by Ace Luciano - Monday, October 28, 2024
The .22 rimfire rifle is one of the most versatile and widely used firearms in the world. Whether you're a novice learning the basics of marksmanship or an experienced hunter honing your skills, the .22 rimfire has something to offer. It’s a rifle that stands the test of time, ideal for target shooting, training young shooters and hunting small game. This article will explore why every hunter should own a .22 rifle, from its low recoil and affordable ammunition to its adaptability for different statures and effectiveness in the field.
Perfect for Beginners and Experts Alike
One of the most significant advantages of the .22 rifle is its minimal felt recoil. Recoil, or the rearward movement of the firearm when a shot is fired, can be a major obstacle for both new and experienced shooters. Heavy-recoiling firearms, such as the .300 Winchester Magnum, .257 Weatherby and others used for big-game hunting, can cause discomfort or injury (think “scope eye”), lead to shooter fatigue and create bad habits like flinching, which ultimately can affect accuracy. The low recoil of a .22 makes it an ideal tool for mastering the basics of marksmanship, allowing shooters to focus on finer points such as breath control, trigger control and sight alignment without the distractions of recoil. For younger or smaller-statured new shooters, the .22’s generally smaller size and gentle recoil can be confidence boosters as they master shooting fundamentals that will carry over to larger-caliber rifles as they grow.
Even experienced hunters benefit from the .22’s minimal recoil. Practicing with a .22 can sharpen skills that may degrade when exclusively shooting bigger guns. For example, a hunter preparing for a big-game hunt can practice with a .22 to build confidence and muscle memory without risking the fatigue and bad habits that may arise from constantly firing their heavy-recoiling rifle. Shooting a .300 Win. Mag. repeatedly during practice can wear a shooter out, leading to fatigue and flinching, while the .22 allows hunters to stay sharp without any of those physical and mental drawbacks.
Affordable and Accessible Ammunition
The .22 rifle is inexpensive to shoot. Ammunition costs across the board have skyrocketed in recent years, but .22 LR cartridges remain affordable compared to centerfire rounds. You can buy bulk .22 ammo for a fraction of the cost of larger-caliber hunting cartridges like the .270 Winchester or .30-06 Springfield. The affordability factor is even more notable when shooting less popular calibers like a .240 Weatherby or .257 Roberts. This affordability makes it easy for shooters to practice more often and for longer periods each session. As with all activities requiring practice, the more you shoot, the more proficient you become. Additionally, since there is less wear and tear on the rifle itself due to the lower power of .22 cartridges, your firearm remains in top condition even after thousands of rounds. The accessibility factor also makes the .22 ideal for introducing new shooters to the sport so you can teach friends and family members to handle a firearm safely and to shoot without breaking the bank. With a .22, the cost of becoming a skilled marksman remains low, encouraging regular practice and skill-building.
Size and Fit: A Rifle for Every Shooter
Another benefit of the .22 rifle is the variety of models available to suit shooters of all sizes and abilities. Youth models such as the Cricket .22 have shorter stocks and lighter frames for young or small-statured shooters. These rifles offer a better fit for even the smallest kids, ensuring the shooter can maintain proper posture and control and eliminating any potential bad habits before they are made and reinforced. For adults, full-size rifles are available in both lightweight and standard configurations and offer a similar shooting experience to larger hunting rifles.
An Ideal Tool for Hunting Small Game
While many hunters focus on big game such as deer, elk and moose, small game is far more abundant—and local—providing countless opportunities for hunting throughout the year. Small game such as rabbits, squirrels, raccoons and various birds (where legal to hunt with a rifle) are found in most areas throughout the country, and the .22 rifle is perfectly suited for hunting them. This provides for more time afield and, as mentioned previously, practice makes perfect.
Small-game hunting is also an excellent way to sharpen your tracking, stalking and shooting skills. It requires both patience and precision, as the targets are often much smaller, quicker and unpredictable than large game animals. Practicing your marksmanship on these smaller targets will make you a better hunter overall, helping to improve your shot placement when you do hunt those larger animals. The .22 is ideal for hunting small game because of its accuracy, light recoil and sufficient stopping power for smaller animals. With the right ammunition, a well-placed shot from a .22 also can take down a rabbit or squirrel cleanly without causing excessive damage to the meat. The quiet report of a .22 is also less likely to spook other game in the area, allowing you to hunt multiple animals in the same outing.
Another bonus is that small-game hunting is a great introduction to hunting for younger or inexperienced hunters. The lower stakes and frequent opportunities to hunt small game make it an enjoyable way for them to gain experience and confidence in the field. Plus, small-game hunting seasons are often more flexible and longer than big-game hunting seasons, providing more opportunities to get out and enjoy the sport.
Mastering Shooting Fundamentals
The .22 rifle is a fantastic tool for honing shooting fundamentals. Because it lacks the recoil and noise of larger calibers, shooters can focus on developing proper form, technique and habits. Critical skills like breath control, trigger control and sight alignment are easier to practice with a .22. Mastering them is essential for any hunter, as they form the foundation of accurate shooting regardless of the firearm being used. Additionally, the .22 rifle allows you to train efficiently and economically.
Familiarizing Yourself with the Action of Your Big-Game Rifle
One often overlooked benefit of owning a .22 rifle is that it allows you to become familiar with the action of your primary big-game rifle without the drawbacks of shooting heavy-recoiling calibers. Because the .22 rifle is available in multiple action types—bolt-action, semi-automatic, lever-action and pump-action—hunters can practice with the same action that is in their big-game hunting rifle. For example, if your primary hunting rifle is a bolt-action .300 Win., practicing with a bolt-action .22 rifle lets you develop proficiency with the mechanics of the firearm. A lever-action .22 is a lot more comfortable to shoot for an extended practice session than a .30-30, a .45-70 or a .35 Remington, therefore, you’ll be more familiar with cycling the action and reloading in the field when the buck of a lifetime steps into view.
By incorporating a .22 rimfire into your practice routine, you can maintain muscle memory and familiarity with your rifle's action. Imagine this scenario: You’re preparing for a high-stakes elk hunt that took you years to draw a tag for and want to make sure your trigger control is on point. If you spend all your time practicing with your .300 Win., the recoil can wear you down and affect your shooting technique. Switching to a bolt-action .22 allows you to practice cycling the bolt, reacquiring your target and making follow-up shots—all essential skills for big-game hunting—without the recoil to keep you sharp.
An example of an ideal rifle for this is the Springfield Armory Model 2020 Rimfire Classic, a rifle built to replicate a full-size, bolt-action hunting rifle. With a trigger modeled after the Remington 700 and a full-size stock and bolt handle, your practice will easily transition to your full-sized hunting rifle. If you prefer more of a PRS (Precision Rifle Series) style rifle, then consider a Bergara B-14R Bolt Action .22 LR. This technological wonder is meant to mimic today’s most common PRS rifles, from the full-sized bolt handle all the way down to the adjustable comb stock.
Why Wouldn’t You have at Least One?
The .22 rimfire rifle is a must-have for every hunter. Its low recoil makes it perfect for young shooters learning the basics, while experienced hunters can benefit from its precision and affordability for skill refinement. The availability of different sizes and action types and its effectiveness in hunting small game makes it a practical tool for the field. By mastering shooting fundamentals with a .22, hunters can become more confident in their abilities and stay prepared for big-game hunting. Ultimately, the .22 rifle is a timeless classic that belongs in every hunter’s arsenal, offering endless opportunities for skill development, hunting and, perhaps even more appropriate these days, affordable shooting fun.
About the Author
Ace Luciano is a sales and marketing executive, hunter, fisherman, outdoorsman, best-selling author, entrepreneur, seminar speaker and fundraising professional who most enjoys his role as a youth mentor as he works to pass down our hunting heritage to the next generation. A dynamic outdoor personality and all around "good guy,” Luciano is a self-described outdoor generalist who is a jack of many trades, and a master of several. To order a copy of his book, Guns the Right Way: Introducing Kids to Firearm Safety and Shooting, click here.