Aloha mai,
Been a lurker here and have appreciated all the info. Mahalo.

Haven't shot much since I was a kid and just got my permit. I was looking to pick up something simple like a ruger 1022 but after trying to chase down ammo I'm thinking of avoiding the cartridge altogether for now. Bums me out, cause I was really looking forward to chewing through hundreds of rounds getting my game back up.

So, I'm stuck trying to find a round that will make a decent target and hunting rifle but not be costing me $0.40 + a shot. Had a friend recommend a Mosin as the next best thing, but checking around Hilo cheapest case I've found is $159/440rds. Damn! What's a new comer to do?

Mahalos!

Hi Deep_Mauka,

Welcome to the site and congrats on getting back to firearms.

With the recent shortage we experienced, I've learned it is better to first pick up ammo before picking up the firearm I want. No sense picking up a firearm if there is no ammo for it.

Ammo supply is starting to come back to normal levels so you should keep an eye out. If you are on Oahu, head on over to Security Equipmnt and pick up some 22LR ammo before buying your 10/22.

Lastly, getting into firearms is not a cheap hobby. Even with reloading, you'll have to spring for reloading equipment and components. So, brace yourself and plan on spending money and you'll have a more enjoyable time with this awesome hobby.

[edit] just re-read your post about being in Hilo. Sorry, I'm not sure what you can do. Perhaps have a friend or family stop by Security Equipment on their next trip to Oahu or to Hilo. I read somewhere that you can carry 11# of ammo on neighbor island flights and 22LR ammo is light.

 

Aloha mai,
Been a lurker here and have appreciated all the info. Mahalo.

Haven't shot much since I was a kid and just got my permit. I was looking to pick up something simple like a ruger 1022 but after trying to chase down ammo I'm thinking of avoiding the cartridge altogether for now. Bums me out, cause I was really looking forward to chewing through hundreds of rounds getting my game back up.

So, I'm stuck trying to find a round that will make a decent target and hunting rifle but not be costing me $0.40 + a shot. Had a friend recommend a Mosin as the next best thing, but checking around Hilo cheapest case I've found is $159/440rds. Damn! What's a new comer to do?

Mahalos!

Just get a 10/22.

There is ammo out there.

I guarantee you that your fellow 2a'ers can scrounge up a few hundred rounds for you.

Almost all calibers of ammo are back to per scare levels.

Because 22lr is the least expensive, it's taking a little longer.

Just get a 10/22...

There is ammo out there.

I guarantee you that your fellow 2a'ers can scrounge up a few hundred rounds for you.

Almost all calibers of ammo are back to per scare levels.

Because 22lr is the least expensive, it's taking a little longer.

Yep, and since all of my brothers are hoarding 4-6 thousand rounds of .22lr a piece it is taking a bit longer...

Hey! Wait a minute, uh..........never mind. I resemble that remark.

Yep, and since all of my brothers are hoarding 4-6 thousand rounds of .22lr a piece it is taking a bit longer...

Almost corrected your post until I read it more closely.   "hoarding 4-6 thousand rounds ... a piece" ... meaning PER FIREARM!!

That's more accurate than the first time I read it as "per person"!

 

.22 is difficult to come by right now, and has been for a few months. You might want to check S.Tokunaga's for ammo. If you have any interest in a bolt action i know that a couple stores on the island have a savage bolt action .22 chambered in either .22mag or .17HMR, and the kona sports authority has boxes of .22 mag which never seem to dissapear.

Use an air rifle for now.  Rounds are slowly getting cheaper, so you'll have an easier time getting them later this year.

Mahalo guys for the feedback! Everyone here is optimistic, so i'mma take that to heart and just jump in, buy what I can and get psyched on the .22
 

Deep_Mauka, here's a bunch of 22lr for sale...

http://2ahawaii.com/index.php?topic=9593.new#new

Mahalo!

Just get a 10/22.

There is ammo out there.

I guarantee you that your fellow 2a'ers can scrounge up a few hundred rounds for you.

Almost all calibers of ammo are back to per scare levels.

Because 22lr is the least expensive, it's taking a little longer.

Mauka- all ammo is scarce right now in Hilo.  Serious hit or miss.  Here today gone today!  If you get a mosin, I have an unopened 440 round spam can for $120.00 (in Hilo).  Also, I could sell you some of my .22 but likely only willing to part with one box (500 rnds or so).  I check all the sources in Hilo regularly so I know what you are going through.  Hardly anything.  Even 30-30 hard to find right now. 

Aloha mai,
Been a lurker here and have appreciated all the info.

So, I'm stuck trying to find a round that will make a decent target and hunting rifle but not be costing me $0.40 + a shot. Had a friend recommend a Mosin as the next best thing, but checking around Hilo cheapest case I've found is $159/440rds. Damn! What's a new comer to do?

Mahalos!

Finding anything capable of being a decent hunting rifle for under .40 a shot is a pretty tall order round here... not sure it is even possible.
Since all the cheap comblock milsurp stuff in x54 or x39 is FMJ, and therefore not legal for hunting.

For a good hunting gun I would look into a .270, 30.06, or maybe a .243 for open country shooting ( while more expensive than thier milsurp counterparts during the great  shortage they were still relatively easy to find. The military calibers are/have been scarce) good inexpensive bolt guns in all three of the mentioned rounds can be had for less than 500 bones (savage makes a pretty decent package with a scope for a fair price, btw) I have 90s vintage savage 110 in .270, that is more accurate than I am. ive gotten MOA out of it once or twice. A better shot could do better I think.  ( I got it used for 100 bucks! So dont forget about looking at used guns...)
If brush country or rainforest is where you'll be looking for meat, the old 30.30 winchester is a good bet.
If you can find 7.62 x39 with an expanding bullet, it makes a good in close hunting round too. And since it is also common in FMJ cheap flavors, makes a fun range blaster round... Plus, it usually chambered in an autoloading rifle, makes a good homestead defender as well.

As others have pointed out shooting is not a cheap hobby...
Get a .22 anyway... you cant call your self a gun enthusiast if you dont own at least one .22  and hunting calibers are just to darned expensive to blast at the range all day.

Like everybody said, .22lr is pretty scarce right now - it's probably the #1 hard-to-find (.223 / 5.56 is pretty close) round right now.
I believe you have a Sports Authority over there?
Try to make regular runs or make friends with the sales people.
If they are friendly, they can check out their inventory list and give you an idea when stuff is going to come in.
Don't be surprised if they turn you down, cause they are not supposed to be telling the customers that kinda information, but this is not a hard rule.
The Sports Authority's on Oahu just had a run on Winchester bulk .22lr (275 count?) pack for like $28 a box.
Of course that stuff ran out pretty quick once the coconut wireless got cranking...
I heard J.Hara had some CCI (not cheap) at their grand opening in Kaimuki - maybe the Big Island main store still get?
Also, like everyone said, keep an eye on the Classifieds - .22lr moves pretty quick, so try and check several times a day, if you can.
I picked up my Mini-Mags from there a few months ago myself...

Finding anything capable of being a decent hunting rifle for under .40 a shot is a pretty tall order round here... not sure it is even possible.
Since all the cheap comblock milsurp stuff in x54 or x39 is FMJ, and therefore not legal for hunting...................

Agreed.

OP if you are going to hunt you'll need to take the Hunters Ed course also.

Im a long time gun owner and also hate the ammo prices  & availability, but gotta pay to play.

My next courses of action-

1. Buying a compound bow very soon (daughter is getting into archery too)

2. Buying reloading equipment

3. Buying a .22 upper and a Ruger 10/22.

Damn, all my "cost saving" ideas broke me again, cant win...

Haha yes I haven't spent a dime on anything firearms related for most of the past year. Damn, this site is going to change that. Don't tell my wife!!! LOL

If you think you can start reloading now to resolve your personal ammo shortage, don't be surprised when you find out a lot of folks had the same idea. A lot of equipment and components are priced high or out of stock.
 

Was in Hilo this weekend j hara had velocitors and stingers