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tumbling bullets

W92fan
What might cause .22 LR bullets to tumble after leaving the barrel, especially as regards a new liner being installed ? Any chance this might be something that could improve with use ?
Thanks for any help or suggestions.
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Comments

9 comments

Date Votes
  • charliemeyer007
    Your liner has the wrong twist rate. If 22 LR tumble your liner was for 22 Short.

    added Interesting, seems way fast to me. Is it one of the shallow multi groove or a normal 4 groove and what is the diameter?

    22 Short 1-20 22 LR 1-16
    http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/barrel-tools/barrel-liners/22-caliber-rimfire-barrel-liners-prod10974.aspx

    A bad crown causes poor accuracy in my experience. The only things I have seen cause key holing is shot out rifling, wrong twist rate as in too slow, bullets pushed harder than their construction allows.

    In muzzle loaders the round ball twist rate is 1-72 or 1-48 range, rates faster will not shoot accurately with the round ball that comes out as a squatty round nose. Rates in the 1-12 to 1-48 work better with elongated bullets.
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  • XXCross
    .........or maybe it was for magnums ? (bore oversize)
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  • tsr1965
    It could be due to ammo also. There are a couple heavy rounds out there for 22LR, that use a 50, and 60 grain bullet. They need an exceptionally fast twist to stabilize the bullet.

    Another problem, could be how the crown was cut at the muzzle.
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  • rufe-snow
    I've had problems with tumbling in various 22 rimfires over the years. In addition to the wrong barrel twist. For specific bullet and bullet weigh. Fouling could be another contributory factor.

    Some guns and ammo categories, just don't get along. Specific ammo I've had problems with in the past. Is the old manufacture Remington Thunderbolts, (new stuff is OK), and Winchester 555's.

    I would buy a whole selection of different rimfire ammo, and try them. Differing bullet weights and bullet hardness, might make a difference in your gun. Shooting a old Colt conversion unit, I had to go to CCI Stingers. For reliable function and accuracy.
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  • Mobuck
    If this is happening with standard or HV 40 grain ammo from a domestic maker, I'd be in contact with who ever installed the liner.
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  • W92fan
    quote:Originally posted by charliemeyer007
    Your liner has the wrong twist rate. If 22 LR tumble your liner was for 22 Short.
    I checked the twist with a cleaning rod & brush and the twist appears to be about 8. Too fast for LR std. target ammo ? Any ideas about what ammo might work
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  • Hangfire
    That's fast for most .22 ammo.. Factory short, long, long rife factory barrels are normally 1:16.. Try a heavy bullet like Aguila 60gr..

    Added- You might want to slug the bore and make sure it's not for a centerfire .224.. .22 Long Rifle should be .222.. But that alone shouldn't cause the bullet to tumble..
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  • nononsense
    W92fan,

    quote:I checked the twist with a cleaning rod & brush and the twist appears to be about 8.

    Not only is it too fast for standard .22LR ammunition but I'll almost bet that it's a centerfire liner with a groove diameter of .224". I suggest slugging it and then contacting the person who installed the liner for a 'come to Jesus meeting'.

    Best.
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  • Mobuck
    That twist rate would only be appropriate for the Aguila "sniper" 60 grain ammo.
    Unless you specifically requested this twist rate, whoever installed the liner owes you a NEW barrel.
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