Federal Range "blue box" is the worst?

[MoondogIndustries]

https://youtu.be/rjSZ-ZxZBrM

I ran 20 rounds through the Ruger 10/22 with one dud round that failed to fire. I got middling group sizes averaging about 3" at 50yrds. But when I ran it through the Marlin 60, the shots were all over the place. Average group sizes were over 5 1/2" and numerous failures to cycle.

I thought something might be wrong with my rifle so shot a few rounds of Aguila Super Extra HV and those shot normally in a 1.7" group. Then I reloaded it with more Fed Range and again got loose, inconsistent groups again. I even had another shooter try shooting the ammo in my Marlin with same session with the same poor results.

In 3 testing sessions, I noted that the rounds sounded more muffled when fired in the Marlin than the Ruger. I experienced 3 failures to cycle; where the spent case was ejected but the bolt did not feed the next round. And one squib that I had to push out with a cleaning rod.

That isn't to say this ammo is completely garbage. It shoots fine in my bolt gun and my AR style 22LR. But my Marlin really does not like this ammo. We've all been told that ammo do shoot very differently in different rifles; this is one of most extreme examples I've experienced.

Has anybody else experienced anything like this in their Marlin 60?

[tabascoz28]

For me ironically was the Browning 40g shooting out of a Browning Tbolt. Fed red box American Eagle was ok for that.

[harleygsb]

I have used the Federal blue box in my Buckmark and it was really bad. A lot of duds and incomplete cycles. Duds in my S&W 617 as well. It is better than nothing if it is all you can find, but if not, get something else. I was experiencing about 1 FTF every 10 rounds.

[divingin]

Some barrels like different ammo than others? Who knew?

22's are tough, as you have no control over them (same as going with factory ammo for CF guns.) Bullet weight and profile, charge amount and powder selection, amount of priming compound, and case dimensions will all affect accuracy (or lack thereof.)

Most 22's will need some amount of testing of various brands/styles/speeds of ammunition for most accurate/consistent/reliable results.

You should also note that a *lot* of brands of 22 ammo go through bad cycles. CCI blue box is considered one of the better practice rounds for bullseye shooting (cheap, accurate, and consistent) but I got a case a few years ago where 2-5 rounds per box would not fire (and I would take those and retry a half dozen or more times at various points around the rim.) If you get a bad lot, try another lot a few months later.

[justMike]

I have a box of Winchester Xpert .22 hollow points (500 count bulk pack) that are in the running for worst .22 RF ammo around. Never even thought about buying any more, actually, anymore Winchester rimfire long rifle of any kind.

[TomReloaded]

Federal blue box in 9mm is light enough to cause FTE/stovepipe malfunctions.

For being the people who make the absolutely top notch FGMM ammo, their lower end stuff sure is garbage.