First Time Ammo Buyer Question - 22LR
- Thread starter G Lee
- Start date
Lead bullets typically have lube of some sort. Ranges from waxy to greasy. Lube may have undesirable characteristics in some situations. Its characteristics change with temperatue, and some lube comes off, and or picks up contamination. Target ammo is pretty much all lubed lead. Copper plated is just cleaner to work with. Might keep your chamber cleaner on a semi auto.
I don’t think there is any difference in barrel wear for lead compared to copper coated.
One thing to consider is the end use. For 'plinking' and hunting where accuracy is NOT #1, the Copper-washed is acceptable in that 'most' is High-Velocity. For more critical accuracy such as developing target accuracy, the Standard Velocity has a marginal edge - especially if shooting over 25-30 yards. And the 'Trans-sonic' issue is generally believed to be insignificant at 22LR speeds. JMO, but often debated on many of these opinions.
antiqueguy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- windsor ontario
I find it doesn’t matter much but I’m not looking for target accuracy I mainly use .22 for hunting small game.
As for barrel wear you would be hard pressed to wear out a .22lr my old cooey rifles still really well after all these years(early production rifle). it’s seen a lot of different ammo over its lifetime from waxed lead in the early days(and now sometimes) to copper washed cheap bulk pack now even when the barrel had tons of lead fowling it shot great.
As for barrel wear you would be hard pressed to wear out a .22lr my old cooey rifles still really well after all these years(early production rifle). it’s seen a lot of different ammo over its lifetime from waxed lead in the early days(and now sometimes) to copper washed cheap bulk pack now even when the barrel had tons of lead fowling it shot great.
TungstenJohn
CGN Regular
- Location
- Campbell River BC
you have a much better chance of wearing out your barrel with improper cleaning than you ever will shooting 22 ammo
Or over cleaning
I prefer copper plated but a basic lead bullet with the dry lube works just fine . you will notice if you look that the really expensive stuff has a basic lead bullet with the dry lube . the quality and fit of the bullet itself will be different. and the velocity of the target 22 ammo is lower . the only problem with the lead wax lubed ammo is if you put it loose in the pocket of a coat it will pick up lint on it which can cause a jam in semiauto actions and build up in most actions . not a good idea. the plated ammo doesn't as much . it's not a bad idea after shooting especially if you have been out in cold weather to run a brush with a good bore cleaner through the bore just once.
Hoppes number 9 will suffice . remember to always clean from the chamber and push the brush out the end of the barrel . never clean from the barrel end to the chamber. you can damage the crown . then push your cleaning rod though the barrel with the flat tip on the end with the slot in it and put a small lightly oiled piece of cloth in the slot and pull it through the barrel to prevent rust . unscrew the bore brush at the end of the barrel don't pull it back through . use a quality cleaning rod . one piece is the best and always make sure that you are using the proper cleaning brush . copper is best not stainless steel .
have fun shooting and be careful .
- Location
- Nova Scotia
I found copper wash is more in cheap .22 plinking ammo.
