Thunderbolt ammo totally plugged my barrel today

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ghh3rd

Bearcat
Joined
May 22, 2014
Messages
3
I have had great success with my SR22, and never had a failure to feed problem in about 1,000 rounds. Today was much different.

I started off with a very clean barrel, and the first magazine seemed fine, although I was surprised that accuracy was poor. I had a jam about half way through the second magazine, stripped the offending round and got one in chamber and it fired another couple, and jammed again. After a couple of more rounds, it was totally non functional.

I ensured that the barrel was tight and swapped magazines to no avail. I didn't think to look down the barrel until now.

Holy crap!!! In 40 years I have had never had much more than a smear of lead in a barrel. This thing is so plugged up that I can't get a patch through it. I was barely able to get a brush half way through it when it got stuck, permanently it seemed, but was finally able to get it through. I won't be trying that again with that much lead in the barrel!

The offending ammo was one I haven't tried before -- Remington Thunderbolt. I was so glad when I bought it, but not so happy now.

Randy
 

Chief_10Beers

Blackhawk
Joined
Mar 15, 2009
Messages
943
Location
Kenly, North Carolina
I must be one of those lucky few X2. 2 bricks of Thunderbolts and Two SR22s, ate them Thunderbolts right up. Lightning does strike twice in a good way :lol: ........................................
 

Ruger Packer

Buckeye
Joined
Aug 30, 2004
Messages
1,557
Location
Grand Lake Oklahoma
I have 2 bricks of Thunderbolts in my .22 ammo cache. I bought these about 20 years ago. In fact, the price sticker is still on the box, $7.99 (brick). These weren't too bad in my 10/22 (Federal's are more accurate), and weren't very good in my Mark II. But I have an old Stevens Model 55 that was my granddad's and it shoots them very well.

Otherwise, I'm not a big fan of Remington RF ammo as I was when I was a kid.
 

timboy

Bearcat
Joined
Nov 9, 2011
Messages
74
I wouldn't use thunderbolts to fill a hole in my back yard they are the dirtiest .22 rounds I have ever encountered.
 

flyfishny

Bearcat
Joined
Mar 28, 2012
Messages
30
Sorry for your experience with the Remington ammo. But, thanks for the heads-up for those of us who have some but haven't shot it yet.
 

louchia

Single-Sixer
Joined
May 3, 2014
Messages
157
I used Rem Thunderbolt once, never again. It' hard that Remington puts their name on such crap. Some ammo is dirty but Thnderbolt is beyond that. I too got the bore brush stuck. At least an hour to ease it out to avoid a chance of damage. Also could mot get a patch through.
I use other Rem ammo, 22lr Golden and 9mm and am very happy with it.

Warning to all. DO NOT buy or use it.
 

Snake45

Hawkeye
Joined
Mar 14, 2009
Messages
9,119
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+4020
Many of us here are not surprised. We've had it happen to us, hence terms like "Thunderturds" on this and other boards. :wink:

timboy said:
I wouldn't use thunderbolts to fill a hole in my back yard they are the dirtiest .22 rounds I have ever encountered.
Believe it or not, I've seen worse--some Argentine-made stuff called Concorde, back in the '80s. But the Thunderturds have second worst solidly nailed down.
 

timboy

Bearcat
Joined
Nov 9, 2011
Messages
74
I had to laugh when I went ammo shopping at Dicks sporting goods a few months ago and they were selling a Remington combo pack,it contained thunderbolts,a bottle of remoil and other cleaning supplies.
 

IlikeIke

Bearcat
Joined
Aug 25, 2014
Messages
8
My 22 Witness conversion kit on my Witness small frame 9mm shoots Thunderbolt just fine, it's just not that accurate. But no dirtier than other cheap 22 ammo.
 

Brian48

Bearcat
Joined
Jun 8, 2013
Messages
60
Location
Peoples Republic of MA
Thunderbolts have been crap for the 30 years I've been shooting. I would imagine they were crap even going back further. Guaranteed to lead up my barrel after a box or two.

I avoided Tbolts even during the shortages.
 

NixieTube

Blackhawk
Joined
Oct 14, 2009
Messages
988
Location
Massachusetts
+7 or 8. It's not good ammo. I have no idea what the quality control is but the price point hints: "None. You pays your money you takes your chances."

It's Escape from New York Ammo, stuff that'll be left over when The Duke is running the show and you're Snake Plisskin. Except there will be no Adrienne Barbeau, just a lot of bore cleaning. Not a pretty picture.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_2/408766_Is_remington_thunderbolt__22lr_ammo_really_this_bad_.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-LDW7tWwAI

Having said that, it's probably safe to shoot and you can get at least 20 or 30 good rounds out of a box of 50. Until you can't anymore. You're just going to work harder.
 

Cheesewhiz

Hunter
Joined
Feb 8, 2008
Messages
2,114
Location
Chicago, IL
This is an old video on Youtube but it sums up what Remington Thunderbolt can do to a good pistol. The guy is a little upset and maybe strangely effected by that but the video shows how bad it can be.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjbsuJhr_zE
 

Greekshooter

Bearcat
Joined
Nov 2, 2005
Messages
8
Location
VA
It screwed up the barrel in my MKII target.

Cleaning rod got stuck in the barrel trying to clean it out. Had to send to Ruger. They replaced the pistol at a cost...I'll never use that ammo again!
 

5of7

Hunter
Joined
Sep 22, 2010
Messages
2,296
Location
SW. LOWER MICHIGAN
I have used Thunderbolts for years and never found a problem with it.

I suspect that the problem is more with the gun(s) (rough bores and chambers) than the ammo. 8)
 

Snake45

Hawkeye
Joined
Mar 14, 2009
Messages
9,119
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+4020
5of7 said:
I have used Thunderbolts for years and never found a problem with it.

I suspect that the problem is more with the gun(s) (rough bores and chambers) than the ammo. 8)
I really doubt that. People don't seem to have this kind of problem with any other ammo (except that Concorde stuff I mentioned).

The problem might be with certain lots of Thunderturd not being lubed, or not getting enough lube. Maybe you (and many others) have just been lucky so far, and I (and many others) hit a badly lubed lot first time out, or early on. Whatever the problem is, I'll never buy any more of that junk.

If I'm not mistaken, it's made in Mexico.
 

OldNavy

Single-Sixer
Joined
Dec 30, 2005
Messages
151
Location
Pensacola, FL, USA
I had the same problem back in the seventies with some lead Federal .22 LR ammo. I wouldn't shoot the Thunderbolt ammo if I could get it for free.
My .22 LR ammo of choice is the standard Remington plated hollowpoints. They are clean and give excellent results in all of my .22 LR firearms.
 

RedLabel

Single-Sixer
Joined
Sep 11, 2003
Messages
175
Location
Northern Indiana
I've got a brick of it I got in a trade a long time ago. Never used it. Still sealed. Wonder if I could trade it at the next gun show!
 

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