Bullets make 1/2" slices in paper?

[ar15jules]

I've seen plenty of keyholing on dirty .22s. Clean er up and you will be fine.
Jules

[Just1more]

Thanks for all ideas - i have cleaned it and so far i have not been able to get back to the range but hopefully tomorrow. Hope all is well again!

[Popeye]

I'm of the same mindset that you can't get a bullet to fly the way it was designed to do out of a dirty barrel. The slit in the paper tells me like others have mentioned that it is tumbling.

[Just1more]

GREAT NEWS! Went shooting today and my Smith is shooting just fine again! No more slits in the paper. It must have been the lead that messed it up. Today i didnt fire as many rounds but i did see a lot of fouling - especially around the narrow gap just behind the barrel and in front of the cylinder (sorry dont know the specific parts) we used a metal brush and a knife to scrape the lead buildup - little pieces there (not obvious in the barrel like last time ). I need to find a tool to remove that as i worry the knife may do some slight damage in the long run. Any suggestions? I have the typical kit with brushes and a boresnake but need a sharp type item that will fit in that narrow gap.

Well, i am happy to know my great gun is back in business !!!

[bogey1]

Originally Posted by Just1more

GREAT NEWS! Went shooting today and my Smith is shooting just fine again! No more slits in the paper. It must have been the lead that messed it up. Today i didnt fire as many rounds but i did see a lot of fouling - especially around the narrow gap just behind the barrel and in front of the cylinder (sorry dont know the specific parts) we used a metal brush and a knife to scrape the lead buildup - little pieces there (not obvious in the barrel like last time ). I need to find a tool to remove that as i worry the knife may do some slight damage in the long run. Any suggestions? I have the typical kit with brushes and a boresnake but need a sharp type item that will fit in that narrow gap.

Well, i am happy to know my great gun is back in business !!!

shoot a few (10) full metal jacketed bullets through it before you clean it, it should remove a lot of the lead buildup.

[Just1more]

As i am a new shooter - i ask this only because this is all new to me and i have not seen any - are there such as FMJ bullets in 22LR ?

[bogey1]

Originally Posted by Just1more

As i am a new shooter - i ask this only because this is all new to me and i have not seen any - are there such as FMJ bullets in 22LR ?

damn, good question. i forgot you were shooting 22's, i dont think there are any, mostly copper plated, which is done by electrolysis. get yourself some good solvent and swab that barrel good, let it stand for a few hours, then swab with a good brass brush. once you get the lead out, you should be fine. my brother in law hasn't cleaned his barrel on his 10/22 in over 15 years, still shoots straight.. any more questions, just ask, were here to help

[Magnumite]

I've never seen any FMJ bullets for 22 LR advertised or on the shelf. Some a fairly heavily plated, but not jacketed. Not enough velocity to warrant a copper jacket.

CCI Mini Mags use a fairly heavy plating. You can try those plus they are accurate to boot. They cost about $6-8.00 per 100 rounds in a plastic slide top box.

I don't know what ammo you are using, but if they lead the barrel quickly, I'd try a different brand.

Also, there is that heavy bullet made by Aguila out there. 62 grain I believe. I haven't good accuracy with it from any firearm I own. I know it is probably a rifle twist issue. I still have about 6 boxes of it in the safe.

[Just1more]

The ammo was very old (20 yrs?) 22LR that hubby said was fine to use since it was firing ok when he tested it in his very old H&R topbreak 22. Even when i used Federal bulks and some Winchesters later (new)- my gun got pretty dirty but i was told 22s fire pretty dirty anyway. As it took it out after cleaning and it shot normal again, i am very relieved. Looks like it needs to be cleaned meticulously well after every use especially where the bullet leaves the cylinder and enters the barrel. Lead builds up there a bit.

[Viprdude]

Only purchasing FMJ .22's will it stop collecting so much lead.