Why does my semi-automatic .22?

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.

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.

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!

I looked up the owner's manual, and here is what it says -

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/pdfs/manuals/MFC_Sel...

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

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.

The problem is more than likely where you say you field stripped it. Get the manual out and try it again step by step and be very sparing with the oil and only put it where the manual tells you. As far as the ammo goes some autos are pickey but I do not think that is your problem.

The only thing I can think of is that the action is dirty. When you cleaned the gun you probably cleaned the barrel, but didn't remove the gunk that formed as the oil, powder residue, etc... hardened in the action over time. (The resulting gunk can look a lot like tar.) You probably need to clean the action with solvents, work it a bit, and then shoot a couple hundred rounds through the gun to loosen things up. Other than that I don't know what could be doing it off the top of my head. I'd recommend finding a smith and having the gun examined/cleaned, even if you have to drive a while to do it.

I have found in my own guns that if i use the milk carton type .22 ammo my gun does not feed very well. Bulk ammo has been lightly oiled and after time it becomes sticky and will not feed in my guns.

no the real cheap .22 ammo craps out. get federal brand it is inexpensive but great quality

Winchester 22's suck try remington gold...