22BR

[quartermaster]

I'm thinking of doing a 22BR build, with a 26 inch light varmint barrel, probably on a custom action. I think that the heaviest head I would shoot would be 60ish grains.

I'd like to hear some thoughts from anyone that has or has had one as far as recommended twist, and what you think in general about the caliber.

Most important is what kind of barrel life can be expected? I'm not a hot rod reloader, but I would expect to get 300 FPS or more than a .223 with the same specs

Thanks in advance QM

 

[Phil]

A 12 twist will stabilize the 60`s...

I have a 12 twist on a 22BRDX that is being chambered right now,so i don`t have any feedback yet,my bullet of choice is the 53gr. Vmax.

As for the 22BR, i`m pretty sure you`ll like it.

 

[RJinTexas]

I'm shooting a 22" 12tw and pushing a 60gr Vmax just over 3200 with H-4895. You'll find it to be a great cartridge.

RJ

 

[quartermaster]

I'm very curious about barrel life. Does anyone have any thoughts?

 

[Geronimo Jim]

Just for info...........I shoot a 22 BR with a 1 in 8 twist. Shoot 75 grain VLD's with 28 1/2 grain Varget. Has 1,500 rounds and
still shoots like new.

 

[gmorganal]

I have used a 14 twist 22BR that is 24 inches in length for years as my 500-yard or less prairie dog gun. It is as good as it gets at this application. I have shot up to 55-grain bullets with no problems. I think it would stabilize a 60 grainer if I tried. It shoots 50-grain Noslers at around 3700 FPS. It has a lot of rounds down the barrel and still shoots 5-shot groups in the 2s and 3s, about the same as new. It started life as a VSSF, and I replaced the barrel with a Krieger.

 

[quartermaster]

Thanks guys. I appreciate your input. 8" to a 14" twist in the last 2 posts. Jim, just curious if you shoot competition with your rifle, how long is your barrel, and what is the muzzle velocity with the 75s, if you don't mind sharing that info?

I have a 6BR and absolutely love it. It is unbelievably accurate. I tried a load suggested on this site and within 25 shots while breaking in the barrel, I shot the best group in my life. It is a custom gun with a Kelbly action and Shilen barrel. I expected it to be a good shooter, but it has by far exceeded my expectations

I have many a rifle and have been reloading with lots of accuracy success over the years, but these custom rifles are just awesome. Makes me wish I had made 1 of them in lieu of buying 5 factory rifles. Of course it has taken many years and lot's of work to be able to afford to have them made.

I don't think that one can go wrong selecting the BRs and PPCs.

 

[jefats]

QM,

Cooper is building me a 22BR with 10" twist. It should handle everything up to 75 and 80 grain bullets.

I should be getting it next month and will report results then.

 

[Geronimo Jim]

I use the 22 BR in Groundhog matches. 200 - 300 and 400 yards. It has a 26 inch barrel and I get just over 3100 fps with this load. Actually it was 3140 when
gun was new. Seem to buck the wind at 400 as good as anthing else on the line.

 

[quartermaster]

Do you guys have tight neck chambers or no turn? I find the twist info given interesting. I figured it would take an 8"twist to stabilize an 80 grain bullet. I didn't think I would be using anything that heavy, but the 75 grain VLD peaks my interest. I'm thinking that it may be worthwhile getting a twist that will handle it, but without starting any controversy, I do believe that too fast of a twist, using a light head will take away from accuracy. QM

 

[Geronimo Jim]

I have a tight neck and brass must be turned. The set of Lapua cases I am using have been fired 28 times. Use Redding dies on a Co-Ax press.

 

[Phil]

.250 neck, i turn to .248 loaded.

 

[22BRGUY]

Here is a 22BR target on one Dick Erbele put together for me at 400yds last Saturday. The pic is poor but the silver thing is a quarter. This is with very little load development. It has an 8 twist barrel with berger 80.5's. An 8 twist would easily stabilize a 60 gr and also allow you to try heavier if you ever want. As far as barrel life, its as good as any running thos speeds and quantities of powder. If that a big concern, maybe get a longer barrel with plenty of straight just ahead of the reciever so it can be set back a time or 2. Just my $.02.....Best Wishes

 

[lpreddick]

a 22 BR is like a throughbred horse...he can ride kids at the zoo or do his thing at the kentucky derby. my point is well known. this case is capable of fantastic accuracy if you treat it right. DO get a custom action and jewell trigger...1.5 oz. spend the $ for a good stock and have the best gunsmith you can afford to chamber and bed the action. i just got my 22BR, kreiger 1 in 12 twist, 26 in, stiller predator single shot action with picatinney rail, jewell 1.5 oz, shehane stock, .251 neck with .080 freebore, sightron 8-32 scope in nightforce rings. does it shoot? rounds number 6,7,8,9 printed a 1/4 in little hole! i'v never had a custom gun shoot like this one! mine will shoot 63 gr cheeks into a .193 in hole at 3386 fps without excessive pressure ( the 22 BR is fairly easy to over pressurize and you might not know it until you find that primers won't seat}. powders are easy. mine likes varget and vhitavhouri 540 for the 63s and REALLY likes 8208 for 52 gr fowlers...3 shot yesterday printed a .154 in hole!!! benchmark with same bullet did a .212 in group. barrel life for this level of shooting should be ? 1500 + if i don't overheat. you'll figure this one is toast when groups "open up" to 3/8 in. my 22 BRX can't compare with this one even though it throws a 69 gr bullet at 3450 fps and terminates ghogs instantly. you will be happy!

 

[FroggyOne2]

My next rifle that I am going to build is going to be a 22BR with the 90's. Will be putting a 7.2 twist bbl on it 30" inches long.

 

[Elwood]

I'm running a 27 inch 1-12 twist 22BR and can shoot 64 grain Berger's accurately up to 3300 fps.

 

[lpreddick]

my 12 twist shot this same bullet using vv540 and printed a .088 in three shot group at 100 yds yesterday...i think i'll keep her!

 

[TominSWNY]

Remington 700 with Krieger 7.7 twist and 53 gr v-max at over 3800 fps

 

[FroggyOne2]

Is that sir at 100 or 200 yards? Or is it firther than that. It is good shooting, but would love to know the distance.

 

[Phil]

Is that sir at 100 or 200 yards? Or is it firther than that. It is good shooting, but would love to know the distance.

Heck....I`d like to know load details...that is good shootin`...