Winchester M-22 issues...

[hoc9sw]

The quantity of ammo they can take back is constrained by the shipping method. I don't remember what the quantity is, but I had some from which they asked for the rounds that exhibited a certain problem. Not all did. They wanted to know how many - it makes a difference. They got them, and sent a check some weeks later for the whole batch from my receipt. They did not say what they found (nor did I request / need any explanations). I suspect there is also a limit to the $ value of a simple complaint.

On one call they did tell me the return process for the recall ammo was more complicated. I had mentioned that I had bought some M-22, and was glad it did not fall in the recall lots. The guy said something along the lines of "that's good, as it would be more difficult to get that picked up".

 

[Freeway]

Have had good luck with the M-22 so far. Probably less than 1% failure rate in ~3,000 rounds fired. Didn't seem to be the most accurate for me, but almost every round went down range.

 

[Decipher]

Lots 2HA601, and 38N03L - I bought these about a month apart, she stated they were manufactured aprox a year apart... which seemed odd. Anyway they will refunding me by check for the 500ct brick I am sending in for them to evaluate, and if I have to send the rest in she said they would replace them but I'm going to push for a refund on those as well. Or replace with some centerfire handgun ammo even...

My lot of 3,000 rounds indicates "3GN03L." Maybe you mistook the G for an 8?

Either way, i have multiple bullets that are loose in their casing and some do spin. I haven't fired these yet so we'll see how they cycle through my 15-22. Please post your results from Winchester. I was desperate for ammo so scooped these up hoping they would work. I'll post my results. If nothing else, it will give me plenty or practice for clearing various failures.

 

[DMSC]

I've noticed the loose, rotating bullets in several other brands/loads as well. It's never caused an issue for me.

Not saying it can't...

 

[Decipher]

Well, took my new 15-22 for a stroll. Started with CCI ammo to sight in my optics. No failures. Then, three 25 round mags of M22. Not a single issue. This stuff isn't as bad as everyone says. Then...it happens. Failure to eject every 5th round or so. Didn't matter if I was slow firing or double tapping. I had about 5 FTF that fired on a second attempt and one that didn't fire at all.

I'm concerned the issue is with my rifle with all of the FTE, but I don't see any issue. I went back to CCI but I started to get the same failure rate. Don't know if it's because of all the gunk in my rifle now or something else. I'll be cleaning and inspecting it tomorrow. I'll post back.

For what it's worth, the M22 shot remarkably accurate. I was drilling the bullseye out at 50 yards with no problem. Even the loose rounds fired reasonably well. The FTEs were fun at first as it gave me a chance to work on my drills since my AR hasn't failed once in over 3,000 rounds. That got old really quick.

 

[RedNeck Jim]

I'm no expert but FTE doesn't sound like an ammo issue... especially when you have the same issue with CCI. Besides a good cleaning, which I'm sure you had already done, I would suggest checking out the bolt rails. Make sure they are smooth with no defects & make sure they aren't bent. My bolt runs real smooth over my rails.

Gotta be real careful with the ejector. The Major taught me to put a straw over it while cleaning.

 

[Decipher]

It definitely struck me as odd, especially when it started part way through my shoot. Gonna check it out this morning. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[RedNeck Jim]

Also, did you loosen/remove the flash hider? Done improperly (not clamping the barrel in a vise) can cause issues.

 

[Decipher]

Thanks. I saw your post on that before. No, I haven't altered the weapon at all other than adding a few accessories. Everything looked okay with the rails so I'm a bit confused. When I had the FTE, they would partially eject then get crimped by the closing bolt. Very odd.

 

[Decipher]

I did some research and found the very scientific FTE "fix" by bending the extractor 1/16" inward. I'll try to get back out today to see if that fixed the issue. Hopefully it did and I can give a very honest review of this ammo. I have the Black Dog 50 round drum that should give me ample opportunity to run the M-22 for a real test.

 

[78Staff]

Just to follow up, they haven' tested/evaluated my sample of 500 rounds I sent back yet, but I went ahead asked to return the whole lot for a refund, which they agreed to. It appears from several posts that "spinning' rounds, ie bullets spinning in the brass may be considered ok or normal for 22, but even so with seeing several bullets per "handful" physically wobble in the brass - well I just wasn't comfortable with that.

Props to Winchester CS for setting up the shipping and return/refund, I will say. Won't deter me from buying Winchester centerfire ammo, but I think the bulk 22 is off my list.

 

[78Staff]

And as a final followup, received the check today.

 

[D1DAVE]

i just shot a whole 500 round box of M22 in my 15-22 today. Did not know until now about the spinning bullet situation. No failures of any kind. Ran 50 rounds of CCI mini mags to compare accuracy.I was dialing in my TRS-25 that I just installed, and accuracy was comparable between the two. I have run about 300 rounds previous to this in the same rifle. i will check for any loose ones, but I do not think I will be sending these back.

 

[Majorlk]

So-called spinning bullets have been around to one extent or another for decades. It's a function of the stepped heel design of the bullet and shows up occasionally in just about all brands except real match ammo.

Except in rare cases ( no pun intended) it has zero impact on functioning or performance. Much ado about nothing ...

 

[IceStone]

Yep, spinning bullets have been around as long as bullets have been around. I don't care about them anymore, but at one time I had this strange obsession with trying to yank out the bullet with my bare hands whenever I encountered a spinning bullet. Then someone told me that I could blow my hand off doing that so I stopped and switched my obsession to pouring obscene amounts of black powder on the ground and throwing a match into it.

 

[tomcatt51]

I could care less about "spinning bullets". I've simply found too many M-22 rds that won't go bang, even trying them again and making multiple firing pin hits around the rim. That said when they go bang accuracy has been good but not going bang consistently has relegated them to being "use it up first" practice ammo.

 

[78Staff]

spinning bullets... ok whatever. It was the bullet actually wobbling in the brass that bothered me the most. I lost a bit on the transaction but at least they refunded most of my purchase price.