Speaking of barrel leading,

[RAMS]

why the heck should a S&W or other quality .22 lead up in the first place?

Got back from the range with my new Model 63 3", and after the normal cleaning routine with solvent, brass brush and bore snake finish, I was surprised when the bore light revealed a really bad lead buildup on one side of the barrel near the throat. (That may explain why I had noticed a little spitting and only so-so accuracy.) None of the ammo brands I had used was bare lead.

Cleaned up OK with small lead cloth patches and a lot of elbow grease, but I don't recall ever having had a bad leading problem before with any of my Smith or Colt .22s.

If it happens again with different ammo, should it go back to S&W, or is it normal for some .22's to have to "work out the rough spots in a barrel"? ( I don't see how lead can smooth out steel rough spots.) As far as I can tell, timing and lock up are fine, but my Brownells .22 range rod won't fit, so I can't tell for sure.

 

[500 Magnum Nut]

Use CCI brand ammo. The leading will be far far better.

 

[RAMS]

I agree, 500. Mini-Mags are what I use most of the time. However, my M63 doesn't like them so I also used Win. PP and Rem. GB; both a little dirty but fairly accurate in my other .22s.

But what causes leading in the first place?

 

[Bullseye Smith]

The standard's will be more fun, each 22 has it's own thing to eat. I keep about twenty types on hand to try and see what does best.

 

[500 Magnum Nut]

22s are just filthy dirty. CCI bullets are harder than Remington for example, so the the leading is improved.

I'd shoot cheap Remington thunder bolts before and the barrel was completely filed up in less than 100 rounds fired. I'd take a brush and push out a lot of lead from the barrel. Perhaps 2 bullets worth of metal. CCis don't do this at all.