10/22 Takedown becomes inaccurate after a hundred rounds?

[Wonderclam]

I've gone out with my 10/22 takedown 3 times now. It seems that the more I shoot, the more it loses accuracy. The first few shots were accurate, as I zeroed in the scope. I've shot about 300 rounds today and after a hundred or so rounds, the rifle wasn't accurate anymore. My neighbor says this is normal.

Is this true? I couldn't even hit a small water bottle from 75 feet away half the time after a few hundred rounds.

 

[HitFactor]

Maybe lead is building up in the barrel and causing a loss of accuracy.

If thats the problem different ammo might be the solution, along with cleaning the barrel.

Thete can be significantly different POI and group size between manufactures and models.

 

[rcmodel]

Maybe you need to adjust your takedown adjustment sleeve after that much break-in shooting.

It's in the owners manual.

rc

 

[floorit76]

Checked your scope mounts??

 

[Wonderclam]

I used the scope at first, then I thought maybe that was the problem. I took off the scope and used iron sights and the same thing.

I was using Remington Thunderbolts .22lr. Maybe that's the problem.

 

[ole farmerbuck]

Make sure you read what RC said.

 

[rcmodel]

Again:

1. Check your take-down adjustment sleeve for proper adjustment.
If the take-down joint is loose, accuracy will suffer.

2. Check you barrel for bore leading.
If the bore is leaded, accuracy will suffer.

3. If all else fails, check yourself.
By getting another experienced rifle shoot to test your rifle for you.
If you are jerking the trigger, or flinching, or not using proper form, accuracy will suffer.

rc

 

[Wonderclam]

I just checked the bore and there's a lotta lead in there. So much in fact, that I can't even clean it. My bore snake won't go through the chamber. I tried going from the barrel end and that didn't work, either. Then I tried a standard .22 brass cleaning rod and that won't go through. I had a hard time just taking it out.

 

[Wonderclam]

I couldn't clean the damn thing. I had to force the cleaning rod through the front end to the back and this is what came out, sticking to the cleaning rod



This is ridiculous. I'm never trusting Remington ammo again.

 

[P.B.Walsh]

Remington rimfire ammo is notoriously know for being dirty ammutiniton, it is definitely a last resort for my firearms. I have never seen it get THAT bad though, I'd almost write them an email or send a letter to them, that could be plain dangerous!

 

[rcmodel]

You better get a .22 bronze bore brush and a bottle of bore solvent and clean the crap out of it before shooting it again with any ammo.

You only touched the tip of the iceberg with the big chunks!

rc

 

[ColtPythonElite]

That must be one rough barrel...I would call Ruger. They may replace it.

 

[Mauser lover]

It isn't Remington's fault. It is yours for not cleaning it! No unjacketed lead projectile can be expected to leave every firearm it is fired in clean.

Maybe you shouldn't fire THAT Remington ammo in THAT gun, but that photograph is no reason to completely disdain any and all ammo Remington.

Just clean it out every time you shoot it (or so)

 

[ColtPythonElite]

The OP's problem is either ammo or barrel related. It is not from lack of cleaning. A .22 should not lead like that in 3000 rounds, much less 300.

 

[Wonderclam]

The rifle was 100% clean before I took it out to shoot.

 

[wally]

I was using Remington Thunderbolts .22lr. Maybe that's the problem.

I'd bet on it! I've never had leading issues with any other ammo, after a couple of hundred rounds its so bad I had to drive a bronze brush through with a rubber mallet and lead literally came out in ribbons!

Clean it really good and try different ammo!

 

[sappyg]

The OP's problem is either ammo or barrel related. It is not from lack of cleaning. A .22 should not lead like that in 3000 rounds, much less 300.

I agree completely and I lean more toward the barrel as the culprit. I have thousands of rounds through several 22 LRs and rarely..... Rarely clean them.
I never see leading like that and I've shot some of the supposedly cheesiest ammo known to man.
I would give Ruger a call.

 

[Wonderclam]

I'ts not the barrel because my 10/22 eats up ANY OTHER AMMO except this one. I have tried 3 different CCI .22s, Stinger, Standard velocity, and lead ammo. I've tried Federal bulk .22 and Winchester super X. All these ammo ran just fine.

But today, I brought nothing but a box of Remington Thunderbolts and this is what happened.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Quit using that ammo...Problem solved.

 

[wgaynor]

I'm wondering if the barrel is out of speck (oversized) so that the projectile isn't a good fit. Get a choreboy and wrap a few strands of the copper around the bore brush. Scrub away. Won't hurt your barrel and will get all the lead out. Might need to slug your barrel. That much lead tells me something is wrong with the rifle or the ammo is undersized, but I doubt it.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

I have never seen a .22 with lead like that in the photograph...

I wonder if a rough spot of some sort started leading that just continued to cake up.

You know, there is a thread on wax coating your own .22 ammo at http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=733742
I remember factory lead bullet .22 having obvious wax coating.

I got into the habit years ago of at least running a tight patch with Hoppes#9 from breech to muzzle after each shooting session, and then running a dry patch before taking taking the gun to the field or range. And thoroughly cleaning with wet patch, brush, wet patch, dry patch (repeat until clean) then patch with decent long term oil if the gun was going to be put up and not shot for a long while.

 

[Wonderclam]

Well, here we go. Seems like I'm not the only person that has come across this problem

http://rugerforum.net/ammo-dump/88650-another-remington-thunderbolt-22lr-horror-story.html

Took the barrel off and filled it w/ Hoppes #9 for about 30 hours. Emptied it and inserted a .22 size brass bore brush about 5 inches, and it got stuck...and i mean STUCK. I had to take it into the LGS and have two 300lb guys apply opposing force with all their might to pull the rod out of the barrel!

The LGS owner sprayed something crazy in there and plugged the barrel again and told me to wait a few more hours...

After work I came home and even a bare .22 jag would not go through! ARGH! After a beer and some cussing I finally just repeatedly jammed the empty rod into the bore. Finally, out popped this little gem:

After about 20 solid minutes of brushing, I switched to patches and brushing alternately, then the bore snake then patches. Looks good as new as far as i can tell!

Advise to anyone w/ this problem in the future...Soak first, then take an empty rod (no attachment on the end, just the bare female threads) and "carefully" jam the crap out of your obstruction. Then a bit of patience and a couple extra brass bore brushes (I broke one off at it's attachment) will do the trick.

Remington T.Bolt is garbage! I'm going to try and trade the rest of it in to my LGS for a few bucks off some shotshells!

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Carl,

Ain't no need to go overboard cleaning a .22lr....I shoot my target rifles until accuracy falls a bit, which is usually around 500 rounds, before I clean them. Then, it is, usually only a few wet/ dry patches. I very rarely use a brush. Even then, I use a nearly worn out one and only make a pass or two....It must work. My most accurate rifles are 1948 and 1950 vintage and still are impressive groupers.

 

[sappyg]

You know. If that barrel was worth a hoot it wouldn't lead up like that.

I'll admit thunderbolts are shabby but I've never seen leading like that in a good barrel Regardless of ammo used.

 

[denton]

That does qualify as serious leading.

The easy fix is to go to the supermarket and get a box of bronze scouring pads. Unfold one so that you have a small rectangular piece of scouring pad, enough to just go around a brush. Wrap this around the brush, and run it back and forth in the barrel. You will get a little pile of lead shavings on your bench at both ends of the barrel. Repeat until the lead is gone.