FEAR of no ammo, is mostly the reason.
The only sort of .22 available is the high price target ammo.
It is being relieved a little. Cabela's up here recently got in the carry box with Federal for $85.00 for 2100 rounds.
That is 4 boxes of their bulk .22. Thats 4 cents a shot. It is the 40 grain copper plated. Shoots OK.
Of course it disappeared off the shelf very quickly.
The days of .50 a box of 50 are long gone.
I was at a store the other day, and a guy was looking to buy a .17HMR, because he could get ammo.
I have 2 Savage heavy barrel .17 HMR, and they are a true 125 yard shooter, with not much wind.
BUT, the ammo is anywhere from $10.00 (if you are lucky), to $14.00 a box for a box of 50 rounds.
That is .20 to .30 a shot. This is a very accurate round, a ball to shoot, deadly on varmints, and the ammo is around,
if you want to pay for it. My grandkids shoot ground squirrels, and I pay for the ammo.
I have a good quantity of .22 now, but my grandkids are going shooting with me at the range in a month or so,
and I am sure 1000 rounds will be gone from the inventory.