? RL16 and a .220 Swift

[TexasC]

Anyone using RL16 for their .220 Swift? I am curios because I am just starting to experiment and I am seeing maybe unusual happenings. First Alliant has no data on their website reference, but Speer has some data for the powder on their site. So I started with 44.0gr topped by a Hornady 50gr Vmax CCI200. The case (Winchester) was to the point of running over even using a Harrell's 6" drop tube. Ok now the unusual, I think I was blowing up the 50gr Vmax bullets! I loaded the same case 7 times to try to determine any abuse to the case none was evident. 6 of the loadings were of the 44.0gr charge no bullets on target, the last one was 42.2gr to try to get a bullet on target and that bullet was on target. I will continue up from the 42.2gr but will not exceed 43.2gr If the bullets are blowing up with a 1:14 twist (tang safety Ruger M77v) I can't even imagine the velocity. My chrono died an early death, no I did not shoot it the display shorted out and lost segments out of the most significant digit. What do you think?

 

[0.1 Aggregate]

First, 44.0 grains of RL-16 is over the Speer max load of 43.5 grains (stated by Speer to be a compressed load, so no surprise the OP was spilling powder). Why would the OP “start” with an over-max load? Seems foolish.

https://reloading-data.speer-ammo.c...dfs/Rifle/22_caliber_224_dia/220_Swift_50.pdf

Second, Hornady lists the 50 V-Max bullet to 4100 fps in the .223 WSSM, so it’s doubtful - but not impossible - that the bullets are breaking up in flight. No one knows for certain if the bullets are failing, place your target at 25 yards and let us know what you find out.



.

 

[357Mag]

Texas -

Howdy !

What is your rifles barrel length, 24" ? Varying barrel length for a specific chambering won't itself change the chamber pressure immediately after powder ignition, but it does merit consideration; as it can impact potential powder choices.

FWIW -
I shot my wildcat " .22-35 Remington " in a 24" SS Hart 1-14 5 groove; for many years.
.22-35 Remington has case capacity between that of a stock .22-250, and a .22-250AI.
WIth that case capacity, I could fill the case w/ IMR 4350 and have safe pressure, when shooting 52gr HPs.
I could not however, shoot 55s w/ a full case of IMR4350... as pressure was excessive.

I also could not fill the case completely w/ WW760 ( or H414..... same stuff ), or VV160. I was shooting FED FED Large Magnum RIfle Match for all 3 powders.

Did recently $$$ both "HV100 " and " StaBal 6.5 ", specifically to do case capacity checks w/ a fire formed
.22-35Rem case. Comparing the powder charge wt for a completely filled case under Hornady 55SX, it appears that even @ these powder burn rates; the resulting cartridges would not have safe pressure
if they were actually fired. This to me, points to the need to go w/ an even slower burn rate powder.
For a temp stable powder choice in the burn rate range I mentioned above, one thought would be H4831.

Having said all that, use of 50gr bullets would allow for the use of comparatively faster burn rate powders; than what one might choose for 55s. And, getting back to barrel length..... it needs to be long enough to exploit potential velocity gains that might be had by shooting a case that is more-full or even completely full of powder. Chrono data comparison of actual obtained velocities will tell you whether the powder choice was / is too slow in burn rate.

My proven .22-35 loads had load densities of around 93-95%, and I was able to accomplish a lot of successful kills on groundhogs w/ safe pressures and great accuracy. The case does not absolutely have to be full of powder, as any such goal carries w/ it the need for well informed powder choices, cautious load work-up; and a sensible self-imposed limit on acceptable pressures.

I DK if that helps any !?


With regards,
357Mag

 

[aer21]

Anyone using RL16 for their .220 Swift? I am curios because I am just starting to experiment and I am seeing maybe unusual happenings. First Alliant has no data on their website reference, but Speer has some data for the powder on their site. So I started with 44.0gr topped by a Hornady 50gr Vmax CCI200. The case (Winchester) was to the point of running over even using a Harrell's 6" drop tube. Ok now the unusual, I think I was blowing up the 50gr Vmax bullets! I loaded the same case 7 times to try to determine any abuse to the case none was evident. 6 of the loadings were of the 44.0gr charge no bullets on target, the last one was 42.2gr to try to get a bullet on target and that bullet was on target. I will continue up from the 42.2gr but will not exceed 43.2gr If the bullets are blowing up with a 1:14 twist (tang safety Ruger M77v) I can't even imagine the velocity. My chrono died an early death, no I did not shoot it the display shorted out and lost segments out of the most significant digit. What do you think?

I used it in the 220 Swift AI and had 4013fps with a max load of RL16.

 

[KMart]

First, 44.0 grains of RL-16 is over the Speer max load of 43.5 grains (stated by Speer to be a compressed load, so no surprise the OP was spilling powder). Why would the OP “start” with an over-max load? Seems foolish.

https://reloading-data.speer-ammo.c...dfs/Rifle/22_caliber_224_dia/220_Swift_50.pdf

Second, Hornady lists the 50 V-Max bullet to 4100 fps in the .223 WSSM, so it’s doubtful - but not impossible - that the bullets are breaking up in flight. No one knows for certain if the bullets are failing, place your target at 25 yards and let us know what you find out.



.

As a side note, I have used some of the Speer data from this link, in 243 and 260 loading. My suggestion here is to always start at minimum load and work up. I ran into high pressure real quick using this data.

 

[CF2209]

What is the case volume of those Winchester cases.

 

[TexasC]

First off thank you for your interest and to answer the so far proffered questions,

1 I think that I established that the 44.0gr load was safe in my rifle although admittedly quite ineffective.
That Speer data showed 43.5gr - the exact same charge as a 55gr bullet so at least this assumption was without unpleasant consequences. I do not recommend the 44.0gr charge.
2. The barrel length is 26"
3. I have no idea of the water capacity of the cases.
These cases are from a time when Winchester brass was among the best on the planet.
I believe with every fiber of my being the bullets were blowing up and that would be from rotational stress and that being the cause lower velocity will reduce the stress so a lower powder charge is in order. I have achieved the goal of .220 Swift level velocity with what I think will be good case life, but some what reduced barrel life. Accuracy is the main goal now I will search for a node occurring with a charge above 42.2gr but I know 44.0gr ain't gonna work!!