10/22 Problems

[sashok.privetov]

Has anyone ever experienced sparks/burning powder/whatever else fly out of the ejection port?  It happened this past AS.  I was using Winchester 555 white box.  I have never seen anything of the sort before.  I got witnesses!

[fepowered]

Only when the barrel was loose which created head space issues..

[sashok.privetov]

Headspace on 10/22, what?

Unlikely--the barrel is set dead in there, the problem occurred late in the day, when it got dirty, and the problem went away when ammo was switched.

[ID_Hezekiah]

The 10/22 (like most .22s) is a blowback design.  Most .22 cartridges use slow-burning powders and it is not unexpected for a few burning grains to be ejected from the reciever along with the brass.  This is usually not enough to be easily visible, is more so in lower light conditions.  If it's excessive, that's a potential problem, but a few orange embers occasionally should not be an issue.

[Patent guy]

I was surprised too.  But I found this thread:

http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=409305&highlight=10%2F22+sparks

It appears this might be normal for some types of ammo.

[fepowered]

Headspace on 10/22, what?

Unlikely--the barrel is set dead in there, the problem occurred late in the day, when it got dirty, and the problem went away when ammo was switched.

If the 2 cap screws which hold the barrel in loosen up, you WILL have issues as the barrel will move forward.

[Old Dog]

I've seen fire fly, too, but it was an out of battery fire incident (more than one). 

When this happens the sound of the gun going off sounds different.  The empty case will be deformed since it is not fully chambered with the powder ignites.  If you don't have either of the above then its most likely the powder issue mentioned above.

[Texas Rifleman]

Not uncommon to see that in low light conditions. My wife was freaking out about the same thing on the Trap field shooting a 20 ga 11/87 a few weeks back. They were cheap shells also. Try some Federal Automatch in that 10/22.
I met you in Davilla last year when you shot your Rifleman score. At least I think that was you ?

[POP]

Alex,
I, too, have personal BAD experience with that particular Winchester product just as you describe and worse.

Sure, the problem could be head space, it could be weak bolt spring.  But, the problem clears up after changing ammo. 

I have seen fire, sparks, etc., deformed shell casings, shell casings with the heads blown off ... and, usually with a different sound.

Number one DO NOT Use this Winchester product in a Ruger 10/22 is my suggestion. 
Number two is keep that rifle clean.  Dirty gritty bolt rails can also be a contributing factor.



Thanks for posting.
POP




I have That particular Winchester product has is NOT

[sashok.privetov]

Thanks everyone for the response. I suppose no one knows what that little 22 rimfire will do next.

The sparks were readily seen at 1 or 2 pm, although we were in the shade.  There was no unusual sound, just that of a shot going off, and the brass was not deformed.  I'll check the rifle again, but when I cleaned it there was no play in the barrel, so I assume the two front cap screws are still doing their job.  The rifle was very dirty, however.  The first patch came out of the barrel not only black, but also dragging carbon residue in powder form.  I don't think I've seen that even from Remington ammo.
In the morning, everything was fine. Then after lunch, spent brass begun to not fully eject--it would get stuck between front of the ejection port and charging handle in a similar fashion to the stovepipe, only lengthwise. I sprayed some CLP in the action and barrel, and then I noticed the sparks/ambers. Tried Blazer and Federal bulk, and the problems disappeared. I did not clean it until the day was over. There was no damage to the rifle, to the naked eye.

IDK.

[George Hacker]

The rifle was very dirty, however.  The first patch came out of the barrel not only black, but also dragging carbon residue in powder form.  I don't think I've seen that even from Remington ammo.

I think it is the Winchester bulk ammo.  When I was trying to find the right ammunition for my 10-22, I tried Federal, CCI, Remington, and Winchester.  My rifle liked the CCI and Remington gold-tip HP the best so I finally settled on the Remington because of $$$.  When I fired the Winchester, it was by far the dirtiest shooting and when I cleaned the rifle there was a fair amount of unburned powder in the barrel.

- ShadowMan

[sashok.privetov]

I met you in Davilla last year when you shot your Rifleman score. At least I think that was you ?

If this is the occasion you are talking about, then yes: http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=13171.msg109542#msg109542

[oladcock]

I've never seen the sparks. No doubt if the barrel is loose, the rifle is not going to group.

Had a 10-22 on the line with a bull barrel that would put 4 shots in a dime but one would be high right about 1.5" every time. At first we thought the shooter was pulling a shot but it turned out to be the first shot of every string. Now I've seen AR's that would throw that first shot then tighten up as the barrel warmed up but not no stinkin bull barrel .22! We checked for stock tightness, put up pressure on the barrel, nothing helped. Took it home that night, the only thing I could find wrong was one of the barrel bolts wasn't as tight as the other, evened them up and the next morning it shot perfectly. So if you ever see that problem, check those bolts! ...O.L.

[Texas Rifleman]

Yep that's the one.