Looking for a good midrange f-class .224 bullet

[racesnake]

Just built a 22BRDX rifle to shoot midrange f-class with. I'm looking for suggestions as to what bullet to use. Barrel is an 8 twist so I can't use a 90gr bullet.
Dave

 

[Scott Harris]

Sierra 80 SMK, several of the 80 gr Bergers. I'd avoid the Hornady 80 A-Max....need a faster twist.

 

[skiutah02]

Sierra 80 SMK, several of the 80 gr Bergers. I'd avoid the Hornady 80 A-Max....need a faster twist.

^this

 

[Kings X]

I agree with the 80s for mid range in your gun. But you need to test Berger, Sierra and Nosler. Start with Varget and RL-15 with a light "jam".
Let the fun begin !!!!
(75 A-max is pretty darn good also. But then the 77 SMK and 77 Nosler hammer)

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

You will be shooting in F-Open, not that it makes much difference anymore at mid-range. I shot a .223 Remington for years in F-TR. I started with a 77SMK at 300 and a 75 A-Max at 600 & 1000 yards. I then moved to an 80gr SMK and then the more consistent 80gr JLK for 600 and 1000, and the 80gr SMK for 300 yards. Now, when I shoot mid-range (300) I use only the 80 gr JLK. I never got around to doing much with the 80 and 82 gr Bergers so I can't speak about them but I'm sure they are fine. Shooting anything less than the 80grs makes it very difficult to be competitive in F-TR, let alone F-Open where you will be competing.

The 300 yard target is very small and you will be competing with a variety of 6 and 6.5mm and at 5-600 yards, the 7mm will show up and clean your clock in the wind. You cannot leave any points behind in your bullet selection to be competitive in F-Class, especially F-Open.

You need to drive these 80gr fast and precise.

 

[FilippoMo]

Please let us know what velocity will you get with the 80 gr. in BRDX cartridge
Filippo

 

[racesnake]

Gonna try to make it to the range tomorrow and fireform some 22 BRDX brass.

 

[racesnake]

Finally got to the range and fire formed 25 ps. of brass. Shot five 5 shot groups using 77gr SMK's and 32.0gr of Varget. Largest group was 0.391" and smallest was0.110". This baby is gonna shoot!! Unable to report velocity because sun is too low to allow the chrono to work.
Dave

 

[A_Gamehog]

This might work also, the normal 69 grain Matchkings shoot well out to 600 for me. This is a new

69 Sierra "Tipped" matchking 375 BC. Anybody try these yet? running around 3,000 fps

https://www.sierrabullets.com/store/product.cfm/sn/7169/224-dia-69-gr-Tipped-MatchKing-TMK

 

[JamesnTN]

Please let us know what velocity will you get with the 80 gr. in BRDX cartridge
Filippo

I'm not sure about the Brdx but in my 22 dasher I was pushing the sierra 80's at 3400 fps and above.

 

[racesnake]

James...what powder were you using in your Dasher?

 

[JamesnTN]

James...what powder were you using in your Dasher?

A case full of H4350

 

[fm1947]

You said you were going to try 90s you need a 7 twist or 6.5, you said yours is 8 twist

 

[queen_stick]

it might be worth trying the 90's...

You have a cartridge capable of pushing them pretty fast. Because of that, you might be able to stabilize them enough in an 8 twist.

Sometimes people find very accurate loads in the "marginal stability range." The 22cal 90gr Berger's have a great BC advantage over most other 22cal bullets, and if they're accurate at a high velocity node, you'll have a nice combo of speed and BC!

If you haven't, play around with this calculator:
http://www.bergerbullets.com/twist-rate-calculator/

 

[racesnake]

I tried a 5 shot group using the Hornady 80gr Amax. The group measured a hair under 3/8" @ 100 yds. I'll try to find some 90gr Bergers and give them a try, next.
Dave

 

[rob221]

You might try the 90's in an 8 twist. I'm running a 7.7" and an 8" twist and they're working. Now I live at 6800' elevation. I'm also running a hot load of N550 and a 31" barrel in a 223.