I bought Remington Thunderbolts without realizing that they are known to cause leading in barrels. I found out the hard way with a Ruger SR22 pistol, a S&W M&P 22 pistol and a HK416 22 rifle. All three of these guns had formed lead half cylinders in their barrels, anywhere from 1/4 to 1 inch long. I had never fired Thunderbolts in any of my guns and took 1,500 rounds to the woods to do some plinking. During firing my wife and I noticed that our accuracy was declining and also saw that our target hits were no longer round holes but tears, slots about an inch wide. Took me an hour to clean each gun and 10 seconds to get rid of the remaining Thunderbolts. I'll never buy Remington Thunderbolts again. I've seen posts that claim otherwise that there is nothing wrong with Thunderbolts but I wonder if the shooters just didn't put enough rounds through their guns. I would estimate we shot anywhere from 300-400 rounds in each of these guns when the condition developed. The test for leading is easy, I couldn't get a coated Dewey rod, without a tip, down the barrel, it stopped right at the point of the leading. Visually it is hard to see the leading because it is polished by bullets that are fired past the lead obstruction.
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I've been running Thunderbolts through my 22/45 target for the past 3 years without issue. They are cheap and they function well in that pistol, not to mention my rifles.
A few weeks ago I decided to buy a 22/45 Lite. I initially broke the Lite in with a couple hundred rounds of Federal Auto Match, then took it out yesterday with a brick of Thunderbolts. After roughly a dozen mags, the accuracy dropped off significantly. I looked at my target and noticed the bullets were key-holing and knew immediately that my barrel had become leaded.
It was startling the amount lead I removed from the barrel, to the point I feared something had been ruined. But after giving the barrel a thorough scrubbing, it appears all the lead was removed without damage to the rifling.
I will continue to purchase Thunderbolts every chance I get, however I will not shoot them in the Lite.
A few weeks ago I decided to buy a 22/45 Lite. I initially broke the Lite in with a couple hundred rounds of Federal Auto Match, then took it out yesterday with a brick of Thunderbolts. After roughly a dozen mags, the accuracy dropped off significantly. I looked at my target and noticed the bullets were key-holing and knew immediately that my barrel had become leaded.
It was startling the amount lead I removed from the barrel, to the point I feared something had been ruined. But after giving the barrel a thorough scrubbing, it appears all the lead was removed without damage to the rifling.
I will continue to purchase Thunderbolts every chance I get, however I will not shoot them in the Lite.
I wont touch thunderbolts with any of my guns. Its like the bullets melt as soon as you pull the trigger and smear lead all down your barrel. 
Leading is not the only issue that one can have with these.....I have had experience with squib shots, oversized bullets, etc. But some folks continue to use them and praise them....perhaps they aren't very discriminating about their ammo. Could also be that there is/was a lot of variation in quality control with this ammo and some got bad stuff, some good.
I've also had to stop shooting and go home to clean the action in more than one semiauto while shooting these.
But other folk's results may vary.
I purchased a brick of this right after they came out with them. Very erratic performance, to the extent that I was concerned about the possibility of a squib shot. Some years later, I came into possession of another brick. Most of the cartridges would not chamber in any of my guns.....ended up throwing it away.
I've also had to stop shooting and go home to clean the action in more than one semiauto while shooting these.
But other folk's results may vary.
Leading in 22's is pretty easy to clean out... All it takes is a good jag, some Kroil/penetrating oil, and a copper scrubby pad...
I leaded the heck out of a 22 pistol several years ago... We shot maybe 5,000 rounds through it in ONE weekend... We scrounged out every single round we could find in the whole house.... We were shooting ammo made in the 1970's, 80's, 90's, and 2000's - and that old stuff had completely dried out every trace of lube....
Turns out, though, that you can "Re-lube" 22lr pretty easy.. All you really need is a bottle of the Johnson's liquid floor wax and one of those little 22 cartridge holders full of holes - like CCI, Aguila, and others use... Just put the shells in the holder, dip the bullets down into the liquid floor wax to the junction between bullet/cartridge, pull back up and let it dry... Viola - re-lubed....
That's what I would do first if you still have some of that Remington laying around...
Thanks
I leaded the heck out of a 22 pistol several years ago... We shot maybe 5,000 rounds through it in ONE weekend... We scrounged out every single round we could find in the whole house.... We were shooting ammo made in the 1970's, 80's, 90's, and 2000's - and that old stuff had completely dried out every trace of lube....
Turns out, though, that you can "Re-lube" 22lr pretty easy.. All you really need is a bottle of the Johnson's liquid floor wax and one of those little 22 cartridge holders full of holes - like CCI, Aguila, and others use... Just put the shells in the holder, dip the bullets down into the liquid floor wax to the junction between bullet/cartridge, pull back up and let it dry... Viola - re-lubed....
That's what I would do first if you still have some of that Remington laying around...
Thanks
I stopped buying Remington ammo all together back in the 80's because of quality control issues.
Getting the Lead Out
Seems I've been reading this quite often about Thunderbolts leading up bores in SOME folks guns, but not others. Over the years I've had some severely leaded bores brought in. Scrubbing lead from a bore is no fun and I've used a remedy that's older than me and has been very successful. It involves a mixture of 50% white vinegar and 50% hydrogen peroxide (3% works fine). I use a tapered rubber stopper plugged into the chamber end. Then fill the bore to the muzzle with the mixed solution. Let that sit for 15-20 minutes, and then pour it out and into a container. Inspect the bore for remaining lead deposits. If you still have lead in the bore, use more solution and leave it in the bore for another 15-20 minutes. Repeat until the lead is gone, and it will get gone. This solution has not hurt bluing at all and I've even had one RFC member tell me he used it on a Smith & Wesson Model 27, and those revolvers have very nice bluing.
Now, before somebody posts how the used solution, now containing lead, will make everybody in the house drop over and go into convulsions, I expect those reading this to have more sense than to inhale, drink or wash their intimate parts with the used solution. Dispose of the solution properly, just as you would any other nasty stuff. I use a metal coffee can and mix the used solution with flammable liquid to burn it off. Works for me.
Seems I've been reading this quite often about Thunderbolts leading up bores in SOME folks guns, but not others. Over the years I've had some severely leaded bores brought in. Scrubbing lead from a bore is no fun and I've used a remedy that's older than me and has been very successful. It involves a mixture of 50% white vinegar and 50% hydrogen peroxide (3% works fine). I use a tapered rubber stopper plugged into the chamber end. Then fill the bore to the muzzle with the mixed solution. Let that sit for 15-20 minutes, and then pour it out and into a container. Inspect the bore for remaining lead deposits. If you still have lead in the bore, use more solution and leave it in the bore for another 15-20 minutes. Repeat until the lead is gone, and it will get gone. This solution has not hurt bluing at all and I've even had one RFC member tell me he used it on a Smith & Wesson Model 27, and those revolvers have very nice bluing.
Now, before somebody posts how the used solution, now containing lead, will make everybody in the house drop over and go into convulsions, I expect those reading this to have more sense than to inhale, drink or wash their intimate parts with the used solution. Dispose of the solution properly, just as you would any other nasty stuff. I use a metal coffee can and mix the used solution with flammable liquid to burn it off. Works for me.
Personally I won't buy ANY Remmy ammo again. It sucks and the sad part is the company doesn't seem to care. They wouldn't even respond to my complaints. Not that I would want any more of their crap ammo sent out to me. I will use their brass, but won't even use their Centerfire ammo either. I honestly believe they disbanded their QC department. Just my opinion, but otherwise how can you explain the EXTREMELY poor quality they are producing. Heck, I won't buy any of their new rifles either. I saw one of those VTR I think is the model number of 700 with the triangular barrel new out of box that wouldn't even fire last summer at my local range. Pretty expensive gun to not even shoot! Screw that company. They are living on their name and I ain't buying!
At Cabelas this morning I watched people gobble up bulk boxes of Thunderbolts. I just watched and went with the Norma Target. I quit using Thunderbolts after my first 50 round box had a dozen of rounds that I could spin the bullet in the case.
Mals
Mals
If you have a box of Thunderbolts to get rid of, load a mag of Thunderbolts and follow it with a mag of Golden Bullets. Repeat until Thunderbolts are gone, and then don't buy them again.
My M&P 22 leaded up like crazy on Thunderbolts before I even made it through 100 rounds. After a lengthy cleaning, this is what I did to get rid of the rest of the box of 500 and I didn't have any significant amount of lead from staggering the mags like this. I assume another jacketed round would work fine as a Golden Bullet substitute, but I haven't tried it.
My M&P 22 leaded up like crazy on Thunderbolts before I even made it through 100 rounds. After a lengthy cleaning, this is what I did to get rid of the rest of the box of 500 and I didn't have any significant amount of lead from staggering the mags like this. I assume another jacketed round would work fine as a Golden Bullet substitute, but I haven't tried it.
I've had problems with Thunderbolts leading a few years ago but the last brick I shot was great. Just to be sure to avoid leading, I mixed in a magazine of golden bullets every now and then during my shooting session and my Ruger Mark II was clean as can be when I was done. I didn't find the Thunderbolts any dirtier than the CCI Blazers that I normally shoot. I only shoot Thunderbolts in my auto pistols.
I took my Ruger Single Ten out to the range today, along with 200 Bulk Pack Thunderbolts and 40 CCI Tactical. It was a perfect day to shoot, cool and sunny with a slight breeze, but I digress.
I wanted to see if the Thunderbolts would cause any leading in my revolver. Accuracy was OK and they were dirty, but on a par with CCI Blazers, IMO. I had 4 rounds that would not seat properly because the case was flared at the rim. Otherwise, no problems with the other 196 rounds. I checked the barrel after the Thunderbolts and it was dirty but no leading problems. I shot the CCI without any problems. The barrel was fine and easy to clean. I don't plan on shooting any more Thunderbolts in the revolver because of the rim issue, but they shoot fine in my 22/45. I'm just glad they seem to have the leading issue solved.
I wanted to see if the Thunderbolts would cause any leading in my revolver. Accuracy was OK and they were dirty, but on a par with CCI Blazers, IMO. I had 4 rounds that would not seat properly because the case was flared at the rim. Otherwise, no problems with the other 196 rounds. I checked the barrel after the Thunderbolts and it was dirty but no leading problems. I shot the CCI without any problems. The barrel was fine and easy to clean. I don't plan on shooting any more Thunderbolts in the revolver because of the rim issue, but they shoot fine in my 22/45. I'm just glad they seem to have the leading issue solved.
This thread is a little old but wanted to comment on Thunderbolt stuff. I have been under the impression that Thunderbolt is or should be non grata.
There is a current thread going on another shooting forum and actually quite a few people say they have no issues with this ammo.
After reading this thread and others here about the leading issue I am wondering....is it a number of rounds issue? I'm curious if those who don't see a leading problem are putting enough rounds through the barrel for it to be an issue? Are certain barrels more susceptible to leading over other barrels. aka Glock barrels. I have both an SR-22 and S&W M&P compact although I haven't put all that many rounds through them.
And if the Thunderbolt leading is really an issue what about other non copper coated bullets? I usually prefer a copper coated bullet over lead bullets especially in semi autos. But I also tend to clean my barrels after every range trip so in reality I may never get any lead buildup.
If I was at a range session shooting hundreds of rounds I would probably at least run a patch through the barrel sometime during the range session.
Oh and I don't use Thunderbolts! But I do shoot other brands of lead rounds.
There is a current thread going on another shooting forum and actually quite a few people say they have no issues with this ammo.
After reading this thread and others here about the leading issue I am wondering....is it a number of rounds issue? I'm curious if those who don't see a leading problem are putting enough rounds through the barrel for it to be an issue? Are certain barrels more susceptible to leading over other barrels. aka Glock barrels. I have both an SR-22 and S&W M&P compact although I haven't put all that many rounds through them.
And if the Thunderbolt leading is really an issue what about other non copper coated bullets? I usually prefer a copper coated bullet over lead bullets especially in semi autos. But I also tend to clean my barrels after every range trip so in reality I may never get any lead buildup.
If I was at a range session shooting hundreds of rounds I would probably at least run a patch through the barrel sometime during the range session.
Oh and I don't use Thunderbolts! But I do shoot other brands of lead rounds.
One redeeming aspect of Thunderbolt bullets nobody has mentioned is that
they are very hard and this causes them to penetrate deeper than any other
22RF bullet. Consequently if you ever need that special penetration performance
like putting a large animal down and having to shoot through thick skull etc.
the Thunderbolts are the best. I proved this to myself by shooting through
2x4 lumber with various makes of 22 RF ammo. The Thunderbolts always
shot through more than any other 22 ammo.
they are very hard and this causes them to penetrate deeper than any other
22RF bullet. Consequently if you ever need that special penetration performance
like putting a large animal down and having to shoot through thick skull etc.
the Thunderbolts are the best. I proved this to myself by shooting through
2x4 lumber with various makes of 22 RF ammo. The Thunderbolts always
shot through more than any other 22 ammo.
As thunderduds are often the only ones available, I've learned to make due.
I use Lyman Alox to lube every round and have not experienced any leading at all. Accuracy has also improved with this round.
There is still an occasional ftf due to no priming compound. E.
I use Lyman Alox to lube every round and have not experienced any leading at all. Accuracy has also improved with this round.
There is still an occasional ftf due to no priming compound. E.
Many others also report that Remington Thunderbolts shoot just fine in their .22 rimfire firearms. I've tried 'em, several times, and have not experienced leading. I do make sure that ALL my personal .22 rimfire caliber firearms have EEZOX treated bores, because nothing seems to want to stick to that stuff. What I have experienced with the Thunderbolts is, failures to make any noise after a firing pin hit. Sometimes after several firing pin hits.
To many folks who do casual plinking, or are willing to put up with just scaring the crap out of a squirrel, rather than have a squirrel submerged in peanut oil in a cast iron skillet, a few bad rounds don't seem to matter. What I do wonder about sometimes though, concerning bore leading with these rounds, is if the shooter is doing a lot of rapid fire, getting the barrel over-heated, and then the leading begins.
To many folks who do casual plinking, or are willing to put up with just scaring the crap out of a squirrel, rather than have a squirrel submerged in peanut oil in a cast iron skillet, a few bad rounds don't seem to matter. What I do wonder about sometimes though, concerning bore leading with these rounds, is if the shooter is doing a lot of rapid fire, getting the barrel over-heated, and then the leading begins.
Excellent post. I had not thought of the rapid fire element. I am one of the folks that has never had a problem with Thunderbolts. I do not do any rapid fire as it is not permitted on our range and I have no interest in rapid fire. SGW may be on to something here:bthumb:
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