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wax on .22 ammo

Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2008 11:59 pm
by catfish
Hi guys,

I have recently got a .22 and when I got the ammo for it, noticed a lot of wax on them. Imported ones had it on the lead part and the KF had it all over. I am used to my 30.06 cartridge so seeing this for the first time was a bit surprised (never used a .22 before). Common sense told me to clean it befor firing, but just wanted to check with those that use .22 to make sure.
Firstly why do they have wax? Secondly, Am I correct in cleaning it before firing?

Thanks

Catfish

Re: wax on .22 ammo

Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 2:10 am
by TwoRivers
Catfish: The wax is there to lubricate the bullet and prevent leading of the barrel. So you want wax on a lead bullet. It won't hurt a thing on the case either, unless there's so much that it impedes chambering the round. Unless that's the case, don't waste your time trying to get the wax off the cartridges. Cheers.

Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 9:47 am
by badshah0522
I think wax is also for the protection from moisture entering into the case..
TwoRivers";p="62552 wrote: Catfish: The wax is there to lubricate the bullet and prevent leading of the barrel. So you want wax on a lead bullet. It won't hurt a thing on the case either, unless there's so much that it impedes chambering the round. Unless that's the case, don't waste your time trying to get the wax off the cartridges. Cheers.

Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 10:20 am
by vishosingh
i always cleaned them before firing ...... i dont like the gooey thing in the action

Re: wax on .22 ammo

Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 10:52 am
by TwoRivers
That may well be the intention with your Indian .22 RF ammo, considering the humid climate. Or it could just be sloppy. Generally, .22 RF ammunition is not waterproof at all, and the wax is strictly for lubrication of the lead bullet. Normally it's a pretty hard wax, and you'd have a dickens of a time trying to get it off, which you shouldn't really be doing unless it interferes with function. When waterproofing is desired, such as for military ammunition, wax is not the waterproofing agent. Come to think of it, .22 RF ammo with lots of soft wax, and stored bullet up at high temperatures, may well allow some of the wax to seep into the case and powder, causing inconsistent performance. Cheers.

Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 11:12 am
by TenX
TwoRivers";p="62566 wrote: ...and stored bullet up at high temperatures, may well allow some of the wax to seep into the case and powder, causing inconsistent performance. Cheers.
... and Indian Ammo from the Kirkee factory is pretty much known for inconsistency.. Maybe this is one reason why :)

Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 11:52 am
by The Doc
Catfish,

Don't waste your time trying to remove the wax. It is there for a good reason :) . Enjoy your BRNO .

best,

RP.

Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 2:02 pm
by snIPer
Is it actually wax? I always thought it was a coat of Oil.

Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 3:01 pm
by dev
I remove the wax at times...it's pretty easy just take some nail polish remover and apply it to a cloth and one wipe cleans the wax off. Been doing it for years, haven't found much of a difference with the waxed ones. The wax ones at times get difficult to chamber and then I clean them off.

Dev

Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 5:01 pm
by badshah0522
The wax can also be removed by putting all the ammo in boiling water for 10 minutes and later can be dried on a non stick pan or a Microwave .. :lol: :lol: :lol:

Please Badshah no suicide theories, even with the double smilies. Mod

Re: wax on .22 ammo

Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 5:52 pm
by catfish
Thanks guys for all the replies. I have to head of to bangalore for some christmas shopping. Will be back in a day or two. Once back will take the ammo, this time with wax and see what happens.

badshah, not bad, since I am a humorous guy I did enjoy your on liner. but then there are people out there that might just take you seriously.... all the best

cheers


Catfish

Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 6:16 pm
by TenX
catfish wrote: ...but then there are people out there that might just take you seriously....
.. Or maybe the smilies are disabled on someone's system :)