I shoot a lot of .22 and air pistol (at least a hundred rounds a day), as well as perhaps 50 rounds of .45 a week. The thing that matters is choosing the right gun for your situation. At a moderately heavy volume, the price per round matters, not to mention the convenience of shooting .22 and air pistol at home with the right facilities. I'm not a fan of the intermediate calibers, but others like getting more bang than a .22 without getting beat up as many people feel from shooting the .45. In a self-defense situation, I want the other guy to go down on my first shot with a .45, not eventually that day with a .38 or 9mm.
Zactly.
WE use airgun, BB gun for practice as well .22 with the Ruger MK II and MKIII.
Cheaper and our fucus is technique. We are already use to loud caliber reports from .300, .308, .338 and even .270, .223, 30-06. etc. So the focus is on technique, tactic and strategy. Breathe, Breathe, Breathe... Through your nose. LOL
Paintball is an excellent way to learn vital skills.
Other than that we just love using our long distance cordless drills to put holes in paper.