22 ARC Begins

[gunsandgunsmithing]

I have 500 pieces of Starline 6.5 Grendel brass to neck down this weekend. I am going to do a skim cut then anneal and neck down in two steps. Will post results when I find the correct process. I will be looking for loaded necks around 0.250”-0.251”.

Same goes for the Starline....It's fine at AR pressures but it ain't gonna hold up at the load I posted. Wish it would but it DOES NOT.

 

[The boogalorian]

Same goes for the Starline....It's fine at AR pressures but it ain't gonna hold up at the load I posted. Wish it would but it DOES NOT.

That’s disappointing to hear. I tried used Hornady 6 arc brass but was seeing signs of case head separation after only two reloading. Decided to go with Starline for the price. Mine is a prs gun so some brass will likely be lost in the grass. I’m shooting heavies but not trying to push them too hard. Will see what happens.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Conditions got good here and I just shot this. Didn't measure it but it's 11 shots in the same hole. Again, one hurt me but I ain't complaining with that.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Another pic of same 11 shot group...fwiw

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Had planned on shooting a sighter and two 5 shot groups but the hole was tiny until I messed it up. I thought it was only one shot out but maybe two out of the 11. Just kept shooting at same poa. Getting dark here was hard to tell for sure.

 

[Cfshooter]

Had planned on shooting a sighter and two 5 shot groups but the hole was tiny until I messed it up. I thought it was only one shot out but maybe two out of the 11. Just kept shooting at same poa. Getting dark here was hard to tell for sure.

That’s a hell of a group!

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

That’s a hell of a group!

Thanks! I'll probably just go with this load. I think the rest is on me to steer the gun in conditions. Would like for those two that leaked low and left to be in the main part of the group but it was getting dark and I couldn't tell. Might've been poor hold or a slight condition that did it. The range is slightly downhill and as you walk out to the target, there was a clear cold spot right at dark. That might've done it too but I'll take it. Amazing how these things can shoot either way. Danny's making a heck of a good bullet too.

 

[Lefty2506]

Conditions got good here and I just shot this. Didn't measure it but it's 11 shots in the same hole. Again, one hurt me but I ain't complaining with that.

Showoff!

That's some mighty fine shooting if you ask me. I'd post both of those pics on every 22 ARC thread that I could find, and I'd tell every body that its an okay group just to rub it in

 

[Cfshooter]

Thanks! I'll probably just go with this load. I think the rest is on me to steer the gun in conditions. Would like for those two that leaked low and left to be in the main part of the group but it was getting dark and I couldn't tell. Might've been poor hold or a slight condition that did it. The range is slightly downhill and as you walk out to the target, there was a clear cold spot right at dark. That might've done it too but I'll take it. Amazing how these things can shoot either way. Danny's making a heck of a good bullet too.

Where can I find these bullets?

Showoff!

That's some mighty fine shooting if you ask me. I'd post both of those pics on every 22 ARC thread that I could find, and I'd tell every body that its an okay group just to rub it in

he definitely went to bed feeling good that night!

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Showoff!

That's some mighty fine shooting if you ask me. I'd post both of those pics on every 22 ARC thread that I could find, and I'd tell every body that its an okay group just to rub it in

The rifle is why it shoots like that. Yes, it's a good group but it's how a real BR rifle should shoot. So I don't think it's special but rather, just that it looks like it can be competitive in benchrest. That's what it takes. And remember, the conditions were very good, right before dark.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Where can I find these bullets?

He's @prologr on here.It took a few months for my last order so I'm not sure if he's taking orders or how long. Heck, he might have some but probably not. It's a hot bullet right now and the sole reason for chambering up a 22 ARC bbl for that rifle. People are building guns around his bullet..literally.
Mostly 22PPCs or 220 Beggs. I wanted to be different and give a full length ARC a try. Way too soon to say much for sure except that it has the potential to run with the top stuff being used in br.

 

[KMW 1954]

After following this topic it is making me wonder if I am making the right choice for shooting our short range informal bench league. I was shooting a 69gr 233 and am now moving to a 105gr 6ARC bolt rifle. We are shooting out to 300yds. but ranges worked are from 100-300yds.

This 22ARC is looking very impressive. Also as mentioned; more than a 223 but much less powder than a 22-250 or 22CM

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

After following this topic it is making me wonder if I am making the right choice for shooting our short range informal bench league. I was shooting a 69gr 233 and am now moving to a 105gr 6ARC bolt rifle. We are shooting out to 300yds. but ranges worked are from 100-300yds.

This 22ARC is looking very impressive. Also as mentioned; more than a 223 but much less powder than a 22-250 or 22CM

I'll be using mine for 100-300 yard br matches. FWIW, the bbl on the gun was not new. It was a very good shooting 220 Beggs with under 1000 rounds on it. I used it so I had a baseline for before and after re-chambering to 22 ARC. To this point, it didn't hurt anything and might be a slight improvement over the Beggs. About 200fps faster than the Beggs so far too. Most impressive is that I'm familiar with loading the Beggs and the ARC is all new to me but already shooting as good or better.

 

[Cfshooter]

I'll be using mine for 100-300 yard br matches. FWIW, the bbl on the gun was not new. It was a very good shooting 220 Beggs with under 1000 rounds on it. I used it so I had a baseline for before and after re-chambering to 22 ARC. To this point, it didn't hurt anything and might be a slight improvement over the Beggs. About 200fps faster than the Beggs so far too. Most impressive is that I'm familiar with loading the Beggs and the ARC is all new to me but already shooting as good or better.

Now I’m debating actually making a 22 arc bolt gun lol. I didn’t plan to as didn’t think it would do much for me better than 223 in a bolt gun and not able to shoot FTR with it (not good for open), but, I think 22 ARC is a little more forgiving so far and you have shown it can be a SR BR competitor. It probably can do good in F open on a 300 yard match too.

 

[oldtrptplyr]

What barrel f

Been so busy, just no time for testing or shooting period of late. But, I took a few minutes to work up what looks like a decent load for my no turn Borden 22 ARC bench rifle. N135 shot small but was slow. Topped out around 3400fps when I ran out of capacity. Could've got maybe another half grain with a long drop tube and slow pour but it just wasn't close to the speed I'm hoping for with it so went to n133.
30.8 gr and a 55 gr UBR bullet by Danny Hensley shot at 3730 fps(es of 9) and shot well given the conditions. Barrel length is 23". Mirage was pretty brutal. Still way more to do but the gun and load looks like it'll shoot there or very close. Five shot group of .160 at 100 with one that hurt it most. Pretty sure it was the mirage as the target was dancing pretty good and it went where it should, just not where I wanted it to. Lol! The other 4 were mid zero ish.

This is not a pussyfoot load! Might have a tad more left in it but definitely work up before going anywhere close to this outta the gate. Was hoping for around 3800-3850 fps and it might be there but I'm not sure it'll get there with n133. Working up, the groups acted like I want and no surprises. It acted pretty much just like a 6 PPC but faster.

This is not book data and certainly not AR data so work up with caution, only in a good bolt rifle and stop when you see any signs of pressure in YOUR gun! This one left a very faint faint ejector mark on the cases and primers are pretty flat. Just use caution but this little cartridge will shoot and it's fast for it's size.

What barrel twist for a 55gr at those velocities? Thanks

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

What barrel f

What barrel twist for a 55gr at those velocities? Thanks

This one is a 14. I've got a new 13 bartlien to chamber when I have time.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Now I’m debating actually making a 22 arc bolt gun lol. I didn’t plan to as didn’t think it would do much for me better than 223 in a bolt gun and not able to shoot FTR with it (not good for open), but, I think 22 ARC is a little more forgiving so far and you have shown it can be a SR BR competitor. It probably can do good in F open on a 300 yard match too.

It'd probably do well with a tad faster twist and mid weight bullets. All the rage right now is heavy, high bc bullets for all but I don't think this case is at it's best with the heavies. Same goes for a 6 ARC or 6 Grendel for that matter. I'd probably do a 6 Grendel in 10 twist and try 87-95 gr bullets at around 3050-3100 fps. Run the numbers for a 105@2850 vs a 95@3100...The drift is identical and the shorter bullet will virtually always shoot inside of the heavies, IME.

 

[KMW 1954]

At the present time I have 3 Savage short actions. One is a model 10 blind mag stagger feed 223 that is in need of a new barrel, The second is a model 11 with a model 12, 26" Varmint barrel, 223 That I've been using for our league and lastly is the Model 110 Switchback in 6ARC.

The 6ARC is to be my new league gun but it too is in need of a new barrel and the intention is to replace it with a 26" 7.5 twist Shilen ratchet. Then after that I may just move that Model 12 barrel to the 10 and now maybe a 22ARC to the Model 11.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Benchmark. More testing needed. Not bad but nothing nice and round. Might have potential though. All 5 shot groups except lower right of center sighter target. Didn't chrono but based on book data, should be faster than the n133 load. Hoping for 3800ish

Perspective...if the group will just fit INSIDE the white 10 ring without touching the black ring, it'll measure right at .160. They're in the ballpark.

 

[Cfshooter]

Benchmark. More testing needed. Not bad but nothing nice and round. Might have potential though. All 5 shot groups except lower right of center sighter target. Didn't chrono but based on book data, should be faster than the n133 load. Hoping for 3800ish

Perspective...if the group will just fit INSIDE the white 10 ring without touching the black ring, it'll measure right at .160. They're in the ballpark.

All the same load? They all look good.