I began stocking up in 2007 when I bought my first AR 22 from Spike's Tactical (one of the first to market other than the Ceiner conversions). At that time Federal Bulk Packs were $7.99 and by late 2007 or early 2008 they jumped to $9.99.It's probably been longer than I think but it doesn't seem like all that long ago you could buy bricks of Remington or Federals for $8.99 or $9.99.
I used to be of the same mindset... until Sandy Hook drove bulk pack prices through the roof. I was sitting on 100k+ rounds of 22 lr, nearly all Federal bulk packs that I bought in 2007/2008. Instead of making the conscious decision that it was "worth it" to go with better ammo, I saw an opportunity to exchange my cheap bulk packs for better quality at no cost to me. I sold off 90k+ rounds of bulk packs at $55-80 per pack on gunbroker. I've bought a few small lots of higher quality match ammo when I find a sale but there are usually limits still. So I'm still waiting for the match ammo prices to fall and availability to increase before I buy a lot. I'm planning to buy 50k+ rounds of SV/HV/Match ammo. In the meantime I still have 10k-15k in bulk packs left that I kept for myself.I was a die hard bulk pack shooter. "If it wouldn't shoot Fed bulk pack well, work on it 'till it does."
This summer, I discovered what slightly more expensive standard velocity and lower scale match grade 22 ammo can do, in even an inexpensive rifle.
That's what I'll be stocking up on, as prices creep lower.
I would dare say that .02 22s would cost me a lot of money because I would buy the first American 180 MG I could find to burn em up in. Stock pile all the Ammo I could get while I was waiting on the stamp. It would definitely be the cheapest full auto to shoot.
I don't own a m16 lower and I think the 275!riund drum is the big draw for me.Really, any of the guns that can be converted to .22 are cheap to shoot. Not only the American 180's, but there are also the Norrell 10/22s, .22 uppers for M16s, .22 upper for the M11/9 by Lage, etc.
I picked up a discounted CMMG .22 upper from them at Knob Creek a couple years ago to run on my M16. It works pretty well with CCI mini-mags and Rem Thunderbolts (though a 25 round mag empties in nothing flat).
We are at 4 cents and slightly below now: https://www.wikiarms.com/group/22LR
I don't own a m16 lower and I think the 275!riund drum is the big draw for me.
Shipping is the killer on a lot of these prices.
Shipping is the killer on a lot of these prices. Gotta search for free shipping.
Brownells is a place to watch, if all the stars align. Specials with unlimited free shipping, combined with an already on sale item.
Agilla SV Super Extra came in at $.053, to my door. Only had to buy a brick.
Academy Sports has good .22 sales as well. I recently got a brick of Winchester M22 40gr from there for $.053 per round to my door. Runs fine through my S&W Victory 22. Gonna add Brownells to my list of sites to watch for .22 now, thanks
EDIT: Just checked and Academy still has .22 on sale for ~$.05 a round and free shipping with no minimum purchase. American Eagle Federal and Federal Champion for just under $.05 shipped and Browning BPR for just under $.06 shipped. I haven't tested the AE Federal or Federal Champion through my Victory, so I might have to order a case of each
Shipping is the killer on a lot of these prices. Gotta search for free shipping.
Brownells is a place to watch, if all the stars align. Specials with unlimited free shipping, combined with an already on sale item.
Agilla SV Super Extra came in at $.053, to my door. Only had to buy a brick.