Round Lead Nose vs Copper Plated

Knightheart

Knightheart

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Recently purchased my S&W M&P 15-22. I have yet to take it out and test it, but am wondering about ammo choices. I see a lot of good ammo values that have Rounded Lead Nose and some have Copper Plated versions. What is the advantage of using one over the other. I have heard that the copper plated ones do not dirty the bore as much as plain lead nose? I never thought .22LR fouled much in any version, but it has been a long time since I have shot. Last shot an M1 Garand...yes, I am an old fart just starting out with shooting. Also, any tips on what brand ammo is best in regards to feeding and ejecting well. I am using the standard 25 rd. magazines and also a 35 round one I found online.

Thanks for you assistance! Be careful and be safe! :cool:
 
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There is a chance of fouling using lead nose bullets. It depends on the quality of ammo. I've heard that if you shoot lead ammo that if you shoot a few copper rounds when you're done it'll remove any built up lead
 
JeepinCO said:
There is a chance of fouling using lead nose bullets. It depends on the quality of ammo. I've heard that if you shoot lead ammo that if you shoot a few copper rounds when you're done it'll remove any built up lead
Click to expand...

It's a copper WASH, not plating, on .22 LR and it will do nothing to remove lead fouling. All the wash is is a lubricant. Most quality plain lead rounds have a wax coating that accomplishes the same function as the wash.

What you are referring to is a practice for handgunners shooting hot lead semi-wadcutters.
 
The CCI ARTactical line of 22lr ammo is what is made for AR style 22 rifles.

It is a plated 40 grain High velocity load that is very reliable in operating the mechanism and reduces fouling in bores. Also the plating reduces the risk of a feed ramp hang-up.

CCI Ammunition - Product Detail
 
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An add on question related to this, is there any problem firing CCI Quiet ammo, assuming it won't cycle other than manual ejection?
 
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I run CCI Standard ammo for everyday and then RWS Semi Auto for comps.
The best thing to do is try as many as you can till you find one you like.
 
I shoot absolutely NO lead tip bullets out of any .22 I got, whether it be a S&W or my Ruger 10/22. Thy will screw up the gun. I've had it happen.
 
I have shot several thousand rounds of lead round nose ammo of varying brands and have had hardly any issues at all. Just an occasional failure to feed maybe 1 time out of 200.
 
DougS said:
I shoot absolutely NO lead tip bullets out of any .22 I got, whether it be a S&W or my Ruger 10/22. Thy will screw up the gun. I've had it happen.
Click to expand...

I will disagree with this assessment. With over a million rounds through over a dozen different firearms, I have experienced nothing to support your contention. Proper barrel and action cleaning prevents any problems.
 
If you have a very expensive bolt rifle with a match target barrel you'd do best with match grade lead RN .22LR. If you have a run of the mill .22 semi auto whether in pistol or rifle the plated bullets tend to cycle more reliably. I have a Beretta .22 that simply will not function with lead bullets. It never jams with the cheap plated ones though.
 
The lead ammo is a little dirtier. I run mostly Federal Automatch, but also Remington Golden Bullets, both run well through our guns. The Remington is really no cleaner than the federal, just a different kind of dirty: powder fouling rather than lead fouling.

I clean my rifle about every 500 rounds.
 
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