22 BRDX loads

[lpreddick]

Got my latest build: 26 in kreiger, 12 twist 22 BRDX chambered with a PT&G reamer....2525 neck and no freebore. Whidden dies came the day I picked up the gun! Sized and fireformed(cow,HP 38) brass and plan on shooting 60-65 gr bullets, mainly 63 cheeks being that I bought 1000+ figuring I would build a gun to shoot them one day. I shoot two 22 BRS, a 14 and 12 twist, so I have some idea on powder choice, but would greatly appreciate any suggestions from those who have shot this cartridge, esp with heavier bullets. Thanks.

 

[murwal]

I have a PacNor barrel with a 22 br reamer run in .100" deeper which I think makes it a 22brx!
It is 29" long and a 1 in 7 Twist, I shoot 90 grain Sierra's with Varget at 30.2 grains max load.
Velocity at max load is 2975 FPS measured.
Accuracy node seems to be 28.4 grains at 2827 FPS ES 2.1 and STD about 4.8.

Still needs a bit of work but shows promise.
I would real like a BRDX next.

Drop me a note if you want to chat further

 

[Yote Hunter]

The man that designed this cartridge had some ragged one hole groups (sub 0.25") shot with 52 gr bullets and Benchmark powder. Chronograph readings were 4020 fps +/-.

 

[racesnake]

I've been playing with one for a bit. Krieger 1-8, 80.5 Berger Full Bores. 33.5gr H4350, 3100fps. Can go up. Shoots lights out! Hell on barrels!
Dave

 

[racesnake]

Just back from the range. Increased the load of H4350. Am up to 34.8gr behind a Berger 80.5 full bore. Velocity ave. was 3265fps. Group size 0.2moa. Still not showing pressure signs. Will go up some more to find top end.

 

[lpreddick]

i have less than100 fired in my 22 BRDX, 12 tw, and i am getting small groups with 63 cheeks and n540. mvs over 3550 fps and no excessive pressure...primer pockets still tight. varget shows promise, but n 540 did well in my 12 tw 22 BR with 64 bergers, so i suspect it will prove to be a powder of choice. i think i can push 3600 fps with the 63 cheeks. just for fun shot a few 53 hornadys and chrono was 3750+. speeds approaching 4000 are possible with the light bullets.

 

[lpreddick]

the 63 cheeks and n540 are working. only got 1 and 1/2# of n 540, so i may try another powder.

 

[racesnake]

Try Varget.

 

[lpreddick]

Varget...yes. Have some already loaded. Same prob here ..1 1/2# of it left. A test group was 5/16", so l am confident varget will work.

 

[racesnake]

Just back from the range. Increased H4350 to 35.4gr behind 80.5gr Full Bores. Average velocity increased to 3306fps. 3shot group measured 0.127". Will try some 10shot groups with this load next. Not sure I want to go any higher. Barrel shows fire cracking with 200 rds. fired.

 

[lpreddick]

Today was my lucky day! Walked into bass pro shop and there on their powder shelf were 3 # of varget!!! They called out to me and I answered...I test the loads I have tomorrow and go from there.

 

[lpreddick]

Varget! Varget!Varget! Shot 63 cheeks with 34.2 gr and mv was a very impressive 3620 fps! Group was .173"! 34.5 gr also in the ones. Bolt lift easy and primer pockets were still tight. Amazing seeing a superbly built gun shoot like this when you match barrel twist, bullet wt, case prep, powder choice and powder charge, then do my part...sweet.

 

[racesnake]

Went back to the range yesterday to recheck the 35.4gr of H4350/80.5 gr Berger fullbore load. Decided, also, to try another brand of primer (Wolf small rifle magnum) to see if it would help lower the SD and ES. 10 rounds with each primer and the results were:
CCI 450 primers...3268fps...SD 15...ES 37
Wolf sr mag..........3266fps...SD 4....ES 11
The Wolf primers were definitely an improvement without any loss in velocity. The Wolf group was a tad smaller at 100yds and obviously would be much smaller the farther out you go.
I tested this same load (CCI primers) a couple of days earlier and the velocity was 3306fps. The only difference was the air temp. It was 68 the day it averaged 3306 and 54 the day I got 3268. Thats a 38fps drop! Does this sound right? Chime in, please.