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oil on top round
geeguy
Member Posts: 1,047 ✭
During a .22 Bullseye pistol match the discussion of a drop of oil on the top round (at the junction of the bullet and case)became a topic of accuracy. I have always used a drop on all my guns during competition and never had a feeding problem, and shooting the .22 at 50 yds from a ransom never noticed a difference in accuracy. (so I will continue no matter what, and I like my guns a little "wet")
It was stated that a drop can take you from the 10 ring to the 6 ring and about 9 shots to come back to the 10 ring. I know a drop of oil in a rifle barrel can create an issue, but on the top of the first round? With a competition chamber?
Not sure there is a right or wrong on this issue, but interested in what other pistol and bench rest rifle shooters think, or have experienced.
It was stated that a drop can take you from the 10 ring to the 6 ring and about 9 shots to come back to the 10 ring. I know a drop of oil in a rifle barrel can create an issue, but on the top of the first round? With a competition chamber?
Not sure there is a right or wrong on this issue, but interested in what other pistol and bench rest rifle shooters think, or have experienced.
Comments
The only wear I ever saw on a match grade 22 pistol was from dry firing or the peening of the barrel from the slide. The 20,000 rounds or so I shot in competition never started to wear the gun out.
The risk of using oil on the ammo far exceeds any possible benefit in my way of thinking.
Besides, I know you're well aware a .22 pistol should last just about forever without it, as Bpost pointed out. I have no idea why anyone would need to do that to a .22 unless the gun just won't feed reliably and it was tried out as a cure. I have also read somewhere of warriors putting a drop of oil on the first round in a clip of steel-cased pistol ammo in .45's in combat to improve feeding. (Jeff Cooper said that regarding wartime steel case ammo in a Guns & Ammo magazine I think?? I might be wrong on the author.)
As for .22's my Ruger MkI is older than my wife and was left in the damp when it was stored by the first owner, so it was a pitted mess (with a shiny bore/chamber) when I bought it last year on GB for 100 bucks. Now with a cerakote finish, 2 new mags and new springs I think it'll go another 40 years, and shoots to point of aim all day with budget ammo. The same goes for my Dad's Colt Huntsman, never needed any help to feed. (Not match target pistols, but .22's shooting mostly budget .22 ammo nonetheless)
I totally agree that the use of the oil draws dirt. I clean the chamber area and the action area after each match, but I had not considered the pressure for ejection being effected due to the oil. I'll try some dry ammo on a Walther that I am having issues with on ejection and see if that helps.
As always, I appreciate the input.