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Can anyone think of a centerfire rifle cartridge that compares in power to a 22 mag?

VaniB

I want the blast to be minimal and comparable to not much more than that of a 22 mag or 5mm rimfire I've owned. I want the rifle to be a bolt action repeater. It cannot be a single shot which to me would be a deal breaker. I already have a 221 Fireball and 22 Hornet and know that compared to a 22mag, they both have substantially more blast and are not as pleasant out in the field. The only cartridge that comes to mind is a 5.7x28 case. While I may be able to handload the powder capacity down some, I've not even seen this case offered in any kind of a bolt action rifle. I realize wanting this mystery cartridge in a repeater too, (instead of a single shot) will make this even more difficult if not impossible to accomplish.
Any ideas?
 
I’ve been searching as well and haven’t been able to find anything either…I’m seriously considering trying to down load 223 to get close to the 22 mag. James calhoon has an interesting write up on his website about doing it and having great success with bulky pistol powder. However powder right now is difficult to come buy so I haven’t given it a shot yet.
 
VaniB -

Howdy !

Sounds like your shooting application could be met via use of a " wildcat " ?

The path of least resistance would be a wildcat based off .222, .223 family cases that run that size rim and base diameters. Even cases like .221,.17 Remington and the like could be impressed into service as " parent cases ". It's fer sher candidate bolt action repeaters would abound, as would potential parent brass choices ( IMHO ).

You could use a die grinder cutoff wheel to shorten an existing FL size die a the bottom,
to have a case forming die for the wildcat. .221 Fireball only has,.015" case taper, the .222 not a whole bunch more.

If that die proves too tight on base diameter sizing, you could mod a bullet seater die; which has more-generous internal diameters to accommodate wildcatting the brass.

For powder ( without knowing what you have or what you might be able to procure ),
one thought is possibly 2400 ? I read posts elsewhere from a shooter that had worked in a ballistics lab. One project he worked on as testing a variety of powders for potential
" secondary explosive effects ", when shooting reduced charges. The lab as allowed to test barrels to destruction.

While I cannot recall what calibres/chamberings were tested, he did say that when using 2400 as the powder under test; they were able to shoot whatever reduced amount of charge weight they wanted... and not blow anything up. FWIW.

For a rimmed case, a notional shortened version of the .22Jet could be based off .38Spl.
Such a wildcat would require use of something like a M-77 .357Mag as the doaner action.
Or, perhaps using a .256Mag die " bushed " to allow use for .224" calibre.

Just thinking.....


With regards,
357Mag
.
.


.
.

.
 
Vani -

Howdy, again !

The .256Win die idea would not be as good as a simply using a shortened ( example )
.221 Fireball die; when/if going with a shortened version of the rimmed.38Spl or .357Mag
as the parent brass. This has been done before, for a rimmed case wildcat.


With regards,
357Mag

.
 
Many years ago, I made what I called the 22 Spike. 223 case shortened to hold a 90smk in the neck for an oal of 2.240. Making the cases was a time consuming pita. The rifle was an ar. Sub-sonic, nice and accurate, and functioned the ar nicely. Problem was I used it to shoot armadillos and never could find the brass after the shot. I dont remember what the load was.
 
If you were looking for something that was a direct factory replacement, I'd say the 22 hornet comes the closest. That said, I'd rather have a 22 K hornet because it has a shoulder to headspace off of instead of just the rim.

L1986 said:
I’ve been searching as well and haven’t been able to find anything either…I’m seriously considering trying to down load 223 to get close to the 22 mag.
Click to expand...

I load 40gr and 50gr Vmax over Greendot to produce loads that run around 2000 fps. Charge weight varies from 7gr to 9gr depending on the rifle. Shorter barrels tend to run them faster, so if you're really trying to slow things down, a 26" barrel helps. I can normally get 3/4 MOA or better out of them. Great round for varmints inside of 100 yds. My 2 primary uses for this load are coons and groundhogs in the back yard and prairie dogs out to 150 yds. The round doesn't have the graphic results on prairie dogs that everyone likes to watch, but they don't heat my barrel up either, and the noise is reasonable (still need earpro). Around buildings, the projectiles expand rapidly on impact with the varmint. Sometimes some shrapnel exits, but I've never been able to find any trace of it. I shoot 3 or 4 ground hogs every year, normally with a barn about 5 feet behind them as a backstop. I've yet to find any evidence of anything ever striking the building. Those shots are normally 50-75 yard head shots. Personally, I think it would make a fun, late season, long distance squirrel load as well :)
 
I have loaded my 22 Hornet down with 40 grain cast and jacketed bullets to 1050fps.
The cast loads shot out standing at 50 and 75, never went any further.
The jacketed shot ok but not nearly as tight the cast.
 
I would vote for the Fireball, powder coated cast bullets loaded to 1200-1500 fps.

that there would be a lot of work and sheesh, tiny
 
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In my experience, a straight Hornet can be a pain to size. Mind you, my experience was many (many) years ago, but I tired of crushed necks and finding cases or ammunition. The only way I would try a Hornet again is if it was an Ackley. If noise is a real problem, I would personally buy a suppressor and go .223. Brass is everywhere.

Here is a good article. Scroll down to the reloading tables -
Reduced Loads Handloader Magazine
 
VaniB said:
I want the blast to be minimal and comparable to not much more than that of a 22 mag or 5mm rimfire I've owned. I want the rifle to be a bolt action repeater. It cannot be a single shot which to me would be a deal breaker. I already have a 221 Fireball and 22 Hornet and know that compared to a 22mag, they both have substantially more blast and are not as pleasant out in the field. The only cartridge that comes to mind is a 5.7x28 case. While I may be able to handload the powder capacity down some, I've not even seen this case offered in any kind of a bolt action rifle. I realize wanting this mystery cartridge in a repeater too, (instead of a single shot) will make this even more difficult if not impossible to accomplish.
Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Years ago...I found a load in an old American Rifleman magazine using a .223 Rem case ,45gn bullet,and 6gn of Unique powder that just about duplicated a .22 Mag in my Rem 788. This load was about 1950fps and produce .5"-.6" five shot groups at 100yds. That same load would also cycle a Mini-14 but accuracy was typical Mini-14.....not so good.
Good luck and stay safe.
 
5.7x28 is physically about as close as you're going to get, the fireball being the next best IMO (more action options). Although I think the hornet might do what you're asking for too. Personally not a fan of downloading other cartridges unless you're replicating old fashioned loads. You will need to invest in some other equipment though, and make sue you don't let anything you hand load run into a semi auto. Message me if this interests you more.
 
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