Why do you like rimfire?

[David Lott]

For me it was the actual fun in shooting without all the noise but then the competetiveness creeped in. Now I seem to enjoy the art of what makes a rimfire accurate and repeatable. My saturdays are normally spent doing honeydues and or shooting but here lately I find comfort and peace in sneaking down to the shop and making someones dream come true. Happy rainy Saturday my friends(my comfort room)

 

[TheOE800]

I’ve only recently got to shooting precision rimfire, but I find it’s way more challenging at the commonly available 50-100yd ranges we have here on the east coast. The relatively lower ammunition cost, recoil, and noise are all a side benefit that make it easier to enjoy. And when you don’t want to shoot precision just plinking a brick of bulk ammo in a session is immensely enjoyable. Add in “movie quiet” suppression and it’s hard to beat a nice day of rimfire.

 

[LR1845]

Less noise, no loading, no worrying about losing or picking up brass, endless barrel life, less time consuming, I could do this all day LOL!

 

[Stevenhansell]

I always loved shooting and once the kids were done keeping me busy I needed a hobby. Happened upon this happy rabbit hole and I was hooked. I like the competition and challenging myself to always learn something and improve for the next match, but mostly it’s the friendships that I’ve built because of the sport. The less noise and not having to reload is a plus too.

 

[BigDaddy0381]

Mostly the friendships,

I like I can shoot a 150rd match in a day and not feel beat to death.

 

[David Lott]

Mostly the friendships,

I like I can shoot a 150rd match in a day and not feel beat to death.

Mostly the friendships,

I like I can shoot a 150rd match in a day and not feel beat to death.

Agreed, the new friendships have been the best experiences since I started shooting rim fire in 2017. Doing this for a living now is icing on the cake. The conversations with new people I meet at a match or a new build are some of the most rewarding.

 

[BigDaddy0381]

yup, I have met Tons of Great folks in the PRS and Guardian long range and the 22stuff I shoot. I about enjoy the people as much as I do the shooting.,

 

[Emerson0311]

Easy access to “long range”, low ammo costs, and no reloading.

 

[camocorvette]

I can shoot without ear plugs and don't worry about how much ammo I shoot.

 

[TheOE800]

don't worry about how much ammo I shoot.

Even at $20/box the cost per round is so much easier to swallow.

 

[whatsupdoc]

I love rimfire for the endless search for that magical lot of ammo that will give me centerfire handload consistency
without having to clean copper and carbon from the barrel.

And when you find that outstanding lot of ammo there aint no more at the store.

 

[375fan]

Pretty much for the majority of reasons already posted. 22's are just great fun. As a kid starting out in shooting and hunting , the learning a 22 provided. Reminds me of great times with friends I grew up with, informal competition between us, squirrel and small game hunting.

 

[Dead Eye Dick]

For reasons I can't explain, they seem easier to shoot. Plus, no worries on the barrel. Shoot as much as you want, regardless of the weather, hot or cold. Low noise, out in the open, don't need hearing muffs. Plus, I built mine much lighter than my centerfires.

The things are just addicting.

 

[beetroot]

I used to like that it was cheap and easy (200yard ranges being easier to find than 1000yard).

Buy I'm not sure it's cheap and easy anymore, shooting 1-2moa targets at 150-200yards means you need excellent ammo, perfect dope, and a lot of practice to work out why your gun randomly starts shooting like shit.

I honestly think centrefire is easier than 22lr and if a COF requires 200 rounds of premium ammo, it's actually not that much cheaper to shoot 22lr.

 

[MarkCZ]

I shot all my life both rimfire and centerfire. I got into 600 and 1000yds centerfire benchrest. I shot 3 IBS world records in 600yds benchrest. I was the first to go below 1" with a 0.749". But the centerfire was a lot of work , and cost. The closes range was over 2 hr away. I got out of the centerfire game.
Then I got into rimfire long range steel. It is just FUN. I shoot 400 to 500 rds a week now . No way I could do that with a centerfire. I shoot mostly 200yds and 300yds, Long Gong now. I shoot very little inside that, just to retune for new lots of ammo. I just did a new lot of SKLR. I started at 200yds. one gun shot the same tune, the other one, I needed move the tuner about 5 marks. I like rimfire shooting so much, I sold my centerfire guns.

 

[slodsm]

Time constraints for me. I’ve got some nice center fires but I have to drive at least an hour if not more to get to a range where they’re enjoyable to shoot. Time loading, prepping, etc, it eats up a ton of time.

Or!!! I grab my T1X or my Vudoo, drive 15 minutes down the road to a 350 yard range, set up a KYL, a couple of 2/3 ISPC’s, use factory ammo, and have a blast.

I don’t think it’s cheaper, my Vudoo has as much money in it as my big guns and ammo is slightly cheaper but that just means I shoot more lol.

Just enjoyable.

 

[Franko]

So may good reasons above but wanted to add that I can shoot as fast or as slow as I want and never have to sit and wait for the barrel to cool back down.

 

[1911Shootist]

I can shoot a match pretty much any weekend day of the summer with <2 hour drive, people take themselves way less seriously than centerfire (despite tighter competition), and no goddam brakes.

 

[Memberberries]

I have a lot of fun shooting everything but when I got my first suppressors I got hooked on the quiet way to shoot. Also I have a membership at a range that goes out to 600 yds so I can push my 22 to it's limits at the same range that I get bored with on my centerfires.

There's a 243/6mm minimum caliber rule at the high power silhouette range but nobody is ever shooting them and it's fun to ring steel at the limits of what you can do with your scope. Plus you don't have to stand them back up if you shoot them with a 22.

 

[dzeke]

It's accessible. Sure it's bit of a gateway drug, I started with a T1x with a Diamondback Tactical, now I have a RimX with a Mk4HD. But I've taken one nephew, and several friends, to rimfire matches. I let them use my guns and ammo, and they can experience real rifle competition. None would have gone to a centerfire match for their first match. Plus I'd have a much harder time paying for that ammo. It's just enjoyable, plus it builds real skills. Everyone I have taken has become better marksmen and hunters. And they have all either gotten their own equipment or are on their way to getting their own. It's addictive!

First time is always free!

 

[Basher]

Like many, I was “born and raised” on a .22, so it’s in my blood.

We moved from AZ to IN a few years back. In AZ, public land was plentiful. If no burn bans were in effect, finding a spot to shoot out to several hundred yards was a piece of cake. Now, almost all land is private. I’m slowly meeting people who will allow me to come shoot on their property, but most don’t have the acreage to allow true long range shooting. I also now have health issues that require me to take an anticoagulant, so I bruise SUPER easy. I haven’t shot anything centerfire in nearly two years. Probably gonna upgrade to supporter and offload some stuff as I really don’t see me being able to justify keeping anything bigger than a 6.5 Grendel anymore given all the above.

So 99% of my shooting outside of pistol stuff has been rimfire or airguns for the past two years. No recoil to worry about beating me up. Still cheap compared to good centerfire (even handloads), no need to bother with reloading (which I don’t have the space or time for right now either). Quiet. I’ll take what I make from offloading stuff and stock up on decent match .22 and pellets and be set for the foreseeable future. Hard to argue with the plusses that rimfire offers when you can’t really utilize a centerfire to its potential.

 

[Shifty6BR]

No reloading..I've been having a hoot lately with some tuned up magnum rimfires as well.

Have to throw on the muffs for those but again....shoot all day, no reloading.

 

[Dead Eye Dick]

It's accessible. Sure it's bit of a gateway drug. It's addictive!

First time is always free!

Dzeke, I have to disagree with your first sentence. It’s not a gateway, it’s a full blown, heroin/fentanyl mix. It’s so much fun, it will all but “KILL” any interest in other shooting sports. Next sentence for sure. Darned addictive. .

 

[brianf]

Truthfully I’m just about over 22lr.
Not selling them but haven’t been shooting them nearly as much

I have to go to a range so maybe if I shot off the back deck it would be different

Fun and cheap but shooting 100-200 yards gets boring. Yes you can shoot farther but you get what I mean

No recoil gets boring

No noise gets boring

I’ll prob swing back but right now, it’s not in my car every range trip

 

[obx22]

For me it was the actual fun in shooting without all the noise but then the competetiveness creeped in. Now I seem to enjoy the art of what makes a rimfire accurate and repeatable. My saturdays are normally spent doing honeydues and or shooting but here lately I find comfort and peace in sneaking down to the shop and making someones dream come true. Happy rainy Saturday my friends(my comfort room)
View attachment 8568913

David,

For me it was a progression from BB guns to cheap pellet guns to mid grade pellet rifles to rimfire. By then I had mastered working with crap triggers and started immediately trying to get the most accuracy out of my .22s as possible. I would pine for “dream guns” that the scribes in the gun rags claimed were must haves. Some lived up to the hype, but most didn’t. Regardless, I never really progressed to centerfire the way so many have. I guess I just preferred the less ego and more genuine passion of the average rimfire nut, to the magnum centerfire folks who seemed to have something to prove.
Rimfire people are by and large the best spirited folks I’ve ever known. People who genuinely want you to do better with what you have, and will gladly tempt you by letting you shoot their dream builds or purchases. You could win the lottery, and spend every dime on rimfires and always find or learn something new about them. You can enjoy shooting at 10 yards or 500+, literally whatever range you have access to. You can plink and play, yet you will always be learning. What else in life can be so satisfying?

 

[DairyDictator]

To me, it's dumb fun. Matches around me go through the winter and there's one per weekend within a couple hours. It's a good way to hang out with some cool people, and keep my mental game sharp(ish). To me, it's no substitute for centerfire practice, but it's something. Also a great way to break in new bags and do initial testing with new equipment.

 

[chevy_man]

Endless barrel life and cheap ammo.

It all started cheap with a $250 597HB and a $400 vortex hs-t scope... Now I have $6k wrapped up in a damn rimfire.

 

[Shawny]

All the guns are fun, but what makes the rimfire so enjoyable is what it is lacking.

• Noise
• Recoil
• Mirage
• Cost
• Barrel wear

 

[375fan]

... Now I have $6k wrapped up in a damn rimfire.

You are not alone on this statement. I, along with so many others have sunk that much into.22's.
If someone had told me 10 years ago I'd be spending/dropping that kind of money into a .22 I'd have told them they were crazy. Well, the old saying "the only difference between men and boys is the size and price of their toys " is spot on.

 

[Moose]

Because I love seeing the stunned look on the faces at the range when I hit golf balls at 300 yds.My Vudoo has spoiled me.

 

[Dead Eye Dick]

Endless barrel life and cheap ammo.

It all started cheap with a $250 597HB and a $400 vortex hs-t scope... Now I have $6k wrapped up in a damn rimfire.

This is equal to yours in cost, and is the most expensive rifle I have ever owned.

 

[chevy_man]

This is equal to yours in cost, and is the most expensive rifle I have ever owned.

Yeah, it's not hard when an MDT elite and a decent scope are $3k+.
My main center-fire match rifle is only more expensive because of the scope. Kept the same chassis, trigger, etc.

 

[LR1845]

Gotta love twins!

 

[D_TROS]

No reloading.....

this and oh so this

 

[Moose]

View attachment 8571417

Gotta love twins!

Real nice setup.Those ZC scopes have soiled me I have 3 of them now.

 

[LR1845]

Real nice setup.Those ZC scopes have soiled me I have 3 of them now.

Thank you sir....I own 5 of them.

 

[BowChamp]

For me it was the actual fun in shooting without all the noise but then the competetiveness creeped in. Now I seem to enjoy the art of what makes a rimfire accurate and repeatable. My saturdays are normally spent doing honeydues and or shooting but here lately I find comfort and peace in sneaking down to the shop and making someones dream come true. Happy rainy Saturday my friends(my comfort room)
View attachment 8568913

It's the challenge for me and ARA Unlimited Benchrest is what I chose to drive me crazy!!! LOL!!!

Also good to hear you are working on perfection cause one day I'm gonna need someone to rebarrel my Vudoo and you are top of my list Sir !!!!


Merry Christmas!!!

 

[cournot]

Less noise, less recoil, and no reloading! The best technologies are more readily available to the non-gunsmithing population relative to centerfire benchrest. Also good competitions are easier to train for as 50 yard and 100 yard ranges are common unlike longer range.

 

[jbell]

The smell…

 

[LR1845]

The smell…

 

[jbell]

See, @LR1845 gets it…

But seriously, my very earliest memory is of the first time I broke a shot. I was too small to hold a rifle up, my dad was holding it for me, he had me wrap my arm around the stock kinda like I was in an offhand position. I clearly remember the feeling, sound, and emotions of that moment. He said I had the biggest shit eating grin as I looked up, I was maybe 3 or so. I have been hooked ever since. Shooting & guns has always been in my family for generations, & for me (like many) it started with rimfire.

 

[RTH1800]

The enigma of rimfire accuracy is a pleasant challenge.

 

[Guthwine]

Yeah yeah, they will tell you it's cheap until, it all of a sudden isn't anymore.

I like it, because in Europe center fire longrange ranges are hard to find and involve travel. But 200 or 300m ranges are available and plenty fun for 22. It's also the great equalizer when it comes to competitions.
Most of all shooting 22 suppressed with subs just makes you giggle.

 

[Basic user]

Why? I don't. They're just overpriced bb guns, for people living in countries that dont allow adult firearms. Lol.

 

[Jack_L]

It's a perfect storm for me.

The natural "easiness" of shooting .22LR, from low noise and light recoil to the reduced heat and long barrel life, make the guns fun.

I enjoy the challenge of PRS Rimfire at least as much as centerfire PRS, with some added elements of parallax management, greater elevation changes in a single stage, and more refined wind management. I still get to do the positional/barricade stuff that PRS is good at teaching, but I don't have to spend time hand-loading, changing barrels annually, or suffering brakes all day during a match.

The other benefit to me is that rimfire matches are completely separated from my day job. It's good to have a hobby, and I don't enjoy fishing or golf nearly as much as I like shooting.

I like that "load development" involves lot testing by shooting rather than sitting at a reloading bench.

I like the people that are willing to delve into the weirdness of precision and "long range" .22LR, and seeing companies like Vudoo, Rim-X, CZ, and Bergara cater to the passion is rad. Seeing small businesses like DI, Servos, ModaCam, Desert Precision, .etc being supported by the community to make their guns awesome is testament to the fact that it's a fun journey.

 

[jff_stvns]

Isn’t it strange how things come full circle ?
We go from a 22 to to drop 10’s of thousands of dollars on the latest and greatest only to come back to the 22 that brought us so much enjoyment as a kid growing up.
I bought a Sako Quad and was going to build a trainer, sat in safe for probably 5 yrs never touched it.
Just threw on a Sterk bolt arm and started to dry firing. It has the synthetic stock and just feels amazing.
I’m going to leave it as is, throw on my Premier scope and go shoot the shit out of it.

 

[jbell]

Isn’t it strange how things come full circle ?
We go from a 22 to to drop 10’s of thousands of dollars on the latest and greatest only to come back to the 22 that brought us so much enjoyment as a kid growing up.
I bought a Sako Quad and was going to build a trainer, sat in safe for probably 5 yrs never touched it.
Just threw on a Sterk bolt arm and started to dry firing. It has the synthetic stock and just feels amazing.
I’m going to leave it as is, throw on my Premier scope and go shoot the shit out of it.

Is the Quad dry fire safe? I would definitely inspect the breech for sign of firing pin strike and probably start using a snap cap if you are not already, if you are using one then forgive me for butting in.

 

[jff_stvns]

Is the Quad dry fire safe? I would definitely inspect the breech for sign of firing pin strike and probably start using a snap cap if you are not already, if you are using one then forgive me for butting in.

Yea, I dry fire with snap caps, should of mentioned that.

 

[DownhillFromHere]

See, @LR1845 gets it…

But seriously, my very earliest memory is of the first time I broke a shot. I was too small to hold a rifle up, my dad was holding it for me, he had me wrap my arm around the stock kinda like I was in an offhand position. I clearly remember the feeling, sound, and emotions of that moment. He said I had the biggest shit eating grin as I looked up, I was maybe 3 or so. I have been hooked ever since. Shooting & guns has always been in my family for generations, & for me (like many) it started with rimfire.

I too remember that first shot. I was maybe 6 years old, visiting one of a zillion aunts/uncles/cousins on my mother's side - no memory at all of which one - "out in the country" in rural NC. An older guy (may have been a teenager) comes out of the house with a .22 rifle. I had no idea what it was, but I wanted to shoot it. So he let me. I could barely hold the thing up, but I pointed it in the general direction of a tree (no memory of whether it had sights; it definitely didn't have a scope) and let fly. I missed, but I was really impressed when the bullet landed a couple hundred yards out in a dry plowed field - big puff of dust - and I remember the long echos of the shot coming back from the trees across that field.

That was 65 years ago.
--------

I've said a million times - if I had to give up all my rifles but one, I'd keep my Bartlein-barreled first-gen Vudoo. No Reloading, essentially infinite barrel life, and a variety of nearby competitions, from NRL22 to "Long Gong" sniping at 8/6/4 inch plates at 300 yards. I enjoy the few PRS-style matches I do each year, and I enjoy shooting centerfire but, like most of us who've done this awhile, I look at reloading with the same affection I have for swabbing toilets - it's just something you have to do. I really don't get much enjoyment out of it; it's just part of the process.

Downside? Availability of good match ammo. And clearly the shooting world takes rimfire seriously, because I contacted Lapua's Arizona test center last week as I'm down to the last couple of bricks of two cases of Center-X. Wait time? SEVEN MONTHS.

 

[David Lott]

Why? I don't. They're just overpriced bb guns, for people living in countries that dont allow adult firearms. Lol.

Truth be told there has probably been more food put on the table by a .22 than any other caliber. I have to see a practical purpose to do anything fun.