What's your preferred 22cal heavy bullet?

[skeetlee]

gonna shoot out to 1000 with a 22BR
I've always been a 6mm man so the long range 22cal is a little in explored territory for me. I need to order some good 80ish grain bullets for my new 22BR rig. I'm thinking Berger but I'm open to anything. What gives you boys the best consistent groups?

 

[B23]

I shoot 75gr Berger VLD's out of my 22-6mm. It only has a 9tw so I'm somewhat limited and can only shoot up to the 75 VLD's, you'll need at least a 8tw to shoot heavier than the 75's. I've never shot them out to 1000, furthest so far was a little over 600 but they seem to print very well for me and I have no complaints.

With a 22BR you'll be shooting the real heavies a fair bit slower so I'd play with the numbers a good amount before I decided on one of the real heavies like the 80's-90's because the 70-75's may actually out perform them because you can shoot them faster.

 

[skeetlee]

The 22 BR will do just fine with the 80gr bullet. To suggest otherwise is just silly. In fact RE17 will push that bullet past 3350FPS in a 22BR. The BR is the perfect case. LOL thanks Lee

 

[B23]

The 22 BR will do just fine with the 80gr bullet. To suggest otherwise is just silly. In fact RE17 will push that bullet past 3350FPS in a 22BR. The BR is the perfect case. LOL thanks Lee

If you would have paid attention to what I said and obviously you did not, I never suggested a 22BR couldn't/wouldn't/shouldn't use a 80gr bullet. I only suggested you run the numbers with some of the other VLD's because it's possible they could outperform the heavier bullet/s.

Also, if you are getting 3350 FPS from a 22 BR with a 80gr bullet, you are either running and exceptionally long barrel or you are running it well over recommended pressure. Maybe you have a magic barrel because the fastest velocity Berger shows with the 80's for a 22BR, in their book, is only 2983 and you're talking nearly 400 FPS over that.

 

[USMCDOC]

i have used a lot of Berger 90's, but all my major best have been with the Hornady 75 AMax..

 

[watercam]

Sierra 90 SMKs are underrated but perform VERY well! G7 BC of .257 and short enough to more than stabilize in a 7" twist barrel.

 

[skeetlee]

B23
Do some actual testing. Actually there is an old post on this forum from Randy robbinett. He also shoots re17 in a 22br. His velocities were higher than what I have even personally seen with 75 and 80 grain bullets. You should of course start with published loads but as most know they are way conservative.
Do a search for 22br and re17. I think you might be surprised. Re17 is a much overlooked powder.

 

[284winner]

Berger 70 vld and 80.5 full bore, 75 Amax and gosh I sure hope the 80 eld-m because I bought 1000.

 

[xswanted]

If you would have paid attention to what I said and obviously you did not, I never suggested a 22BR couldn't/wouldn't/shouldn't use a 80gr bullet. I only suggested you run the numbers with some of the other VLD's because it's possible they could outperform the heavier bullet/s.

Also, if you are getting 3350 FPS from a 22 BR with a 80gr bullet, you are either running and exceptionally long barrel or you are running it well over recommended pressure. Maybe you have a magic barrel because the fastest velocity Berger shows with the 80's for a 22BR, in their book, is only 2983 and you're talking nearly 400 FPS over that.

I run 75 Bergers at 3260 from a 24" barrel via IMR 4350. Case head expansion is less than .0015

R17 is basically the same burn rate and will yield higher velocity in this cartridge than most people can imagine. It's probably a high pressure load but it's safe in the BR case.

I personally like the 75s in the BR however I've not tried 80s with slower powders. It's almost difficult to get enough powder when using the slow burn rates (4350) when using 75s. With 80s a guy can make it work a bit eaisier.

 

[nakneker]

75 Amax is one of my favorites but there a bunch of good ones.

 

[JLT]

I'll second (third?) the 75 gr. A-Max. It's accurate enough for match use and it doubles very nicely as a longer range varmint bullet.

 

[ronemus]

+1 for the 75 gr A-Max. It works best from a 1:7 twist barrel; otherwise stability is marginal on a cold day.

I shoot them from a .223 and find that N-550 is the best powder, but RL-15 isn't far behind.

 

[Geno C]

No love for the 80 amax, now discontinued..

Lee, I'm running Berger 80vlds and 80 amax as my go-to heavy 224 bullets and they are shooting great! Both the 223ai you spun up for me are hammering with these 2 bullets. And the BC is good.

 

[raptor1ronin]

1. 90vld With VARGET
2. 90 SMK With VARGET

In that order

 

[XTR]

In a bolt gun, Berger 90VLD, it out shoots everything else in the class (and some things in other classes) if you get them ticking.

After that the 90 SMK though I've never shot them.

When you drop to the 80s they are just not that different. Find the one that shoots best for your application.

 

[Cuando]

I love the 75 Amax. The 75 ELD's are even better.

 

[1911mag]

80 gr Berger VLD target G1 BC .455 with N150, Sierra 77 gr (TMK) G1 BC .420 with Varget

 

[pauls]

75 A-Max.

 

[NickB1075]

I have had good luck with Sierra 80smk and the Berger 80.5 Fullbore. I have not tried any of the 90 weight bullets. Oh and both with Varget.

Keep us posted I am interested in your findings.

Nick

 

[chapstix97]

I'm a fan 75 Amax with rl15