Unexpected chambering problems -- does the wax on .22 LR gum up in the cold?

[P. Plainsman]

Took the .22 Browning Buck Mark shooting with me twice this weekend. (Yep, it was a good weekend. ) I had cleaned the gun a few days earlier, leaving its mechanism feeling slick as a whistle. In fact, after cleaning and reassembly I rapidly practice-fed the contents of several mags through the action without a hint of trouble. In the past this Buck Mark has been a reliable, hassle-free gun.

I shoot CCI Mini Mag 40 gr solids in the Buck Mark; it's the only .22 LR I keep on hand. This may be relevant.

Anyway -- at the range yesterday, I fired the three magazines I had pre-loaded at home and all went fine. Upon reloading the magazines, however, I suddenly had problems chambering the first round. The magazine springs felt sluggish as I loaded them, as if the rounds were dragging on the inside of the mags. Also, when I looked at the rounds I was having trouble chambering, the wax looked like it was sloughing off the tip of the round in pale flecks. Once I got a round chambered, the rest of each mag shot fine. This condition persisted throughout the afternoon.

Now, it was kind of cold at the range this weekend, around 25-30 degrees. Not exactly hostile conditions, but somewhat colder than the usual weather in which I shoot. Might the temperature be affecting the ammo, making it harder to feed?

Or am I overanalyzing, and would be best advised to just give all my Buck Mark mags another good soaking in Hoppes?

Many thanks.

 

[mete]

There have been different waxes used for 22s. Some are good and some are poor.Some are so soft they pick up dirt easily and they gum up the gun quickly.Some get brittle in the cold.In any case that's one reason we clean our guns and clean the magazines too !!

 

[P95Carry]

Sounds a bit more of a mag issie than bullet lube, tho that will possibly be stickier/thicker at low temps. Never had this prob in my 22/45 (yet!).

Are mags full of grease? Dissassemble them and check - and de-grease. Just have the merest hint of lube inside.. Check followers too for freedom.

 

[Okiecruffler]

I had the same problem with American Eagle Ammo in my Mitchell. I thought it was a mag problem, but when I switched to the Aguilas I had with me I had no more problems. I've never had that problem with CCI's, but everyone's different.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Wax is often a problem in bullseye pistols: too little can lead to failures to feed once crud has accumulated in the chamber, but too much can clog magazines, feed ramps, and chambers.

It's a rare .22 caliber pistol that doesn't have ammunition preferences.

 

[Tacoma]

Could be wax but is just as likely the temprature changing tollerances in the mag. ( Or a combination of both.) Next time , try putting a mag in your pocket for a few to see if this cures it. Also try different ammo in warm and cold mags. I've had several mags for my MK II that just wouldn't cooperate when the weather got below freezing.

 

[NMshooter]

I have failure to extract problems when it gets really cold.

Recoil feels light, slide moves a little slow.

Same ammo, same pistol in the same condition, add warmer weather and no problems.

Maybe my conversion kit is getting old, and does not like cold weather?

 

[BluesBear]

Gun oil just like mortor oil has differing viscosities at various temperatures.