The Practical Mathematics of the .22 Caliber Firearm

The Federal Champion .22 Long Rifle Fresh Fire Pack has 325 36-grain copper-plated hollow-point cartridges in a nitrogen-sealed can that prevents corrosion and keeps powders and primers dry. Once opened, it has a resealable plastic lid to keep the ammo protected. $20.(federalpremium.com)

Let me make my case for the .22 Long Rifle as the ultimate survival choice in terms of rifle cartridges. What does the .22LR have that would make someone even consider it as a survival choice, let alone the best all-round?

I was able to find a chart on the Internet that compared the weights of various pistol and rifle (both rimfire and centerfire) cartridges in bulk. I did a bit of checking on my own using a postal scale, and found it took 143 rounds of .22LR to equal 16 ounces.

Digging a bit deeper, I learned that one pound equals:

•10 rounds of 12-gauge shells
• 21 rounds of 30-30 cartridges
• 23 rounds of .243 cartridges
• 17 rounds of .30-06 cartridges

My point? Though very much concerned with pinpoint accuracy, I am also a believer in the mantra: Peace (or Continued Existence) through Superior Firepower.

That said, I would opt for 143 effective, though admittedly circumstantially limited, cartridges over 17 or 21 or 23 bigger, more powerful rounds. The bottom line is the .22LR offers the option to carry an absolutely ridiculous number of rounds easily; the others, not so much.

Even in the most out-of-the-way country grocery store, there’s almost a 100-percent chance they’re going to have a box—or several boxes—of some sort of .22LR ammunition lying around.

Inside 100 yards, you should be able to hit what you are shooting at easily with a .22LR. If it’s a meal you’re in need of, there’s really no cause to look further than a .22LR. Whether it’s red squirrel or cottontail rabbit or sitting duck, the .22LR works with precision shot placement.