22LR Lead Fouling

[peeplwtchr]

Hi-
I know there are various posts in threads regarding lead fouling and whether copper plated or washed bullets foul less than lead, but I cant seem to find them now. I have 22lr training pistols. The two I use most are the Taurus TX22 which I love, but they got sent with bad barrels, which cause lead fouling on thier own, waiting for replacement. The second is a Walther M2 22lr. I was shooting Thundebolt through it, and it fouled after about 300 rounds time after time. Thunderbolt does fantastic in my S&W 15-22 rifle, so it's not bad ammo for all guns. So I tested both Aguila copper and Remington Golden Bullet through the Walter on different days, same ambient temperature both 36 and 40 grain. No fouling whatsoever with either, 500 rounds in fairly quick succession, the last 200 as fast as I could load them with a speedloader. I just dumped them, as a stress test. The copper coating works in the Walter. Neither seem to be coated. Seems like I see lead fouling posts in 22lr pistols here more than anything else, so wanted to run post this test, maybe it'll help you too.

Btw, the Walther bore qualty is fantastic, a borecam show that the threading is pristine.

 

[LiveLife]

I am currently testing over 20 different 22LR ammunition (Lead RN and Copper "Washed" RN/HP, including Thunderbolt) in GSG 1911 and Ruger 10/22 and have yet to run into leading issue shooting up to 500-600+ rounds per session - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...rrel-ruger-10-22-collector-3-break-in.859106/

I also shoot a lot of Copper "Washed" RN/HP in my ARs with CMMG 22LR conversion and no leading issues (16"/18"/20" barrels with 1:7/1:8/1:9 twist rates).

Perhaps this will help - http://www.lasc.us/Fryxell_Book_Chapter_7_Leading.htm

 

[troy fairweather]

My dad got a m2 this year the bore is nice aswell. I do want to try that cci. Copper ammo, I wounder if it would clean lead out.

 

[peeplwtchr]

Thunderbolt is actually the 2nd best grouping from S&W 15-22 rifle after CCI SV at 100yds (Tested 10 brands of lower cost 22lr), number 1 grouping at 200. Not trashing it, but it is very platform dependent.

 

[Bronco72]

Thunderbolt ammo has long been known to have one of the greatest propensity for lead fouling

 

[gunlaw]

22’s in general are finicky about ammo. But I have never had good luck with Thunderbolt in any rifle or hand gun . I get a lot of misfires with this ammo

 

[LiveLife]

never had good luck with Thunderbolt in any rifle or hand gun . I get a lot of misfires with this ammo

I actually swore off Thunderbolt due to most number of misfires and inconsistent ignition (pop) experienced in past years burning the dirtiest and actually stopped buying since the Obama years.

I am currently doing 20+ 22LR ammunition comparison evaluation using GSG 1911, 10/22 Take Down/Collector #3 and ARs with CMMG 22LR conversions and decided to give Thunderbolt another try based on many THR members' report of accuracy produced. (Keep in mind, all of the ammunition were current production lots purchased this past year) - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...22-collector-3-break-in.859106/#post-11299679

I did not expect much from Thunderbolt but was surprised when it produced way better than expected accuracy (25 yard group size down to CCI SV 40 gr LRN average group size) and I have yet to experience any misfires. I have tested over 5,000 rounds and only ammo that has given me misfires so far has been Winchester 40 gr CPRN M22 (clean or dirty firearm) or when the firearm was extremely dirty . Even Federal 36 gr CPHP 525/550 bulk packs I experienced misfires in the past have consistently fired with new lot # ammunition.

Keep in mind that ammunition were tested using brand new GSG 1911 and 10/22 Collector #3 along with 10/22 Take Down that had about 4,000 rounds shot through and new ARs with new CMMG 22LR conversion kits and when firearms were relatively clean to moderately dirty, I did not experience misfires with the exception of Winchester M22. (So perhaps misfires reported by THR members could be firearm/condition related, not necessarily ammunition).

Here are non free-floated barrel 25 yard groups of Thunderbolt at bottom right of each target while I adjusted the take down bolt tension. Notice Thunderbolt groups were comparable to CCI SV 40 gr LRN group on top right of second target (BTW, CCI SV 40 gr LRN has been very consistent in producing the smallest group sizes along with CCI Blazer 40 gr LRN) and second target below showed Thunderbolt groups consistently smaller than other ammunition groups.

Groups shot with electrical tape shimmed free-float barrel (take down bolt tightened at line on left target)

 

[LiveLife]

Thunderbolt ammo has long been known to have one of the greatest propensity for lead fouling

I am happy to report 20+ ammunition including Thunderbolt have not produced leading in the GSG 1911, 10/22 Take Down and 10/22 Collector #3 used for my testing so far.

All the barrels were broken in using several hundred rounds of Federal 36 gr CPHP 525/550 bulk packs before lead RN were shot.

 

[gunlaw]

I’ll give Thunderbolt another try. Really gonna hate shooting another 500 rounds of 22.But it is in the interest of research.

 

[Pat Riot]

Thunderbolt is a very accurate round in my 10/22 and my Savage single shot. It does cause leading if I don’t clean the barrels after a couple of hundred rounds. Cleaning includes the use of a bronze brush. Bore Snakes don’t remove leading like a brush.

 

[ms6852]

Over the years I have whittled away at the different types of 22lr ammo I use, for me I found the ammo to be most consistent and reliable on my firearms and the brands are Aguila, CCI and Wolf match. Have not regretted my decision at all.

 

[340PD]

The problem I find with various ammo, especially dirty ones, when chambered, I think the bullet nose needs to contact the rifling just a bit and ammo length varies a bit as well as a dirty chamber throat will contribute to inaccuracy from a rifle. I use a 223 brush bent at a 90° angle really gets the chamber clean and my accuracy improves.
As for brands that cause problems, as an RSO, 90% of our "dud bucket" is Remmington 22 ammo.

 

[Labguy47]

I use Federal, Eley, Wolf, and CCI never had a leading issue with any of these brands.