22br don'ts, mistakes, and regrets?
- Thread starter InkedIan
- Start date
stacy
2 TIMOTHY 2 VERSE 15
I HAVE 3 22BR'S BUT DONT SHOOT HEAVY BULLETS IF YOU WANT TO GO WITH THOSE WEIGHT BULLETS CHECK OUT THE 22DASHER MINE SHINES WITH 75GR VLD'S AND N-135 I ONLY SHOT 52'S 53'S AND 55GR BULLETS ALL MY 22BR'S ARE 1/12 TWIST BUT THEY PRINT SOME FINE BUGHOLES I HAVE NO REGRETS WITH ANY OF THEM
Don't shoot the 90s. It's simply not worth the risk.
Go 8twist, approx 0.100 freebore, .253 is a no turn neck, and chamber length of 1.575 so you don't have to trim down Lapua brass after necking it down. Shoot 80s as fast as you want without risk of blowing them up. You may be able to get 3300-3350fps with them in a quick 28" barrel.
Go 8twist, approx 0.100 freebore, .253 is a no turn neck, and chamber length of 1.575 so you don't have to trim down Lapua brass after necking it down. Shoot 80s as fast as you want without risk of blowing them up. You may be able to get 3300-3350fps with them in a quick 28" barrel.
NorCalMikie
Gold $$ Contributor
Got one and love it. From DAY ONE, a born bug hole maker.
Don'ts ? Don't think you can just bump up the powder charge like you do with it's bigger brother the 6 BR. Just add another grain and go on with you business??
WRONG!!
You'll never find a hammer big enough to beat the bolt open and when you do, the bolt will already be in the shop getting the handle re attached.
Before you start, think about what you want as far as chamber goes. Get it the way YOU WANT IT!!
Me? ZERO free bore so I can jam the lightest bullets I can get my hands on. IIRC, usually in the 40 grain range, then you can go heavier as the throat wears and you can still reach the lands. And a NO TURN NECK. You want to be shooting NOT be messing with brass.
And "I have" pulled the bullets on a live round and filled the action with powder. (more than once)
But from that, I learned to keep the rig pointed UP so it's easier to clean the powder out.
6 BR, 22 BR then, a wildcat 6.8 BR. What a fun ride.
Don'ts ? Don't think you can just bump up the powder charge like you do with it's bigger brother the 6 BR. Just add another grain and go on with you business??
WRONG!!You'll never find a hammer big enough to beat the bolt open and when you do, the bolt will already be in the shop getting the handle re attached.
Before you start, think about what you want as far as chamber goes. Get it the way YOU WANT IT!!
Me? ZERO free bore so I can jam the lightest bullets I can get my hands on. IIRC, usually in the 40 grain range, then you can go heavier as the throat wears and you can still reach the lands. And a NO TURN NECK. You want to be shooting NOT be messing with brass.
And "I have" pulled the bullets on a live round and filled the action with powder.
(more than once)But from that, I learned to keep the rig pointed UP so it's easier to clean the powder out.
6 BR, 22 BR then, a wildcat 6.8 BR. What a fun ride.
garandman
Bolt Gun Bodacious
1:7 in 224 Valkyrie shoots 80.5 / 85.5 Berger 3" groups at 400 yds (first time shooting this gun at 400 today. On steel, so groups might have been tighter than that, but I could see the splashes on painted steel thru the scope)
Windy day....prolly 5-10 MPH.
Just to say 1:7 works for up to 85.5 gr. Heavier, I'd go 1:6.5 or tighter, I think.
Windy day....prolly 5-10 MPH.
Just to say 1:7 works for up to 85.5 gr. Heavier, I'd go 1:6.5 or tighter, I think.
JSH
Gold $$ Contributor
I am already thinking on my next 22BR and have not shot the one I have much, almost boring groups.
I am rethinking on the no turn neck. Will there be a donut issue if one goes that route? I am thinking 60ish and under grain bullets, start off with zero freebore.
Hope this is not a derail of the OP’s initial question.
I am rethinking on the no turn neck. Will there be a donut issue if one goes that route? I am thinking 60ish and under grain bullets, start off with zero freebore.
Hope this is not a derail of the OP’s initial question.
jds holler
Gold $$ Contributor
My 22BR is a seventies 40X Remington Light Varmint version, that I stumbled on locally without knowing anything about those rifles, or that cartridge. It has a 20 inch heavy barrel, 1/14 twist, and a tight neck chamber. Matter of fact, the whole chamber is tight, requiring me to use a small base die for initial sizing for the case body, and then neck turn for that issue.
I'll say that I learned and struggled a lot through the process of creating cases that fit this chamber, and that is what I would (and probably will) change. I think I need to simply spend a little time with a finish reamer, and call it good. Should have done it a long time ago when smarter guys than me suggested that.
And of course these days everyone is going toward the heavy bullets, and my 14 twist barrel isn't up to that task. Not one of my things anyhow but I'd probably get a faster spin when I get another barrel. jd
I'll say that I learned and struggled a lot through the process of creating cases that fit this chamber, and that is what I would (and probably will) change. I think I need to simply spend a little time with a finish reamer, and call it good. Should have done it a long time ago when smarter guys than me suggested that.
And of course these days everyone is going toward the heavy bullets, and my 14 twist barrel isn't up to that task. Not one of my things anyhow but I'd probably get a faster spin when I get another barrel. jd
My current 22BR is only 9" so I am restricted to 75gn VLDs with it which work lovely. Prior to this I had a 7" twist which I used 90gn pills in. I had a few 90gn Bergers blow up on me once the throat got a bit rough so I switched to the 90gn Sierras which shot lovely and would shoot with bullet jump.
If I was to build another I would likely make it 8" and stick to 80gn MKs.
My highest ever score in F class was with my 22BR shooting 90gn MKs at 500M where it shot 9Xs in a row on my first target then 10 Xs in a row on the next one for 19Xs in a row out of 20.
If I was to build another I would likely make it 8" and stick to 80gn MKs.
My highest ever score in F class was with my 22BR shooting 90gn MKs at 500M where it shot 9Xs in a row on my first target then 10 Xs in a row on the next one for 19Xs in a row out of 20.
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.