The 22bra Thread

[Matt_3479]

lots of good info on this thread. thanks Matt_3479
im going to start shopping for a 22bra barrel now. im convinced i need one.
a 1:8 and at least 26" long. i want to hit that 3200+fps node

Thank you! I apologize about the delays. Life gets in the way but I’m back on track as I need to get the rest of the testing done in the next couple weeks for coyote season!

So n150, n140, are loaded and ready. Just need to figure out a starting point for 8208 and I’ll get that together too

 

[Matt_3479]

Well I got out this morning to do the ladder testing. I set up at 550 this morning. I fired a quick 5 shot group on steel to verify dope the headed to paper for the 4 ladders.



All ladders were shot from 29gr’s to 31.7 gr in .3’s. Please work up cautiously if you decide to test these powders on the upper charges. Using alpha 6br brass necked down, then fire formed. 85.5gr Berger bullets.

N140 was up first.

29gr- 2993
29.3- 3019
29.6- 3051
29.9- 3078
30.2- 3099
30.5- 3118
30.8- 3152
31.1- 3184
31.4- 3206
31.7- 3226

All primers still had round edges. All bolt lift was the the same. The last 2 charges had slightly more primer flow and slightly more of a plunger mark.

Varget was second

29- 2988
29.3- 2992
29.6- 3042
29.9- 3035
30.2- 3077
30.5- 3110
30.8- 3136
31.1- 3142
31.4- 3179
31.7- 3214

All primers were rounded, looked the same, and bolt lift stayed consistent throughout ladder. A different recoil impulse on varget compared to n140. Plunger mark was more visible throughout test in comparison to n140 but not to the point of concern by any means.

N150 was 3rd

29gr- 2935
29.3- 2966
29.6- 3015
29.9- 3030
30.2- 3064
30.5- 3074
30.8- 3107
31.1- 3132
31.4- 3142
31.7- 3172

This ladder had slightly crush fit with 31.4 and 31.7 but very little over all. I then loaded with 6” dropper and helped eliminate this. Primers are all consistent, very round, almost like I wasn’t even remotely close to pressure. No plunger mark till the final charge and it’s barely visible.

8208xbr was the final test

29gr- 3072
29.3- 3083
29.6- 3120
29.9- 3152
30.2- 3175
30.5- 3184
30.8- 3236
31.1- 3258
31.4- 3281
31.7- 3309

This test obviously showed faster velocities in comparative charge weights. Bolt lift got slightly heavy at 30.8gr and stayed slightly heavy till 31.4. 31.7 showed another increase in bolt lift. I would say I wouldn’t go past this in my set up. With the heavy bolt lift came the shiny plunger mark. Primers did start to change shape ever so slightly after 29.3. 29 and 29.3 primers look identical. 29.6-30.5 primers look identical and ever so slightly different then 29 and 29.3. 30.8-31.7 started to show signs of flattening but still had rounded edges.

 

[Matt_3479]

Now the target. It was shot on brown paper, at 550 yards. All ladders were shot on video off a tripod only feet away so I could go back and plot the impacts.

N140 upper charge 31.4 I thought I may have pulled slightly but didn’t anticipate too bad of a shot. Turns out either a condition change I misread, or I pulled the hell out of it lol. So unfortunately that particular ladder may have to be reshot to verify what happened.



N140 showed a potential velocity node at 29-29.3, 30.2-30.5, 31.1-31.7 potentially.

Impact nodes look to be 29-29.3 had .008” of vertical and if we include 29.6 it lands us at .787” of vertical. So 29- 29.4, maybe 29.5 could be a node with 29.6 being the absolute upper end of impact node with a little velocity spike.

Impacts 29.9-30.5 had a vertical of .783”, with 29.9 and 30.2 having velocity difference of 21fps and 30.2 to 30.5 having 19fps. There Could be a node floating between one of them to produce stable velocity and similar poi.

Impacts 31.1 and 31.7 had a vertical of .286” and an overall group of .069 moa. Including the 31.4 where I thought I may have pulled, is why I’ll need to retest it as it moves the vertical to 6.872 with an impressive overall group of 1.754 moa

Varget shows potential at 29-29.3, 29.6-29.9, 30.8-31.1 for velocities.

Impact nodes seem to be 29-29.3 with a vertical of .137” and a group of .110moa. While 29.6 and 29.9 velocities looked good, the vertical was big. 30.8-31.1 had a vertical of 1.530” and a group at .292 moa.

N150 velocity potential showed 29.6-29.9, 30.2-30.5, 31.1-31.4.

Impact nodes seem to be 29.6 and 29.9 showing a vertical of .346” and a group of .110moa. 30.2 and 30.5 had a vertical of .499” and a group of .329 moa. Including 30.8 brings the vertical too .961 so the node could be a bit bigger. 31-31.4 had a vertical of 1.872”

8208xbr showed a potential velocity node at 29, 29.3, 30.2-30.5 and maybe the upper 2 charges but with the bolt lift I won’t be playing with that one.

29-29.3 gave me a .9050 verticwl with a group of .170 moa. And 30.2-30.5 gave me a 1.927” vertical unfortunately.

 

[urbanrifleman]

Well I got out this morning to do the ladder testing. I set up at 550 this morning. I fired a quick 5 shot group on steel to verify dope the headed to paper for the 4 ladders.

View attachment 1502615

All ladders were shot from 29gr’s to 31.7 gr in .3’s. Please work up cautiously if you decide to test these powders on the upper charges. Using alpha 6br brass necked down, then fire formed. 85.5gr Berger bullets.

N140 was up first.

29gr- 2993
29.3- 3019
29.6- 3051
29.9- 3078
30.2- 3099
30.5- 3118
30.8- 3152
31.1- 3184
31.4- 3206
31.7- 3226

All primers still had round edges. All bolt lift was the the same. The last 2 charges had slightly more primer flow and slightly more of a plunger mark.

Varget was second

29- 2988
29.3- 2992
29.6- 3042
29.9- 3035
30.2- 3077
30.5- 3110
30.8- 3136
31.1- 3142
31.4- 3179
31.7- 3214

All primers were rounded, looked the same, and bolt lift stayed consistent throughout ladder. A different recoil impulse on varget compared to n140. Plunger mark was more visible throughout test in comparison to n140 but not to the point of concern by any means.

N150 was 3rd

29gr- 2935
29.3- 2966
29.6- 3015
29.9- 3030
30.2- 3064
30.5- 3074
30.8- 3107
31.1- 3232
31.4- 3242
31.7- 3172

This ladder had slightly crush fit with 31.4 and 31.7 but very little over all. I then loaded with 6” dropper and helped eliminate this. Primers are all consistent, very round, almost like I wasn’t even remotely close to pressure. No plunger mark till the final charge and it’s barely visible.

8208xbr was the final test

29gr- 3072
29.3- 3083
29.6- 3120
29.9- 3152
30.2- 3175
30.5- 3184
30.8- 3236
31.1- 3258
31.4- 3281
31.7- 3309

This test obviously showed faster velocities in comparative charge weights. Bolt lift got slightly heavy at 30.8gr and stayed slightly heavy till 31.4. 31.7 showed another increase in bolt lift. I would say I wouldn’t go past this in my set up. With the heavy bolt lift came the shiny plunger mark. Primers did start to change shape ever so slightly after 29.3. 29 and 29.3 primers look identical. 29.6-30.5 primers look identical and ever so slightly different then 29 and 29.3. 30.8-31.7 started to show signs of flattening but still had rounded edges.

Your replies are amazing.

This is 8 twist?

 

[Matt_3479]

Your replies are amazing.

This is 8 twist?

Thank you, I appreciate that. I’ve been meaning to do this for so long and just been so unbelievably busy as most are.

Yes this is an 8 twist.

 

[rsbhunter]

Thank you for the work you put into these tests.... Do you see any indicators that lead you to use a certain powder/ powder charge? I have used RL15.5 , but have Varget, 8208, and vv n140 to mess with....This cartridge has awesome accuracy potential.....I just need to get out and do some testing...rsbhunter

 

[Matt_3479]

Thank you for the work you put into these tests.... Do you see any indicators that lead you to use a certain powder/ powder charge? I have used RL15.5 , but have Varget, 8208, and vv n140 to mess with....This cartridge has awesome accuracy potential.....I just need to get out and do some testing...rsbhunter

Of course, I said I was going to do it a while ago and just got tied up. I Had to get it done!

When I go back to testing on the next calm day I will be loading in the middle of each of the matching velocity and impact nodes. So there will be 5-6 chargers combined from the 4 powders. I haven’t completely a seating depth testing really either. This rifle wants to shoot amazing but has a hard time breaking 5/8’s consistently. It doesn’t shoot over that 5/8’s often but when it shines out of the blue it will shoot .2’s for a 11lbs hunting rifle. I’d like to have a .3-.4 consistent load for it. Not that it’s needed on a hunting set up but my target rifles i like .2-.4 so im kind of use to setting that goal

 

[rsbhunter]

Because of being sick, my load testing had to pause...the load that seemed to have alot of promise was 32.0 of rl15.5 with a berger 80.5 full bore. Going back to the posts here, I'm now questioning the load. I was showing 3176 fps with great SD. Just curious if anyone has tested rl15.5 with 80.5 or 85.5 Bergers? Does anyone have quickload that gives the pressure for this load ? 32.0 RL15.5 in fireformed Lapua case, CCI 450 primer, 80.5 Berger full bore at .025 off lands. Shooting in a Savage 12 target action, 26" 1-7 twist bbl. Temp approx. 45° , elevation 3543'. Thanks for any input or advice. rsbhunter

 

[urbanrifleman]

Because of being sick, my load testing had to pause...the load that seemed to have alot of promise was 32.0 of rl15.5 with a berger 80.5 full bore. Going back to the posts here, I'm now questioning the load. I was showing 3176 fps with great SD. Just curious if anyone has tested rl15.5 with 80.5 or 85.5 Bergers? Does anyone have quickload that gives the pressure for this load ? 32.0 RL15.5 in fireformed Lapua case, CCI 450 primer, 80.5 Berger full bore at .025 off lands. Shooting in a Savage 12 target action, 26" 1-7 twist bbl. Temp approx. 45° , elevation 3543'. Thanks for any input or advice. rsbhunter

That's a lot of spin.

I didn't have any consistency at those speeds with a 7 twist. That is over terminal spin. 3176 is 327k rpm.

 

[rsbhunter]

I understand , but they grouped great at 200 meters. I have some more loaded to retest, as soon as I can kick this crap I have. I have no problem dropping down in velocity, as long as I don't lose accuracy. I'm also going to test 90 gr Bergers. When i get out again, I'll report the results...rsbhunter

 

[urbanrifleman]

I understand , but they grouped great at 200 meters. I have some more loaded to retest, as soon as I can kick this crap I have. I have no problem dropping down in velocity, as long as I don't lose accuracy. I'm also going to test 90 gr Bergers. When i get out again, I'll report the results...rsbhunter

I will also be testing ts15.5. 90 Smk next.

 

[rsbhunter]

Awesome , I've considered the Sierra 95gr for testing, but I'm getting tired of buying high dollar componets, just to eat up a bbl. I'm not shooting f class or benchrest, so "good" accuracy enough. Good luck testing, let us know how it goes...Thanks, rsbhunter

 

[urbanrifleman]

Awesome , I've considered the Sierra 95gr for testing, but I'm getting tired of buying high dollar componets, just to eat up a bbl. I'm not shooting f class or benchrest, so "good" accuracy enough. Good luck testing, let us know how it goes...Thanks, rsbhunter

90 Smk is cheap.

.224 90 Gr. Sierra Match King Hollow Point Boat Tail Bullets *NEW* | RMR Bullets

These beautiful, sleek SMKs are the bullets to use for reaching out there with your Valkyrie, 22 Nosler, .22 Grendel, .22 Creedmoor, etc. Brand new factory firsts! These will not be loadable in .223 Rem/ 5.56 at magazine length but if you want to single feed them they will work. BC info: .563 @ 2080

www.rmrbullets.com

 

[rsbhunter]

Might have to try a box of these ...rsb

 

[padom]

Ive shot 10's of thousands of 90smk. My go to 22BR and 22GT bullet! To be clear, I have never shot any of those RMR bullets. I know a few guys that bought those and had issues with them. Consistency, and weight variations. I dont know if they are rejects, 2nds, or same as Sierra box. Just being clear, I never shot those.

 

[rsbhunter]

I always shoot "original" mfgs. bullets. I like to know that they are as pristine as possible...rsbhunter

 

[Bodhisafa]

Ive shot 10's of thousands of 90smk. My go to 22BR and 22GT bullet! To be clear, I have never shot any of those RMR bullets. I know a few guys that bought those and had issues with them. Consistency, and weight variations. I dont know if they are rejects, 2nds, or same as Sierra box. Just being clear, I never shot those.

Which do you prefer the most between the Br and GT? And the whys?

 

[LitLBoy]

Is an 8 twist to slow for the 88 ELD??

 

[urbanrifleman]

Is an 8 twist to slow for the 88 ELD??

No.

 

[JSH]

Not a BRA or 22 caliber. 20BR with 55 grain Berger’s.
I found it interesting with the above data Matt put together, VV150 similarities between the heavy 22 and 20’s.
I did a lot of study on what powder I was going to try. A case full and readily available were a priority as well, VV150 ramped up in speed with increases oh so similar to Matt’s work.