I have a used T/C .22 Classic. I like the rifle but I haven't fired it very much. After about five rounds, cartridges would get stuck in the chamber on loading and the handle would require a push to close the action. Pulling a bore snake with some spray cleaner would temporarily make it chamber easier, but that's more bore snaking than I like. I was sure there was a carbon ring in the chamber and all it took was a few shots to add enough fouling to make things sticky again.

I decided to pull the rifle apart and give it a good cleaning. I've never had this rifle apart and don't like doing this kind of job, but I can't leave the darn thing sitting in the safe and I don't want to sell it.

I went trolling through the forums at RFC figuring if there were any gotchas or tips that's where they would be found. I didn't find any gotchas or tips, but I did find someone having the same problem as me. Turns out the guy was shooting Remington Thunderbolt ammo and the general consensus was that the stuff is very dirty and shouldn't be used in autoloaders.

Guess what I've been shooting?

I pulled the bore snake through again and noticed a lot of fouling around the magazine area. I cleaned the chamber and all the places I could reach with a solvent-soaked Q-Tip. Next step was going to the range. I had a box of CCI Small Game Bullets I wanted to try.

I got rained out the first time, but the second time out I managed to put 20 rounds downrange. At the end it was still necessary to give the handle a little push when chambering the first round from a fresh magazine, but nowhere near as bad as it had been when shooting the Thunderbolts.

I don't have a scope on the Classic, but it was shooting pretty well considering that I haven't had much practice with open sights since I was a kid and the .30-06 two or three benches to my right.

I still have to pull the rifle apart and give it a good cleaning. I'm not looking forward to the job at all, but I think I have a real shooter here. I just need a lot more practice with open sights.

Glad to read your report. I have the hots for a T/C classic and I can't shake it. I don't have any cash, either, so it won't happen unless I "happen" across a deal, but I'm happy to hear a positive report about them.~AMMOe

I'm not here to rain on anyones parade but...

I had a Stainless/Lam Classic and I no longer own it. I never found an ammo it consistantly shot well. The safety was impossible to move to "fire" either easily or quietly. I just couldn't love it, might have been that particular gun? If I recall correctly, the older Classics are different, better, than the new ones like I had. I hope your luck is better than mine.


I've got an itch for an old clip feed Weatherby XXII auto Oh god, does it ever end???

THunderbolts always jammed up my 10/22's. Get a can of gun scrubber and an old toothbrush.

Nope.

I have a 1948 Marlin Model 39A on the way.... ~AMMOe

The trigger on this rifle is great. If you get a chance to shoot one I think you'll enjoy it.


Don't worry about the rain. The safety on my rifle takes a bit of practice to move quietly. If I don't think about it, it makes a heck of a loud click.

I'm hoping to find some good ammo that I can buy in bulk. I read a post a while back about Federal Auto Match (I think that's what it's called), but I haven't found any around here. I guess a gun show is probably the best bet.


Got the toothbrush and cleaning stuff, just need willpower.

Delete this post, please.