Your favorite .224 caliber hotrod?

[fredo]

Figured to start a fun thread about some barrel burnin' .224" calibers, hoping they're well represented here???
After runnin' a .2223WSSM AR-15 a few years back, and .22-243Win for a spell afterward, finally decided to have a fast twist .22-243AI built. Its on a Rem700SA, #4 Brux 1:8tw @ 27", Micky Gamescout and Surgeon DBM.

Had 'smith throat the chamber out long, a 75Amax is @ 2.780" to the lands, they feed smooth from detachable magazine. 50.0gr of H1000 pushes a moly'ed 75Amax right about 3600fps (3586fps velocity trued from drop data to 980yds).
Forming loads with RL-22 run ~3300fps.
Case capacity of the improved Lapua .243Win brass averages just over 55 grains of H2o...

Shooting a fast twist .22 hotrod is like cheating! Very flat shooting, great wind bucking ability, and those Amaxs certainly are nasty game gitters. The long throat, heavy bullets and slow burn powder really seem to jive well together. With a few minor changes to original ergos (Seekins rail/rings, stock pack), this sucker is a real pisser to get behind! Smacks the crap outta coyotes, and 400yd woodchucks are almost too easy...

Curious to see who else enjoys a .224 cal. hotrod? Swifts, .250s, x47Ls, TTHs, WSSMs, AI variants & other wildcats...whatcha got, what's your load, and how do ya like it???

 

[acloco]

223 AI

222 Magnum AI (use 204 Ruger head stamped brass)

Super Duece - extra long 222 Magnum AI

22/6mm AI - 75 gr Amax at 3950

 

[357Mag]

Fredo -

Howdy !

My personal .224" wildcat was/is ( so far ) my .22-35 Remington.

Case capacity between that of .22-250 & .220 Swift.

In the original 24" 1-14 SS Hart 5 grove, I liked 55SX over 41.2gr WW760 + FED LR Magnum Match.

From a 28" 1-8 SS K & P 5 groove, my favorite field/accuracy load was 75"A"-Max over 40.5 AA3100 and
FED LR Match @ a leisurly 3,420fps. Switch to Magnum Match primer took vel to 3,500fps; w/ slight opening of groups.

I'll try to send some pics, once I get homeH.


With regards,
357Mag

 

[Dvldawg]

Shooting a couple 22-6mm Ackley Improved rifles here.
#1 - Rem. 700, PacNor #4 contour 3G 12TW, shooting 55 SBK @ 4023 fps.
H-S Precision Stock and H-S mag. assembly
#2 - Rem. 700, Shilen #6 contour 6G 8TW sitting in a Bobby Hart Laminate
LRT stock. Was shooting 80gr. A-Max, fixing to start load development
with some 69 Sierra TMK.

 

[Tommie]

22-250AI on an accurized 788 action. It's just a Swift with different curves.

 

[MrMajestic]

I guess my.22-.284 qualifies. ;D I'm running Retumbo right now and am throated for the 80 gr. A-Max. 8tw 28" Krieger chambered with a PTG/Kiff reamer by Bob Green.

 

[357Mag]

Fredo -

Pic shows from Lt:
- " 6.5 KIWI ", chamber cut by running a 6.5 X 47L reamer in a little deeper. Case is shown un-fired.
- " DEEP 6 ", chamber cut by running 6mm Remington reamer in "short ", for .466" base diam. 7 X 64 Brenneke is parent brass, .308 bolt face.
- " .22-35 Rem ", .35 Rem necked-down to .224" calibre, .250" neck lg; 26* shoulder angle. ( Ackley himself, took .35 Rem down to 6mm )

Second pic show .22-35 w/ and w/o seated 75 "A"-Max


With regards,
357Mag

 

[Sniper338]

Another 22-250AI here. Still working on load developing though

 

[Bobthenailer]

Since I burned out the throat on my 22-250 I have rebarreled to a 22-284 and just love that thang! 75grain A-max and H1000 are wicked varmint medicine.

 

[fredo]

Thanks for the replies, gents!
Cool to see the different flavors of 'hotrod'...

Would like to know how fast those .22-284s are running with bullet of choice?

Alco, 75Amax @3950fps from a .22/6mmAI, that is INSANE! Would you mind sharing your load recipe, along with barrel length? How's does brass hold up?

.357, cool 'cats! That niche' your .22-.35 occupies seems to be an efficient one for mid-weight bullets.

Good stuff, thanks again!

 

[Gary in MD]

Those are some wicked rigs and cartridges guys!
Just a traditional varmint hunter here, always used the 22-250 and then the Swift in the 22 calibers with a couple smaller cased ones for areas where I want to keep the noise down. I only shoot the traditional varmint 50 - 55 grain weight bullets pushed as fast as I can get them while maintaining a decent level of accuracy. The Swift can still "get it done" !! My latest is a sporter weight "walking varminter". I wanted to try something different than lugging a 12 - 14 pound monster around....Guess I'm getting older.
Good hunting,
Gary

 

[13red56]

I have a 22 Dasher, 22-243, 22-243 AI and I'm in the process of creating another wildcat. I'm going to run my 22 Dasher reamer in deep then I plan to headspace using 6.5x55 brass. This has been done by Kanuck(his forum name here)and Jim at Apache Gunworks with a 22BR reamer to get a caliber that Kanuck calls the 22 Eroder. I'm a speed fan myself and the heavy 22cal bullets and warp speeds feel that niche. I also have a 223 AI that I enjoy shooting as well. My 22-243AI and retumbo powder will run the Berger 80.5's at 3620fps out of a 26" barrel.

 

[acloco]

..........

Alco, 75Amax @3950fps from a .22/6mmAI, that is INSANE! Would you mind sharing your load recipe, along with barrel length? How's does brass hold up?.......

Bullets are coated with Danzac/WS2. Barrel is a 27". H4831 is the flavor of powder. Primer pockets will go 5 or 6 firings.

I have backed the load off from 4050, to 3950, and now 3850....just to prolong brass and barrel life.

Have shot more than my fair share of prairie dogs with a variety of calibers. But, until you see a PD rise 25 feet in the air and backwards 25 feet.......and splayed like a bearskin rug.........at 400 yards......well, you have not shot PD's yet!

 

[22XC Guy]

My .22XC on the left, 1:8 Kreiger, 0.068" throat erosion in ~940 rounds, still scored a 145X150 at a local match waiting on my new reamer.. I had the barrel set back, switched from Reloader 17 to Hybrid 100V, no accuracy change, going back to Reloader 17 for mach speed..

Steve

 

[alintx]

I have a 1/7 22 call blank, but it will only finish at about 24 inches. Been think 22 250 ai, but don't know if i would gain anything over a 223ai with that short barrel. I'm not a big fan of thrashing pole lengths, so may go with the 223. Thoughts ??

 

[premo 2]

Another 22-250AI here. Still working on load developing though

Same boat here but good clean fun

 

[Tommie]

I have a 1/7 22 call blank, but it will only finish at about 24 inches. Been think 22 250 ai, but don't know if i would gain anything over a 223ai with that short barrel. I'm not a big fan of thrashing pole lengths, so may go with the 223. Thoughts ??

I wouldn't necessarily classify 24" as short, although a longer tube would yield more velocity with both chamberings. 223AI is an efficient round but it won't run with a 22-250AI without loading to insane pressures. Especially when shooting heavier bullets.

JMO

 

[A_Gamehog]

I like the 22-250AI w/9 twist
With 53 V-Max @ just under 4,000 fps w/Varget

My Windy day P-Dog /Squirrel load is the 69 Nosler W/IMR4831

 

[22DASHER]

22-250AI shooting 55 grain ballistic tips @ 4150

or

22 Dasher shooting 75 grain A-Maxs @ 3470

Both of them do a very nice job for their intended purpose...

 

[40X Guy]

.220 Swift! I have owned and shot most of the other calibers already mentioned but came back to the Swift for good. Current 8 twist shooting 75 A-Max @ 3550 fps with N550 mild load in Norma brass with no fireforming chores. Have had up to 3667 fps with RL-17 but accuracy suffered. Other Swift is a 13 twist shooting 50-60 grain pills at anywhere from 3880 to 4100. Tough to beat. Most non believers of the Swift have never owned one or read erroneous info about them. Current aftermarket barrels and powders have launched the Swift into the stratosphere! I'm in the planning stages for a .220AI for next year set up for 55 grain bullets at Mach speed.

Frank