22 GT loads

[nakneker]

Just had one built, Zack at old Dominion did the work, my second project with him and I couldn’t be happier. Looking for loads, I’m finding very little Info usin* the lighter 22 caliber bullets. Looks like capacity is very close to a 22-250. I plan on using VV N135. I have plenty of other powders on hand too but I’ve had good luck in my 22-250 with N135 and it seems like my throat doesn’t erode near as fast as it did with Varget. This rifle is a light barreled (#2) field rifle with a 1/10 twist. The idea is to shoot 55-60 grainers. I have other rifles to shoot the heavies in, this one is gonna be a calling rifle, shots should be fairly close most of the time. Any experience or insights are welcome. Thanks in advance.

 

[Gary in MD]

That’s a fine looking rig!
I didn’t realize that Varget was hard on throats?
Do you have any StaBall6.5? I’ve been trying it in a 8 twist 22-250, Hodgdon is showing some impressive velocities.
Gary

 

[Clancy]

I just wanted to say that’s a nice rifle.

I agree that Varget is hard on throats. I’ve abandoned it for N140.

N135 is one of my FAVORITES! Let us know how it goes!

 

[nakneker]

That’s a fine looking rig!
I didn’t realize that Varget was hard on throats?
Do you have any StaBall6.5? I’ve been trying it in a 8 twist 22-250, Hodgdon is showing some impressive velocities.
Gary

No StaBall on hand, good to know though.

 

[Kimber.204]

I don't have a 22GT (YET!) but I've had a .220 Thunderbolt for a few years. This is a 6mm Hagar necked down to .224 cal. (A 6mm Hagar is basically the same case as a 6.8SPC...just slightly longer)....all that to say that the case capacity is similar to the GT case. I'm running 88gr ELD-M around 2950-3000fps using IMR-4166 and it's excellent. I've also used that powder in my 6BRA and it does very well in that also.

Good Luck!
Ross

 

[nakneker]

I had some time this week and started working a load up with Sierra 55 grain Blitzkings and some Bruno 52 grain Bullets I have in bulk. Im working up this initial load with VV N135. There is little load data out there for the 22 GT, more for the heavy Bullets than the 50-60 grain bullets, I didn’t find any info on the lighter bullets. I’m using Alpha Munitions brass, I started pretty conservative and didn’t start seeing any pressure until I was at 3661 FPS, 22 inch #2 Lilja. about the same as a 22-250. I was breaking in the barrel and finding max so I didn’t shoot any groups but it’s obvious the rifle is a shooter, I’m hoping to shoot some groups and 5 shot strings tomorrow. I’ll post pics when I do.

 

[boltfluter]

Just had one built, Zack at old Dominion did the work, my second project with him and I couldn’t be happier. Looking for loads, I’m finding very little Info usin* the lighter 22 caliber bullets. Looks like capacity is very close to a 22-250. I plan on using VV N135. I have plenty of other powders on hand too but I’ve had good luck in my 22-250 with N135 and it seems like my throat doesn’t erode near as fast as it did with Varget. This rifle is a light barreled (#2) field rifle with a 1/10 twist. The idea is to shoot 55-60 grainers. I have other rifles to shoot the heavies in, this one is gonna be a calling rifle, shots should be fairly close most of the time. Any experience or insights are welcome. Thanks in advance.

Beautiful rifle to say the least! Looking forward to small group pics.

Paul

 

[urbanrifleman]

I would think n150. N135 seems a bit fast, but I bet it shoots small groups with low spreads.

 

[nakneker]

I would think n150. N135 seems a bit fast, but I bet it shoots small groups with low spreads.

I haven’t personally weighed the H2O capacity of the 22-250 or the GT but my understanding is the volumes are very close. Maybe I’ll do that today. Lots of good powders for that size case but I’ve had good success in my 22-250 with N135, I use to use H414 but switched a couple years ago. Velocity is about what I expected. I have N140 on hand, may have some N150 too but I’m not sure. If the N135 meats the goal I’ll probably get a load and be done. The goal being 55 grain bullets over 3600 and .5 inch groups. It‘s a thin sporter barrel and I want to save the life of it for vermin. I always enjoy your input though.

 

[urbanrifleman]

I haven’t personally weighed the H2O capacity of the 22-250 or the GT but my understanding is the volumes are very close. Maybe I’ll do that today. Lots of good powders for that size case but I’ve had good success in my 22-250 with N135, I use to use H414 but switched a couple years ago. Velocity is about what I expected. I have N140 on hand, may have some N150 too but I’m not sure. If the N135 meats the goal I’ll probably get a load and be done. The goal being 55 grain bullets over 3600 and .5 inch groups. It‘s a thin sporter barrel and I want to save the life of it for vermin. I always enjoy your input though.

I tested AR Comp in my 22xc and I think that speed is great for the lighter bullets. AR Comp is essentially almost exactly the same speed as N135.

22xc is basically a 22-250A in capacity. I would think a GT is smaller than a 22-250 but more efficient.

 

[nakneker]

I tested AR Comp in my 22xc and I think that speed is great for the lighter bullets. AR Comp is essentially almost exactly the same speed as N135.

22xc is basically a 22-250A in capacity. I would think a GT is smaller than a 22-250 but more efficient.

I do wish there was more info on the 22GT and lighter bullets, I’ve found very little in that regard.

I’ve never played with AR comp, I probably need to get some. Where does it sit on the heat index? Big reason I switched to N135 is it sit’s lower on the heat index. I’m sitting on a Pile of Varget but I’m using it less and trying a few other powders that are lower on the heat index. AckleymanII talks about H335 and AA270 being easier on throats, I’ve picked up some good tips from him just reading his posts over the years.

 

[urbanrifleman]

I do wish there was more info on the 22GT and lighter bullets, I’ve found very little in that regard.

I’ve never played with AR comp, I probably need to get some. Where does it sit on the heat index? Big reason I switched to N135 is it sit’s lower on the heat index. I’m sitting on a Pile of Varget but I’m using it less and trying a few other powders that are lower on the heat index. AckleymanII talks about H335 and AA270 being easier on throats, I’ve picked up some good tips from him just reading his posts over the years.

It's one of the coolest.

 

[Hiredgun81]

I do wish there was more info on the 22GT and lighter bullets, I’ve found very little in that regard.

I’ve never played with AR comp, I probably need to get some. Where does it sit on the heat index? Big reason I switched to N135 is it sit’s lower on the heat index. I’m sitting on a Pile of Varget but I’m using it less and trying a few other powders that are lower on the heat index. AckleymanII talks about H335 and AA270 being easier on throats, I’ve picked up some good tips from him just reading his posts over the years.

Hodgdon has 22GT data online now with 40-95gn bullets

 

[17VLD]

Very nice rifle,love the case head Inlet into the bolt knob.
Matt

 

[Lynn313]

Alpha .120 reamer, Alpha brass, 450s, 33.6 h4350, Berger 85.5s. Still breaking in with < 100 rds. 3020 vel & 1/4” 1 hole groups.