Slug vs 22lr

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Airmanator

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May 29, 2019
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Southern, United States
I received this email on .22 lr ammo for sale for really cheap. 50 bullets for only $2.09. So I thought I make a comparison.

They have .22 lr for sale. 50 bullets for only $2.09. that's 100 bullets for $4.18 or 500 bullets for $20.90. slugs are 100 rounds for $14.99 or 500 for $72.99. now I'm thinking. Are we being rip off by these small company making airgun slugs? Selling just the slug/bullet for 3-4 times the price of a .22lr. A .22 lr round is basically a slug at the end, with gun powder and a case and a primer. So tell me how is buying the case, plus the powder, plus the primer, plus the slug/bullet cost way less than just buying an slug alone? Something doesn't make sense here. Seem to be cheaper just to shoot .22lr. have more energy and will shoot out pass 200 yards. Or one would think, just pull out the bullet on a .22 lr and use that on a pcp? 

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Everytime I go to the range with my slug-shooter (Impact MKII) and the guys see what it does at 100 and 200yds, they all tell me that their high-dollar .22 rimfire rifles can't compete with it. 

And these are some serious shooters with some serious guns.

And when I show them my VK slugs and tell them that my Extreme Spread is in the single digits, they all say they can't get that level of quality and performance in 22 rimfire ammo.




 
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Well it’s not a fair comparison. Compare to Eley match ammo or center fire match bullets then it’s about the same.

Everyone has different goals and for many the low cost of pellets and limited range of air guns is their appeal. 

For some of us out on the lunatic fringe the goal is to achieve the ultimate in long range accuracy cost considered but not as important. 

For me personally 200 yards plus is just verifying closer accuracy but I think when air rifles are shooting better groups at 100 then rimfire it gets the attention of a bigger audience. 

Part of the fun in any hobby is seeing the advancements made in time and learning from others I’ve been really involved for about two years. In that time discussions have gone from shooting at 100 to now 200 and even beyond. Clearly without slugs that would not have happened 

long range is not for everyone but advancements in precision and accuracy is . 

Long story short I’m glad slugs are available. They have limited use just as does Eley match ammo. Is the cost justified? I thinks so but it’s nice to have the lower priced ammo too. 




 
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So there are two elements here. The first is consumer value vs. manufacturer cost. You're very much looking at this from a value-to-you perspective on solely a cost-per-shot basis. There is a bit more to this equation though. Building a precision rimfire is not an inexpensive thing to do, so there is the cost of the gun. Then, depending on where you live, there is the cost of a silencer for that gun. (in the US getting a firearm silencer is quite an odious process, and they're often not as quiet as airgun silencers) So there are some other costs involved in shooting rimfire. 

Looking at it from the other perspective though, most of the guys producing specialty slugs are not doing it in a large scale commercial fashion, so their price may well reflect their costs accurately. In that regard then they're not "ripping anyone off," the price is advertised right up front and you can always opt to either make your own or simply leave it. 



Regarding accuracy of slugs vs. rimfire, I actually shoot precision rimfire and after many hours and dollars have built my rifle to perform the way I want. It is hard to judge accuracy as people here tend to post only their best groups, and don't generate the data in a particularly scientific manner. That said, if you compare it to a nicely done scientific test they appear to be just a little bit behind what the best precision rimfire guns can do:
https://www.accurateshooter.com/guns-of-week/22lr-rimfire-ammo-comparison-test/



Regarding accuracy, that inexpensive bulk ammo you're looking at will produce groups nowhere near as good as what the best tuned slug airguns can do. HOWEVER you'll note a lot of people haven't been able to get those amazing results. So that is also something to consider. As for price of "the good stuff," I can get quality Lapua rimfire ammo for as low as 11 cents per round, which is about 25% cheaper than the those NSA slugs. Then factor in the cost of buying/producing compressed air, and the rimfire becomes even more cost effective. 

So I can understand why, for certain specific reasons, some people prefer air propelled slugs. I, however, am simply not interested. I built the precision rimfire rifle, and the silencer it wears (legally, Alphabet org form1) and I can readily smite eggs with cold-bore shots at 200 yards. For me that does the same thing a .22 slug airgun does, except it does it better (no air tanks to haul around) and for less money per shot. Given that I have the option of firearms, which is something I'm grateful for as many people don't, I'll gladly use them when and where they make more sense. For me, my preference for air has a lot to do with being clean, quiet, casual, and fun to tinker with. I totally understand though why, for specific performance/legal reasons or just for personal preference, some people prefer slugs. I also think slugs will make sense for a lot more people when they start being manufactured on a commercial scale and prices come down. For now though, slugs just aren't for me anyway. 



I hope something in there was helpful/insightful. :) 
 
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So there are two elements here. The first is consumer value vs. manufacturer cost. You're very much looking at this from a value-to-you perspective on solely a cost-per-shot basis. There is a bit more to this equation though. Building a precision rimfire is not an inexpensive thing to do, so there is the cost of the gun. Then, depending on where you live, there is the cost of a silencer for that gun. (in the US getting a firearm silencer is quite an odious process, and they're often not as quiet as airgun silencers) So there are some other costs involved in shooting rimfire. 

Looking at it from the other perspective though, most of the guys producing specialty slugs are not doing it in a large scale commercial fashion, so their price may well reflect their costs accurately. In that regard then they're not "ripping anyone off," the price is advertised right up front and you can always opt to either make your own or simply leave it. 



Regarding accuracy of slugs vs. rimfire, I actually shoot precision rimfire and after many hours and dollars have built my rifle to perform the way I want. It is hard to judge accuracy as people here tend to post only their best groups, and don't generate the data in a particularly scientific manner. That said, if you compare it to a nicely done scientific test they appear to be just a little bit behind what the best precision rimfire guns can do:
https://www.accurateshooter.com/guns-of-week/22lr-rimfire-ammo-comparison-test/



Regarding accuracy, that inexpensive bulk ammo you're looking at will produce groups nowhere near as good as what the best tuned slug airguns can do. HOWEVER you'll note a lot of people haven't been able to get those amazing results. So that is also something to consider. As for price of "the good stuff," I can get quality Lapua rimfire ammo for as low as 11 cents per round, which is about 25% cheaper than the those NSA slugs. Then factor in the cost of buying/producing compressed air, and the rimfire becomes even more cost effective. 

So I can understand why, for certain specific reasons, some people prefer air propelled slugs. I, however, am simply not interested. I built the precision rimfire rifle, and the silencer it wears (legally, Alphabet org form1) and I can readily smite eggs with cold-bore shots at 200 yards. For me that does the same thing a .22 slug airgun does, except it does it better (no air tanks to haul around) and for less money per shot. Given that I have the option of firearms, which is something I'm grateful for as many people don't, I'll gladly use them when and where they make more sense. For me, my preference for air has a lot to do with being clean, quiet, casual, and fun to tinker with. I totally understand though why, for specific performance/legal reasons or just for personal preference, some people prefer slugs. I also think slugs will make sense for a lot more people when they start being manufactured on a commercial scale and prices come down. For now though, slugs just aren't for me anyway. 



I hope something in there was helpful/insightful. :)
Click to expand...

~~~~~~~

+1

Well-reasoned and informative.
 
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Hey guys while were on the subject..

What are the extreme spreads/ES you guys are getting with slugs, specifically with a FX Impact in 25 cal since I have one, but any other air rifles with slugs are fine for any information purposes to soothe my curiosity? Also what are the BC's of the slugs that will fit in the factory magazine on a FX Impact 25? 

Is there a way to single load a FX impact with slugs? Links perhaps?

Over on another forum there's a guy that has tested many types of 22 rimfire ammo, """all 50 in a box""", at 200Y over a chrono, and basically a good lot of expensive ammo will come in at between 30 to 40 fps ES, so at 200Y if someone got just over 3" then that is as good as can be expected. Now this is of course not like shooting 5 shots and producing a 2" group that is hard to repeat on a regular basis. Then like mentioned crappy ammo has huge vertical, sometimes 100 fps ES.

^^^^ I have a $4000 22rf and I've won quite a few matches with it but my last paragraph is why I am somewhat getting away from shooting 22rf at 200Y plus, but I am interested in PCPs, slugs, and long range, "IF" the ES and accuracy justifies trying it.

Little help please
 
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Are we being rip off by these small company making airgun slugs?
Click to expand...



I do not think this is a valid or reasonable supposition. IF you buy slugs for your airgun, the decision on how you spend your money is yours and yours alone. There is no responsibility on the manufacturer or the vendor - it is your action.

If you do think that slugs cost too much - DON'T BUY THE PRODUCT. Econ 101. Businesses are in operation to MAKE MONEY - that is not evil. If they can't make a profit then they have no reason to be in business and we all lose out. Air Guns are a boutique luxury item, and as such the costs associated with them are higher than mass market items. There are few things in the world more widely manufactured and consumed than the lowly .22LR. You are comparing diamonds (air gun slugs) to gravel (.22lr).
 
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So there are two elements here. The first is consumer value vs. manufacturer cost. You're very much looking at this from a value-to-you perspective on solely a cost-per-shot basis. There is a bit more to this equation though. Building a precision rimfire is not an inexpensive thing to do, so there is the cost of the gun. Then, depending on where you live, there is the cost of a silencer for that gun. (in the US getting a firearm silencer is quite an odious process, and they're often not as quiet as airgun silencers) So there are some other costs involved in shooting rimfire. 

Looking at it from the other perspective though, most of the guys producing specialty slugs are not doing it in a large scale commercial fashion, so their price may well reflect their costs accurately. In that regard then they're not "ripping anyone off," the price is advertised right up front and you can always opt to either make your own or simply leave it. 



Regarding accuracy of slugs vs. rimfire, I actually shoot precision rimfire and after many hours and dollars have built my rifle to perform the way I want. It is hard to judge accuracy as people here tend to post only their best groups, and don't generate the data in a particularly scientific manner. That said, if you compare it to a nicely done scientific test they appear to be just a little bit behind what the best precision rimfire guns can do:
https://www.accurateshooter.com/guns-of-week/22lr-rimfire-ammo-comparison-test/



Regarding accuracy, that inexpensive bulk ammo you're looking at will produce groups nowhere near as good as what the best tuned slug airguns can do. HOWEVER you'll note a lot of people haven't been able to get those amazing results. So that is also something to consider. As for price of "the good stuff," I can get quality Lapua rimfire ammo for as low as 11 cents per round, which is about 25% cheaper than the those NSA slugs. Then factor in the cost of buying/producing compressed air, and the rimfire becomes even more cost effective. 

So I can understand why, for certain specific reasons, some people prefer air propelled slugs. I, however, am simply not interested. I built the precision rimfire rifle, and the silencer it wears (legally, Alphabet org form1) and I can readily smite eggs with cold-bore shots at 200 yards. For me that does the same thing a .22 slug airgun does, except it does it better (no air tanks to haul around) and for less money per shot. Given that I have the option of firearms, which is something I'm grateful for as many people don't, I'll gladly use them when and where they make more sense. For me, my preference for air has a lot to do with being clean, quiet, casual, and fun to tinker with. I totally understand though why, for specific performance/legal reasons or just for personal preference, some people prefer slugs. I also think slugs will make sense for a lot more people when they start being manufactured on a commercial scale and prices come down. For now though, slugs just aren't for me anyway. 



I hope something in there was helpful/insightful. :)
Click to expand...

~~~~~~~

+1

Well-reasoned and informative.
Click to expand...

Well, after reading your post. Very well stated by the way. I would like to see your rifle, if you don’t mind sharing.
 
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