Remington Thunderbolt 22 ammunition leading problem?
Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2019 4:49 pm
I have been shooting my S&W Victory 22 pistol for a few months now having bought it on the used market. The gun shoots better than I can hold and I am very pleased with its performance. I have been using new Aguila, CCI Blazer, Federal, Remington Golden and Remington Thunderbolt with no problems. Much to my delight the gun groups best with the Remington Thunderbolt brick that I have that is about 5 years old. I recently found a great deal on bulk Thunderbolt and bought 2500 rounds. I plan to shoot this gun a lot. First trip to the range today and everything is going fine for the first 60-70 rounds, getting my standard 3 inch groups at 10 yards , when all at once I can not hit the target with 5 out of ten shots and the ones that hit are key holing. Checking the bore reviles bad leading so I stop shooting go home, disassemble the gun and try to run a brush through the barrel but it only goes half way and stops. I ended up driving and old cleaning rod through the barrel with a hammer removing a plug of lead about an inch long resembling a 22 case open at both ends. Scrubbed for a hour with brush and patches to finally get a clean bore. now I should state the bore was clean to begin the day of shooting, I always clean the gun when I am done. Has anyone else had problems with recently bought Thunderbolt? I have 2400 rounds left and don't want to have this problem ever time I shoot it. Any suggestions would be appreciated.