22br vs 6br

[GSRswapandslow]

So I started a thread a few weeks back about building a 6br....but have since started considering the 22br as an alternative. The main reason I'm considering a 22br is based on the fact that my primary varmint/range gun is a .223rem. It seems that if I could share powder (wc844, benchmark, and varget) between two guns...and also share bullets between the two, it would reduce both my cost and hassle for getting reloading supplies.

My use for the gun will predominately be shooting small groups at 100 and 200 yards. Gun will be built from a Savage RB/LP target action, possibly a CBI barrel (if I can get it chambered in 22br...that's really the biggest IF of the whole thing), MBR stock (not ideal for 100-200...but i prefer the style) and shot from a rest/rear bag. The gun won't be used for any competition...i shoot at a private, relative owned, range.

So I pose this, what is the good vs the bad between a 22br and 6br?

From as much as I know:
22br
Good:
1. share bullets with primary gun
2. share powder with primary gun

Bad:
1. MUST fire form brass...and possibly neck turn, so I'd have to buy that tool and spend that time
2. Wind bucking if I decided to shoot farther
3. No factory chambered rifle in 22br, that I know of

Is there a no-neck-turn chamber for 22br?
What's the expected barrel life for a 22br shooting 50's and 75's?
What barrel twist should I use for UP TO 80gr Amax....and AS LOW AS 40gr vmax?

 

[JASmith]

Not sure if the sharing of powders will work out as well as you hope.

By and large, the case volume differences will make the best powder for the .223 too fast for the BR and vice versa.

The common bullets make sense only if you will do enough shooting to justify buying in very large bulk quantities.

The BR (especially the Norma version), gives a lot more flexibility in bullet weights. This will serve you well when you succumb to the temptation to hunt with it.

The larger bore diameter of the 6mm might give you a better shot at using common powders...

 

[GSRswapandslow]

i was basing the powders off of the cartridge write up

75 Hornady A-Max Varget 29.5 MAX Rem 7.5 Lapua Std .435 3150 A nice 300m load with excellent accuracy and good BC.

55 Hornady V-Max Varget 32.5 Fed 205M Lapua Std .255 3600 “Incredibly accurate…best with Varget at 3500-3600 fps.”

52 BIB Match Bench-mark 31.3 Fed 205M Lapua 6BR .221 3650 “Sub .250 groups are the norm with this combo”–Al Nyhus.

40 Nosler Ballistic Tip Bench-mark 32.5 MAX Fed 205M Lapua 6BR .221 4020 “Great accuracy in every 22BR I’ve worked with”–Al Nyhus. Burns cleaner than H322.

 

[WillinDenver]

I shoot both, I like them both. The 6 BR is one of my Wind Guns, the 22 BR is so much fun to shoot. The 22 BR is almost illegal to shoot it's SO-O-O accurate. It's hard to miss. Plus the fact I got a real good deal on some Norma 6 BR brass (over 500) to turn into 22 BR, FREE!!!! A bench rest shooter friend in Texas gave them to me. They don't shoot them over about three times and they're done with them.

Yes, I had to turn them, I use a Forster trimmer set-up to neck turn, works fine for me. I shoot prairie dogs and all I need is MOPD (minute of prairie dog) accuracy. Most of my loads using AA 2230 and 40, 50, and 55 VMax shoot 1/2 inch at 100 yards or better. Prairie dog don't know the difference when he comes apart.

Shooting the stubby cases the rifles don't heat up as bad as say a 22-250, 243, or the bigger 6 mms. Here in the West the temperatures have been in the 100 degree range a lot, guns heat-up fast in that kind of weather. I keep my shots under 400 yards, if they go down, I move.

I can hit a bit better with the 6 BR, just because of the bigger bullets holding the wind. I have no dough I could hit to 500 yards with little effort.

My all time best is 784 paces, he didn't even know I was in the same county. That was years ago with a 6mm Rem heavy barrel and the wind was about 15 mph or better, now I'll tell ya how many shots it took, 17. Very expensive prairie dog and unlucky, he hung around one shot to many.

I'm a big fan of the stubby case rifles, 22 PPC, 6 PPC, 22 BR, and the 6 BR. I usually shoot around 300 rounds a day on a prairie dog shoot. I can lay a wet terry cloth towel over my barrel and usually keep shooting, if it's real hot, I change out after 60 or 70 shots.

Have fun!!!!

Will

 

[ehkempf]

The 22 Br is very easy to make, read this: http://www.6mmbr.com/22BR.html. No you do not have to turn the neck. I had Jim Hart (Hart Rifle Barrels) make me a .254 neck 22 BR and no turning is required. I just take Lapua 6 BR brass and run it thru a Redding 22 BR FL sizing die with the decaping stem and sizing button removed. Then trim to length, debur and then use a Redding FL 22BR bushing sizing die. No fire forming is really needed. Forgot to mention that benchmark, H322, and H4895 are all powders that can be used in both the 22BR and a .223. You did not mention the twist rate of your .223. If it is a bolt gun than most use a 1-12 twist, which is the same twist I had my 22BR made in. I can shoot 55-60 grain bullets with no problem, but as far as varmint bullets go it really loves the Hornady 53g V-MAX.

Ed

 

[GSRswapandslow]

my .223 bolt is 1:9
I shoot mostly 50, 52, 53, 55, and 60gr out of it....i've shot the 68 and 75's...but really don't care to spend the extra money on them when the flat base lighter bullets shoot so well

 

[NorCalMikie]

For the 22BR, get a "short throat" chamber with a no turn neck. Run your 6BR brass through a full length 22 BR die, load up and go shooting. No need to turn necks that way. ;D
The powders you use in your .223 will work just as well in the 22 BR.
Only difference between the 6 BR and 22 BR is that the 22 BR is a little more fussy when it comes to working up loads.
.1 click makes a big difference in the powder charge. Bug holes are the norm without too much work. Stuff the bullets into the lands.
Start out with the lightest bullets you plan to shoot and go heavier as the throat wears. How fast are the bullets going? Who cares, as long as they're going in the same hole.
After that, you're hooked. 8)

 

[GSRswapandslow]

great info guys...thanks for all the help.

i'm trying to sell my EAA match....and as soon as that sales, i'm ordering an action

 

[NorCalMikie]

And, if you shoulder bump and neck size, your brass will last a long time. 20 to 25 firings with no problems. ;D Lapua or Norma, makes no difference.

 

[boltfluter]

I have shot and owned both for many years. Both are great. 6BR is much easier to find a great load for. But, you won't go wrong with either one IMHO. Have fun. ;D

Regards, Paul

www.boltfluting.com