2-3 self starting matches to mix a new primer.
Added some powder.
Made his own bullets.

Lot of work. I just check often enough at Walmart, my 22 ammo is still less than $.06 a round.

I'm good.

 

[Muss Muggins]

I don't reload, because I don't have the time, patience or space, but I understand the theory, and have a question: How do you get the big dent out of the case rim so you can load it again?

 

[Clovishound]

.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.

 

[gwpercle]

I looked into it , went to the 22 reloader site, watched several videos , The sketchy priming, scraped kitchen matches heads, loading with black powder, and that god awful tiny mould....it just left a lot to be desired. No mention of bullet lubricant. How dirty will these rounds be ? Black powder will foul a 22 in no time.
Maybe good for a survival situation, but for everyday shooting it left a lot to be desired. Low velocity light bullet 38 special reloads would be infinitiely better than reloading 22's.
Gary

 

[moxie]

I don't reload, because I don't have the time, patience or space, but I understand the theory, and have a question: How do you get the big dent out of the case rim so you can load it again?

Lee Factory Denter Outer. Nothing to it!!

 

[Rule3]

Old news.

There is an outfit that sells a whole 22 reloading "kit" If you have the time and patience than go for it. Seems like a total waste to me.

Yes you can buy priming compound and use real smokeless powder

Sharpshooter 22LR Reloader Store

22 LR Rimfire Reloading Tool Kit - 22LR Reloader

 

[44wheelman]

I've seen it done... if the previous rim strike lines up again with the hammer- have to rotate manually. It is a ton of labor, for the return.

Yesterday online saw Federal Automatch for $24.5/325rds + shipping... not hateful. I just bought mine locally for $22.95 +tax - (used to cost $16.99.)

 

[k22fan]

There was a wild cat based on a .22 Hornet shortened so that it would not be too long for S&W cylinders. Apparently it was ahead of its time.

Yes, bullet casting takes time, but it definitely is not "iffy." I enjoy it immensely. While loading medium size handgun cartridges my largest expense is the primer.

 

[rwsmith]

There IS a tool and method.....

There is a tool and method of reloading .22. However you have to be really hard core to want to do it.

There's a pick to scrape the rim out inside the case. You mix up some compound to use for primer material and push it in the rim while wet. Put in powder and a bullet and you're on your way.

It would have to be a DIRE emergency with no recourse for me to do that.

 

[otisrush]

I'll pile on and say that I, too, watched that .22LR video.....just out of curiosity. Wow - if I had any small inkling to possibly try it that video convinced me to get rid of them. No interest whatsoever.

If you've never owned a .22 before I think there is a key to getting ammo that even a good number of .22 owners don't understand: Constant looking. You have to approach it, IMHO, as something that you're ALWAYS doing. If my route is taking me by a WalMart, and I have a couple of minutes, I'll stop in.....even if I know I'm not going to buy anything else. Every time I stop in a WalMart - it doesn't matter why I'm there - I go by the ammo display. 99% of the time the shelf is empty. But that 1%, if you stop frequently enough, will yield you more than enough ammo to go have some fun.

If one approaches it with the attitude of "I need some .22LR. I'm going to go buy some." you'll never find it.

There have been times I was SURE I wouldn't find any....and it happened to be sitting on the shelf.

OR

 

[moxie]

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

 

[Clovishound]

There was a wild cat based on a .22 Hornet shortened so that it would not be too long for S&W cylinders. Apparently it was ahead of its time.

Yes, bullet casting takes time, but it definitely is not "iffy." I enjoy it immensely. While loading medium size handgun cartridges my largest expense is the primer.

Sorry, reread my post and realized I should have be clearer. I was referring to the process of reloading .22 rimfire as iffy. Casting is a straightforward process. Just happens to be one I don't particularly enjoy.