New guy from CA

[Slider_]

Just bought a 15-22 from big 5 for my birthday. Still waiting to pick it up. I've been doing a ton of reading on this forum and found it to be very helpful since I like to modify everything I own for better performance and reliability. Just had surgery so it may be a little while before I can shoot. That'll just give me time to tinker and get to know my new toy though. Looking forward to being apart of this great forum

My first question has to do with ammo. I already know that I'll probably run CCI and Federal. But I was wondering what these were used in and if the 15-22 can even cycle them?

Cabela's: Federal .17 HMR Ammunition

My other question is about barrel threading since CA laws suck. From what I understand, the barrel threading law only applies to centerfire assault rifles. Considering that a 22lr is rimfire, wood this be a loop whole? My buddy, who happens to be SFPD, seems to think it would be ok. Only reason I would like to thread the barrel is for the most solid mount possible for a flash hider. I don't trust clamp on stuff and I really would prefer not to weld anything to it. If it is legal, does anyone know of a gunmith in the Sacramento area that would do it? Any insight on either question would be greatly appreciated

 

[TurboniumOxide]

Welcome to the addiction. If you like to modify stuff, and honestly who doesn't right? You have arrived at the right hobby. I have bolted up one of almost everything to my 15-22 and had a blast doing it. High magnification scopes, red dots, holo sights. I've swapped fire control groups (hammer trigger), forward grips and bipods and lasers.

I am not sure about CA law regarding the evil muzzle devices. I bought the threaded one to eventually install a can, or suppressor, or silencer.

It's cheap to shoot, not too loud, effective at decent range (100-120 yards) and the perfect trainer for the AR-15.

It could feed your family, as I have read of people hunting hogs effectively with it.

So again welcome. Be safe, and be legal.

 

[ill_noiz]

Link is dead. Hope you didn't pay more than jetguns sells them for, 353 shipped insured with a threaded barrel. Welcome to the site.

 

[HalfSwiss]

Slider,

You link doesn't work and, if you are looking at 17 HMR ammo, you are looking at the wrong ammo.

California law explicitly exempts 22 rimfire from the assault rifle laws so you can thread and install a flash suppressor. However, I wouldn't try putting a silencer on it. Someone correct me on the silencer statement if I am wrong about CA law in this regard. You can search this forum as some of the guys here are pro's who thread barrels.

As for hunting hogs with your 15-22 - Do not do it!! First and foremost, 22 rimfire for hunting hogs in CA is illegal. Second, contrary to what some say, the 22 LR is not an effective round on California pigs. Can it kill a pig under just the right circumstances, yes. Is it generally effective, no. I've hunted CA pigs for over 20 years and if 22 LR were legal it still wouldn't be ethical IMHO.

As Turbonium said, this hobby just begins with the purchase of the rifle. After that the cost is only limited by your wallet.

Have fun, be safe.

 

[grimreaper21]

.17 does look pretty sweet but not useable by us. .17 rifles are actually more expensive to run than the .22lr, gun cost and ammo. The benefit is better trajectory and range compared to 22 but that's why it costs more. U made the right choice.

 

[Slider_]

thanks for the responses guys. Unfortunately I did pay a little more than most. Got it for 514 out the door. Not really a big deal to me seeing as how I was able to look the rifle over before buying it.

I did pm Belt Fed about the barrel threading and he confirmed that it is legal as well. Just as long as a silencer isn't mounted.

To be clear on the ammo, I have no interest in hunting at all. I shoot at the range, but prefer tactical stuff. I just thought it would be really cool to be able to use a round that had a 2500 fps velocity in a 22 rifle. Kinda figured that a .17 was a little small though. I had no idea that there was anything smaller than a 22 until today lol

 

[Scuds03]

I live in California and the have my barrel threaded with a flash-hider. Like previously stated rimfire is exempt from the CA assault weapon laws. It took me awhile to find a gunsmith who was willing to thread it loacally though. Alot of smiths are so afraid of ATF they wont even do alot of legal black gun stuff. A smith named Randy did mine with a crown job for $30 bucks. He is in So-Cal and his website is ar15barrels.com

As far as ammo goes you should also give the Winchester 333 packs they sell at Wal-Mart a try. I've had better luck accuracy wise with those over the Federal bulk ammo.

 

[HermanH]

welcome to the madness. I too got mine at Big5 of all places!
If you need ideas, look for the picture thread.... but you've been warned... this is only the beginning... you'll eventually want:

more magazines
red dot or scope
vertical or angled grip
Flip-able MBUS
Maybe a laser and/or flashlight on the rail
and I think a bipod might be kinda fun too....

don't forget the cleaning kit, AR style bag for hauling, ammo box, spotting scope....

yeah, your wallets going to scream!

 

[Slider_]

thanks for that link Scuds03. That was the problem I've been having. Nobody wants to even talk about the subject lol. I forgot about the 333 pack. Only problem is that the walmart and sports authority next to me don't even carry guns and ammo. That just leaves big 5 with their bulk of remington Guess that's what I get for living in a relatively ghetto area. I'll just have to order a big bulk online before the end of the year.

I actually used to have some really nice gear when I was a hardcore airsofter(slings, red dot, tac vest, etc). Everything that was actually meant for combat, not just cheap toys to stick on an over priced pellet gun. Like an idiot I sold everything with the gun. Time to empty my wallet again I suppose. Already bought a cleaning kit and 200 rounds for break in

Are there any "run n gun" type shooting ranges in CA? Or am I going to need to find a friend with land?

 

[Scuds03]

I don't know any ranges where you can run-n-gun but my friends and I usually get our camping gear together and drive about 2 hours out to the high desert and do run-n-guns and drills and stuff. Usually make a weekend trip out of it. We have a sweet spot with an old broken down and abandoned cynderblock structure thay we use to practicing shooting out of windows and stuff like that. I'm in So-Cal though, I don't know where the closest BLM land is near the capital. Find out where the nearest BLM office is near you and buy a map from them for a few bucks. It will show all of the areas where shooting is allowed.

 

[Slider_]

Awesome! that's exactly what I'm looking for. I have a few friends down in costa mesa. I need to pay them a visit soon. Lots more desert nothingness down there. I do live about an hour from the sierra's. Probably a bunch of stuff up there.

 

[TurboniumOxide]

The comment about hunting hogs with the 15-22 was a kind of tongue in cheek reference to a thread recently here that kind of started a storm.

I hunt hogs with a 308.

 

[Sub95]

The CCI Stingers are 32 grain and 1640 fps. Just look up ranges in you're area some let you shoot rime fire rifles in there.

But yea, hunting a hog with a .22lr not going to work unless you are point blank and hit it perfect, no thanks

thats why i have a .308 in 180 grain bullet they drop where they stand.

 

[Slider_]

The comment about hunting hogs with the 15-22 was a kind of tongue in cheek reference to a thread recently here that kind of started a storm.

I hunt hogs with a 308.

I must have missed that thread. Purposefully hunting anything bigger than a raccoon with a 22 just seems cruel unless the shooter is absolutely positive that their one shot will take the animal down. I have no interest in hunting, but if I did, I'd use something with enough balls to make a clean kill. 308 sounds like a good choice for hogs.

 

[Slider_]

The CCI Stingers are 32 grain and 1640 fps. Just look up ranges in you're area some let you shoot rime fire rifles in there.

But yea, hunting a hog with a .22lr not going to work unless you are point blank and hit it perfect, no thanks

thats why i have a .308 in 180 grain bullet they drop where they stand.

The stinger and velocitor were the first rounds I went looking for. Unfortunately they were sold out of both and didn't know when the next shipment was. Had to settle for mini mag HV 40 grain and Federal game shock 40 grain. I've only found 2 ranges in the immediate area. Both are Rifle and pistol ranges.

 

[TurboniumOxide]

I really really like velocitors, and lately I have been shooting that slippery Wolf Match ammo. It's like it has a wax lube on the outside of the ammo. Easy to squeeze too hard and launch it across the room under the washing machine. It feeds and shoots consistently, and both of these rounds have comparable accuracy and reliably.

I am at 4000 rounds with zero failures. Hard to believe.

 

[Scuds03]

You should pick up a few different types of ammo that are readily available to you and do some benchrest shooting. Find out which kind works the best for you and share your results with us!

 

[Slider_]

You should pick up a few different types of ammo that are readily available to you and do some benchrest shooting. Find out which kind works the best for you and share your results with us!

Not a bad idea. Shoulder should be healed in about 6 weeks. Plenty of time to stalk up and get a scope