Thread: Hornady 30gr 22WMR V-Max misfires..

Hmmm... bought a new box of the 30gr 22WMR Hornady and 2-3 misfires from 33 rounds fired on a shoot few nights back. Cartridge I found showed good pin strike, and the the rifle (Marlin 982 heavy barrel) normally 100%. Accuracy is outstanding and both rifle and action always run very clean.

Perplexing... I will buy another 50 packet and see if it recurs. If so will pull FTF cartridge apart to see if primer gel consistent around rim. Have noted inconsistent gel before in odd FTF 22LR rounds. If still no result will get action/pin/headspace checked by gunsmith mate. Doubt its the rifle however as it has been perfect up to that particular ammo batch..

Anyone else had this problem with Hornady rounds...

Nope, but I have only fired a box and a half (in a Stirling 1500)

Think @dannyb is running the that ammo

I have has some miss fires with hornady and cci in a cz. A second strike elsewhere on the rim set them off. It would only be about 6 in over 500 rounds though.

Originally Posted by 223nut

Think @dannyb is running the that ammo

No he isn't
It does shoot well but I'm running 40gn cci ammo

My Marlin 917 in HMR was getting 10 misfires per box , sometimes just putting the round back in the mag but rotating it so the firing pin hit a different area worked .
I read a bit of stuff on Rimfire forums and the Marlins are known for it. I could never figure it out as the firing pin was leaving really good strike marks.
Sold it and in 300 odd rounds through the CZ I haven't had a misfire yet.
Marlin did bring a kit out that fixed it but of course my Marlin model had been superseded and the NZ importers didn't know any thing about it and had never heard of the problem...of course.

My Marlin had been firing perfectly until this box..

Just found a FTF round and it has a good deep pin strike on rim. Pulled projectile out and no primer gel mixed in with powder, and a good coating of gel remains around internal rim - including pin strike point!!

Might have a word with gunsmith - but will try another ammo batch first.

I’ve found it’s quite dirty ammo to run. Are your misfire issues more related to an accumulation of soot/powder residue in the breech or bolt?

I can’t run it in my semi. Is fine in my bolt action but I have to clean rifle more often.

Good luck!

Interesting - I'll pull it apart and check it

Have a look at this thread from Rimfire Central.
Looks like someone else is having the same issue with Hornady 30gr ammo.

https://www.rimfirecentral.com/forum....php?t=1171287

Thanks barrel - yep had already added my own question to that rimfirecentral thread. Not uncommon problem with the Hornady it seems. I'll do a thorough bolt and breech clean today and see what happens next shoot

I run Hornady 17 hmr through my fathers clunky Stirling. 100% reliable

Okay - out to range again today with the Marlin 982 heavy barrel 22WMR and Hornady V-Max 30gr.

I think SiB's point may be right - this is a Hornady load that can run a bit dirty and you've got to keep this rimfire rifle barrel regularly cleaned and decoppered for best results. Bolt stripped down this morning too but firing pin and channel were nice and clean. What made a difference today is remembering to keep magazines lubed so rounds feed up smoothly, and as noted keeping that barrel very clean.

No FTFs this morning with about 30 rounds, and little Marlin WMR extremely accurate. 0.7" grouping at 100m, and some same hole stuff at 50m. I think there'd be 0.5" groups at best at 100m with a bit more practice. Hard to beat for an inexpensive rimfire. Will definitely keep it longer for more field shooting...