A cartridge doesn’t just stay in global production for well over 100 years for no reason. Even more telling, that cartridge doesn’t start as black powder, get converted to smokeless, and still stay in production for well over a century for no reason.
One of the few that meets this mark is .22 Long Rifle, arguably the most popular cartridge the world over in terms of sheer volume.
Here are some of the best uses for this humble yet capable little cartridge, along with the reasons why.
Teaching New Shooters Firearm Safety
- Low cost
- Wide availability
- Low noise
- Easy to handle
- Not intimidating, highly approachable
- Produces very little recoil
- Produces consistent results so it can instill good habits
- A good entry point for shooters to learn the fundamentals of how cartridges work and firearms operate
High-Volume Target Shooting
- Low cost
- Wide availability
- Multiple different types of rounds available based on desired performance
- Can be extremely accurate at close ranges, especially with an accurized rifle
- You can shoot all day with less fatigue due to low recoil
- Easy to transport compared to larger, heavier cartridges
Drilling
- Low cost, keeping costs down when drilling
- Wide availability
- Despite the low cost can be exceptionally consistent and reliable
- You can carry a lot of ammo to the range in small containers
Steel Shooting (at Close Ranges)
- Low cost
- Accuracy
- Small, light .22 bullets produce less damage to steel targets/silhouettes
- Consistent and reliable
Small Game Hunting
- Low cost
- Wide availability
- Wide variety of bullet types are available, including high-velocity hollow points
- Small, light bullets do less damage to meat and pelts (especially compared to shotguns)
- You can carry hundreds of rounds in the same space it would take to carry 20 to 30 centerfire cartridges
- Stopping power is adequate but not overblown
- Accuracy
- Low muzzle report is less likely to spook game
- Relatively less risk of overpenetration or overtravel for use in semi-developed areas
Predator/Varmint Control
- Low cost (cost-effective varmint management)
- Effective at dispatching both predators and varmints like prairie dogs and possums
- Does less damage to the pelt (if you intend to keep it)
- Low risk of overpenetration, overtravel, or ricochet
Trapline Gun
- Low cost
- Wide availability
- Low recoil
- Does little damage to the meat/pelt
- You can carry a lot in the field (takes up less room, weighs less)
Is There Anything .22LR Is Not Good for?
Sure, there are lots of things that .22LR is not particularly good for, despite all of the virtues enumerated here.
One is for long-distance target shooting. Past 100 yards, .22LR has a really badly drooping trajectory and is prone to severe wind drift.
Another is for general defensive applications. Some would argue that it’s sufficient, but for better or worse, .22LR simply does not produce muzzle energy adequate for stopping serious threats.
And then, following that, .22LR is not a suitable round for hunting medium and large game. Can it dispatch large game with proper shot placement? In a perfect world, yes. Chris McCandless did kill a moose with a .22, after all. But is it ethical to try? Definitely not.
So keep this in mind and your shooting with a .22LR will be both more purposeful and more practical.
Where to Get .22LR Bulk Ammo
Here for .22LR bulk ammo? Buying in bulk can help you further drive down the expense of shooting sports and hobbies which is badly inflated. You can get it online if your local shop is out, you just need to know where to look. Check out Bucking Horse Outpost first if you haven’t yet – the best brands and lines are represented there.
