The .22 as the true survival caliber?

k_estela

k_estela

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I stopped by some big box stores recently to pick up some odds and ends. When I visited the firearms sections, I noticed ammo prices rose again. Even bricks of .22 I used to buy for $8 are now almost double that. This leaves me to wonder, is the .22 the true survival caliber? I know we would all like to have endless amounts of .223, .308, 12 gauge, 9mm or .45acp handy but at these prices, stocking up isn't as easy as it used to be. How high will prices go and when will other calibers be out of reach pricewise?

Looking at the .22 again, I see even more utility in the round as it still won't break the bank loading up on it now. Compare 500 rounds of .22 to 500 rounds of .223 or 500 rounds of .45acp. Luckily, I purchased a good amount of ammo for my primary firearms before prices jumped the way they did.

As always, the same advice sticks, "buy it while you can."
 
You'd not catch me without a good, reliable .22 LR rifle and handgun... and more than a couple of boxes of ammo! :thumbup:

L.W.
 
I agree!!! The 22 cal. is the best survival round. You can take anything from squirrel to deer with well placed shots. A brick of 500 rounds will fit in a molle 4 mag pouch. (120 .556 rds vs 500 22). Forget the paranoid delusions of fighting off zombies or commie paratroopers. A survival gun is for food first and self defense second. The 22 has a lower noise and flash signature. My Ruger 77-22 SS with 4x scope would be my bug out gun of choice. My S&W K-22 (Model 17 old 5 screw) is one of the most accurate and reliable handguns made and you have ammo compatibility
 
k_estela said:
I stopped by some big box stores recently to pick up some odds and ends. When I visited the firearms sections, I noticed ammo prices rose again. Even bricks of .22 I used to buy for $8 are now almost double that. This leaves me to wonder, is the .22 the true survival caliber? I know we would all like to have endless amounts of .223, .308, 12 gauge, 9mm or .45acp handy but at these prices, stocking up isn't as easy as it used to be. How high will prices go and when will other calibers be out of reach pricewise?

Looking at the .22 again, I see even more utility in the round as it still won't break the bank loading up on it now. Compare 500 rounds of .22 to 500 rounds of .223 or 500 rounds of .45acp. Luckily, I purchased a good amount of ammo for my primary firearms before prices jumped the way they did.

As always, the same advice sticks, "buy it while you can."
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Totally agree.
 
It depends a lot on how you define "survival" and what you might need to survive. But the .22 is ESSENTIAL.
 
I would agree as well with the .22, the .223 is a great round and I have thousands of it. But ya cant beat the .22 for what it is. Plus in the same space I can keep 50 rounds of .45 lc, I can have 500 rounds of .22.
 
If you have the correct weapon, you can shoot bb caps to stingers. It is the most versatile caliber period.
 
Yeah, I've sadly all but given up attempting to head to the range anymore just due to ammo costs. When I do, it's mostly to plink with a couple of favorite .22's. They are certainly the winner as a 'day to day' caliber. Everything else is deeply cost prohibitive.

As far as survival, I'd say it's another winner for sure. Something like a .45 or .357 revolver to go with it would make me feel a lot better, though.
 
I think the .22 is the most useful caliber with 12 gauge and a close second. I think if you only own two guns thats the two you need.

Have any of yall used Aguila rounds with no powder only primers. Dont cycle the best but are about as loud as hammering a nail. Lots of fun.
 
k_estela said:
I stopped by some big box stores recently to pick up some odds and ends. When I visited the firearms sections, I noticed ammo prices rose again. Even bricks of .22 I used to buy for $8 are now almost double that. This leaves me to wonder, is the .22 the true survival caliber? I know we would all like to have endless amounts of .223, .308, 12 gauge, 9mm or .45acp handy but at these prices, stocking up isn't as easy as it used to be. How high will prices go and when will other calibers be out of reach pricewise?

Looking at the .22 again, I see even more utility in the round as it still won't break the bank loading up on it now. Compare 500 rounds of .22 to 500 rounds of .223 or 500 rounds of .45acp. Luckily, I purchased a good amount of ammo for my primary firearms before prices jumped the way they did.

As always, the same advice sticks, "buy it while you can."
Click to expand...



After reading this i went to my local store where i buy ammo and a brick of .22 is $20 now:grumpy::thumbdn: last summer it was $8-$10 ammo is going up
 
I hear alot of talk that politicians are going after ammo since it is harder for them to go after guns, persay. I vaguely remember conversing with someone and they mentioned that ammo especially for the .223 caliber is getting harder to come by in Texas???
 
I used to shoot a bunch of .223/5.56, 7.62x39, .45 and 9mm but prices on all of these calibers have gone up so dramatically in the last few years that it has become unaffordable to plink. The days of spending $160 for 1000 rounds of Lake City XM193 5.56 or $90 for 1000 rounds of Wolf 7.62 are long gone. Now you would be lucky to find Wolf .223 for $250 and Wolf 7.62 for $200 if you can find any at all.

I have been looking into getting a .22 LR conversion for my AR and 1911 just so I can plink with those platforms.

I think .22 LR is a great survival round because it could keep you fed and some what protected.
 
My last range trip I broke out the 22's. I forgot how much fun they are. I am an ammo addict and have all told over 8,000 rounds in various calibers and gauges.

I learned one thing though, I had some older Remington target ammo, yellow plastic box. It would not feed in my Ruger MKII or Walter P22. Upon closer inspection the drivng bands were a light gray, I guess oxidized. I may stick with copper washed for long term storage, probably CCI Mini-mags.

Suns coming out, time to pack for the range, outdoor this time.
 
As far as price goes, reloading may become an essential skill.

As far as weapons and ammo bans go, we may actually get to the point where we have to use our guns as our forefathers designed to enforce the second amendment in order to maintain a free state. It's the eventuality they hoped wouldn't happen, but our founding fathers would not recognize the USA today as the system and country they conceived and founded. I can only pray we can fight these unconstitutional acts peacefully, within the system. Anything else is a last-resort, and it would suck to have to be in that position.

I'm pretty moderate, and love my country. I'm not militant or advocating treasonous acts. I'm saying it may get to the point where we have to fight against the treasonous acts perpetrated by those who would manipulate the system for their own power-hungry and greedy ends. Politicians today don't serve anyone but themselves.
 
Recently I have been thinking about buying a .45 or .44 magnum level action marlin, but with ammo prices the way they are it seems like my money would be better spent on a .22 and getting really good with it. I think I'll take a trip down to the gun store this week and give a look.
 
I think the .22 is an excellent survival firearm in either an accurate pistol or long arm. I often pack a little Ruger MK II in the woods. For bug out situations I do like my 9MM CZ-75D with .22 Kadet Kit conversion. Best of both worlds IMHO.
 
Brian Jones said:
As far as price goes, reloading may become an essential skill.

As far as weapons and ammo bans go, we may actually get to the point where we have to use our guns as our forefathers designed to enforce the second amendment in order to maintain a free state. It's the eventuality they hoped wouldn't happen, but our founding fathers would not recognize the USA today as the system and country they conceived and founded. I can only pray we can fight these unconstitutional acts peacefully, within the system. Anything else is a last-resort, and it would suck to have to be in that position.

I'm pretty moderate, and love my country. I'm not militant or advocating treasonous acts. I'm saying it may get to the point where we have to fight against the treasonous acts perpetrated by those who would manipulate the system for their own power-hungry and greedy ends. Politicians today don't serve anyone but themselves.
Click to expand...



I agree:thumbup:
 
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