You’ve likely handled a .22 LR before if you’ve spent time around domestic hunting guns. It’s considered as one of the best rounds for beginner shooters, which seems the old-school. And yet, despite the .22 LR’s reputation in shooting culture is still popular in today’s modern era for shooting enthusiasts. Let’s review the biggest pros and cons of the .22 LR cartridge today, beginning with the negatives and moving up to why it’s a fan favourite advantages.
6. Not Quite a Heavy Hitter for Defense
Let’s be real, although the .22 LR is handy, and not taking down threats as quickly as like other modern weapons due to its low calibre. Yeah, but it can kill, depends on shorter velocity and short distance, as such a smaller bullet just cant be compared with the stopping power of larger calibre ammunition such as 9mm or .45 but, still it is quite effective.
For defensive purposes, particularly in highly close combat encounters, most people prefer something with a little more action packed and damaging. That being said, some might say that any gun is better than no gun, but if defence is your priority, the .22 may not be your best option due to its low damage capacity.
5. Infamous for the Random Misfire
Anyone who’s shot a few bricks of .22 knows that not every round is going to go bang. Rimfire ammo is just more expected by the nature of firepower and damage. You’ll sometimes run into duds, stove pipes, or light strikes, especially with cheaper brands firearms. Some guns handle .22 better than others, but if flawless reliability is high on your list, then you will be more selective about both your firearm and your ammo.
4. It’ll Dirty Up Your Gun in No Time
Another thing concerning .22 LR, is that it’s not so much clean for accurate shooting. Lots of .22 ammunition employs soft lead bullets and powder that leave huge ammo residue behind. Shoot more and it makes your gun’s internals chambers like a dirty coal wrapped frame. Regular cleaning is necessary when you want your .22 to function well. It’s not a huge issue for many shooting enthusiasts, but it’s something to be know in advance to take care of your firearm.
3. Easy on the Ears and Soft Shooting
Now let’s change the subjects. One of the main reasons that shooters enjoy the .22 is the ease with which it can be managed. There’s a very little recoil, and the report is much low compared to centerfire ammunition, particularly when suppressed.
That means it’s perfect for beginning shooters, younger shooters, or anyone with a bit sensitive to recoil. It’s just fun, too. You can shoot all day at the range with a .22 and still have energy left for a day due to less stress of recoil shocks on your body.
2. Friendly to Your Budget
If you’ve recently purchased ammo, you can appreciate just how fast the costs can grow up. That’s where the .22 take lead, as it is one of the least expensive calibres available to safeguard pockets of enthusiast shooters. You can buy a couple of hundred rounds without extending your budget, which is ideal for long-range shooting sessions, training exercises, or even backyard shooting practices. It’s not only inexpensive, and is generally always in stock, even when other calibers may run out with local ammunition dealers.
1. An Actual Jack-of-All-Trades Round
The number one reason for shooters to return again and again to the .22 LR? is due to its simple versatility. You can shoot it for nearly anything, plinking, target practice, pest control, small game hunting etc.
It works great in rifles or handguns, and it’s offered in nearly every configuration which you can imagine, semi-autos, bolts, levers, even revolvers. Whether you’re punching holes in paper or bagging bushy-tails, the .22 will do its work there.
So, sure, the .22 LR does have its slow shooting and less stopping power, among other ammunitions. But its advantages are difficult to ignore. It’s fun, it’s inexpensive, and it’s always available in market. For most of us, it’s the first round we ever shot, and it’s probably not going away anytime soon.
