Have I ruined my .22lr?

baddarryl · March 31, 2011, 11:13 PM

Hi all. Other than my intro this is my first post. After reading this:
http://www.centerfirecentral.com/lapbore1.htm

I am worried that I may have harmed my Marlin 981T .22 which not knowing any better I basically pulled out of the box and started shooting it. I put maybe 50 rounds through it before cleaning it. All I had ever cleaned was shotguns so I did it just like that. Cramming a solvent bristle brush in the breech and then several patches and then oil (which I left in before shooting again). I shot about 75 more and cleaned it again.

I have read a lot about cleaning and break in since then and am going to treat my new Marlin XL7 .270 differently. What I want to know is have I harmed this .22 barrel and should I now go through a process similar to that above? I have only sighted it at 75 feet so far , but it shot very tight groups almost on top of each other. Or am I worrying too much?

Thanks all in advance!

hoghunting · April 1, 2011, 12:48 AM

You didn't damage your barrel, and, yes, you are worrying too much. The .22lr ammo doesn't foul like centerfire ammo. Just keep loading it up and enjoy shooting.

Ideal Tool · April 1, 2011, 02:02 AM

Hello, baddarryl. It doesn't sound like you did any damage, the way it is grouping. However, NEXT time, you might not be so lucky...Sometimes there is thick oil or grease in there for shipping/storage purpose..if you had fired a round with that goop in there, a bulged barrel could result. It only takes a few minutes to push a patch thru before shooting. Best of luck!

FrankenMauser · April 1, 2011, 02:45 AM

Don't leave oil in the bore (or chamber), but you shouldn't have hurt it, so far.

baddarryl · April 1, 2011, 07:37 AM

Thanks guys. My hope was the point about the .22 not being as brutal as Centerfire. I had already thought of that, thanks for the confirmation guys.

wayne in boca · April 1, 2011, 08:05 AM

This once you have been spared.Go forth,and sin no more.

baddarryl · April 1, 2011, 08:24 AM

Lol Wayne! I am am from Boca too, but been in Wilm NC since 89.

March 31, 2011, 11:13 PM	#1
baddarryl Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2011 Location: Cape Fear! Posts: 1,700	Have I ruined my .22lr? Hi all. Other than my intro this is my first post. After reading this: http://www.centerfirecentral.com/lapbore1.htm I am worried that I may have harmed my Marlin 981T .22 which not knowing any better I basically pulled out of the box and started shooting it. I put maybe 50 rounds through it before cleaning it. All I had ever cleaned was shotguns so I did it just like that. Cramming a solvent bristle brush in the breech and then several patches and then oil (which I left in before shooting again). I shot about 75 more and cleaned it again. I have read a lot about cleaning and break in since then and am going to treat my new Marlin XL7 .270 differently. What I want to know is have I harmed this .22 barrel and should I now go through a process similar to that above? I have only sighted it at 75 feet so far , but it shot very tight groups almost on top of each other. Or am I worrying too much? Thanks all in advance!

April 1, 2011, 02:45 AM	#4
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 26, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,770	Don't leave oil in the bore (or chamber), but you shouldn't have hurt it, so far. __________________ -Unwilling Range Officer -Unwilling Match Designer -NRL22/PRS22/PRO -Something about broccoli and carrots

April 1, 2011, 12:48 AM	#2
hoghunting Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 2006 Posts: 1,559	You didn't damage your barrel, and, yes, you are worrying too much. The .22lr ammo doesn't foul like centerfire ammo. Just keep loading it up and enjoy shooting.

April 1, 2011, 02:02 AM	#3
Ideal Tool Junior member Join Date: October 6, 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,080	Hello, baddarryl. It doesn't sound like you did any damage, the way it is grouping. However, NEXT time, you might not be so lucky...Sometimes there is thick oil or grease in there for shipping/storage purpose..if you had fired a round with that goop in there, a bulged barrel could result. It only takes a few minutes to push a patch thru before shooting. Best of luck!

April 1, 2011, 07:37 AM	#5
baddarryl Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2011 Location: Cape Fear! Posts: 1,700	Thanks guys. My hope was the point about the .22 not being as brutal as Centerfire. I had already thought of that, thanks for the confirmation guys.

April 1, 2011, 08:05 AM	#6
wayne in boca Senior Member Join Date: August 5, 2005 Posts: 345	This once you have been spared.Go forth,and sin no more.

April 1, 2011, 08:24 AM	#7
baddarryl Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2011 Location: Cape Fear! Posts: 1,700	Lol Wayne! I am am from Boca too, but been in Wilm NC since 89.