10 Reasons Why Everyone Should Own A 22

I learned to shoot with an old bolt action, single shot 22 Long Rifle.  Each round had to be hand loaded into the chamber, but the rifle was accurate and punctured many, many cans.  As time has gone on, I have added center fire rifles and pistols, but I have always kept at least a 22 rifle and pistol.  I think a 22 Long Rifle is something that all gun owners should own and shoot regularly.  Lets take a look at ten reasons a 22 rifle or pistol is an important gun to own.

Cost of ammo:

22 Thunderbolt Ammo

While all ammo costs are going up, 22 Long Rifle remains the cheapest factory loaded ammo you can buy.  It's even hard to reload for as little as 22 LR ammo costs.  For example, do a quick search at Sinclair International to compare ammo prices between the ever popular 22 LR and the 9mm Luger.  Thanks to the fact that the 9mm is one of the most common centerfire handgun cartridges, it tends to be available cheaper than larger rounds like the 40 S&W and the 45 ACP.   It doesn't take much searching to see that the 22, especially when bought in bulk packs, is much cheaper to buy.  And if the ammo costs less, it makes it easier to shoot more.

Ammo Availability:

At the time of this post, ammo availability for just about every caliber is horrible.  But, if you look at ammo availability outside of the current panic, 22 Long Rifle is a round that is sold at most Walmarts and sporting goods stores that stock ammunition.  You can typically count on buying ammo at the last minute before a range trip.  Hopefully the current price gouging and stockpiling will go away soon and 22 ammo will go back to being available nearly everywhere that sells ammo.

Ammo choices:

There are a lot of options for 22 Long Rifle ammunition.  Looking up MidwayUSA, I found 128 results for 22 ammunition.  Those included multiple loadings from Remington, Winchester, Federal, Wold, CCI, Aguila and more.  There are different choices for bullet weight, high velocity, subsonic, match grade and more.  You can even get shot shell ammunition for your 22.  The local sporting good store will typically carry at least a few different loadings.

Gun variety:

Want something completely different?  How about a 22 version
of the STG 44?

Want to shoot a 22 version of your carry gun?  Or maybe an AR-15, MP5, single action revolver, or a rifle threaded for your suppressor?  You can buy 22 Long Rifle versions of many popular rifles and handguns.  Whether it is for low cost training, to teach an inexperienced shooter, or to harvest small game, there is a huge variety of 22 firearms on the market.  Take some time to see what your local dealers offer, spend some time online researching, and you will find a 22 to fit just about any need or want you could have.

Quiet:

While all firearms are loud, the more powder it burns, the louder it will be.  In the case of the small 22 Long Rifle, the low powder charge results in a much quieter discharge when compared to centerfire pistols and rifles.  The reduced noise makes it easier for newer shooters to develop good shooting habits.  Some shooters may develop flinches associated with the noise and blast from heavy calibers.

Low recoil:

Just like with the reduced noise, the small powder charges result in very low perceived recoil.  This is another large factor that benefits new shooters.  Strong recoil can cause a shooter to flinch in anticipation of getting hurt.  The low recoil not only helps to build good shooting habits, but if you have developed a flinch, shooting a 22 may make that flinch more obvious.  Instead of having heavy recoil to mask the flinch, it will become embarrassingly obvious that you missed your shot because of a flinch.

Accuracy:

Whether you are a new shooter, or a veteran shooter, hunter and competitor, 22s are great for practice.  Want to improve your shooting skills with your favorite hunting rifle?  You can get a quality 22 rifle with a similar scope and hone your skills without the cost, recoil and noise of your hunting rifle.  Spending time working with a 22, shrinking groups and drilling bulls eye's will translate over into your hunting season.  Maybe throw in some standing and kneeling shooting if that isn't a typical part of your range sessions.  Next time you see fur through your scope you will be more relaxed and prepared.

Champion Metal Spinning Target

Range options:

22s are typically shot at shorter ranges, say from 25-50 yards.  That, in addition to the low power of the cartridge makes finding a location for target practice that much easier.  Whether it is a several hundred yard outdoor range, a local indoor range, or a popular shooting area in nearby National Forest, it is much easier to find a location to shoot a 22 Long Rifle than a high power rifle.  While you always have to be careful of your target and beyond, you can even buy a bullet trap to help catch the rounds you fire, reducing the hazards of ricochets and errant rounds.

Small game hunting:

One of my first hunting experiences was walking through the woods with my dad and a 10/22 looking for squirrels.  Whether you are tuning your skills for big game, teaching your kid about hunting, or just want to put some extra meat on the table, 22s make great small game hunting rounds.  If you can safely and consistently take squirrels and rabbits with a 22, taking aim at a deer or elk will seem like a piece of cake.  I've even used a 22 pistol to take Dusky Grouse during Elk season

Fun:

I've saved one of the best reasons for last.  If none of the reasons above convinced you to get a 22, do it because it is a lot of fun!  With some plastic bottles, aluminum cans, balloons, metal targets, etc you can fill the better part of a day plinking away.  I've taught many people, from kids to adults how to shoot using a 22 Long Rifle, I have yet to have anyone tell me that they didn't enjoy it.


Have I missed any of your top reasons for getting a 22 Long Rifle?  Let me know in the comment section below.