22 ARC Begins

[Cfshooter]

Hi all, maiden voyage to the range today with the Craddock RTR 22 ARC. This was just to fire some factory loads and a handful of reloads to get an idea of velocity with N140 and some measurements on fired brass.

The handloads were 27gr of N140 under a Hornady 75 BTHP seated at 4 different depths. Not a load or bullet I will be using in this barrel, but had to send something and I have plenty of these and past data to compare it to.

The factory load was Hornady 62 ELVT.

Sharing this here as I had a hard time finding much decent 22 arc data, i will share more as I go.

All functioned flawlessly and looks like this barrel will do just fine.

 

[SecondsCount]

That 62 ELD VT is haulin! Great BC for it's weight.

 

[Cfshooter]

That 62 ELD VT is haulin! Great BC for it's weight.

I’m sure it has plenty left in it with some handloads too! I may just turn it into a 300 yard match round.

 

[Cfshooter]

More data.

Funny how .9 gr of N140 increase about 80 fps and .9 gr of Staball Match under 30 fps. Still not a fan of ball powders. Brass all looked fine so I will keep creeping up with the N140 and see if I can get it to the 2850 area and shooting good.

 

[Cfshooter]

Got the 80.5’s up to 2830 comfortably with the N140. Time to tune it up and shoot a match!

 

[Cfshooter]

No pressure signs and brass looked fine, but GRT says I’m way over pressure so I backed down to 27.6 (still over but closer to max). Will keep it there with N140. Going to try n540 next.

 

[Ryan66]

@Cfshooter what is the length of you RTR barrel? Looks promising so far!

 

[Cfshooter]

@Cfshooter what is the length of you RTR barrel? Looks promising so far!

20". I have been liking it very much. It is my first RTR, so not sure if 22 arc is just going to be a good shooting cartridge, or the barrel is GTG, or both!

 

[Ryan66]

I’m going to guess both ! The people on snipers hide have a lot of good things to say about Craddock.
I’d be interested to hear your real world experience with 22arc vs 223 after you shoot it more - more consistent hits on steel/more energy or ability to see the hits on steel/more explosive on critters/etc.
Obviously the ballistic charts show a decent amount more steam behind the arc

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

No pressure signs and brass looked fine, but GRT says I’m way over pressure so I backed down to 27.6 (still over but closer to max). Will keep it there with N140. Going to try n540 next.View attachment 1577317

I think 8208 would be about perfect, maybe even n135.

 

[Cfshooter]

I’m going to guess both ! The people on snipers hide have a lot of good things to say about Craddock.
I’d be interested to hear your real world experience with 22arc vs 223 after you shoot it more - more consistent hits on steel/more energy or ability to see the hits on steel/more explosive on critters/etc.
Obviously the ballistic charts show a decent amount more steam behind the arc

I will keep posting up my results and data, still not much good real world data around.

I will only call it “good” if it can give me about 100 fps more than the 80.5’s in 223. If it can’t do that, I might as well just stay with 223 for gas gun matches. So far though, it looks like it will be able to give the speed and BC increase while being a touch easier on the brass. It also seems easier to tune than gas gun 223.

 

[Cfshooter]

I think 8208 would be about perfect, maybe even n135.

I’m sure I will try it eventually, probably with lighter pillls. The goal right now is to find a good mid range Tac prone load with it. The n140 seemed a touch fast so hoping the n540 will do the trick. GRT shows it will give me the same low 2800’s but also keep it at pressure zone.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

I’m sure I will try it eventually, probably with lighter pillls. The goal right now is to find a good mid range Tac prone load with it. The n140 seemed a touch fast so hoping the n540 will do the trick. GRT shows it will give me the same low 2800’s but also keep it at pressure zone.

8208 doesn't always yield the highest speeds before pressuring out but it's no slouch and has been probably the best in terms of pure, consistent accuracy for me. Are you chasing speed or accuracy first? Myself, I chase the most accurate load first, often before I ever get out any type of chrono. Speed only matters to me after it's shooting small.

 

[Cfshooter]

8208 doesn't always yield the highest speeds before pressuring out but it's no slouch and has been probably the best in terms of pure, consistent accuracy for me. Are you chasing speed or accuracy first? Myself, I chase the most accurate load first, often before I ever get out any type of chrono. Speed only matters to me after it's shooting small.

I guess you can say speed and accuracy. My 223 80.5 load shoots well and at about 2725.
Most of my 20” gas gun match loads are in that 2700-2750 range. If the 22 arc can’t improve on that, no need to keep it. I will be happy with 2800-2830 and a good 3/4 moa performer.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

I guess you can say speed and accuracy. My 223 80.5 load shoots well and at about 2725.
Most of my 20” gas gun match loads are in that 2700-2750 range. If the 22 arc can’t improve on that, no need to keep it. I will be happy with 2800-2830 and a good 3/4 moa performer.

You'll likely get there but the downside of the larger case ID is more bolt thrust resulting in lower max pressures before shearing bolt lugs off. Has nothing to do with bolt material or design but physics. Think hydraulics.

 

[Cfshooter]

You'll likely get there but the downside of the larger case ID is more bolt thrust resulting in lower max pressures before shearing bolt lugs off. Has nothing to do with bolt material or design but physics. Think hydraulics.

And that’s one of my biggest worries with the ARC bolt. Another reason why I figure the n140 and 4k over max pressure isn’t probably a great load to stay with lol. I’m hoping the n540 is the ticket. It should keep me about 1k under.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

And that’s one of my biggest worries with the ARC bolt. Another reason why I figure the n140 and 4k over max pressure isn’t probably a great load to stay with lol. I’m hoping the n540 is the ticket. It should keep me about 1k under.

Yeah, you really don't wanna push over max with a ppc/grendel casehead AR15. There's not much room for error or over pressure. That's the design of the rifle limiting us. Nowhere to beef things up to take the increased thrust that is just unavoidable at equal pressures..or even less of course. I think there is more safety net with 223/556 pressure vs ppc/grendel, fwiw. They adjusted max pressures down pretty much exactly proportionate to the thrust increase. That's where the thinner bolt material is probably a factor.

 

[The boogalorian]

@Cfshooter
Thanks for posting. Going to pick up a barreled action in 22 arc from the gunsmith tomorrow. I will be looking to shoot 90-95gn pills but any info on a new cartridge is welcome.

 

[Cfshooter]

@Cfshooter
Thanks for posting. Going to pick up a barreled action in 22 arc from the gunsmith tomorrow. I will be looking to shoot 90-95gn pills but any info on a new cartridge is welcome.

For sure. Be sure to share any data you come up with too, still not much out there. You can get about 10k more pressure in that bolt gun, should push those big pills well.

 

[The boogalorian]

Picked up the barreled action today.
28” shillen 6.5 twist, straight, ec tuner, Curtis valor action, mpa matrix chassis with a march 4.5-28 fx/ tr1 reticle. Weights 23 pounds.

Loaded (25) rounds to zero and break in.
95gn SMK, 28.0gn H4350, Hornady brass, federal 205m primers. Hoping for 2800 fps.

Will post results tomorrow.