.22 vs .223

[norman428]

Alright so I'm starting to save up some money go buy a AR, I haven't really decided what direction to go with it though. I'm considering a .22 for cost reasons, its dirt cheap ammo and the rifle is much cheaper, BUT i'm also considering getting one in .223, much more damage, much more fun on the range. I don't hunt or anything like that i just like going to the range, and am wanting to go at least once a week once the summer starts, so .223 cost would add up quickly.

Just looking for some opinions to help sway me one way or the other.
thanks.

 

[jd4320t]

I built my lower first then went with a 556 upper. Next I am planning on getting a 22lr upper for the same lower and then building another lower. It's a disease.

 

[sertboy354]

I would get the 223 but buy a 22 lr upper later

 

[NateIU10]

5.56 upper and a CMMG conversion kit

 

[billyboyr6]

5.56 upper and a CMMG conversion kit

, i love mine with the .22 lr conversion. mine has the Ciener conversion but i enjoy shooting it so much, it stays under the back seat of my truck just in case i find a reason to get it out and shoot it. and its the most realiable .22 ive ever shot. fails to load new round every once in a while, but never fails to fire or eject.

 

[ph363]

5.56 upper and a CMMG conversion kit

+1

 

[bigus_D]

I bought a 5.56 (LE6920) first... Recently picked up the M&P15-22... It is almost as much fun to shoot the 22 as it is the 223. ALMOST.

If you want to shoot a lot, the 22 WILL save a bunch of money. I shoot mini-mags that I buy for $10/100rnds while the 223s cost $40/100. 22 can be had for far less than 10/100... anyhow, I save about $30/100 shots. Go to the range and shoot 300 rounds, that's $90. do it 15 times and you'll save enough to go buy an LE6920... ching ching.

 

[ruger7722]

dont get colt ar 22.my smith ar 22 was way better in every way.bolt action is fun too

 

[WC Deer Hunter]

Been considering this myself. Think I'm also going with the .223 and then buying the .22LR conversion kit to have the best of both worlds. I want an AR real bad but can't afford to shoot it much in .223.

 

[JBI812]

Except for price of ammunition I would opt for the .223. The cost of .223 ammo isn't all that bad. Otherwise, the .22LR is just another auto-loading rifle. I have a couple AR's and a collection of 22 rifles from the fifties and sixties. I think the AR is more fun to shoot. Several of my rifles sold for less than 40.00 new.

 

[toddcraft33]

The S&W 15-22 is a great gun. You can shoot the Federal bulk ammo. $20 for 550 rounds.

 

[actaeon277]

I'd go with a S&W 15-22 first. You can shoot it, and still save for a .223.
If you buy the .223 first, you won't be able to save as much, you'll spend too much on ammo.
I'd rather have two seperate rifles than the conversion. The conversion cost as much as the .22.

 

[mrfjones]

Go for the 5.56 then get the conversion. I have a lot of fun and a lot of practice with a cheap little conversion.

 

[IndianaBuckeye]

check this out...

O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc. - Firearms, Shotguns, Rifles, Accessories, and Precision Machining

Mossberg makes a sweet looking little tactical .22 that you can grab for under $300. That should allow you to save plenty for your 5.56 build.

 

[WC Deer Hunter]

check this out...

O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc. - Firearms, Shotguns, Rifles, Accessories, and Precision Machining

Mossberg makes a sweet looking little tactical .22 that you can grab for under $300. That should allow you to save plenty for your 5.56 build.

If you ever looked at one or held one you'd know why they were under $300 too. I have not shot one but just from looking them over and holding one they are pure crap.

You could build a cheap .22 AR platform rifle with a chiappa .22LR upper and a plum crazy lower for not much more and be a lot better off I would think anyway but maybe not.

 

[MrYesterday]

+1 for the .223 and .22 conversion. I bought mine for $125 last month, and I love it. I shoot .22 at the range, and .223 at the farm. Only takes a few seconds to switch between the 2.

 

[WC Deer Hunter]

+1 for the .223 and .22 conversion. I bought mine for $125 last month, and I love it. I shoot .22 at the range, and .223 at the farm. Only takes a few seconds to switch between the 2.

Did you buy a conversion kit or the actual .22 LR upper that just swaps out? Where did you find one that cheap?

 

[dom1104]

Build the lower. Buy a tactical solutions 22lr upper, eventually, someday, buy a .223 upper. Dont buy .223 first, buy 22lr first.

But not some M&P 22, get the real conversion.

 

[MrYesterday]

Did you buy a conversion kit or the actual .22 LR upper that just swaps out? Where did you find one that cheap?

It's a Tactical Industries "Target Master" .22 conversion. Got it on Amazon. It's the cheapest I've found.

 

[cdscds]

.223 ammo is only 7 bucks a box for the cheapo, you can get it even cheaper with a little effort!