I came across a set of 22BR dies that are marked 22BR Remington. Is this the "standard" 22BR or is this a different animal that will require a different reamer? I have a box of "6mmBR Norma" Lapua brand brass that is languishing and I may be willing to take the project on. This is a new-ish area for me and any help is appreciated.
The dies will work just fine for you. The length of the neck is the main difference, the neck on the Lapua Norma brass is about .040" longer.
Thank you. I may have to do this. The 22BR is something that I've wanted to fuss with for quite a while.
I have a couple of 22BR rifles. My farthest shot on a groundhog is 814 yards, it was with a Cooper 22BR 8-twist barrel shooting 75grn. A-Max bullets and Varget powder.
When you start shootings a 22br they want be any fussing all you to do is ride alone great rd I have 3 and there bad little buggers
Hmmmm....there are also the neck diameter variables if you intend to use the Lapua 6BR brass. I suggest a .253 neck diameter chamber reamer. Also, as stated, the dies will work; however, try to get a reamer that uses the longer neck lengths Vs the original 22 BR Rem dimensions that are indeed .040 shorter than Lapua brass. A proper reamer, and all goes well. An original 22 BR spec reamer and you will get frustrated soon, with case trimming, neck turning, and sometimes that aggravating clicking bolt while lifting the bolt to the top of the throw. Good luck. When the chamber is right, it is a very rewarding round.
You'll be fine with those dies. Lapua brass is stamped 6mmBR Norma but dies are called 6mm BR Remington. Used to be Rem.7BR brass was the only thing available. I had my 22BR done in the 80's and at that time reamer specs were according to what the riflebuilder thought was best. The riflebuilder was also a benchrest guy and my gun has a .243" NK which meant a lot of neckturning, which actually works beautifully. The gun is so stinking acccurate that it's scary. And as 6&7 above said, the brass is much shorter than Lapua. I doubt anybody would now be using a reamer with the old shorter length neck, but you still want to check. The gold box Lapua 6BR cases necked to .22 have neck dia. .252" unturned with a bullet seated. My reamer is for Lapua brass and has a .253"NK but haven't yet had anything chambered with it.
Depending on what you are planning to shoot, you will need to consider barrel twist. I went with a 1:12 3 groove Lilja for shooting 40-60 grain bullets. It was extremely accurate with almost every bullet I tried within that range. Mine had the longer throat for Lapua brass, however I used both Lapua & Rem. brass in it with no issue. I did turn the necks to clean-up for the .252" neck my chamber had. Terrific cartridge.
I'm betwixt and between bullets now. I won't be ordering anything for the moment being as I'm out of work, but research is mostly free... I'm a big fan of picking a bullet and building the gun around it. So, that's what I'm gonna do. I will be using the rifle for shooting 300 yards max and am seriously considering shooting the 69TMK. It should give me some good speed and be accurate enough. I'm thinking a 1:9 but if someone thinks a slightly slower twist would be beneficial I'm open to hearing about it. Also, if someone thinks a case can or should be made for going either heavier OR lighter, I'm open to that as well.
The largest bullet I tried in mine with 1:12 twist was the 60 V-Max & it was extremely accurate at 100 yards (.25" to .35" 5 shot groups common with IMR4895). Not sure about out to 300, but my guess is it would work well. The .22 BR provides very good velocity (close to .22-250) with better accuracy in general. While fast twist barrels are the current rage - the rpm's generated on a bullet with .22BR velocities can have an accelerated effect on throat/barrel wear in addition to vaporizing lighter weight varmint bullets. What you decide on really depends on what you plan to use the gun. You will enjoy this round for sure. Now I am questioning why I ever sold that gun !
This will be a paper killer extraordinaire. I'd kinda like to run it out to 1k if I get the option. Hence why I'm thinking 69's. They'll do it. Maybe not that very well, but they'll do it. Currently looking for powder options. Hoping Varget will work as I have a bit of it on hand.
I think the base is a smidgen smaller on the remington. Ask Dusty Stevens, he knows more about these than I do but they are different
I guess 9 twist for modern 69g - there's a lot out there. The Lapua Scenar would also be a good choice. I you can, also look at Ken Waters' Pet Loads article. Back in the day he advocated for the 22-250 to be made with a 10 twist.
I purchased the dies. This will be a no rush project. I guess buying a barrel will be next. Gonna have to wait a bit as it looks like I won't be working for at least the month of April.
