Considerations for a 500yd. 22 caliber groundhog rifle

[Phil]

For bullets I really only want to shoot the varmint type to reduce the possibility of ricochets because of some of the areas we groundhog hunt. This limits me I know but it sure make me feel better. They will be in the 50 to 60 grain weight so I'm thinking a 12 twist would work well for those.

Thanks again for everyones help and input.

Alan

Alan,

If you intend to stick with the light weight bullets i think i`d have to change my thinking and look hard at the .223AI with the 53 Vmax, it should get you to 3800 with a 12 twist and a zero freebore, 500 yards should`t be a problem.

Simple fire form, skim the necks, if you want to and done.

As for the .22 Dasher dies, i use the chamber reamer and a Wilson die blank to address the seating chores and a Whidden 6 Dasher full length neck bushing die, with the correct bushing for the .22, to control the sizing.

Good luck with your project,

Phil.

 

[John O.]

I should probably post his else where but I don't want to end up making another humor thread. I know that the AI stands for Ackley Improved, and that AI cartridges have a steeper shoulder angle and maybe something done to the neck. I would like to know what do these do to enhance the performance?

 

[potatoe]

You get an increase in velocity, less to no case stretch and the straight walls can provide a better ignition. The last one I do not know for sure, just from what I've read, but the first two are real benefits of an improved

 

[jbhotrod]

None of the other .224s are gonna satisfy you as much as the Dasher will, thats just how it is..

 

[Phil]

The 22BR with 50-60 grain bullets will get it done too...........


Phil.

 

[mikecr]

The power of accuracy kills em as dead as anything does
And 500yds is not all that far.
I've been very successful with what I consider a 500yd GH gun chambered in 223 & use of 50gr FB BR(Jayner) bullets.
This is a Cooper M21(14tw), 8.5x25 Mk4, Harris bipod.

 

[Tommie]

Although a 22 caliber wouldn't be my first choice, here's my 2 cents:

For 500 yard ground hog shooting where a dozen shots is a big day just keep it simple. Select your favorite action. Install a 1-12" barrel. Chamber it for 22-250 or 220 Swift (take your pick). Shoot 60 grain VMax bullets. Done deal. No brass forming or esoteric loading dies.

If you're dead set on using long range target style bullets, be prepared for some unspectacular terminal ballistics. "Pencil holing" takes some of the enjoyment out of the scenario IMO.

 

[jotrot]

to me this just screams 6br and 87gr. v-max or 243win. 87gr. v-max.
good luck and enjoy.

joel

 

[Eric Leonard]

I was shooting clay pigeons other day with my CZ 527 V 9 twist 223 with 53 vmax and 27 varget from 100 zero it was taking 11.5 moa elevation and holding wind on varmint hunters reticle in the 4.5-14 leupold long range ,,it shoots the 70vld and 69 smk all about the same at 500 but 70 vld takes over from 500 out,,

if you know range and have good tracking scope the 223 53 vmax will work fine at 500..

 

[sscoyote]

Where in the hell is the "scaled up 53 gr. V-Max style" 60 gr. (AR) V/A-Max when you need it?...or maybe a 55 gr. 20 cal. A-Max (20 Dasher or BR)? Just a thought.

 

[potatoe]

^^ right! I'd like a 70+ gr .22 cal varmint round

 

[Sniper338]

Single shot - 22 dasher

Repeater 22-250AI

 

[Phil]

Where in the hell is the 55 gr. 20 cal. A-Max (20 Dasher or BR)? Just a thought.

I`d love to see a poly tipped 50 V or A max bullet, i think the poly tip would make up for the B.C. loss of going down 5 grains and the extra velocity gained would be SWEET!!!!!! 8)

Ok.........Fantasy over, back to the .22 cal. talk.......


Phil.

 

[sscoyote]

Hear, hear!

 

[fredo]

If you're dead set on using long range target style bullets, be prepared for some unspectacular terminal ballistics. "Pencil holing" takes some of the enjoyment out of the scenario IMO.

IMHO, this is where a bullet like the Amax toes the line, beautifully. Has the bc to rival any comparable 'match' bullet, very accurate, and yet will still wreck a 'chuck', despite blowing clear thru...

All exits, 75Amax fireform & full house loads. Nice to have cake & eat it, too!

 

[sscoyote]

Dang Fredo--you are Da Man!

 

[fredo]

Steve, I don't shoot NEAR as many 'chucks as several other gentlemen on this fine board! But have been shooting 'chucks for 20yrs or so, and in my experience, a bullet like the 75Amax is worthy of building a rifle around. The fun part is figuring out which lane you want to drive in, then deciding on the cartridge that'll make the horsepower you desire...
I'm a proponent of 'fast & flat' for varmints, but with a big enough motor pushing a 75Amax, you'll be ballistically matching, then beating many light/fast bullet combos by around the 300yd line. BC is the gift that keeps on giving...

 

[sscoyote]

Yes--I agree. Didn't you do some work with the 223 WSSM in a bolt gun and AR? What were your conclusions? That case seems like a good one to build off of with some neck work?

 

[fredo]

I did, Steve. Had a DTECH AR-15 w/ Shilen Select Match 1:8 twist barrel in .223WSSM. I did some comparisons with turned/trued brass vs. standard stuff and found the added work to be not worth the effort in a brass munching semi-auto...
However, the cool thing about the short WSSM case in an AR is that you're not overly constrained by magazine length. I had 75Amaxs @ mag length cranked up to 3400 from a 22" barrel, and they shot acceptably well, considering the platform. Just kinda have gravitated away from ARs, the last few years, for several reasons. The current owner of that WSSM upper is still very happy with it as a coyote stomper!

Far as doing a .223WSSM bolt gun, I'd take my .22-243AI over one, in a NY minute. I did find the FC WSSM brass to be easier to work with than Winny, but not near the consistency as Lapua .243Win brass. Then, you've got availability concerns to consider. I had over 1K pc. of brass for the WSSM at the time, but not sure about sourcing some now?

I wouldn't doubt it a bit that some die hard WSSM guys are still clinging to a good shooting bolt rifle. For me, the novelty of the WSSMs was that they were AR-15 friendly. In that regard, there's nothing that can hang with one @ 2.260" c.o.a.l. But a 75Amax @ 2.780" from a .22-243AI bolt gun is simply the better mousetrap...

 

[sscoyote]

Thank sir! Thought provoking for sure...and GREAT writeup per SFP (Std. Fredo Procedure)!