Best Powders for the .22 PPC

[South Pender]

I have a Wichita Classic varminter in .22 PPC (pic below). I've had it for some time and have tried Varget, N133, N135, H4895, and W748 with various 52- and 55-gr. bullets. Accuracy has been acceptable, I think--giving average 5-shot, 100-yard group sizes in the .4's with the best loads. So far, the best powder has been W748. This is a fairly light rifle with a barrel that tapers to a muzzle diameter of about .58". It has a Canjar trigger that is set to about 8 oz.

I'm planning to get it out again in the spring for some more shooting. Have I exhausted the best powders for the .22 PPC, or are there some that might tighten up the groups a little?

 

[snert]

H322, LT32 come to mind

 

[thekriebles]

H322, LT32 come to mind

Ditto here on H322

 

[AlNyhus]

What's your neck tension and bullet jump? -Al

 

[littlebuddybr]

H-332 definitely worth a try.
133 & h322 were always what I ended up shooting in the 22 ppc.
I haven't tried lt-32 yet. But I bet it would be very good.

 

[South Pender]

What's your neck tension and bullet jump? -Al

Not sure how to describe neck tension. Bullets have been hard into the lands; I haven't attempted to measure the jam.

 

[AlNyhus]

Not sure how to describe neck tension. Bullets have been hard into the lands; I haven't attempted to measure the jam.

Measure the neck diameter of a sized case, then repeat with a bullet seated....that's a your neck tension.

In general, most of the .22's don't like a lot of jam. If they are hard into the lands now, just try backing them off in .005 increments with no other changes no matter what powder you're using when you do this. Once you find a seating depth it likes, keep that the same and change powders.

It's important to understand how to find the 'just touching' seating depth (with each bullet) using the stripped bolt method.

For what it's worth... -Al

 

[Gary in MD]

I just have to say that is one beautiful rifle!
Hope you get it to shoot as good as it looks.
Gary

 

[Varmint56]

My cooper 22ppc likes IMR8208

 

[snert]

H-332 definitely worth a try.
133 & h322 were always what I ended up shooting in the 22 ppc.
I haven't tried lt-32 yet. But I bet it would be very good.

I just switched from some "good Benchmark" to Lt32. Started at 25, went up in 1/2 grain to 27.5. In 22PPC USA. two good nodes. One at 25, one at 27. Bolt lift hard at 27.5

It shot all of these well but the nodes stood out.

 

[South Pender]

It's important to understand how to find the 'just touching' seating depth (with each bullet) using the stripped bolt method.
For what it's worth... -Al

I use the Hornady OAL gauge with the "modified case" and a bullet comparator. Seems to work very well. Once I've determined the "touch" length, I load up a dummy round and chamber it. Any engraving of the lands on the bullet tells me that I'm there--or at a minimal jam-length.

 

[littlebuddybr]

I just switched from some "good Benchmark" to Lt32. Started at 25, went up in 1/2 grain to 27.5. In 22PPC USA. two good nodes. One at 25, one at 27. Bolt lift hard at 27.5

It shot all of these well but the nodes stood out.

Just curious what bullet are you shooting?

 

[th82457]

H322 works with several bullet weights. If you go down to 40 grain bullets - try LT-30. That works very well in my .22 PPC & .223.

 

[snert]

Just curious what bullet are you shooting?

Berger 52 grain FB.

 

[snert]

And be advised I have no idea of I am wa y over or not. Ive not been able to confirm a max from Accurate...my contact there apparently moved on.

 

[jplahr]

When I shot a 22PPC for PD I shot Benchmark and a 50gr Vmax at 3900 fps it was a killer load.

 

[17VLD]

I would do what Al said.I would also suggest using 8208
Matt

 

[Farmerjoe]

I use N133 in mine with 50gr SMK. Gives superb accuracy and they’re zipping along at a fair pace too.

Where I am in the UK it’s much more readily available than American made powders.

Good luck in your search for the perfect powder!

 

[hedditch]

748 has given me my best groups on average. I have loaded LT 30 & 32, N133, 8208, H322, H4198, 2200, 2230, and 2460 all with 52 and 53 gr bullets. 2230 was very acceptable.

 

[jcm24m]

22 PPC - 12 twist - 53 gr VMAX - 25.9gr N-133
7.5 REM primer
Awesome 400-500 yard prairie dog load