"Smokeless Greased Only"?

[italiansport]

I have a Stevens Model 87A 22 semi-automatic rifle that indicates on the barrel that only Smokeless Greased Ammo should be used. My problem is that in all my years of collecting I've never seen a box of 22s marked in this manner. Other opinions?
Jim

 

[Rpg]

Any standard velocity lead bullet ammo will work fine.

 

[DWalt]

Neither have I. I thought all .22 loads always had lubricated bullets, I think some sort of wax is most common. Maybe some of the very early production used grease.

 

[4barrel]

Only if you dip it in bacon grease first. Keeps rust out of the barrel and makes it shoot a mile like it says on the box.

 

[gmiller0737]

I don't remember the exact specifics but several older Rimfire Guns were marked "Smokeless Greased" My Remington Model 24 was so marked,I would agree with Rpg that a .22 Standard Velocity should be Ok.

 

[BigBill]

Use bacon grease? That smell and would make me hungry.

 

[model70hunter]

If it does not have scope groves in the receiver it is an early one pre war util middle (?) 50's. It was made from 1938 to 1965.

Not much info on this one. Looks like Manufacturing stopped prior to 1968 and one source said none had serial numbers.

Below is a link to the best one I read. Smokeless may have been the roll stamp they used since the change from black powder to smokeless powder. I always felt greased meant some type of lubrication.

My Maternal uncles loved this gun and all had one. My Mom's 1st cousin , had one. I was watching him carry it across the yard with his finger on the trigger, muzzle down. When he stepped up on the porch it went off and went thru our youngest aunts foot.

Created quite the stir at Grandpas house.

Here is the link.
When Was The Springfield J. Stevens Arms Co. MODEL 87A .22 R... | Gun Values Board

 

[2152hq]

That was an old old stamp marking that you will find on several early 22 semi auto rifles & handguns.
It was to tell the owner NOT to use the then commonly available blackpowder 22RF rounds still in circulation around the country.
(BP loaded 22RF ammo was 'wax' coated and usually so noted on the box.)

To a lot people at the time, BP was still the propellant of choice and semiauto firearms were something new. The two don't mix of course.

As noted the Rem24 has that marking. I think the early Colt Woodsman has it too.
The warning may have hung around on the bbl marking of some arms longer than really necessary, but as part of an expensive roll die that didn't need replacement due to breakage or wear,,why replace it.