Mixing ammo in the same Mag
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Gunzilla
Member
Most feeding issue come from loading a magazine and rounds not being staggered, or in other words: rounds being stacked one on top of the other.
If you've been loading these for awhile you likely already know what rounds look like from the back of the magazine as it's being loaded, so you should be able to notice when rounds are 'stacked' and when they are 'staggered'. You may also notice how they appear from the side too when they are correctly loaded, one bullet will be pointed of the one side of the mag and the round above and below it should be pointed to the other side of the mag.
ALL of my feeding issues have come from 'stacked' rounds and not 'staggered'....it shouldn't make any difference who made the ammo if it's at least close to the same grain. You should be able to mix 36 grain and 40 grain without any issues, but loading 20 something grain ammo and over 40 grain ammo 'could' possibly cause some difficulty. (DISCLAIMER: I've never tried this so I cannot confirm the accuracy of my last statement
)
If you've been loading these for awhile you likely already know what rounds look like from the back of the magazine as it's being loaded, so you should be able to notice when rounds are 'stacked' and when they are 'staggered'. You may also notice how they appear from the side too when they are correctly loaded, one bullet will be pointed of the one side of the mag and the round above and below it should be pointed to the other side of the mag.
ALL of my feeding issues have come from 'stacked' rounds and not 'staggered'....it shouldn't make any difference who made the ammo if it's at least close to the same grain. You should be able to mix 36 grain and 40 grain without any issues, but loading 20 something grain ammo and over 40 grain ammo 'could' possibly cause some difficulty. (DISCLAIMER: I've never tried this so I cannot confirm the accuracy of my last statement
)
Ghost_Soldier
Member
I tired this once with an old box of .22lr ammo that my dad gave me. It was mixed with remington hollow points and round nose and had a few federal hollow points in it. I had big time feeding issues. That's the ONLY time I've ever had any problem with my 15-22. I make sure not to mix any ammo anymore with the 15-22. All the rounds were staggered in the mag like they should be. I think it does have something to do with the shape of the round.
rraisley
Member
My guess is that so little of the bullet actually contacts the neighboring one in the magazine, that it would make no difference. But based on the examples above, it sounds like my guess might be wrong.
I've never mixed ammo in a magazine, as in alternating rounds or inserting them randomly, although I've finished one ammo type and then loaded another in the same mag without a problem, in my 15-22 and handguns.
I've never mixed ammo in a magazine, as in alternating rounds or inserting them randomly, although I've finished one ammo type and then loaded another in the same mag without a problem, in my 15-22 and handguns.
Thanks for the feedback. The rifle is new but I have put about 600 rounds through it over the last 45 days. Until then no issues with CCI 40grain Min Mag and the American Eagle when use by themselves.
I had been buying small packs of ammo from Walmart. So I had a some of some and some of the other left over so I just put them in on box (around 200) to get rid of them yesterday. That is when I started having issues. I was randomly loading them in the mags.
That mix is gone now and I just purchased some of the American Eagle AE5022 in bulk off of surplussammo's site. I will have to get out this week to do some shooting....with all the same rounds in the Mag.
I did watch one of those video's by the guy does the 15-22 training video's. I pulled those round feed assist lugs out of my Mags to force myself to load them one at a time. It will go slower but they will done right.
I had been buying small packs of ammo from Walmart. So I had a some of some and some of the other left over so I just put them in on box (around 200) to get rid of them yesterday. That is when I started having issues. I was randomly loading them in the mags.
That mix is gone now and I just purchased some of the American Eagle AE5022 in bulk off of surplussammo's site. I will have to get out this week to do some shooting....with all the same rounds in the Mag.
I did watch one of those video's by the guy does the 15-22 training video's. I pulled those round feed assist lugs out of my Mags to force myself to load them one at a time. It will go slower but they will done right.
Majorlk
Member
Unnecessary. Just follow the instructions in the manual and all will be fine. Pull the button down just enough to load a round and then pull it down a little further for the next round, etc. DO NOT pull it all the way down and dump the rounds in.
8K+ through 16 magazines doing it S&W's way and not a single feed problem.
Gunzilla
Member
After the last Tactical .22 match, and a fresh set of blisters, I decided to look for a loading tool.....I found something that should help a lot.
I just ordered some of these for my magazines....they're going to prevent a lot of blisters on my thumbs from pushing down on the mag buttons:
Smith + Wesson M&P15-22 Magazine Loading Tool - Fast!! | eBay
They also have extra button replacements sold separately.
MP15-22 Kit w/ 3 Magazine Loading Assist Buttons. Use for extra magazines | eBay
I just ordered some of these for my magazines....they're going to prevent a lot of blisters on my thumbs from pushing down on the mag buttons:
Smith + Wesson M&P15-22 Magazine Loading Tool - Fast!! | eBay
They also have extra button replacements sold separately.
MP15-22 Kit w/ 3 Magazine Loading Assist Buttons. Use for extra magazines | eBay
Majorlk
Member
If you are getting blisters, you are doing it wrong.
Put the bottom of the magazine on a hard surface and use your thumb and first finger on both sides of the magazine.
8k loaded by hand and not the first blistered or sore finger - and 60 seconds to load a 25-round magazine. (I load 12 25-round and 5 10-rounders at every loading session)
I bought the "tool" you listed and used it twice; more trouble (and slower) then using fingers on buttons. I did replace the buttons on several magazines with the ones that come with the tool, though. Not all that much difference from factory.
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Gunzilla
Member
If you are getting blisters, you are doing it wrong.
Put the bottom of the magazine on a hard surface and use your thumb and first finger on both sides of the magazine.
OK, I just loaded 2 mags to test your method.
How does putting it on a hard surface change the fact that you still need to push down on spring loaded buttons, you still need to push the buttons down with your finger & thumb?
The one thing your method did seem to do well was to make sure the rounds loaded in a 'staggered' manner (so thank you for that little tip). It did nothing to prevent the stress on my thumb (the digit that blistered), I still needed to push down against the spring on a small button.
I also needed to buy one of the magazine loading assist devices for my Ruger MkIII 22/45 LITE because those magazines were doing the same thing. Both mags have small buttons and both have spring pressure, it's hard to get away from that, and I know I'm not the only one complaining about this....otherwise there wouldn't be any devices being made (or sold) out there.
Anyways, thanks for the tip, it did help me with 1 of my 2 issues.
I'll come back and provide an update for the new magazine loading assistant after I try it out for myself. It's got to be better than what I have already.....with any luck at all.
hkyplr
Member
Just wondering about the possibility of an overly dirty firearm. Maybe it could be the cause?
rraisley
Member
Well, as you realize, (and assuming the Ruger is similar to a High Standard, Browning Buck Mark or Medalist), loading a .22 pistol, using the strong spring and smaller button on one side only, is one heck of a lot harder on the thumb than the 15-22's magazine is. Loading the 15-22's is like my thumb is on vacation, or something.
But as Majorik says, putting the mag against a flat surface just makes it easier, and as you've found, possibly a bit more accurate (loaded in a better manner, not shooting).
Heck, try loading that 10th round into a S&W M&P 9c, if you want to know what a sore thumb feels like!
Majorlk
Member
Never said it did. What is DOES do if give the magazine a solid base to rest upon while you put your fingers on the TOP of the buttons, not press on it from the side.
If you are getting blisters, you are doing something wrong. It's that simple. Even my 8-year old grandson loads magazines with no problems or blisters.
The Ruger mags have a button only on one side. Any mag made that way is a pain to load - no pun intended. Try loading compact centerfire magazine with no assist of any kind.
Majorlk
Member
Or the last round in a .40S&W compact. That's why I always use a UPlulu loader for all centerfire stuff.
Kayback
Member
I've never tried it in my 15/22 but in my .22 pistol I can interchange ammunition without issues. I was doing that when I was testing my new can. 2 rounds local standard velocity, two rounds local sub sonic, two rounds Russian sub sonic, two rounds USA sub sonic.
Ran a couple of drills like that listening to the different pitch of shot.
Eventually decided it didn't make a difference
KBK
Ran a couple of drills like that listening to the different pitch of shot.
Eventually decided it didn't make a difference
KBK
Majorlk
Member
I have never run into a problem with mixed ammo, but then again, it's been a few years since I used anything for plinking except Federal Champion - I buy it by the case. No partial boxes of multiple brands.
I have different ammo for match use and silhouette shooting that I don't plink with.
I have different ammo for match use and silhouette shooting that I don't plink with.
johnr43
Member
"DIY" Loader
My "Home Crafted" loader is not pretty, but it works. I roughed out the opening and smoothed it with a soldering tool. Saves the thumb and finger but the price is right.
My "Home Crafted" loader is not pretty, but it works. I roughed out the opening and smoothed it with a soldering tool. Saves the thumb and finger but the price is right.
