At this point I'm not sure I even want to shoot my .22 rounds any more. Every time I go out looking for it I notice the price is not going down and it is hardly available. The amounts sold at most gun shops are little 50 round boxes which to me reminds of of the old days when some newbie would buy a box to go shooting where I would do the same with a brick of 500 or 550. You can still find the bricks at Wally World if you are lucky and the price has come down the last time I found it. A brick of Federal 550 rounds came in at around $25 but was limited to one brick rather than the three previously. Since it is so scarce I think it's fine to limit it to one brick or box of .22 per customer since it is apparent there are professional buyers out there that are loading up for gun show sales or gun shop sales. I suppose there are others that are simply hoarding.
Here is my suggestion. Rather than combing the web and making daily trips to Wally World to get your hands on bulk .22 just become a collector. Find a box of 50 or 100 at a reasonable price for that amount and add it to your collection. Rather than burning it up through an auto loader pistol or rifle I suggest you go back to revolver plinking. It takes longer to load and it is easier to discipline yourself to shoot for precision. Make it last. Limit yourself to a 50 round live ammo shooting session and make that last for at least a half hour. Take well aimed shots with proper technique and use this challenge to increase your skill versus just slinging lead downrange.
Beyond that, I'd highly recommend a bb pistol and pellet rifle to round out your shooting sessions. This is easy if you can shoot on your own land. I'm not sure how many ranges will allow bb gun shooting. The ones I am familiar with allow pellet rifle shooting since it is soft lead and won't ricochet easily.
Try the Daisy 15XT for a reliable and simple BB pistol. The price is right too. If you have problems with the seal Daisy has been generous to users by supplying extra seals on request. The price to shoot BBs is less than a penny per shot by my estimation, so it is a good cost effective substitute.
Crosman Trail NP All Weather .22 - I highly recommend this for target shooting despite the bad trigger. I have learned to shoot it well anyway and there is an option to get a trigger upgrade if you feel that you need it. It is reliable though heavy for carrying around for hunting or standing and shooting. Off a bench it is ideal and cocking the weapon is easy compared to many others of similar capability. It is very quiet. The hitting power of the .22 is better than the .177 if you intend to shoot targets like cans, golf balls, tennis balls, or spinners so I would go that way instead of the .177. Stick with the hollow point rounded hunting pellets for accuracy and low cost. Crosman pellets are available at Wally World. The cost to shoot a pellet is around .02 per shot. In the old days I wouldn't have gone this route when I could buy .22 long rifle at .03 per shot. Those days are gone possibly forever so pellet rifle here I come. I have learned to enjoy it since it is quiet and actually gives me some strength training when breaking the barrel especially with a long shooting session.
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