Problems with Kimber rimfire target 0.22lr

[mickt]

Having problems with Kimber rimfire target (0.22). It cycles CCI Mini Mags without problem. But I can get any standard v ammo to cycle reliably. The problem with mini mags is that I am not allowed to use this ammo in competitions here (in Ireland) I can only use standard V ammo. The Kimber manual says I should be able to use high quality standard V ammo.. I have put about a thousand rounds through the pistol from new and oil very lightly with Beretta light gun oil.. Any ideas?

[Hawkmoon]

All the .22 conversions call for high-velocity .22LR ammunition, so the Kimber pistol is not an exception. The problem isn't with the pistol, since it functions with the ammunition for which it was designed. I think you just have to keep trying different ammunition until you find one that works.

I have been using some kind of Remington in a Ciener conversion and it seems to work okay. To save you some legwork as well as wasted money, check out the web site of The Sportsmans Guide Company at www.sportsmansguide.com -- use AMMO as your key word for a search.

They sell a lot of ammo. I'm not suggesting that you buy from them (you probably can't, from Ireland). But they list muzzle velocity and muzzle energy for just about every type and size of ammo they sell, so it's a convenient way to identify some alternatives to the CCI mini-mags that might come close in velocity/energy.

Don't go by velocity alone. If the velocity is achieved by using a lighter weight bullet, there may not be any more energy developed, and it's energy that's going to cycle your slide, not just velocity.

[PapaJoe]

Hawkmoon is correct: the Kimber Rimfire Target requires hi-velocity or hyper-velocity ammo to function correctly. Use of sub-sonic or standard ammo will not allow proper cycling most of the time. IIRC you need to fire good quality .22LR ammo that is rated above 1200 FPS.

If you use the "standard" stuff @ 1000-1050 FPS you will probably get jams and the like. I would find out what how your club defines "standard" velocity in terms of FPS and then buy the "fastest" ammo that comes close AND works well in your Rimfire as some "hot" loads are not labeled "hi-speed". Some of them are called "game" loads and the like.

FWIW my Kimber Rimfire target has the same difficulty with what could be called "standard" ammo. Subsonic is a definite no-no...

[ewe]

At the range another range rat that has been having serious problems with a Sig Mosquito tried many types of ammo through my mostly broken in Rimfire Target. He tried a full magazine of every ammo he could not get to reliably load and fire with the Mosquito and did not have a single problem with loading or ejecting in the Kimber. Most rounds were high velocity. However, there were a couple of standard velocity rounds that cycled fine. Sorry but I do not remember the exact types, but my comments are only to say that if you find the right std vel 22lr they may cycle fine after the pistol is broken in.

Added:
I primarily use the CCI MiniMag 40gr HV.

[mickt]

Thanks for you help guys.

I will check out the types of ammo Hawkmoon. PapaJoe I will go after the club range officer on the fps rule - there maybe a way out here.. and ewe how many rounds did you put through your rimfire target before it was broken-in.

[Pk14]

Federal Automatch 40 gr solids (1200 fps / 130 ft/lbs at muzzle) in the 325 round bulk packs available at Wal-Marts here in the US have been fairly reliable and reasonably accurate. I keep the slide rails fairly wet with the .22 conversion kit on the Warrior - seems to help keep the FTRTB from occuring. I have around 200 rounds through the slide - I wouldn't say it is fully broken in yet.

No problems with the CCI min-mags either.

Cheers,
Pk

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q43/Pk14_photos/Warriorand22kit.jpg

(7 yard target)

[MacEntyre]

My rimfire target kimber was very picky at first. I set it back to Kimber and it did better. Now that it is broken in, it is not as finicky, but will still jam with lower power ammo.

You could also try Paco Kelly's ACU'R'ZR. With that tool, you resize the rounds to fit your barrel. For competition, it might be worthwhile.

[PapaJoe]

.. and ewe how many rounds did you put through your rimfire target before it was broken-in.

It took about 700-800 rounds for it to loosen up nicely. I had a Kimber conversion kit prior to buying the entire Rimfire Target and the conversion slide was not as tight as the one on the pistol itself pistol itself and it took a much longer time for break in. I bought the Rimfire as the conversion kit was tying up a Kimber Classic Custom frame/slide that I wanted to turn back into a shooting .45. The conversion kit, being looser, was slightly more tolerant of ammo but was not as accurate as the Rimfire.

FWIW the complete Rimfire Target pistol has the same close tolerances as the rest of the Kimber family.

[ewe]

Very good shooting Pk14. I shoot at 10 and 15 yds but generally do not group as small as your example, though I am sure the pistol is capable of it.

Mickt, I would estimate it took at least 1,000 rounds through it before it was well broken in.

Although I like shooting .40 and .45, the Rimfire Target is my favorite pistol to shoot especially at about USD 0.06 per round.

[ecucmgt]

My Kimber .22 pistol shoots the CCI excellent. I have had really good luck with the Winchester High Velocity. It functions excellent and is half the price of CCI. I will check the weight and name when I get home.

[mickt]

Thanks for the info guys.

Got my hands on some Federal Target Ammo today and I will try it over the weekend and report progress on Monday. Cant get any of the other suggested types of ammo (selection very bad here in Ireland) for weeks and in some cases months.

[Pk14]

Good luck - the Federal ammo model number was AM22 on the stuff that worked in my Kimber. Cheers,
Pk

[mickt]

Hi Guys
I tried the Federal target ammo with load #714 it seems to work fine (200 rounds 6 round out of the 200 did not feed and I had to pull slide back to get the feed). A buddy at the range suggested that I clean the mags on lub them with silicone spray is this a good idea. Also the problem only happened after I put about 150 rounds through the gun (after how many rounds should I feild strip and clean?
Finally has any any information on Federal Load 714.. They dont have this load on their website - I am told by a buddy the the MV is 1140 fps but have no way of checking this out.


Thanks

Mick T

[mickt]

A PS

I checked with the range officer. The max MV allowed is 1300 fps but it must be round nose lead bullet. The only thing I can get my hands on (in under 3 minths) is the Federal Target ammo with load #714? So I need to know the MV (as said on last post not on their website).

[PapaJoe]

1300 fps gives you access to most Hi-Velocity loads. Federal makes some nice loads (as you've indicated) with lead noses as does Winchester and CCI.

Get yourself a .22 bore snake and run it down the barrel (from the breech end) twice every 100 rounds or so and you'll keep most of the crud out.

Keep in mind that rimfire cartridges, no matter how good the gun is, will misfire and fail to fire from time to time. It's just the nature of the cartridge not the gun.

[MacEntyre]

...buddy at the range suggested that I clean the mags...
My Kimber Rimfire Target mags get dirtier than any mags I own. You have to clean them often!

[ewe]

My Kimber Rimfire Target mags get dirtier than any mags I own. You have to clean them often!

The Kimber mags I have are made of a plastic. I took mine apart and smoothed the mold flashing, especially on the mag follower. Now there is no tendency to stick and they seem to function smoother. I do clean them every few trips to the range and fortunately they are easy to take apart. Because they are plastic I do not lubricate them.

[mickt]

I learned yesterday that the Federal ammo with load #714 has a MV of only 1080. So thats being dropped in favour of CCI SGB rounds (got my hands on some). This is a lead round with MV of 1240fps (same as Mini-Mag). Using this ammo I am going to use my Kimber in the rapidfire section at the International Shoot in Cork this weekend. I'll stick with my S&W 617 (with Lapua Master) for the slowfire bit. Let you know how it goes.