22 ARC Begins

[The boogalorian]

Have you seen my recent results with IMR-3031 and H4198 in my 22 PPC? It really likes it. Your results say to me that it doesn’t like the powder. Do you have any faster powder to try?

Edit: I had trouble getting consistent results with the 95 SMK. I would describe it as mercurial - teasing me just often enough with tiny groups to make me think it was worth continuing to work with.

I am trying to use powders that I keep in stock. H4350 and N150 are the first ones I am considering. I have RL15.5, varget, and n140 still to try. N150 had better numbers but will need to revisit with a lower charge. Have 90gn SMK’s on the way to try.

 

[Evan]

I am trying to use powders that I keep in stock. H4350 and N150 are the first ones I am considering. I have RL15.5, varget, and n140 still to try. N150 had better numbers but will need to revisit with a lower charge. Have 90gn SMK’s on the way to try.

I completely understand on the powders. I was quite surprised with my results and will be spending more time working with the faster end now. I got some n133 and n135 to try as well.

I have found the 90 SMK really easy to get working. I think it’s a better design than the 95; perhaps it’s that it wasn’t pushed too far in the pursuit of better BC numbers. I am interested to see if you have the same experience with them that I did/do.

 

[Cfshooter]

Today’s update. Primer test. The wheels came off of the cart. :/

Tested 205MAR, Win #41, Rem 7-1/2 and CCI #450 with 29.0gn of H4350
Every group today was the worst to date. All the velocities were all over the place. Total dumpster fire.

View attachment 1586739View attachment 1586740View attachment 1586741

No signs of pressure, guess that is a plus.

Will try again with the H4350 and 205M but think I will use a neck expander to lighten the neck tension some.
Also going to lower the charge of N150 down 1 grain and try a seating depth test.

I think it’s the 4350.

 

[The boogalorian]

I completely understand on the powders. I was quite surprised with my results and will be spending more time working with the faster end now. I got some n133 and n135 to try as well.

I have found the 90 SMK really easy to get working. I think it’s a better design than the 95; perhaps it’s that it wasn’t pushed too far in the pursuit of better BC numbers. I am interested to see if you have the same experience with them that I did/do.

You are probably right about the 95’s. I should have the 90’s in hand next time I am home. Will take the day off from the range today and spend some time turning and necking down brass. I processed the once fired brass when I got home yesterday and it looks and measures excellent. Good news on that front.

 

[Cfshooter]

You are probably right about the 95’s. I should have the 90’s in hand next time I am home. Will take the day off from the range today and spend some time turning and necking down brass. I processed the once fired brass when I got home yesterday and it looks and measures excellent. Good news on that front.

I’m my way over to drop my Grendel brass off for turning and necking down

 

[The boogalorian]

I’m my way over to drop my Grendel brass off for turning and necking down

Haha! Probably going to take all day for me just to do mine. Good thing I got some AC in the garage. Can’t wait for the cooler weather.

 

[Cfshooter]

Haha! Probably going to take all day for me just to do mine. Good thing I got some AC in the garage. Can’t wait for the cooler weather.

Yeah, I load in garage with no AC, no fun lol.

Out shooting some 223 gas guns today, shooting up ammo I had loaded for an FtR rifle I no longer have. Both gas guns seem to like it though.

 

[Cfshooter]

A little load testing with some 75 ELDM I was trying to use up. Had an anomaly shot on the second target. No baffle strike or anything weird, the only thing I can think of is maybe the ELD tip got broke off. The other 4 shots of that load were pretty tight.

Seemed to like the loads good nuff, but will only rely on it if single fed. I only have about 20 more of these bullets left anyway, will be fine for plinking. Will stick with Bergers as usual.

 

[Cfshooter]

Update:

Interesting crimp vs no crimp with the 22 arc and some 75 ELDM. Also single fed some vs mag fed since last time out I think a tip fell off while shooting mag fed, had a shot go 2” outside of a group.

 

[CloudNein]

You are probably right about the 95’s. I should have the 90’s in hand next time I am home. Will take the day off from the range today and spend some time turning and necking down brass. I processed the once fired brass when I got home yesterday and it looks and measures excellent. Good news on that front.

You were testing 90 gr+?

I'm slowly putting together a 22 ARC rig, but as you know there's no data for N150. GRT showed this for an 88 gr. ELDM, should be helpful. Pressure signs come on at 26.5 gr.

 

[SKWERLZ]

I finally got my reamer and was able to finish my barrel
Finished at 24” on a green mountain blank
I used some old 4007sc I had to fire form brass.
CFE 223 got plenty of speed but extreme spread is a bit lacking.
Stable 6.5 has a good case fill and same speeds but ES was cut in half.
I’ll probably settle at 2900ish for 80 grain bullets.
Need to do a seating depth test but it’s already a fun steel blaster.

22ARC at 805 yards.

80 SMK

rumble.com

 

[Cfshooter]

Was able to get the ARC out to shoot its first match, and it did very well! This has been my new favorite rifle, shoots so nice with a can.

 

[ABC1000]

any thoughts on whether or not the Norma or Nosler brass is worth buying and running until the @ Alpha brass releases? I try not to shoot Norma but have had decent luck in a hunting rifle… but that’s my only experience with it in the last 10 years… hornady is soft and starline is a little better but not up to BR grade though it is a good value IMO.

 

[Cfshooter]

any thoughts on whether or not the Norma or Nosler brass is worth buying and running until the @ Alpha brass releases? I try not to shoot Norma but have had decent luck in a hunting rifle… but that’s my only experience with it in the last 10 years… hornady is soft and starline is a little better but not up to BR grade though it is a good value IMO.

I stick with Hornady factory 22 arc brass for now, i will try Alpha once released.

 

[ABC1000]

I stick with Hornady factory 22 arc brass for now, i will try Alpha once released.

My only problem is I have a couple PD and ground squirrel shoots coming up in the next few months and don’t want to buy hornady at near $1/brass… when I can get starline for half that. I’ve got thousands of cases of starline in 223 and 5.56 and like it better than hornady… I’m just trying to decide if Norma/Nosler is worth the extra as u can get it for the same price as hornady brass right now… I bought a 50 count bag of hornady as well as 5 boxes of ammo that I’ve got in hand but would like 250-300 pieces of brass to have loaded for these trips as I’d really opened to get dialed in w the cartridge this year, though I’ve got several other cartridges that I’ll be bringing with.

 

[Cfshooter]

My only problem is I have a couple PD and ground squirrel shoots coming up in the next few months and don’t want to buy hornady at near $1/brass… when I can get starline for half that. I’ve got thousands of cases of starline in 223 and 5.56 and like it better than hornady… I’m just trying to decide if Norma/Nosler is worth the extra as u can get it for the same price as hornady brass right now… I bought a 50 count bag of hornady as well as 5 boxes of ammo that I’ve got in hand but would like 250-300 pieces of brass to have loaded for these trips as I’d really opened to get dialed in w the cartridge this year, though I’ve got several other cartridges that I’ll be bringing with.

I like Starlin brass, and Norma, but some of these 22 arc chambers are tight and the brass at the nick can be too thick on other than "factory 22 arc brass". some people have no issues with necking down 6.5 grendel Starline, YMMV.

 

[jelenko]

My only problem is I have a couple PD and ground squirrel shoots coming up in the next few months and don’t want to buy hornady at near $1/brass… when I can get starline for half that. I’ve got thousands of cases of starline in 223 and 5.56 and like it better than hornady… I’m just trying to decide if Norma/Nosler is worth the extra as u can get it for the same price as hornady brass right now… I bought a 50 count bag of hornady as well as 5 boxes of ammo that I’ve got in hand but would like 250-300 pieces of brass to have loaded for these trips as I’d really opened to get dialed in w the cartridge this year, though I’ve got several other cartridges that I’ll be bringing with.

I gotta believe that almost any case is sufficient for PD/squirrels.

 

[SKWERLZ]

I like Starlin brass, and Norma, but some of these 22 arc chambers are tight and the brass at the nick can be too thick on other than "factory 22 arc brass". some people have no issues with necking down 6.5 grendel Starline, YMMV.

I’ve had good results necking down starline 6.5 grendle brass and it’s fairly cheap.

22ARC at 805 yards.

80 SMK

rumble.com

 

[Cfshooter]

I’ve had good results necking down starline 6.5 grendle brass and it’s fairly cheap.

22ARC at 805 yards.

80 SMK

rumble.com

Yeah, many have had no issues with doing so. The problem can come up though as the chamber spec for 22 ARC is .253, what do your loaded rounds with necked down Grendel brass OD at? Sure .253 or bigger can work in some chambers, but if chamber is cut tight to spec, it will not work. My fired brass comes out at .253-.254, it does not like necked down Grendel brass.

 

[SKWERLZ]

Yeah, many have had no issues with doing so. The problem can come up though as the chamber spec for 22 ARC is .253, what do your loaded rounds with necked down Grendel brass OD at? Sure .253 or bigger can work in some chambers, but if chamber is cut tight to spec, it will not work. My fired brass comes out at .253-.254, it does not like necked down Grendel brass.

My reamer print has .254 at the neck and I’m happy about that.