I was reading an article recently that said the biggest reason the .22 is still around is because the ammo is cheap and the guns that shoot them are inexpensive. While I am sure there is much truth to this the article did not mention its sentimental appeal. I would guess that even if the larger caliber ammo was reduced to the price of a .22lr we would still be shooting our .22's. Like most....my dad introduced me to this caliber. It was my first "real" gun and as such there are many fine memories attached to those days. Thats why I spend most of my time in this section of the forum and why I own several .22's. I cannot say the same for my larger caliber guns. The only other gun that may come close is the 1911 given that many of our grandfathers, fathers and maybe even us have carried them through wars. If all my guns were to dissapear today my .22 rifles would be most missed and it has nothing to do with cost.