The joy of 22 long rifle

stubbicatt · October 22, 2012, 01:11 PM

Maybe you fellas are like me a little bit.

While I surely do enjoy speculating about what neat great rifles are available for only $X, the sheer joy of plinking sometimes is of great value.

This weekend I took a couple of friends to the National Forest, where we met another old friend, and spent a couple hours plinking at various targets of opportunity. It was such a great time spent with friends, in the great outdoors, unmolested by anybody for 2 or so hours.

The 22 long rifle in a simple CZ bolt actioned rifle which seems supernatural in its ability to connect with good ammunition cannot be underestimated. Using simple Federal bulk pack, the old rifle just shot so well.

All that for a price hardly worth mentioning.

I am so happy I had the opportunity to shoot in these circumstances.

aarondhgraham · October 22, 2012, 01:37 PM

I have several .22 rifles,,,
Two magazine fed bolt-actions,,,
Two single-shots in break-open and bolt-action,,,
Then two semi-automatics that are purely for fun and games.

I will invite a couple of friends to go to my rifle & pistol club,,,
We'll take lawn chairs and a bunch of food & drink,,,
Then plink away at paper, spinners, and cans.

For these sessions 550 round bulk packs are perfect,,,
Three people can plink all afternoon for $20.00.

You are not alone in your thinking.

Aarond

.

Scorch · October 22, 2012, 02:04 PM

I own several 22LR rifles, 3 Ruger 77/22s, a Remington 541T, a Winchester model 67. I really love my rimfires. Cheap to shoot, easy to carry and shoot.

coyota1 · October 22, 2012, 04:50 PM

I enjoy my old 10/22 carbine with a walnut stock. Good for everything from squirrels, to bunnies (and bottle caps).

Woody55 · October 22, 2012, 05:11 PM

I agree.

I like 22 LR rifles and pistols. My sons and I will play a game like HORSE where we pick a target (old soda cans with water are fun), a distance (anything with a safe backdrop will do) and a shooting position. If the chooser makes the shot, everyone else has to follow or they get a letter.

I'll also float clay skeet out on the pond. Those are fun to shoot and sink. I just make sure I get the kind that are supposed to dissolve - but not too fast.

All the talk about how deadly ammunition needs to be is too dark for me. Killing cans is what I like to do.

mr.t7024 · October 22, 2012, 05:19 PM

Plinking is most enjoyable1 my favorite plinking rifle is my old Reevation 120(Marlin60)Time stands still...

Cliff

mr.t7024 · October 22, 2012, 05:20 PM

Plinking is most enjoyable! My favorite plinking rifle is my old Relevation 120(Marlin60)Time stands still...

Cliff

Aaron1100us · October 23, 2012, 12:11 AM

I love plinking. 535 rounds of .22 blazer for $20, can't beat that. So my .22's get shot the most.
1961 Seneca Green Nylon 66, learned how to shoot on this gun. Ruger 10/22, Walther P22 and S&W 15-22 are my only other .22's. Cheap and fun.

Sent from my PB99400 using Tapatalk 2

Bigfatts · October 25, 2012, 09:21 AM

My .22s get the most action of all my rifles. Between squirrel hunting, plinking and serious target work, they just can't be beat. And even though I've thinned my herd- a lot- they still outnumber every other firearm I own.

4EVERM-14 · October 25, 2012, 02:26 PM

The .22 is EVERY rifle in miniature. The fundamentals and skills needed to accurately shoot a center fire rifle at six hundred yards are the same for the .22 at one hundred yards. It's remarkable how closely the .22 mimics bigger rifles. But it's actually more difficult to shoot accurately as you have more time to screw up the shot. The slow velocity means the bullet is in the barrel longer. This then requires more concentration and follow through. Of course beyond all of the technical stuff. Whether you are in serious competition or just plinking the .22 is a kick to shoot.

JWT · October 25, 2012, 04:59 PM

They are indeed fun, both rifles and handguns. I have a great time with both my S&W 15-22 and Browning .22 semi auto take down model. For handguns the little Browning 1911-22 and Walther P22 are lots of fun. I like the idea of being able to put several hundred or more rounds down range without going broke.

McDAccountant · October 27, 2012, 10:17 PM

Went to the range this past Friday to try some new loads I had worked up for my hunting rifle. Took my T-Bolt .22lr with me too...shot it while letting my hunting rifle barrel cool down. Completely blew out the 1" bullseye on a target at 75 yards. Love punching holes in paper with the .22!!!

Edward429451 · October 28, 2012, 12:41 AM

Hey Woody, we play horse the same exact way you do sometimes. Shooter picks the shot and the position, That's a blast!

22 LR is perhaps the coolest cartridge of all. It's available in a myriad of platforms in both Handguns and Rifles. People of any ages can shoot them and it's low noise for the most part. I had my kids shooting 22 rifles when they were about 3 years old. That old Springfield single shot was a cool rifle but they outgrew it quick so we got them 1022's. They were busting squirrels at about 5.

I wanted them to shoot 22 pistols too, but the MK II was a little heavy for them when they were young, so I happened upon a nice used OM Super Bearcat (steel frame/brass trigger-guard) for them. That gun, is the premier kids 22 revolver, bar none. It's easy to operate for them and the grip is wonderfully kid sized. It takes 22 Shorts, Longs, or Long Rifle. That's a plus because those 22 LR's can be pretty darn loud from the Bearcat's 4" barrel. So we shot a lot of Shorts when they were real little. The combination of short barrel/ short arms on little kids is solved with 22 Shorts, even CB's for the littlest ones. It's wonderful to behold a little kid loading a single action revolver and doing it right, even load one skip one so hammer down on empty cylinder! I love going shooting 22's with kids.

I happened into a NAA Mini-revo too and concluded that they are not kids guns. They are too small for the kids to be able to handle and easily adhere to the 4 rules with any efficacy. The swept me with the little one more than they ever did with the Bearcat. I had to really watch them close with the mini-revo. All in all, 22's are very much fun.

BLUETIP · October 28, 2012, 08:22 AM

.22lr is what i own the most of as well. It is one of lifes simple pleasures.

Yung.gunr · October 29, 2012, 10:47 PM

Went to the range last Thursday, took my Mosin, a S&W 22A, an old .25ACP mouse gun I'm trying to get running right and my Savage MKII (.22lr). Wouldn't you know I didn't even get to shoot the Savage I was having so much fun with the S&W. I'm slowly bringing less and less guns each range trip.

I'm planning my next trip and it's going to strictly be some good quality time with the Savage.

8t6gt · October 30, 2012, 04:58 PM

I love .22s. I can sit in my back yard and shoot of rounds all day long and not spend 20 bucks. My Ruger 10/22 is about 10 years old and it has thousands and thousands of rounds through it and its still an awesome gun. I've wore out the factory mags a couple times because the springs got weak and no longer hold a round to the top without smacking them to free them up. Time for some new mags.

clang · November 2, 2012, 04:38 PM

Another .22 fan here - about 8 rifles, a dozen or more revolvers and almost as many semi-auto pistols.

Since this is the rifle forum, I will mention my latest passion has been pump action .22s. I now have 3 - a Remington 572, an old Marlin Model 20 and a Browning BP22. I am left handed, so most bolt action rifles are out for me. Lever action and semi-autos were my first .22 rifles and I still like them, but the pump guns are fun to operate.

Pond, James Pond · November 2, 2012, 05:12 PM

Absolutely agree with the OP's sentiments.

Whilst I enjoy shooting all my guns, none of them seem to elicit from me the grin factor of .22LR, be it from my own CZ bolt, or my Ruger MkIII semi auto pistol.

So often, I look at a .22 cartridge and think of my times with it and think: why do I even both with the rest?

OK: a bit extreme. The "rest" is going nowhere, but you get my point...

Pond, James Pond · November 2, 2012, 05:19 PM

Absolutely agree with the OP's sentiments.

Whilst I enjoy shooting all my guns, none of them seem to elicit from me the grin factor of .22LR, be it from my own CZ bolt, or my Ruger MkIII semi auto pistol.

So often, I look at a .22 cartridge and think of my times with it and think: why do I even both with the rest?

OK: a bit extreme. The "rest" is going nowhere, but you get my point...

Microgunner · November 2, 2012, 05:25 PM

My screen name is derived from my love of the little rimfires.
I don't think it's possible to own too many.

Husqvarna · November 2, 2012, 06:54 PM

Me and my brother made a day of it today, brought picnic

bought a new scope so I had an excuse to go to the range. not that I needed a excuse. Sighted it in then we started challanging each other, speed shooting, one shot at a self marking target then one at the regular targetboard. first one to clear bottles, calling out different stances and hitting the self marking target. etc etc

close to 400 rounds together

sgms · November 2, 2012, 07:33 PM

I agree with you people as well. The often scorned .22 rimfire is the most often selected to go out and just have fun round for me as well. It is also the round that can cause me the most frustration as a shooter as well in that it is also the caliber I shoot bullseye match with. It amazes me how I can pop cans all day between 50 and 75 yard with my friends but getting that same size bullet to stay inside the black rings at 50 feet during a timed match can be so difficult.

ThomasT · November 2, 2012, 09:51 PM

I like 22s same as you guys. I have 15 or so and they go with me on just about every shooting trip. If you haven't seen this site before have a look at it. These are hardcore 22 buffs.

www.rimfirecentral.com

travyboy78 · November 2, 2012, 11:22 PM

Sounds like I have came to the right place. I started bringing several .22's on my shooting trips. My friends don't get it. But I love them.
(I feel like I just introduced myself at an A.A. meeting)

shamaz · November 3, 2012, 12:38 AM

I'm just a retired gentleman living out in the country on social security and .22 caliber rimfire is all I can afford but I love plinking in the front yard with my two Henrys and one Savage Mark II at sundown.

October 22, 2012, 01:11 PM	#1
stubbicatt Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2007 Posts: 1,707	The joy of 22 long rifle Maybe you fellas are like me a little bit. While I surely do enjoy speculating about what neat great rifles are available for only $X, the sheer joy of plinking sometimes is of great value. This weekend I took a couple of friends to the National Forest, where we met another old friend, and spent a couple hours plinking at various targets of opportunity. It was such a great time spent with friends, in the great outdoors, unmolested by anybody for 2 or so hours. The 22 long rifle in a simple CZ bolt actioned rifle which seems supernatural in its ability to connect with good ammunition cannot be underestimated. Using simple Federal bulk pack, the old rifle just shot so well. All that for a price hardly worth mentioning. I am so happy I had the opportunity to shoot in these circumstances.

October 22, 2012, 01:37 PM	#2
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	I agree completely,,, I have several .22 rifles,,, Two magazine fed bolt-actions,,, Two single-shots in break-open and bolt-action,,, Then two semi-automatics that are purely for fun and games. I will invite a couple of friends to go to my rifle & pistol club,,, We'll take lawn chairs and a bunch of food & drink,,, Then plink away at paper, spinners, and cans. For these sessions 550 round bulk packs are perfect,,, Three people can plink all afternoon for $20.00. You are not alone in your thinking. Aarond . __________________ Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)

October 22, 2012, 02:04 PM	#3
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	I own several 22LR rifles, 3 Ruger 77/22s, a Remington 541T, a Winchester model 67. I really love my rimfires. Cheap to shoot, easy to carry and shoot. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

October 22, 2012, 05:19 PM	#6
mr.t7024 Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2012 Location: Ma, near a brook Posts: 229	plinking Plinking is most enjoyable1 my favorite plinking rifle is my old Reevation 120(Marlin60)Time stands still... Cliff

October 22, 2012, 05:20 PM	#7
mr.t7024 Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2012 Location: Ma, near a brook Posts: 229	plinking Plinking is most enjoyable! My favorite plinking rifle is my old Relevation 120(Marlin60)Time stands still... Cliff

October 22, 2012, 04:50 PM	#4
coyota1 Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2008 Location: West Michigan Posts: 663	I enjoy my old 10/22 carbine with a walnut stock. Good for everything from squirrels, to bunnies (and bottle caps).

October 22, 2012, 05:11 PM	#5
Woody55 Senior Member Join Date: June 19, 2012 Location: East Texas Posts: 407	I agree. I like 22 LR rifles and pistols. My sons and I will play a game like HORSE where we pick a target (old soda cans with water are fun), a distance (anything with a safe backdrop will do) and a shooting position. If the chooser makes the shot, everyone else has to follow or they get a letter. I'll also float clay skeet out on the pond. Those are fun to shoot and sink. I just make sure I get the kind that are supposed to dissolve - but not too fast. All the talk about how deadly ammunition needs to be is too dark for me. Killing cans is what I like to do.

October 23, 2012, 12:11 AM	#8
Aaron1100us Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2011 Posts: 235	I love plinking. 535 rounds of .22 blazer for $20, can't beat that. So my .22's get shot the most. 1961 Seneca Green Nylon 66, learned how to shoot on this gun. Ruger 10/22, Walther P22 and S&W 15-22 are my only other .22's. Cheap and fun. Sent from my PB99400 using Tapatalk 2

October 25, 2012, 09:21 AM	#9
Bigfatts Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2005 Location: Lutz Posts: 1,528	My .22s get the most action of all my rifles. Between squirrel hunting, plinking and serious target work, they just can't be beat. And even though I've thinned my herd- a lot- they still outnumber every other firearm I own.

October 25, 2012, 02:26 PM	#10
4EVERM-14 Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2006 Location: Pennsy Posts: 720	The .22 is EVERY rifle in miniature. The fundamentals and skills needed to accurately shoot a center fire rifle at six hundred yards are the same for the .22 at one hundred yards. It's remarkable how closely the .22 mimics bigger rifles. But it's actually more difficult to shoot accurately as you have more time to screw up the shot. The slow velocity means the bullet is in the barrel longer. This then requires more concentration and follow through. Of course beyond all of the technical stuff. Whether you are in serious competition or just plinking the .22 is a kick to shoot. __________________ David NRA Benefactor Member Distinguished Rifleman #731 Presidents 100

October 25, 2012, 04:59 PM	#11
JWT Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2007 Location: Southern Arizona Posts: 3,888	They are indeed fun, both rifles and handguns. I have a great time with both my S&W 15-22 and Browning .22 semi auto take down model. For handguns the little Browning 1911-22 and Walther P22 are lots of fun. I like the idea of being able to put several hundred or more rounds down range without going broke.

October 27, 2012, 10:17 PM	#12
McDAccountant Member Join Date: March 25, 2012 Posts: 23	Went to the range this past Friday to try some new loads I had worked up for my hunting rifle. Took my T-Bolt .22lr with me too...shot it while letting my hunting rifle barrel cool down. Completely blew out the 1" bullseye on a target at 75 yards. Love punching holes in paper with the .22!!!

October 28, 2012, 12:41 AM	#13
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	Hey Woody, we play horse the same exact way you do sometimes. Shooter picks the shot and the position, That's a blast! 22 LR is perhaps the coolest cartridge of all. It's available in a myriad of platforms in both Handguns and Rifles. People of any ages can shoot them and it's low noise for the most part. I had my kids shooting 22 rifles when they were about 3 years old. That old Springfield single shot was a cool rifle but they outgrew it quick so we got them 1022's. They were busting squirrels at about 5. I wanted them to shoot 22 pistols too, but the MK II was a little heavy for them when they were young, so I happened upon a nice used OM Super Bearcat (steel frame/brass trigger-guard) for them. That gun, is the premier kids 22 revolver, bar none. It's easy to operate for them and the grip is wonderfully kid sized. It takes 22 Shorts, Longs, or Long Rifle. That's a plus because those 22 LR's can be pretty darn loud from the Bearcat's 4" barrel. So we shot a lot of Shorts when they were real little. The combination of short barrel/ short arms on little kids is solved with 22 Shorts, even CB's for the littlest ones. It's wonderful to behold a little kid loading a single action revolver and doing it right, even load one skip one so hammer down on empty cylinder! I love going shooting 22's with kids. I happened into a NAA Mini-revo too and concluded that they are not kids guns. They are too small for the kids to be able to handle and easily adhere to the 4 rules with any efficacy. The swept me with the little one more than they ever did with the Bearcat. I had to really watch them close with the mini-revo. All in all, 22's are very much fun.

October 28, 2012, 08:22 AM	#14
BLUETIP Senior Member Join Date: September 30, 2012 Location: tennessee Posts: 119	.22lr is what i own the most of as well. It is one of lifes simple pleasures.

October 29, 2012, 10:47 PM	#15
Yung.gunr Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2010 Location: Phoenix area Posts: 1,442	Went to the range last Thursday, took my Mosin, a S&W 22A, an old .25ACP mouse gun I'm trying to get running right and my Savage MKII (.22lr). Wouldn't you know I didn't even get to shoot the Savage I was having so much fun with the S&W. I'm slowly bringing less and less guns each range trip. I'm planning my next trip and it's going to strictly be some good quality time with the Savage.

October 30, 2012, 04:58 PM	#16
8t6gt Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2008 Location: The land of wolverines Posts: 120	I love .22s. I can sit in my back yard and shoot of rounds all day long and not spend 20 bucks. My Ruger 10/22 is about 10 years old and it has thousands and thousands of rounds through it and its still an awesome gun. I've wore out the factory mags a couple times because the springs got weak and no longer hold a round to the top without smacking them to free them up. Time for some new mags.

November 2, 2012, 04:38 PM	#17
clang Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2009 Posts: 119	Another .22 fan here - about 8 rifles, a dozen or more revolvers and almost as many semi-auto pistols. Since this is the rifle forum, I will mention my latest passion has been pump action .22s. I now have 3 - a Remington 572, an old Marlin Model 20 and a Browning BP22. I am left handed, so most bolt action rifles are out for me. Lever action and semi-autos were my first .22 rifles and I still like them, but the pump guns are fun to operate. __________________ If the horse don't pull you've got to carry the load.

November 2, 2012, 05:12 PM	#18
Pond, James Pond Senior Member Join Date: July 12, 2011 Location: Top of the Baltic stack Posts: 6,079	Absolutely agree with the OP's sentiments. Whilst I enjoy shooting all my guns, none of them seem to elicit from me the grin factor of .22LR, be it from my own CZ bolt, or my Ruger MkIII semi auto pistol. So often, I look at a .22 cartridge and think of my times with it and think: why do I even both with the rest? OK: a bit extreme. The "rest" is going nowhere, but you get my point... __________________ When the right to effective self-defence is denied, that right to self-defence which remains is essentially symbolic. Freedom: Please enjoy responsibly.

November 2, 2012, 05:19 PM	#19
Pond, James Pond Senior Member Join Date: July 12, 2011 Location: Top of the Baltic stack Posts: 6,079	Absolutely agree with the OP's sentiments. Whilst I enjoy shooting all my guns, none of them seem to elicit from me the grin factor of .22LR, be it from my own CZ bolt, or my Ruger MkIII semi auto pistol. So often, I look at a .22 cartridge and think of my times with it and think: why do I even both with the rest? OK: a bit extreme. The "rest" is going nowhere, but you get my point... __________________ When the right to effective self-defence is denied, that right to self-defence which remains is essentially symbolic. Freedom: Please enjoy responsibly.

November 2, 2012, 05:25 PM	#20
Microgunner Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 3,324	My screen name is derived from my love of the little rimfires. I don't think it's possible to own too many. __________________ *Proud NRA Benefactor Member*

November 2, 2012, 06:54 PM	#21
Husqvarna Senior Member Join Date: May 7, 2012 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,000	Me and my brother made a day of it today, brought picnic bought a new scope so I had an excuse to go to the range. not that I needed a excuse. Sighted it in then we started challanging each other, speed shooting, one shot at a self marking target then one at the regular targetboard. first one to clear bottles, calling out different stances and hitting the self marking target. etc etc close to 400 rounds together

November 2, 2012, 07:33 PM	#22
sgms Senior Member Join Date: May 30, 2010 Location: Arizona or Ohio depending Posts: 1,021	I agree with you people as well. The often scorned .22 rimfire is the most often selected to go out and just have fun round for me as well. It is also the round that can cause me the most frustration as a shooter as well in that it is also the caliber I shoot bullseye match with. It amazes me how I can pop cans all day between 50 and 75 yard with my friends but getting that same size bullet to stay inside the black rings at 50 feet during a timed match can be so difficult.

November 2, 2012, 09:51 PM	#23
ThomasT Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 2,751	I like 22s same as you guys. I have 15 or so and they go with me on just about every shooting trip. If you haven't seen this site before have a look at it. These are hardcore 22 buffs. www.rimfirecentral.com

November 2, 2012, 11:22 PM	#24
travyboy78 Junior Member Join Date: November 2, 2012 Posts: 1	Sounds like I have came to the right place. I started bringing several .22's on my shooting trips. My friends don't get it. But I love them. (I feel like I just introduced myself at an A.A. meeting)

November 3, 2012, 12:38 AM	#25
shamaz Member Join Date: May 15, 2012 Location: Central Sierra Foothills Posts: 28	I'm just a retired gentleman living out in the country on social security and .22 caliber rimfire is all I can afford but I love plinking in the front yard with my two Henrys and one Savage Mark II at sundown.

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