Recommendations On Clean Shooting 22 LR Ammo For Use In A S&W 17-6

[animalmother]

I have not shot much 22 LR ammo in the last 15 years. When I was shooting it as a kid, I paid no attention to what 22 ammo I was shooting in my rifles or dad's revolver.

I am about to come into possession of a really nice S&W Model 17-6. I do not want to shoot old school exposed lead 22 LR ammo in this revolver. Cleaning lead deposits from a blued revolver often means a loss of finish in certain spots.

I see a number of plated 22 LR offerings, but what clean 22 LR ammo do you use or recommend?

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[38-44HD45]

My "go to" .22 lr ammo for many years has been CCI Mini-Mag hollowpoints. I've only found a very few guns in which it doesn't shoot almost as well as match ammo, and it is quite clean. The Mini-Mag solids aren't bad, either.

 

[oldRoger]

I have used whatever was available in my M17, but it’s tight and so clean I must before I am ready.
I have found that the CCI-SV that I use in the M41s works fine in the 17 and is appreciably cleaner.

 

[Frailer]

Another vote for CCI Mini-Mags.

 

[Ghostofwar]

Mini mags would be the only thing I would shoot if I didn't want to use lead round nose. Very accurate in lots of different guns.

 

[Inspector-Callahan]

Federal Bulk Pack 550's

If you're close to a walmart, they sell these federal Bulk Pack's of 22LR HP's that shoot great in my guns and the ammo is very reasonably priced. It's probably as clean as any 22LR that I have tried. I don't have the product code handy, but they were in a red box last I checked.

I bought a case when it was running $8.99/box. Well worth the money.

IC

 

[animalmother]

Thanks to all who posted. I have some of the plated 22 Federal ammo that Wal-Mart sells. Will give it a try. Will also try the Mini Mags (which I have also been looking at).

Unlike the cleanfire handgun ammo offered by CCI, Rem, and Win, it does not appear any maker offers a clean fire 22 LR round.

 

[yanici]

Great timing on this post. I was trying out 3 different ammos at the range today in my 617. All shot at 50'.

Tried the CCI SV. Kinda open group at 50'.

Tried bulk Federal 550 Pk. 36 gr. Much more accurate and smaller group than the CCI SV.

Tried Wolf MT 40 gr. Simliar accuracy to the CCI SV but there was another problem too. The brass would not eject. I had to use a rod to push each empty out of the cylinder. I guess the brass expanded upon ignition and held tight to the walls of the chamber.

Next I need to try the CCI Mini Mags in 36 grain and 40 grain. I have some Federal 225 Bulk Pak Champion 36 grain to try too.

 

[cjw3]

If you're close to a walmart, they sell these federal Bulk Pack's of 22LR HP's that shoot great in my guns and the ammo is very reasonably priced. It's probably as clean as any 22LR that I have tried. I don't have the product code handy, but they were in a red box last I checked.

I bought a case when it was running $8.99/box. Well worth the money.

IC

Another vote on the Federal bulk packs. They are running around $18 and some change at Wally around here, but they are worth it. I use it in a 22A, K-.22 and Model 63 and works great; accurate and clean burning.

Avoid the Remington stuff; it is absolute rubbish.

 

[bennettfam]

Federal bulk has been my favorite after years of plinking with the kids. Clean and consistant with only one exception. Got a bad box once with dented cases that wouldn't feed or extract well. Sent a few samples back to Federal with a note. They replied with an apology and two bricks of their good stuff. I'm a loyal customer.

 

[yanici]

Great timing on this post. I was trying out 3 different ammos at the range today in my 617. All shot at 50'.

Tried the CCI SV. Kinda open group at 50'.

Tried bulk Federal 550 Pk. 36 gr. Much more accurate and smaller group than the CCI SV.

Tried Wolf MT 40 gr. Simliar accuracy to the CCI SV but there was another problem too. The brass would not eject. I had to use a rod to push each empty out of the cylinder. I guess the brass expanded upon ignition and held tight to the walls of the chamber.

Next I need to try the CCI Mini Mags in 36 grain and 40 grain. I have some Federal 225 Bulk Pak Champion 36 grain to try too.

Quoted myself...ha, ha. So went to try the Federal Champion bulk pak and the CCI 36 grain Mini Mags.

The Federal Champion 36 gr.525 bulk pak and the Federal 36 gr. 550 bulk pak shot the most accurate and about the same with the champion, maybe, a bit more accurate.

The CCI 36 gr. Mini Mags shot about like the CCI SV. OK but not great. I forgot to bring the 40 gr. Mini Mags to try.

I wanted the CCI SV to be the best but it was not to be. My barrel on my 617 seems to be very tight and maybe that's why it likes the copper plated Federal ammo better. I don't know. I have at least 4000 rounds through this gun so it is broken in.

 

[Andy Griffith]

Plated rounds may lead just as bad if not worse that the unplated onces.

It has everything to do with the forcing cone being correct, alignment, barrel/cylinder gap and how much wax/lube is on the bullet in .22 LR. Any one or more of these factors will contribute. Since it's a new gun, it will likely come from the lack of wax on the bullet.

No matter what, if it is shot, the front of the cylinder will become discolored. A little Flitz or Semichrome used very gently can bring it back to blue if shot very little, but if it's shot quite a bit, it will become permanently powder burned and cannot be brought back to an "unfired" look.

Stick with standard velocity, and good loads with lots of wax, such as CCI standard velocity or Green Tag, RWS target varieties and Laupa target rounds.

 

[whodat]

Try American Eagle 38gr. HP

Mfg Item Num: AE22
Caliber :22 Long Rifle
Bullet Type :Copper Plated HP
Bullet Weight :38 GR
Muzzle Energy :138 ft lbs
Muzzle Velocity :1260 fps
Rounds/box :40 Rounds Per Box

Shot some yesterday thru my S&W 2214 and NEF R92 . I was only shooting @ 7yds. off hand, but I was getting 1 inch groups(dropping flyers, top left corner target). It shot pretty clean also.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

If you're looking for clean .22LR ammo and don't want to spend the additional cash it costs to buy CCI ammo I would suggest Remington Golden Bullet bulk pack ammo. You can get it for ~$20/550 rounds and it's one of the cleaner .22LR ammo around... Federal Bulk pack ammo is fairly clean too but not as clean as the Remington Golden Bullet ammo.

 

[saxon357]

I don't have a .22 wheel gun, however the S&W 422 automatic I have likes to shoot the Winchester Super X Power points. My Hi Standard model B also likes the Winchester ammo. Remington rim fire ammo jams in the High Standard and, I have never purchased the federal. Just my opinion.

 

[zamboni_driver]

If you're looking for clean .22LR ammo and don't want to spend the additional cash it costs to buy CCI ammo I would suggest Remington Golden Bullet bulk pack ammo. You can get it for ~$20/550 rounds and it's one of the cleaner .22LR ammo around... Federal Bulk pack ammo is fairly clean too but not as clean as the Remington Golden Bullet ammo.

I have found the opposite. When I use the Remington in my 10/22 magazine, my thumb turns black. After switching to the Federal bulk, I noticed my thumb was nowhere near as dirty. This was on different days, using a whole box of 500 rounds.

 

[LouisianaJoe]

I have had good luck with the Federal bulk in my 17 and p22 and Ruger revolver and Mark I.

I have a 10/22 that I put a Green Mountain barrel on that will put 10 shots into 1" at 100yds from a sandbag using Federal.

I have a 41, but I shoot only Standard Velocity or match in it.

 

[38-44HD45]

If you're looking for clean .22LR ammo and don't want to spend the additional cash it costs to buy CCI ammo I would suggest Remington Golden Bullet bulk pack ammo. You can get it for ~$20/550 rounds and it's one of the cleaner .22LR ammo around... Federal Bulk pack ammo is fairly clean too but not as clean as the Remington Golden Bullet ammo.

Tony, the problem I've had, and seen from others, is a massive misfire rate with the Remington offering. Never found it to be dirty or lead badly, but hate the misfires.

 

[Wayne M]

Try American Eagle 38gr. HP

Mfg Item Num: AE22
Caliber :22 Long Rifle
Bullet Type :Copper Plated HP
Bullet Weight :38 GR
Muzzle Energy :138 ft lbs
Muzzle Velocity :1260 fps
Rounds/box :40 Rounds Per Box

Shot some yesterday thru my S&W 2214 and NEF R92 . I was only shooting @ 7yds. off hand, but I was getting 1 inch groups(dropping flyers, top left corner target). It shot pretty clean also.

Great shooting rounds. With a little practice you'll get that inch at 25 yards with those Eagles. I also like Winchester Power Point a lot before and after their recall on it. Only trouble with the PP these days is it seems to be a lot more expensive in my area than the Eagle HP's and they appear to shoot just as well in two 617's So AE it is as I restock and rotate my supply.

 

[Smith357]

Most all my .22 ammo is match grade stuff for my target rifles, I use the same ammo in my revolver and grab whatever is handy or is an odd count leftover weather it's RWS, Eley, Lapua, or Federal Gold Medal. I have had no issues with any sort of mess from the higher end target ammo.