Alternatives to the 22LR

wmg1299 · March 15, 2013, 04:37 PM

I live in the city and have a decent level of experience with handguns. My inlaws have a little over 50 acres in the country, and I picked up a few 22's (Ruger 10/22 Carbine and Mossberg Plinkster 702) for small game plinking and to teach my sons the basics of shooting. Now that 22LR ammo is nearly impossible to find, I have considered picking up a few rifles of different calibers so that I will have something to shoot.

I picked the 22's because they were affordable, simple to maintain, and could be handled by my sons while they are young, but still be useful as they grow older. In my area (Dallas Metroplex), I can readilly find 7mm, 243, 270, and 30-06 ammo at local Wal Marts. I can also find a limited amount of 17 hmr and 22-250 ammo. I am not a big game hunter, and do not want to have to overpay for either the rifles or the ammo. I am willing to pay a fair price fro quality products (ex. no cheap imports), but do not wish to purchase a specialty rifle for simple shooting on the land. Any opinions on what rifles would be the best to meet my goals (affordability, availability of ammo) would be appreciated.

CTS · March 15, 2013, 04:51 PM

double post

CTS · March 15, 2013, 04:52 PM

It seems to me that .22 WMR (22 magnum) is more readily available than .22LR. Not sure how it is in your area but that is what I have seen online. Something to think about. From the calibers you listed, I would probably say .243 is your best bet for affordable ammo and availability. You also might want to take up reloading as a secondary hobby. It makes things a lot cheaper and it is a good skill to have anyway.

wmg1299 · March 15, 2013, 05:10 PM

The .243 is definately a top consideration. What are some recommendations and reasonable price ranges for a few quality .243 models? I know next to nothing about reloading. Are the necessary supplies still readilly available, or are those becomming as hard to find as normal 22LR rounds?

CTS · March 15, 2013, 05:37 PM

Ruger American and Savage Axis are a couple of pretty decent economy models. Reloading supplies are getting scarce in some areas and for certain types of powder but there are so many alternatives that you can usually find something that will work even if it isn't what you would prefer.

March 15, 2013, 04:37 PM	#1
wmg1299 Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2013 Location: DFW Metroplex Posts: 190	Alternatives to the 22LR I live in the city and have a decent level of experience with handguns. My inlaws have a little over 50 acres in the country, and I picked up a few 22's (Ruger 10/22 Carbine and Mossberg Plinkster 702) for small game plinking and to teach my sons the basics of shooting. Now that 22LR ammo is nearly impossible to find, I have considered picking up a few rifles of different calibers so that I will have something to shoot. I picked the 22's because they were affordable, simple to maintain, and could be handled by my sons while they are young, but still be useful as they grow older. In my area (Dallas Metroplex), I can readilly find 7mm, 243, 270, and 30-06 ammo at local Wal Marts. I can also find a limited amount of 17 hmr and 22-250 ammo. I am not a big game hunter, and do not want to have to overpay for either the rifles or the ammo. I am willing to pay a fair price fro quality products (ex. no cheap imports), but do not wish to purchase a specialty rifle for simple shooting on the land. Any opinions on what rifles would be the best to meet my goals (affordability, availability of ammo) would be appreciated. Last edited by wmg1299; March 16, 2013 at 10:01 PM.

March 15, 2013, 04:51 PM	#2
CTS Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2011 Location: NE Georgia Posts: 1,070	double post Last edited by CTS; March 15, 2013 at 05:22 PM.

March 15, 2013, 04:52 PM	#3
CTS Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2011 Location: NE Georgia Posts: 1,070	It seems to me that .22 WMR (22 magnum) is more readily available than .22LR. Not sure how it is in your area but that is what I have seen online. Something to think about. From the calibers you listed, I would probably say .243 is your best bet for affordable ammo and availability. You also might want to take up reloading as a secondary hobby. It makes things a lot cheaper and it is a good skill to have anyway.

March 15, 2013, 05:10 PM	#4
wmg1299 Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2013 Location: DFW Metroplex Posts: 190	The .243 is definately a top consideration. What are some recommendations and reasonable price ranges for a few quality .243 models? I know next to nothing about reloading. Are the necessary supplies still readilly available, or are those becomming as hard to find as normal 22LR rounds?

March 15, 2013, 05:37 PM	#5
CTS Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2011 Location: NE Georgia Posts: 1,070	Ruger American and Savage Axis are a couple of pretty decent economy models. Reloading supplies are getting scarce in some areas and for certain types of powder but there are so many alternatives that you can usually find something that will work even if it isn't what you would prefer.