Thunderbolts = leaded barrel.

[AntiGun]

Leading from thunderbolts causing keyholing.

I've searched the forums and found references to thunderbolts being problematic. I figured an easy to find post will make it more clear for people who encounter this problem.

Tonight I ran 200 rounds of thunderbolts through my tried and true SR22. The first 50 were fine and accurate. The second 50 were drifting off group. The third 50 were way off and looked like a shotgun. The fourth 50 were severely keyholing at 5 yards.

Here is why.

 

[BlackBart]

Yech, nasty...no not a Thunderbolt fan.

 

[Boom Boom]

Pfft. Just keep on shooting. What's the worst that could happen?

Seriously, that's insane. No wonder I'm a CCI fanboy.

 

[Oldcarjunkie]

Wow.. That's ugly! Thanks for the post. I've used them before, but not my usual brand. I'll stay away now.

 

[DocAitch]

Leading

I had a similar problem with Remington 22 Target in my Ruger MKII. I unfortunately had purchased a case (5000) rounds of the stuff.

I solved it by dipping the ammo in Lee Liquid Alox

After treatment, (allow it to dry overnight) these groups are shot off hand but the first mag and the 30th are similar in size with no key holing and no discernable leading in the barrel



The only drawback of this treatment is that it is messy and it does tend to goop up the magazines (which are easily cleaned)
Having crappy 22 that you can save beats having no 22 at all.
I have also come across a thread in which some one had enhanced the accuracy of Federal AutoMatch by dipping it in mink oil.
Good luck with cleaning that barrel.
DocAitch

 

[erwos]

Thunderbolts have the distinction of being the nastiest 22lr out there. In fact, I won't even shoot Remington or Winchester 22lr anymore - it's Federal or CCI for me.

 

[trickg]

Thunderbolts have the distinction of being the nastiest 22lr out there. In fact, I won't even shoot Remington or Winchester 22lr anymore - it's Federal or CCI for me.

I had a bunch of Winchester .22LR that was pretty terrible. I've finally shot up most of it, but prices over the last year have prevented me from buying anything else - I'm keep up a false hope that prices will recede a bit more.

 

[Mooseman]

I hear a lot of bad things about Thunderbolts. I shoot them often and have for years. I have never experienced a problem.

 

[erwos]

I hear a lot of bad things about Thunderbolts. I shoot them often and have for years. I have never experienced a problem.

So, you've never noticed that they're dirty, inconsistent, and seem to shoot sparks in the air from the unburned powder? :-P

 

[Arcamm]

I had the same thing happen to my 22/45. Less than 100 rounds and it was almost as bad as yours. I couldn't get a bare cleaning rod down the barrel.

 

[Mooseman]

So, you've never noticed that they're dirty, inconsistent, and seem to shoot sparks in the air from the unburned powder? :-P

Dirty, yes. Most .22LR is dirty. Inconsistent, no more so that other .22LR in the same price range. Shoot sparks, no. I have never seen that happen shooting Thunderbolts.

 

[CrazySanMan]

What's the best way to clean that out?

 

[cestrella13]

No surprise there; ditto on the crowd. I have about 300 Rounds left out of an old Thunderbolt brick; the bullets are truncated.

They are greasy to the touch, and smell like hot grease when fired lol. I use Powder Blast right afterwards.

 

[huesmann]

What's the best way to clean that out?

I'd like to know too.

 

[AntiGun]

What's the best way to clean that out?

I have it in Hoppes right now but I'll be stopping to pick up something stronger.

suggestions are welcome

 

[Blacksmith101]

Lead removal.

Outers Foul Out.

Chore Boy Threads, 100% copper ones. wrapped on a brush. Google Chore Boy Lead Removal.

Ed's Red Bore Cleaner.

Kroil.

 

[boatbod]

A copper bore brush should remove it pretty quickly. You may find you can literally peel it off at the crown.

 

[StantonCree]

Thunderbolts have the distinction of being the nastiest 22lr out there. In fact, I won't even shoot Remington or Winchester 22lr anymore - it's Federal or CCI for me.

 

[JDBoss]

X2

 

[AntiGun]

Keep an eye open for my classified ad listing a partially used box of Thunderbolts..