6BR vs 22BR

[RAG]

I've been enjoying a fast twist 6BR for 20 years now...ridicously long barrel life and I just can't seem to kill the brass no matter how hard I lean on the loads.

I recently ordered a 22 cal, 11" twist, in preparation for chambering up a 22BR and shooting 53 V-max and 55 Blitzkings. My hope was to get just a little flatter shooting prairie dog rig. But now I'm starting to think I'm trying to fix something that's isn't broken, and I'm not sure there is anything to be gained.

Let's see...with Benchmark and LT32, my 22" 6BR likes about 3,825 FPS with 55 and 58 grain bullets, and recently I picked up Xterminator (2230) which seems to group best at 3,910FPS with the 55s (haven't tried 58 Vmax yet).

So whats to be gained by going with 22BR I now ask myself. Depending on which bullets you compare, the radar-verified, no BS G1 BC is only about .2 greater in 22 cal. (53 Vmax is really only .252, not .295 as claimed by Hornady and the 58 Vmax is .232). Still, the 22 is better in that regard...but at 100-150fps lower velocity, there's very little net gain. And barrel life, I know 6BRs will shoot bugholes well past 6,000 rounds. The 22BR? (Thinking 3,000?)

 

[RAG]

...the 22BR is in motion regardless. Just questioning my decision. I could always go with a 22BR wildcat for increased velocity, but reports seem to indicate 22-250-like barrel life (which is lousy in my personal experience)

 

[HTSmith]

So whats to be gained by going with 22BR I now ask myself.

Good question. Maybe just to have something different. I looked at it a while back and decided I didn't want to neck down cases and turn necks. 6BR is boring (but I kinda like that kind of boring)

 

[NorCalMikie]

I looked at it a while back and decided I didn't want to neck down cases and turn necks. 6BR is boring (but I kinda like that kind of boring)

No neck turning needed. Just neck down to 22 , load and go shooting. Reamer cut for a "no turn" neck.
And being that the 6BR is so boring, you build the 22 BR to keep from getting bored. Don't leave home without it.
Only thing is, you don't just throw powder at the 22 BR like you can the 6BR.
You won't find a big enough hammer to beat the bolt open.

 

[Albany Mountain]

I think you answered your own question: I'm trying to fix something that's isn't broken.

 

[quartermaster]

I have both and would do it again. Wish they could be repeaters tho.

 

[nakneker]

I have both. Two totally different set ups, enjoy them both and would do it again. 6BR is just about perfect in every way buts fun to mix it up a bit. My 22BR is short barreled calling gun, my 6BRs are mostly longer, heavier barrels. Half the fun is playing around and new things make that more interesting. Depending on what dies you have that’s a plus too, many can be used for both cartridges with a bushing change etc,

 

[NorCalMikie]

My Savage 22 BR barrel is out getting the "Octagon" treatment. Can't wait.
Next is my 6.8 SPC barrel.

 

[hfinkle]

I shoot 40gn V-max in my 22br and it seems like more fun than the 6br, your scope stays on the dog better and in the morning the vapor trail makes the bullet look like a little rocket. With 31gn of Varget I was getting 4000fps

 

[AckleymanII]

With R#15, 22 BR, 12-14 twist is a barrel eater. I burned up two in a hurry.

6 BR with AA2230 or H335 will go way beyond 6000 round barrel life with 55-70g bullets.

 

[beemanjohn]

Just check on line and try to buy quality 6mm bullets right now. It might make you feel better about the 22! (not saying there is a ton of options in 22, but there a lot more than 6mm)

 

[Webster]

I've been enjoying a fast twist 6BR for 20 years now...ridicously long barrel life and I just can't seem to kill the brass no matter how hard I lean on the loads.

I recently ordered a 22 cal, 11" twist, in preparation for chambering up a 22BR and shooting 53 V-max and 55 Blitzkings. My hope was to get just a little flatter shooting prairie dog rig. But now I'm starting to think I'm trying to fix something that's isn't broken, and I'm not sure there is anything to be gained.

Let's see...with Benchmark and LT32, my 22" 6BR likes about 3,825 FPS with 55 and 58 grain bullets, and recently I picked up Xterminator (2230) which seems to group best at 3,910FPS with the 55s (haven't tried 58 Vmax yet).

So whats to be gained by going with 22BR I now ask myself. Depending on which bullets you compare, the radar-verified, no BS G1 BC is only about .2 greater in 22 cal. (53 Vmax is really only .252, not .295 as claimed by Hornady and the 58 Vmax is .232). Still, the 22 is better in that regard...but at 100-150fps lower velocity, there's very little net gain. And barrel life, I know 6BRs will shoot bugholes well past 6,000 rounds. The 22BR? (Thinking 3,000?)

I would concider a 6BRA or 6BRX . I have a 6BRX just load and shoot to FF. No tricks or false shoulders. Dasher ballistics. How about a fast twist for 85-90 gr bullets. The heaver bullets were not meant to expand on small varmints. I think there may be a few that do. Run the drop and wind drift threw a ballistics program. The big difference is wind drift but not so flat.

 

[NorCalMikie]

Only problem starting off with 85-90 grain bullets? Free bore is too long. You need ZERO free bore and 50 grain bullets stuffed into the lands or real close.
Throat will go away faster than you can imagine and that "sweet load" will be a thing of the past. Go with lighter bullets for starters THEN heavier as the throat wears so you can stay close to the lands. YMMV.

 

[rockrat]

I shoot 53vmax in my 22br 1-12 at a bit over 3800fps and this is out of a 23.5" bbl. 26" would increase that a bit.

 

[JSH]

I never assume, but there is more negative in this thread at this point on the 22BR than all the research I did prior to building one myself.
1-12 twist zero freebore, I am keeping track of every shot on this.
All the positives I read were almost 22-250 velocities, better/easier accuracy and it was easier on barrels.
I will let ya know when it’s toast.

I also have a 6BR.
I went ahead and built a 22BR after the ridiculous groups I got from a Cooper in 22BR, right off the start.

 

[NorCalMikie]

6BR that will shoot 5 shot groups that can be covered with a dime? Same for a
22 BR?
You'll need to build something else cause both the 6 and 22 BR accuracy will bore the hell out of you. But it a fun bore.

 

[86hand]

With R#15, 22 BR, 12-14 twist is a barrel eater. I burned up two in a hurry.

6 BR with AA2230 or H335 will go way beyond 6000 round barrel life with 55-70g bullets.

what is your range of charges for 335 and 70g.?

 

[AckleymanII]

H335 Rem 7 1/2

Start at 30g and work up in .3g increments, one shot at a time till you see pressure. When you see pressure, back off 2.0g then shoot 2 shot groups increasing the charge by.3g at a time till all the bullets are going in a hole.

VERY, Very long barrel life with 335, you will NOT believe it!

H4895 eats barrels, so does R#15

Keith

 

[JSH]

H335 Rem 7 1/2

Start at 30g and work up in .3g increments, one shot at a time till you see pressure. When you see pressure, back off 2.0g then shoot 2 shot groups increasing the charge by.3g at a time till all the bullets are going in a hole.

VERY, Very long barrel life with 335, you will NOT believe it!

H4895 eats barrels, so does R#15

Keith

Just got done prepping brass. I have plenty of H335 and the 71/2’s. This is a 1-12” twist, zero free bore. I have a good selection of 50 and 55’s along with some 40’s.

My initial loads with the Cooper rifle were 4198 and 40BK’s, ridiculous groups out to 200.

 

[RAG]

I think you answered your own question: I'm trying to fix something that's isn't broken.

Yeah. I was thinking I'd have less wind drift with 55s in 22BR vs 6BR...but I now realize that it's magical at beat, for somewhere around 1/2 the barrel life.

But I may do it anyhow, just for something different