New 22 BRA Build

[J.D.Erwin]

Would like to get some input on powders for the 22bra I'm building a 7 trwist 24" HV for a 700 rem SA blueprinted action my plan is the shoot the berger 73 gr, 80gr or the 80.5 gr bullet I have the following primers cci 400, 450, BR fed 205m, 205 and rem 71/2 I have the following powders N133,N140,H4350,imr4350,varget,imr4895,lt32,lt30,Rl-15,17and19 and 8208 I know each barrel is differene i'm just looking for a starting point all suggestions comments and working loads are appreciated if you have a powder thats not listed please give me your thoughts.Thanks for your time and input.

 

[RegionRat]

Just a suggestion, but starting with the regular BR published data and knowing BRA has a larger capacity is one way to get a preview of decent starting points.

Since the BRA capacity is larger, you can start at about the middle of the published BR data rather than the bottom and then work your way up. The 6mm versions worked out about the same way before things like Dasher became popular enough to be included in the manuals. We just started exploring the with recipes known to work well in the straight BR and worked our way up.

For example, Varget was known to be popular in the straight BR, so if you started at about 26 grains and worked up, you would generally get a good view.

https://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/22br/

 

[Mauser06]

I'm super curious to follow along. I'm highly debating a 22 BRA as a trainer/mild condition steel shooter. Just because I can swap the bushing in my die and load slightly cheaper bullets.

 

[urbanrifleman]

I'm super curious to follow along. I'm highly debating a 22 BRA as a trainer/mild condition steel shooter. Just because I can swap the bushing in my die and load slightly cheaper bullets.

My customer Treece is reporting that his 22 bra is actually out shooting his six bra

 

[urbanrifleman]

I've got 300 brand new Lapua cases resized getting ready for the new build in 22 bra. I'm doing a seven twist just to see what it does. I may make a eight twist shortly after to see if there's any difference at all. I bet there isn't.

 

[Gabe22BR]

Just a suggestion, but starting with the regular BR published data and knowing BRA has a larger capacity is one way to get a preview of decent starting points.

Since the BRA capacity is larger, you can start at about the middle of the published BR data rather than the bottom and then work your way up.

1.5grs more in Lapua brass-

Add 100-150fps more on velocity from published data…

 

[Mauser06]

My customer Treece is reporting that his 22 bra is actually out shooting his six bra

On paper...I can't see why the 22 with heavies isn't more popular in the steel shooting arena.

 

[RegionRat]

On paper...I can't see why the 22 with heavies isn't more popular in the steel shooting arena.

I am just guessing... but the popularity of the Dasher was from the shooter's ability to spot their own shots. It was "enough gun" and accurate, so many PRS folks adopted it and the trend was strong based on the number of folks using it.

Along with this trend, came many feed difficulties that plague the cartridge in repeaters where the issue costs points in time stress stages. This led to solving the feed problem with modifications to the magazines and also led to the GT design for it's length and smoother feeding.

If a BR (improved) case is used in a repeater, it requires coordinating the magazine follower, lips, feed ramps, etc., in order to prevent feed problems.

So, there is nothing stopping any improved 22 BR version from being competitive as long as the feed issues are worked out. The 6mm designs often have a ballistic advantage on paper, and the 224 versions have the bullet availability and economic advantage.

Again, just my own observations and opinions of what is behind the trends.

 

[Mauser06]

I am just guessing... but the popularity of the Dasher was from the shooter's ability to spot their own shots. It was "enough gun" and accurate, so many PRS folks adopted it and the trend was strong based on the number of folks using it.

Along with this trend, came many feed difficulties that plague the cartridge in repeaters where the issue costs points in time stress stages. This led to solving the feed problem with modifications to the magazines and also led to the GT design for it's length and smoother feeding.

If a BR (improved) case is used in a repeater, it requires coordinating the magazine follower, lips, feed ramps, etc., in order to prevent feed problems.

I'm already running a BRA from AICS mags.

Time of flight, energy wind drift, recoil, trajectory, bullet splash etc, on paper, comes out to be about a wash when you're talking 103-109s in the 2900 range and 85-90s in a 22 flavor at 3000ish.

I feel like if a 22 (br, bra, dasher etc) set a couple long range BR records tomorrow, the PRS guys would be screwing on barrels by the end of the week lol.

I've learned quick that PRS is a lot of monkey see monkey do..some for good reason....some for maybe no reason. Same with the gear they run. It's heavily skewed by sponsored shooters and sponsors that support prize tables and matches.


Give the top 20 PRS Shooters a mid end scope, a m700 that shoots half MOA and a stock/chassis they are comfortable with...in 22br or 284 or 25x47 or whatever flavor and they'll still very likely win. And everyone else will be shooting what they are shooting.


I'm no competitor. Mostly just due to time. I do a bit of observing though and I get to see the inner behind the scenes stuff.


I'm curious enough that I just might have a 22BRA spun up. I have an action sitting idle. If it "doesn't work" it'll make a wicked woodchuck barrel. But I have a hunch it'll work just fine for ME.


Thats the big thing I do see in PRS. What works for one guy might not work for another. Especially when it comes to glass, stocks/chassis, etc.

 

[michaelb]

In my 22 Dasher, 34.3gr of H4350 and 85.5gr Berger Hybrid Target work very nicely.
Lapua 6 BR Brass necked down, expander mandrel, neck turn to your desired dimension.
Wolf Small Rifle Magnum

Naturally, you must work up load gradually for your particular rifle.

!!!!!!!!!! This is NOT a fire-form load !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[J.D.Erwin]

In my 22 Dasher, 34.3gr of H4350 and 85.5gr Berger Hybrid Target work very nicely.
Lapua 6 BR Brass necked down, expander mandrel, neck turn to your desired dimension.
Wolf Small Rifle Magnum

Naturally, you must work up load gradually for your particular rifle.

!!!!!!!!!! This is NOT a fire-form load !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

thanks for th info i'm fire forming tommrow got the barrel in on monday and finish the install today, after fire-form i'll load the berger 80.5, H4350 and cci 450

 

[michaelb]

thanks for th info i'm fire forming tommrow got the barrel in on monday and finish the install today, after fire-form i'll load the berger 80.5, H4350 and cci 45

J.D. Erwin,

Be sure to make a "Dummy Round" to measure and record your jam length on that new barrel. Everything you do with bullet seating has to do with this known reference point.
If your response is duh, no S#it...I didn't mean to offend. There is no way to know another Shooter's experience.

Keep em small and centered.

Respectfully, Mike

 

[boltfluter]

8208 for the win! Hands down the powder to beat in my 8 twist . 22BR. An awesome cartridge and powder combination!
Paul

 

[J.D.Erwin]

J.D. Erwin,

Be sure to make a "Dummy Round" to measure and record your jam length on that new barrel. Everything you do with bullet seating has to do with this known reference point.
If your response is duh, no S#it...I didn't mean to offend. There is no way to know another Shooter's experience.

Keep em small and centered.

Respectfully, Mike

Mike
No offend taken good info can help all that read these post, thanks Jerry

 

[Lance21]

I am just guessing... but the popularity of the Dasher was from the shooter's ability to spot their own shots. It was "enough gun" and accurate, so many PRS folks adopted it and the trend was strong based on the number of folks using it.

Along with this trend, came many feed difficulties that plague the cartridge in repeaters where the issue costs points in time stress stages. This led to solving the feed problem with modifications to the magazines and also led to the GT design for it's length and smoother feeding.

If a BR (improved) case is used in a repeater, it requires coordinating the magazine follower, lips, feed ramps, etc., in order to prevent feed problems.

So, there is nothing stopping any improved 22 BR version from being competitive as long as the feed issues are worked out. The 6mm designs often have a ballistic advantage on paper, and the 224 versions have the bullet availability and economic advantage.

Again, just my own observations and opinions of what is behind the trends.

The only thing that stopped me from running the 22 bra was that Sierra put the 95 gr smk on the back burner. That bullet was unbelievable! No recoil, flatter shooting, hit steel a lot harder than you think. I used Arc mags with the MKM follower, fed like butter.

 

[urbanrifleman]

The only thing that stopped me from running the 22 bra was that Sierra put the 95 gr smk on the back burner. That bullet was unbelievable! No recoil, flatter shooting, hit steel a lot harder than you think. I used Arc mags with the MKM follower, fed like butter.

Right???

 

[NC/Br Shooter]

My customer Treece is reporting that his 22 bra is actually out shooting his six bra

This is True

 

[michaelb]

This is True

You guys are letting the "Cat Outta the Bag" on 22BR, Dasher and BRA. A wise old Hunter once said..."SSHHHH, be vewy vewy quiet, I'm hunting wabbits." HAHAHA

BR cases just simply work. I cannot give any explanation but its true.
They are a lot of hand/benchwork to make but they work, talking Dashers.

 

[NC/Br Shooter]

When I decided to get 22bra, I had lot's of bra brass. Just put a .250 bushing in my die and was ready.

 

[bobbydubrx13]

In my 22 Dasher, 34.3gr of H4350 and 85.5gr Berger Hybrid Target work very nicely.
Lapua 6 BR Brass necked down, expander mandrel, neck turn to your desired dimension.
Wolf Small Rifle Magnum

Naturally, you must work up load gradually for your particular rifle.

!!!!!!!!!! This is NOT a fire-form load !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey im curious when you necked the lapua down how far down the neck did you go? Did you leave a slight false shoulder behind or just try to match it with like a no go gauge to where it was .004 longer than your chamber go gauge? I'm trying to get everything setup right. I had some alpha bra brass that I necked down and left a false shoulder but some didn't fire and even just chambering them without firing when I took them out they were .005 shorter than my chamber go gauge. The ones that did fire came out .0055 longer than my chamber go gauge so I don't know what's going on with that but I'm starting fresh with some lapua 6br brass.