Why does my semi-automatic .22?

I just bought a new semi-automatic .22 Marling 60 with a magazine tube with 14 round capacity. I have field stripped it oiled it all and lubricated everything. I took it to the range the other day, and i got all kinds of jams, the cartridge wouldn't eject, it wouldn't feed correctly, etc. i looked online and i discovered that most semi-auto .22s are picky about their ammo. I bought Winchester.22 hollow point super x ammo so it should have enough power right? is my gun just new and needs to be broken in? Do i need to buy a less powerful spring for the bolt? do i need to buy more powerful ammunition? (if so how to tell the power of the ammo and some brand names would be great)
thanks a bunch

2009-03-16T23:23:42Z

ok to clear up the issue about the field stripping.

Whenever i get a new gun, i always field strip it (according to the manual) and then put it back together. I lightly oiled it after cleaning it after my first outing. it still jams though.

2009-03-16T23:24:15Z

no i did not oil the tube

jacobica422009-03-16T23:24:48Z

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A friend and I have discovered that 22 hollow points generally have a lot of feeding problems because many gun designs apply force on the bullet tip during the feeding process. The hollow tip makes the bullet easier to squash. This means that it more easily can be dented into a ridge, or flat spot that can hang on the edge of the barrel when being forced in.

I have the most consistency (for both feeding and accuracy) using CCi Mini Mags (non hollow points). I have been shooting them from a Ruger 10-22. I also had good accuracy and no jamming with Aguila SuperExtra 40grain, but the CCi's are my favorite (the Aguilas appear poorly manufactured).

I ran a test last summer, shooting 9 different types of 22 ammo through the Ruger. I had high hopes for the Winchester super-x, so I bought a brick of 500. I wish I hadn't. It had the worst accuracy out of the whole batch.

DJ2009-03-17T08:59:23Z

I own several Marlin 60s and 70s and a number of other .22s. Do not despair, this kind of problem occurs frequently with cheap ammo.

Clean your gun and make sure it's put together properly.

Go to the store and buy several brands of .22 ammo. I like Federal and CCI offereings in .22. CCI Mini Mags seem to work well in nearly every .22 I own, from old semi auto plinkers to souped up 10/22s to pistols.

Go to RimfireCentral.com and register. Read the many posts on Marlin 60s and you find that most people love theirs and find them reliable and especially accurate little rifles for a cheap semi-auto. Also read the ammo section posts. It's a cool place to learn about .22s and folks are pretty nice and helpful to questions.

Anonymous2009-03-17T07:42:03Z

You may think that all .22 LR ammo is equal, but it is not. Virtually every .22 semi-auto that I've ever had has had some ammo that won't do the job, including a Ruger 10-22, a Ruger MK II Target (pistol), and various Marlin and Glenfield .22's. Try different brands and styles of ammo (solid, copper jacketed, hollow point, High velocity, standard velocity, etc) until you find the one that's right.

What sucks is when you find the "magic bullet" that cycles your gun, and then Federal stops making it! Grrrrr!

thewrangler_sw2009-03-16T23:25:11Z

I looked up the owner's manual, and here is what it says -
http://www.marlinfirearms.com/pdfs/manuals/MFC_Self_Load_RF_Tube.pdf

These two warnings are about what ammo you should be using:

"• WARNING: Never attempt to load your
rifle with ammunition that does not meet
the cartridge designation stamped on
the barrel. Use only clean, dry, factoryloaded
ammunition which conforms to
industry standards.
• WARNING: Your rifle is a self-loading
.22 caliber designed for .22 Long Rifle
High Velocity cartridges only (not Hyper-
Velocity). Shorts, Longs, and Shot cartridges
can be loaded and fired, but
Marlin does not recommend them, as
feeding will not be reliable and damage
or injury may result from their use."

Now -- If you are using the proper ammo, and it is dry and in good shape, there is this warning, on page 3 -

"• WARNING: This rifle will not function
properly unless the inner magazine tube
is locked securely in place."
Since you mentioned you had completely field stripped it, you might check to make sure the magazine tube is locked in place.

And to contact them, they have this box at the back of the manual -

IMPORTANT
If you have any questions or problems
relating to your new Marlin,
would like additional information on
safe operation, or wish to order parts
or accessories, just call our
Customer Service Center. A Service
Representative can be reached at the
number listed below, between 8 A.M.
and 4:30 P.M. (Eastern Time),
Monday through Friday.
1-800-544-8892

Have Fun

Fatefinger2009-03-16T23:13:11Z

Did you put oil in the tube? That would explain a few things. You also may have over lubricated. Or you might not be putting the gun back together properly when you seal the tube and shoot it. Yes .22's are picky and when I got my 10/22 it jammed alot when I used up my first brick. It takes around 400 rounds to loosen up.

I took it to the range. I used 200 rounds of the remington golden bullet with not a single jams although I had a dud.

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