22BR and a Bunch of Questions

[Bully]

Dies are purchased.
I'm looking at what bullet to shoot and am leaning heavily toward the 69gnTMK. I'm thinking a 9 twist as this will be my primary bullet along with, hopefully, the 62gn TTSX as a hunting bullet. I may venture into the 75ELD-M a little bit but most likely not.

Use will be primarily as a paper killer extraordinaire at 300 yards and I'll try and step it out to 1k once or maybe twice. Hunting will be secondary, but possible.

I'm looking for advice on:
Bullet---Is the 69 a solid choice in this cartridge for my intended usage
Barrel---Twist recommendations if you think I'm off base and will a 22" get the job done
Powder---I have a bit of Varget floating around but am not sure that it is the best powder for the job. I am (over)thinking it may be a touch too slow.

Thanks for any and all advice.

 

[linebaugh]

I would not write off the 75 ELDs if you plan to shoot past 500 regularly. Best in class BC and good accuracy. I don't know on stability with a 9 twist.but would guess it to be workable... especially if you dont venture out far very often.

Have shot the 69 tipped match kings in my AR and they are fine there. No idea on how accurate they are.

If you are serious about killing paper at 300 there are probably better bullet choices than the TMK or ELD for accuracy. If you intend to make it a hunting rig as well then the above bullets will probably be great on predators. I have taken several yotes with the 75ELDs. Cpl hogs. They did not dissappint.

 

[xswanted]

I’d tell you to do an 8 twist and that gives you a few more options with heavy bullets. The lighter bullets won’t be negatively affected either.

IMR 4350 amd H4350 both work well with the heavy bullets, Varget and 8208 should work well with everything.

Mine is a 24” barrel and is one of if not my favorite rifle to shoot.

Lots of accuracy and easy to figure out.

 

[garandman]

I got a 1:7 in 224 Valkyrie and just recently, after some 750 rounds fired, found sub-half MoA loads for 80.5 and 85.5 Bergers.

Which is to say.... 1:7 can work very nicely.

(I went thru CFE223, H4895, RL 17 and ended up wtih AR-Comp for powder)

 

[Bully]

Thanks all for the replies.

Reason I want to go slower twist/lighter bullet... I have a 1:7 twist 223 I'm about to build. I'm looking for something that is just a bit...easier. And different. And faster.
I will for sure consider the 1:8.

 

[garandman]

What's anticapated velocity for your round / barrel life for your project?

 

[Mark W]

I’m in the process of doing load work up for 1:8 twist 22 BRA. It’s throated for 50 to 75 grain bullets. If I need to shoot anything heavier, I’ll do it in a 6mm. I would have went with a 1:9 but the 1:8 barrel blank was available in the contour that I wanted that day. I did my initial break in with 69 TMKs and 8208 XBR. Out of five 3 shot groups, 3 were between .350” and .550” so it has promise. Velocity was around 3350.

 

[Bully]

Thanks folks.
Garandman, I have to think that barrel life will be between 1500-2000, as a guess. Velocity will be determined by accuracy but if I can be on the faster side I’ll go for it. I have not researched any speed numbers as far as what I need to get where I want to be. This is a fun little paper puncher so I’m not overly concerned, really, with anything besides having fun.