JW20 Range Trip, aka Browning SA22 clone... 6 Types of Ammo tested

[Jay]

Hey Guys;

Soooo, I've been dying to get to the range with this sweet little $125 gun that I got for Christmas from CanAm and it did not disappoint!

I tried out 6 types of 22LR Ammo;
(1) Winchester Power-Point Lubaloy coated 40 grain
(2) Federal Value Pack Copper Plated 36 grain Hollow Point
(3) Blazer Value Pack 40 grain lead round nose
(4) Remington Golden Bullet High Velocity Hollow Point (grain???)
(5) Federal Classic Hyper Velocity 31 grain Copper Plated HP
(6) CCI Stinger 32 grain Copper Plated Hollow Point

I function tested the rifle first, loading 10 rounds of Federal Value Pack 36 grain HP shooting them & then doing the same with the Blazer Value Pack 40 grain lead round nose & noticed 2 things. First, the 1st round to get chambered doesn't always do so 'smoothly', remember it's under spring pressure, and I found this to be the case irrespective of ammo type... A gentle flick of the bolt got it chambered, and once the first round was chambered IT RAN without any hiccups! Second, you have to fiddle with the mag tube as it goes back into the buttstock. It wasn't an issue, a couple twists of the mag tube as you were re-inserting it into the buttstock & all was good.

Next I shot a group with 10 rounds of the Federal Value Pack & then another 10 rounds of the Blazer Value Pack @ 25 meters. My rifle is shooting just a little high & left with the irons as you can see in the pic. I'm planning on scoping it, so I was just happy to see that it grouped fairly well!!! Yes, my aging eyes 'need' a scope now, chuckle!

Then, I proceeded to simply plink away with the rifle & various ammo. When I tried the Winchester Power Points I had my first 'hiccup'. It failed to fire on about the 5th or 6th shot out of the 10 loaded into it. I worked the bolt & a live round dropped out, and I proceeded to fire the rest of the mag.

I continued to plink without issue, smuggly enjoying my clone when I realized just how POSITIVE the extraction and ejection was. HOT DAMN I think this thing could eject into space!!! HA HA, seriously, it actually dents the spent case mouth about 1/2 way closed!!! Good thing we don't reload 22LR 'eh!

Anyhow, I am VERY happy with the rifle, it was essentially trouble free for OVER 200 rounds of shooting, especially considering the $125 I got it from CanadaAmmo for!

Cheers
Jay

 

[Woody-to]

Hey Guys;

Second, you have to fiddle with the mag tube as it goes back into the buttstock. It wasn't an issue, a couple twists of the mag tube as you were re-inserting it into the buttstock & all was good.

Have the same issue with mine. I am wondering if removing the follower and spring then ream out the end of the tube a bit would correct this?
Maybe someone wants to try on theirs??? LOL

 

[tungngroove2000]

Hate to tell you Jay but that's not the iron sights (up and left), that has "shooter" issue written alllllllll over it! Haha cheers and Happy New Year. Enjoy that lil plinker, mine works identical to yours but is wearing a 3-9 bushnell on top.

 

[Jay]

Have the same issue with mine. I am wondering if removing the follower and spring then ream out the end of the tube a bit would correct this?
Maybe someone wants to try on theirs??? LOL

I'm gonna guess it's the same for ALL of them? After all, you are feeding the rounds backwards up a spring loaded tube, chuckle!

Hate to tell you Jay but that's not the iron sights (up and left), that has "shooter" issue written alllllllll over it! Haha cheers and Happy New Year. Enjoy that lil plinker, mine works identical to yours but is wearing a 3-9 bushnell on top.

I know, I know... Sigh

Now, for a scope I was thinking of either a fixed 4x or a lower power variable, like 1-4... I especially like the look of scopes with no bell on the end seeing as how the rifle itself is so slender...

Medium rings should be fine with a 4x or even low with a 1-4x... Thoughts?

Cheers
Jay

 

[kjohn]

Good to hear. I have three, and one will likely end up in my pile. I haven't had a chance to try it yet.

 

[Jay]

Today I drifted the rear sight out of my JW20, removed the factory screws where the barrel is tapped, cleaned the threads and mounted the Weaver 60a base that a good buddy was kind enough to pick up & send my way. Yes, I used a tiny bit of BLUE loctite on the two screws... I then purchased an old 1.5-4.5x20 Bushnell Banner Scope off the EE (I like the sleek look) and finally, I picked up rings from the local LeBaron...

Man, I am EXCITED to get out with my $125 plinker next time to sight it all in!!!

Cheers
Jay

 

[kjohn]

Took mine out this afternoon and cranked a few rounds off. As above, sometimes the first round didn't want to go into the chamber. It was too cold to fiddle much, but the rifle seemed to work ok. I only cleaned the barrel and a bit of goop around where the two parts mate, so not a real high class field test.

A good cleaning to get all the oil out of everything will be in order. It seemed to shoot to point of aim, offhand. For $125, I'm happy.

 

[kjohn]

Took mine out again this afternoon and fired about 40 older Federal bulk HP. Started to charge the first round better after a few rounds and never missed a beat. No misfires.

 

[viking555]

I bought the same rifle for Christmas. It would not feed into the chamber at the range. Close examination at home revealed the two cuts on the bottom of the chamber that accommodate the extractor claws had some protrusion into the chamber. I passed a curved pin file across the two "bumps" and now all is well. The butt stock was a bit loose but I tightened it at the magazine tube and the take down barrel portion had some play that was cured by adjusting the barrel nut to breech face. It shoots high an inch and right 3 inches at 50 feet range so I'll be drifting a front sight.

Thanks for the post, the ammo and range report was very helpful.

 

[cyclone]

Today I drifted the rear sight out of my JW20, removed the factory screws where the barrel is tapped, cleaned the threads and mounted the Weaver 60a base that a good buddy was kind enough to pick up & send my way. Yes, I used a tiny bit of BLUE loctite on the two screws... I then purchased an old 1.5-4.5x20 Bushnell Banner Scope off the EE (I like the sleek look) and finally, I picked up rings from the local LeBaron...

Man, I am EXCITED to get out with my $125 plinker next time to sight it all in!!!

Cheers
Jay

UTG makes a pretty fantastic set of "quick detach" scope rings (one type for for dovetail mounting, another for "Weaver" rails).....just a thought.

 

[Jay]

I bought the same rifle for Christmas. The butt stock was a bit loose but I tightened it at the magazine tube and the take down barrel portion had some play that was cured by adjusting the barrel nut to breech face. It shoots high an inch and right 3 inches at 50 feet range so I'll be drifting a front sight.

Thanks for the post, the ammo and range report was very helpful.

You're welcome! I just bought a 1.5-4x20 scope to mount on the rifle, so I am looking forward to the next range trip!

And my rifle had the same two issues out of the box, I think it took 6 clicks on the barrel nut to snug it up & I used a coin to tighten the buttstock at the mag tube in the back. Very very minor fiddling IMHO.

Overall, this rifle has been a fantastic deal for $125!!!

Cheers
Jay

 

[mh434]

Glad to see others are having the same success with their JW-20's that I've had!

I did everything I could in my initial testing to see if I could get it to FTF, FTE, etc., and was absolutely unable to do so. I even mixed up a whole bunch of mismatched, old, green, crusty, frosted-lead ammo, and stuffed 'em in there in random order. It fired them all, as happily as though they were clean, premium stuff. Never have managed to get even a partial failure, ever, with this rifle. Balance is great, trigger is great, finish is, well, pretty darned good for anywhere near the price, and it takes down & goes together again (and shoots) perfectly. I was hoping for a small, handy .22 takedown for camping, boating, etc., and this is the one.

 

[Jay]

Glad to see others are having the same success with their JW-20's that I've had!

I did everything I could in my initial testing to see if I could get it to FTF, FTE, etc., and was absolutely unable to do so. I even mixed up a whole bunch of mismatched, old, green, crusty, frosted-lead ammo, and stuffed 'em in there in random order. It fired them all, as happily as though they were clean, premium stuff. Never have managed to get even a partial failure, ever, with this rifle. Balance is great, trigger is great, finish is, well, pretty darned good for anywhere near the price, and it takes down & goes together again (and shoots) perfectly. I was hoping for a small, handy .22 takedown for camping, boating, etc., and this is the one.

Isn't it awesome! And, I couldn't resist, so I ran downstairs & mounted the scope. Here it is!

Oh ya, the mounts are low & you can see why I went with a scope with no bell to preserve the sleek look of the Browning SA22 aka JW20 clone! You also have to mount the scope as far back as possible...

Cheers
Jay

 

[Fender57]

Looks good Jay!

 

[Jay]

Looks good Jay!

Thanks Fender57!!!

Cheers
Jay

 

[ratherbefishin]

Looks like I picked up the last weaver 60 A base from Island Outfitters,they told me it's not only out of stock but not made anymore.

 

[stampede]

Have the same issue with mine. I am wondering if removing the follower and spring then ream out the end of the tube a bit would correct this?
Maybe someone wants to try on theirs??? LOL

It is the sharp edge of the new tube catching on the butts of the 22 shells. It will smooth out in time but you could get a bit of emery cloth and ream it out to remove the edge or any burrs.

I find that rifles with butt loaded tube magazines are very reliable and smooth loading (as compared to magazines).

 

[Jay]

Looks like I picked up the last weaver 60 A base from Island Outfitters,they told me it's not only out of stock but not made anymore.

I got 2 from Cabela's. Called the mail order division & they said they only had one in stock BUT they could check the individual stores & it just happened that the Saskatoon store had 3... So I called the store & had a buddy pick them up & mail them to me! It is a bummer, but only the mail order division ships... Hence my buddy picking up my two bases.

Anyone know for sure if the Weaver 60a bases are no longer made? It's not like the Browning SA22 has been discontinued, not yet anyways...

Cheers
Jay

 

[riversrest]

Don't know if they still manufacture it or not but I picked mine up at our local Cantire which is not one of the big super stores. A bit pricey for $16.99 but available. Last I looked (about 10 days ago) they had two more left in the scope display cabinet.

 

[Dr. Frank]

Mag tube will seat much more smoothly if back end is removed and the spring and follower removed. Then use small file to radius the edge that slips over the rims of the shells . Carefull not to file too much!!! Just have to break the sharp edge. Cheers Frank