22 mag burnout

Mtns2hunt

Mtns2hunt

Member
I purchased a 22 mag several years ago (Marlin). It shoots well although lately the groups have opened up. This started out as a relatively rough action rifle but has smoothed out through use. I'm wondering if it is possible to burn out the barrel on a 22 mag?

I know many do not favor the 22 mag for Coyote or Bobcat but I am primarily an Eastern hunter where my shots are about 40 yards at most and shot placement is not that difficult.

My 243 or 220 Swift work well for field work and the longer ranges. My 22 long rifles have thousands of rounds through them with no apparent ill effects. Thanks for any feedback.
 
They do need cleaning from time to time. Plated bullets are awful in how they lead up a barrel. Take a pocket knife and see if you can scrape off the plating of the bullets you are shooting.

Winchester 40g HP are a true jacketed bullet and they kill coyotes and bob cats well.

Use a good bronze bristle brush when you clean the 22 mag, no stainless brushes of any kind in any rifle barrel!

If you want to keep your 22 Mags shooting their best, then buy a bore guide for it, use good bronze brushes, Montana plastic brush, Isso plastic brush, good solvent every 250 rounds.

My Marlin 25M shot the 40g Win hp in one inch groups at 100 yards, I re sprung the trigger, shot only Win hp with true jacketed bullets.
 
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I have a Savage 34M I bought when I was 13. I'm 60 now. I should say my Dad bought it. I used my trapping money to fund it and he had to buy it since I wasn't old enough yet.

I've lost track of how many thousands of rounds have gone down that barrel. I keep it cleaned, though I'm not meticulous about it. Once every year or two, when I remember to do it. The last trip to the range it was still shooting Winchester 40 grain HP's into 1.5 inches at 100 yards.

With an occasional cleaning, I doubt you could wear out a 22 Magnum.
 
Originally Posted By: martI have a Savage 34M I bought when I was 13. I'm 60 now. I should say my Dad bought it. I used my trapping money to fund it and he had to buy it since I wasn't old enough yet.

I've lost track of how many thousands of rounds have gone down that barrel. I keep it cleaned, though I'm not meticulous about it. Once every year or two, when I remember to do it. The last trip to the range it was still shooting Winchester 40 grain HP's into 1.5 inches at 100 yards. With an occasional cleaning, I doubt you could wear out a 22 Magnum.

My guns stay clean most of the year. During season I run a fouled barrel and don't clean unless there is rain or snow. I have been shooting some of my rifles over 30 years and while some have a lot of nicks and taken a few bumps there is no rust. I do have some throat erosion on a 7mm.

I was curious about the 22 mag and barrel wear. As stated earlier my groups have opened up some. I don't like any rifle over MOA and prefer .5. I noticed my 22 mag barrel was not free floated. Didn't know if it mattered with a 22 mag but took a dremal to the stock and free floated the barrel. I am now currently a bit under MOA. I switched from Federal back to Winchester Super X although this time I am using Hollow points rather then FMJ. I plan on using this rifle on Bobcat and the occasional Coyote. I know some say the 22 mag is light on Coyote but I want a light rifle in addition to my shotgun.

I like shooting 22's as I shoot a 220 swift and a couple 22 LR in addition to the 22 mag. As I continue to play with the 22 Mag I may glass bed it to see if I can tighten it up some more. My stock is wood laminate and moisture may have played a factor in my groups opening up. I appreciate all the feedback.
 
Last time I cleaned my 22MN it took me a 100 rounds to get to shoot again. went from a 1" 100 yard gun to 5-6". Nope, never again just some kroil through barrel at end of season. 40 gr Win JHP
 
I have had a great number of 22 mags over the years, never seen what you found fuzzytail, but every barrel is different.

Marlin 25M's clip with re sprung trigger(sweet)
Marlin tube feed
Ruger 77 (honed trigger)
Browning a bolt(re sprung trigger)
Mauser 210
TC single shot custom shilen bbl.

The rimfire priming compound has glass in it that will erode the throat over time. A custom barrel with a match chamber is really indredable to shoot in 22 mag.
 
Originally Posted By: fuzzytailLast time I cleaned my 22MN it took me a 100 rounds to get to shoot again. went from a 1" 100 yard gun to 5-6". Nope, never again just some kroil through barrel at end of season. 40 gr Win JHP

If I have to shoot a hundred rounds through my rifle and keep it dirty then I would have to sell it. Not my style. I like my rifles clean with just one fouling shot needed. Kroil's is that like WD 40?
 
I enjoy the 22 Mag if used with discretion .
I am going to try the CCI Game Point this fall.
I expect it to do well.
 
Is the chamber car-boned up? Or even leaded up. Either would open groups up as well all a nick in the muzzle end.
 
I’m sure you have experimented with different ammo. It could be lower quality ammo being produced by some companies nowadays. I always had good luck with cci brand specifically the 50gr loaf if you can find it. Great 100 yard load
 
You didn't notice if your stock screw had loosened by chance? I have a 10/22 that has a particular torque were it likes to shoot, and it makes a big difference on that gun for sure. I actually only noticed because it was an excellent shooter until a friend did the trigger on it. When I got it back it didn't shoot worth a darn. Took me a bit to figure it out, but definitely a good learning experience.
 
Probably not the barrel, but I have seen a .22 mag that had crown damage from riding in a truck most of its life. I have a buddy that's been running a Marlin 882 .22 mag for over 20 years. Its a squirrel/coon/varmint/plinking rifle. I would hate to guess how many thousands of rounds have been down the pipe on that rig.
 
I have been shooting a Marlin 783 (tube feed) .22 Magnum for decades. I used a homemade pull through with Hoppes #9 until the Bore snakes came out. Get 2 BoreSnakes, one for rough cleaning, one for the EezOx ( or similar product) I like to use a product called WipeOut plus "EezOx". Use the Wipeout, wet the bore, let sit a bit, start using the first BoreSnake, can even add some bore polish in the brush part. With the 2nd one, add EezOx (its in liquid form) several drops in front of the brush. Pull 6-10 times. Works great to remove the carbon buildup in the chamber too. I had my smith put a dab of bedding around the barrel/action screw (post?) in the forearm and checked the crown about 18 yrs ago. I use the hot/lighter 30-32gr loads for prairie dogs, the 40gr HP for bigger varmints (bobcats/coons), but the 40gr FML/50gr GD for head shots on coyotes and hogs. Your 40yd range is "perfect" for your .22 Magnum but you can kill out to 125 with practice/good scope. Have a ball Pard!
 
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