What cailiber? Available and affordable.

You know, I wonder if the forum shouldn't have a "stuff that goes bang" section.

Knurled wrote: You know, I wonder if the forum shouldn't have a "stuff that goes bang" section.

There is a "guns N E36 M3" board started by rebel gtp...

I dunno. This is a car mag, not a stuff that goes bang mag. Off topic is pretty close I think, but I don't make decisions, only suggestions. There are lots of other places for boom sticks. This is an interesting read (I think) on my latest project: http://www.sporterizing.com/index.php?showtopic=10935

since the "stuff that goes bang" crew seems to be in here; what's the deal with 22LR these days?

I haven't shot in a while, but went to the range with a friend a couple of weeks ago and remembered how much I liked it. I was thinking of picking up a target pistol, say a Buckmark or 22/45, not realizing that the ammo is now scarce.

I can find a handful of places online that have stuff in stock, it doesn't seem outright impossible to get it, but it's no longer "walk in, walk out" easy. Should I reconsider my choice of hole-punchers, or will stores be made of 22LR bricks again tomorrow?

In reply to peter:

.22LR will come back as soon as the people buying it all (a mix of scalpers and old men fearing the "Barackalypse") quit. You can still get it, for $60+ a brick via scalpers. I occasionally see full blown match stuff at normal prices in stores, I haven't seen a brick on a shelf in over a year. Nor have I seen anything rimfire for that matter, 22mag, ratshot, 22short, CBs, etc. all sucked up the second it hits the shelf.

spitfirebill wrote: Don't NATO countries all have to use the same calibers?

That's the general idea. After WW2, just about every country had its own ~.30 caliber round. There was .30-06, .303, 7.5 French, 7.5 Swiss, 8mm Mauser, 7.65 Belgian Mauser, 6.5x55 Swede...you get the idea. In the event of a war with the Soviets, consolidating all those into 7.62x51mm made the supply chain a whole lot simpler.

From what I've read in SGN and American Rifleman, 22LR supplies are low because the manufacturers did not ramp up production. They don't make much money on the 22LR, the machines are expensive and it's labor intensive, needing specialized labor as well. They make more on the center fire stuff, so that's where the production was ramped up. Add that to the increased demand, and you get outs. Prices have doubled on the shelf, I've noticed, and the quality of the Remington golden boy stuff is way down. It is out there, you just have to hit the stores at the right time. I've also read/heard that the gun makers like Ruger are starting to put pressure on the ammo makers because if you can't buy any ammo, you won't sell any 10/22's, Buckmarks, etc.

I have no problem finding 40 cal, even in 250-round boxes that are handy for range days.

I still find .22 on the shelf occasionally around here. As mentioned you have to be there at the right time. 17 HMR is still widely available around here which may force me to get one. Eventually .22 will come back and when things settle buy yourself a few bricks. I have abou 15 left I think. But then I was one of those shooters that would go through a brick in a single sitting along with a few hundred rounds of other calibers. Even my wife knows to look for certain calibers of ammo. We use to buy one or two bricks a week most I the time and then shoot at least one a week.

Oh and I highly recommend the Buckmark. Those are great pistols. I have a heavy barrel version with lightened trigger and a Tac Sol integrated rail so I can mount a scope if I want.

Just to necro a thread that isn't even mine (My login on gunsandE36 M3 has not been approved yet).

I went with the Buckmark. Ended up in the Practical model, which netted me the URX grips and fiberoptic front sight. The grips are what sold me, natural and extremely comfortable.

I've put over 800 rounds through the gun now, with some help from a friend. Some paper at the indoor range, plus about 400 rounds at the steel gallery today.

This thing is a tack driver! And the trigger is just awesome. Hopefully one day I can shoot as well as the gun does :)

I've been ordering ammo online, no problems. I suspect I'm paying too much, but it's still much cheaper than any other caliber.

Thanks y'all!

In reply to peter:

Peter I thought I got everyone added on there. I will check when I am back in town at that computer.

Well, since I started this thread, I was looking around my closet and found 2 sealed bricks and another half brick.

.40 seems to have been readily available here even during the "panic."

Dr. Hess wrote: I dunno. This is a car mag, not a stuff that goes bang mag.

Occasionally... they overlap on this issue.

A little JB Weld will fix that.

Technically, they go 'bang' several times per revolution, right?

Dr. Hess wrote: A little JB Weld will fix that.

A little JB Weld, a credit card number, and an engine hoist...

I've been told that .22 can be found occasionally if you get to the store early on delivery day and wait in line with the hoarders and barakolypse types before they buy it all, but even then it's a crap shoot. Bought a brick about 6 months ago and was gifted two more by two very good friends, but I haven't been shooting much at all. I just don't want to go through it when I'm not sure I can get more, which really sucks because I've been wanting to try the rim fire competitions at the indoor range the last two winters... It's like trying to auto cross but not having any tires or gas available!

Thankfully 20ga and 12ga are plentiful, and so are most hunting cartridges. There's tons of .223 too. Pistol calipers are still spottily available, but can be found. I want a .357 carbine and revolver next to go with my 22/45 and 20ga SxS and I'd be pretty happy bang stick wise.

I was coming in to say if you must buy a caliber definitely pass on one with a CVT.

I was just at a Cabelas. No 22 anything. Plenty of all center fire stuff of all calibers. Lots of 17 HMR. One MilSurp Mauser, a 24/47 for about three hundred, lots of Mosins for two hundred.

My Cabelas had one brand of .22 in stock on Labor day. $4 for a 50 round box. This is teh first I've seen in about three years. Plenty of everything else.

CCI 22 available until it sells out (minutes from now). MOVE FAST.

http://www.midwayusa.com/Product/847005

http://www.midwayusa.com/Product/561225

http://www.midwayusa.com/Product/383587

http://www.midwayusa.com/Product/193791

In reply to peter:

yours and a few other accounts are active now.

stroker wrote: CCI 22 available until it sells out (minutes from now). MOVE FAST. http://www.midwayusa.com/Product/847005 http://www.midwayusa.com/Product/561225 http://www.midwayusa.com/Product/383587 http://www.midwayusa.com/Product/193791

Tried to order... won't ship to me in Alaska.

Oh well, the wait continues...

moparman76_69 wrote: I was coming in to say if you must buy a caliber definitely pass on one with a CVT.

You couldn't give me one. After 2 neons, my wife has a VERY strict no Chrysler policy.