22/204 Test loads

[xswanted]

@AckleymanII

Have you tested any heavy bullets?
75-80 grain range?

 

[xswanted]

So just out of sake of friendly argument I will throw this in there.

I have a Tikka Varmint T3x in 223. All factory.

Load data from Lyman for the 80 grain HPBT suggests a max charge of “25.0+” grains of IMR 4320.

This load supposedly should be going 2777 from a 24” barreled rifle and according to Lyman is at 48,400 C.U.P which I have understood isn’t as accurate at PSI testing used? Maybe I’m wrong on that but the book states this as a safe, but max load.

I worked up to 25.0 grains in my Tikka using Lapua brass and 80 grain Sierras.

Velocity was 2900fps according to my Labradar.

I was quite shocked with the speed, so I went in and measured case head expansion with the fired brass compared to new brass.

Case head expansion averaged .0008, so not much.

No stiff bolt lift, no cratered primers, no extractor marks nothing.

I worked up to 25.5 and eventually settled on that load.

This rifle shoots extremely well and for some reason is getting quite a bit more velocity from the barrel than I believe it should be.

I have a log book for the rifle and right now have fired over 1100 rounds through it using this load, as well as the original brass and most of that shooting is at longer ranges so I know the speed is accurate.

My Dad had the same rifle and using the same components the rifle shot 2830 using the same load.

My point with all this is, nothing in reloading is exact between two guns.

To each their own when it comes to stuffing powder in a cartridge.

 

[AckleymanII]

A friend is shooting the 222 mag with the 80g A max at 3150...pretty good load with Remington brass.

 

[alf]

Have you tested any heavy bullets?
75-80 grain range?

My 22" guns run 75 Bergers at 3075

My 24" guns run 80 Bergers at 3025

My 26" gun runs 80 Bergers at 3115

 

[AckleymanII]

Shawn, I will be posting a JGS reamer print based on the 55g nosler with bullet shank/bt at shoulder neck junction of the case

55g Nosler ballistic tip = 2.388 to the tip, COAL, this puts the 55g Nosler bullet shank/BT right at the shoulder neck junction of the case, just a tad above

JGS reamer print-22-204 Ruger KC

I will use a unithroater for my 9Twist Shilen for heavier bullets, Krieger 14T 26" will be chambered in a couple of months when I get the new reamer. I have some 22 caliber 8T on the back burner. Hoping that the 75g will dispatch hogs well.