.22 br

#51
The 80 gr eld-m seems to work fine out to 700+ yards, had pretty good results on the long range targets.
Had no problems hitting a 6" plate at 600 yards with some funny winds.

So going to keep this load for the competitions with mainly shorter ranges.
 
#55
I know that RE15 has fallen out of favor relative to Varget and RE16 bc of the temp instability, but has anyone been able to find some success with it? At the very least I figure I can use my remaining batch up as a practice load.
 
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#57
New guy here. Been looking on the Hide for years and finally signed on.

Getting a .22BR barrel put together right now (Bartlein, by Bugholes), with 88's in mind (7 twist). Not real sure exactly what throat I'm going to wind up with, but I told Greg I was planning on 88's and possibly 95's, and didn't want to have to turn necks.

I ordered 200pcs of Lapua brass yesterday, along with a Redding FL sizer and a Forster seating die (figured I'd get a neck die setup after I get everything necked and get through the first firing).

I've read through this whole thread and was wondering if anyone would care to elaborate on their die setup for necking down and then sizing after firing.

Thanks!
 
#59
Potsy said:
New guy here. Been looking on the Hide for years and finally signed on.

Getting a .22BR barrel put together right now (Bartlein, by Bugholes), with 88's in mind (7 twist). Not real sure exactly what throat I'm going to wind up with, but I told Greg I was planning on 88's and possibly 95's, and didn't want to have to turn necks.

I ordered 200pcs of Lapua brass yesterday, along with a Redding FL sizer and a Forster seating die (figured I'd get a neck die setup after I get everything necked and get through the first firing).

I've read through this whole thread and was wondering if anyone would care to elaborate on their die setup for necking down and then sizing after firing.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I used the standard .252" neck reamer on mine and I didn't have to neck turn, buy my loaded rounds are around .251". It has the standard .050" freebore, so I started out loading them short, but there was plenty of room for 28.8 grs of Varget and 27.3 of H4895. I would probably go with a .254" neck so you have some more clearance on a loaded round.

I use the standard Redding 22BR full length dies for sizing new brass down to 22BR. I just picked up a bushing die and haven't used it yet. If you neck down with a bushing die, I feel you have a better chance of getting a ring at the neck/shoulder junction and would have to neck turn to get it taken care of. I know a guy that had that issue and he is running the .254" neck and I believe a .100" freebore.

I shot a high volume team match with my 22BR in June in 97 degree weather. My throat grew .040" as we had a few stages where I shot 24 rounds in less than 3-1/2 minutes with H4895. I switched to Varget and am currently playing with Rl16 with pretty good results.
 
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#60
Got my 22br running with about 550rds on it now. We used a .254 neck reamer with .100 freebore. I ended up having to neck turn though. Recent batches of 6br brass have been about .002 thicker in the necks than my Gunsmith has ever seen. I shaved off about .002 and it cycles perfect now. 28.8grs Varget under the 88ELDM getting 2970fps after neck turning. Just won my 3rd PRS Regional Series match in the SE. The 22br is growing on me and having a 2nd barrel spun up to have ready for the remainder of the season.

Need to fix my modified case gauge or make one from a fired case, probably supply a few pieces to my Gunsmith to keep records on throat erosion.
 
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#61
Okay. Stupid question time.

Bear with me, the only time I've ever necked anything down was some W-W .270 brass to .25-06. It worked well, but that was years ago and I've not necked anything down from one caliber to another since. Never neck turned anything.

I lubed a case body and inside the case neck with Imperial sizing wax. took the expander out of the Redding FL die, and gradually ran it up into the die until it "kissed" the shoulder (it looked like it bumped it about .001" or less on my cheap calipers with the crappy hornady shoulder measuring tool). I had a very small ridge (donut) at the neck/shoulder junction. Another potential issue is that my brass measures .009" shorter after running it through the die. When I necked .270's to .25-06, they were LONGER (?). Is this a big problem? Any way to fix it?

Sooo, I guess I need to go ahead and turn the necks. Never turned necks before. I do want to be sure I've got this down. First, neck turn a couple thou off the cases (before sizing, looking at the K&M tool and the RCBS ball mic), then size. Correct? Or do I size, then turn off the donut?

Thanks for helping out someone new to the wonderful world of wildcatting!!!
 
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#63
Potsy said:
Okay. Stupid question time.

Bear with me, the only time I've ever necked anything down was some W-W .270 brass to .25-06. It worked well, but that was years ago and I've not necked anything down from one caliber to another since. Never neck turned anything.

I lubed a case body and inside the case neck with Imperial sizing wax. took the expander out of the Redding FL die, and gradually ran it up into the die until it "kissed" the shoulder (it looked like it bumped it about .001" or less on my cheap calipers with the crappy hornady shoulder measuring tool). I had a very small ridge (donut) at the neck/shoulder junction. Another potential issue is that my brass measures .009" shorter after running it through the die. When I necked .270's to .25-06, they were LONGER (?). Is this a big problem? Any way to fix it?

Sooo, I guess I need to go ahead and turn the necks. Never turned necks before. I do want to be sure I've got this down. First, neck turn a couple thou off the cases (before sizing, looking at the K&M tool and the RCBS ball mic), then size. Correct? Or do I size, then turn off the donut?

Thanks for helping out someone new to the wonderful world of wildcatting!!!
Click to expand...

I necked down virgin 6br brass, ran a .223 mandrel through them, fire formed them on first firing, then ran the expander mandrel through them and turned brass until I had 100% concentricity and cut about .030 up the shoulder. Annealed, sized and loaded.
 
#64
LoneWolf_052713 said:
I necked down virgin 6br brass, ran a .223 mandrel through them, fire formed them on first firing, then ran the expander mandrel through them and turned brass until I had 100% concentricity and cut about .030 up the shoulder. Annealed, sized and loaded.
Click to expand...

Which reamer print did you use and which mandrel and sizing bushing have you found works best? I'm probably going to go down this route, too.
 
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#65
BeAccurate said:
Which reamer print did you use and which mandrel and sizing bushing have you found works best? I'm probably going to go down this route, too.
Click to expand...

.254 neck with .100 freebore. I've used the Forster FL Non-bushing die the first 2 firings, but switching to a Redding FL bushing die with a .245 bushing now. After NT a .221 Mandrel is fine. Loaded neck diameter after NT is .248. For Neck turning I'm using the 21st Century powered Neck turning lathe with the 22br kit.
 
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#66
Took a peek at me powder inventory and played with a necked, virgin case to see how much (roughly) it would hold of each.

Looks like around 34 grains of H4350 and RL22 to the bottom of the neck. 36 grains of LeverRevolution.

Going to look for a good load for 88's at about 3000fps (24" barrel).

I've got a whole 5 pounder of RL22. I may try it with 88's, starting about 32 grains, but wonder if it wouldn't be too slow. Might try about the same with 4350 (maybe start at 31).
LeverRevolution is one you don't hear much about, but my AR likes it with 75's. A bit faster than 4350, denser, and meters like water through my old uni-flow. It's also usually easy to find around here. Honestly, it's the one I want to start with, guessing around 31 grains.

Anyone dabbled with any of the above? Read some comments on cooler burning ball powders, wondered how the above (ball and stick) would relate to throat wear.

Oh yeah, almost forgot, any primer preferences? Got plenty of 205's and 400's, along with a few 450's, BR-4's, and 7-1/2's.

Should have my barrel in a week or so. Can't wait!!!
 
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#67
Also got my K&M neck turning kit.

Virgin brass measured .013" on my ball mic. I ran a piece over the 6mm K&M mandrel. Cut .002" off for .011", chucked the shell holder assy. in my cordless drill and let the neck do a few laps in a piece of 0000 steel wool, then ran through the Redding FL die, then back over the expander stem. Finished thickness was .012". Is this good or do I need to back it off a bit?

Also, still getting a ring at the neck/shoulder junction barely detectable by my thumbnail, but I THINK that this is just where it's not going that far into the die. My shellholder is hitting the die, but the shoulder has not moved. I'm GUESSING that will probably fireform out when the shoulder pushes forward.
 
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#68
Follow up, decided I needed a little more bullet for a local venue that has a lot of long range positional stages. Tested out the 95SMK and at 2850fps (restricted due to current Freebore Dimensions) it tested out with a .310G7 BC and was confirmed out to 1135yds without any stability issues.

I'm going to have the Freebore extended with a throating tool on my current barrel as well as a second barrel I'm having spun up to test and then order a custom reamer based off my findings.
 
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#69
LoneWolf_052713 said:
Follow up, decided I needed a little more bullet for a local venue that has a lot of long range positional stages. Tested out the 95SMK and at 2850fps (restricted due to current Freebore Dimensions) it tested out with a .310G7 BC and was confirmed out to 1135yds without any stability issues.

I'm going to have the Freebore extended with a throating tool on my current barrel as well as a second barrel I'm having spun up to test and then order a custom reamer based off my findings.
Click to expand...

Does the better BC of the 95SMK beat the extra velocity of the 88ELDM?
 
#72
Dthomas3523 said:
What reamer would you guys use for the new Berger 85.5 hybrid?
Click to expand...

Obviously haven't had hands on and probably won't with them costing the same as 105 Hybrids, but with all these 85-95grs bullets I'm leaning towards a .200 Freebore spec. The 88ELD and 95SMK are looooong! They'll work with .100fb, but you will have a ton of bullet left in the case. Even running .200fb you're not hitting 2.5COAL. Gonna be doing some tests with the 2 barrels I have then ordering a custom reamer based on my findings next year.
 
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#74
My 2nd 22BR just came together yesterday. Should get me through this years finale season.


22BR IMPACT!.jpg
 
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#77
Seandradamus said:
I have not blown up any bulletsI have a friend that shoots them at 3120 out of a 22 -250 6-1/2 twist and one that shoots them at 3150 out of a Creedmoor none of us have experienced exploding bullets
Click to expand...
Thanks for the response! I have a 22Br 6.5T 5R bartlein coming from area419. I’m excited to play around with the 22BR.
 
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#82
Dai Bando said:
88's touch lands @ 1.767" bto

32 grains of 16 is going 2,930 or so and is barely compressed if at all.

30 gr Varget went 2,996 with an es/sd @ 24/7 but groups were not great.

I will anneal and get neck tension to chill out and post more later this week.
Click to expand...
What freebore are you running?
 
#83
What freebore are you guys running for 90smk/95smk. Looking for boattail/bearing surface right at or just above case neck/shoulder junction.

Smith's 22br reamer print says 0.050 freebore and .252 neck...
 
#84
padom said:
What freebore are you guys running for 90smk/95smk. Looking for boattail/bearing surface right at or just above case neck/shoulder junction.

Smith's 22br reamer print says 0.050 freebore and .252 neck...
Click to expand...
.050 is way to short. I ordered a .100 FB and the 95smk is sitting way below the neck shoulder area. Now I’m waiting on a uni throater to increase my FB. I would at least run .150 FB minimum. I seen a post of guys running over .200 FB for the 95SMK and that was putting the lower bearing surface just above the start of the neck.
 
#85
Miguel7527 said:
.050 is way to short. I ordered a .100 FB and the 95smk is sitting way below the neck shoulder area. Now I’m waiting on a uni throater to increase my FB. I would at least run .150 FB minimum. I seen a post of guys running over .200 FB for the 95SMK and that was putting the lower bearing surface just above the start of the neck.
Click to expand...
Thanks. Thought so. That's why I asked
 
#87
Well I finally got my rifle together. 24" Barlein (chambered and shouldered by Bugholes), RV contour, 1:7, Origin, KRG Bravo, Burris 5-25XTRII.

I fretted neck diameter (supposed to have a .255" neck) as I wanted to be at .252" loaded. I played with my neck turning kit on Virgin Brass and finally just figured I was overthinking it.

I took the 7 cases on whose necks I had been playing with, loaded 30 grains of LeverRevolution and a 450, seated 88's to 2.370" OAL (.080" throat) and went to the range. I ran 3 over the chrony at about 12'. It read 2924, 2961, and 2904. The spread could be due to the loads, the fact it was raining on my chrony, or the fact it's just a cheap shooting chrony, it didn't really matter, I just wanted to be sure I was at or below 3000fps, unsuppressed. Temp was around 65-68 deg., FWIW. Sighted in at 100 yards with the other 4.

I sized 25 necks down on a Redding FL sizer (took the expander ball out, sized down, then ran the necks back UP on the expander ball) and left a slight shoulder on the neck (.050-.060 or so). This did make them a bit tough to chamber, so I'll try do a bit less shoulder on the next batch.

Went to a friend's farm yesterday where we had our annual muzzleloader and rifle sight in. Broke out the .22BR and it put 5 rounds into two holes for group that looked a touch under .5" (100 yards).

The only issue I'm sorta concerned about is I've a slight ejector slot mark on some of my brass (about half the fired loads). I really doubt the loads too hot, I've got an A Bolt .25-06 that'll put an ejector mark on factory ammo, so I'm not sweating it too much.

Thus far, I'm in love. I know that one, five round 1/2 inch group at a hundred doesn't mean much in the company that's on here. But for the first load I spitballed down the barrel, I'm pretty tickled. Gonna get a few more loaded and try to get it out to 600 and possibly 1000 yards next week.
 
#88
Took mine to the range last week. I'm pretty sure the last one was me. The first four were at 2.96" at 600 yards. I think I pulled the top one a smidge high for 4.73".

Then I went to 1,000 yards for the first time ever. I had five rounds left. Shot one at the wrong target (dumbass), but fortunately, no one was on it. Then I pulled one way low. Three rounds left. I finally got my crap together and ran a 3 round group. 3 in 6.38". I'll take it.

A few takeaways; 600 is one thing, but this noob found out that 1,000 is a whole nother ball game. I spent several rounds at the gongs before firing away at their electronic targets and figured out my dope sheet was about .3 mils low. The wind (which was pretty whippy that day) is a whole nother ball game at 1,000 as well. For the group, I cranked it a half mil left, and watched the flags for it to die down just a bit, then fired.

I've got a lot of work to do, but I'm loving it so far.

Oh yeah, it works on coyotes too! 120 yard chip shot. An 88 high on the shoulder. No smoking crater, but still dead before she hit the ground.
 

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#89
Trying to decide if I should start with the .050 freebore the reamer comes in at.

Or load some dummy rounds with the bottom of bearing surface little below neck/shoulder junction and have the chamber throated for that.

Thoughts? Going to be running berger 85.5 hybrid and hornady 88 eld

Thoughts?
 
#91
Dthomas3523 said:
Trying to decide if I should start with the .050 freebore the reamer comes in at.

Or load some dummy rounds with the bottom of bearing surface little below neck/shoulder junction and have the chamber throated for that.

Thoughts? Going to be running berger 85.5 hybrid and hornady 88 eld

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

I have a reamer with a .150 freebore which seems to be perfect for the 88 grain bullets to sit just above the neck/shoulder junction. You'll probably want your freebore extended. I also shoot 80 grain bullets in the same chamber and because the 22 BR has such a long neck the bullets still have plenty of seating depth when they are out by the lands.
 
#92
I just got my 22 BR up and running Monday. .255Neck with .100FB, Krieger 7t 4g HV at 26", Kelbys Black Bear Tactical action in a XLR Envy. I sized the new Lapua 6BR brass with a standard Forster Die. Once I had the barrel I did not have enough shoulder bump to get a free bolt drop. I was able to get just enough bump from a Redding 22 BR die with the bushings removed. I assume there was a small doughnut at the neck shoulder junction from the initial sizing that was making contact because a 1x fired case needed .003 less bump then the virgin brass. I was able to get a free bolt drop (.002-.003 bump is what i look for) with the Forster die on the 1x brass very easy.

I initially loaded 50 with 28gr Varget, CCI 450 and Jumped an 88 ELDM .020 for the start of the break in. Shots 41-50 we at 2884fps, 100yd groups were great. I do most of my break in positional and only fired a few from a bipod/bag combo. I then loaded up 50 more with 28.5Gr Varget and shots 81-90 were at 2958fps. I had 5 loaded up at 29.0 for curiosity and shots 101-105 were at 3017fps with no signs of pressure. The fired rounds were not much larger than my loaded rounds and a bullet would not go back into a fired case. I returned home and sized 5 fired cases . I then turned 5 necks and loaded them with 29.0gr of Varget and went out to test them again. Pretty much a 1 hole group again but the turned necks of the 1x fired brass (shots #111-115) were 3011fps 6es/2.4sd. I now have nearly 200 pieces of Virgin brass loaded up with 28.5gr and a little over 100 turned and ready for load development. The 88s are way down in the case but are shooting great. I have 200 of the new 85.5 Berger coming this week. Would have more to report but a sick kid has given me plenty of press time and not much trigger time.
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#93
3PuttPar said:
... I had 5 loaded up at 29.0 for curiosity and shots 101-105 were at 3017fps with no signs of pressure. The fired rounds were not much larger than my loaded rounds and a bullet would not go back into a fired case. I returned home and sized 5 fired cases . I then turned 5 necks and loaded them with 39.0gr of Varget and went out to test them again.
Click to expand...

Did you hear a little bit of crunching during the seating process?
 
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#95
Throat on my Bartlein is at .080”. I started at 2.370 (OAL) and kept seating deeper until the bolt would close (real friggin’ scientific process), wound up at 2.350” (88eld’s).
47D98F47-8A6A-4B7E-AA8F-5E5AC83241DF.jpeg


30 grains of Leverevolition barely clears the shoulder, so compression is a non issue. I’ll fret seating depth and maybe switch powders after all my brass is once fired. It’s shooting better than I can anyway.
I monkeyed with neck turning, but they all chamber fine and I’ve been keeping it pretty clean so I quit. I’ve been intentionally leaving a bit of a false shoulder on the premise that it will help the virgins headspace and form out a bit better. Neck is at .255, btw.
My only gripe is that the Redding FL die sizes necks WAY down (out of town and away from my notes at the moment) then WAY back up over the mandrel and I DO feel like I need a neck die with an intermediate bushing. I collapsed the shoulders on several cases so I’ll have that before I start on the next box of brass. Thinking I’ll order a .250 bushing to wind up at .252 OD.
FDBFB78E-44C7-45A2-8ED0-5C338053E41D.jpeg

First 100 yard group I ever shot with the rifle. Five rounds, two holes a half inch apart. That’s about as good as I can do at this point in life and I’m fairly in love with the rifle and the round.
 
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#96
Potsy said:
Throat on my Bartlein is at .080”. I started at 2.370 (OAL) and kept seating deeper until the bolt would close (real friggin’ scientific process), wound up at 2.350” (88eld’s).View attachment 7200515

30 grains of Leverevolition barely clears the shoulder, so compression is a non issue. I’ll fret seating depth and maybe switch powders after all my brass is once fired. It’s shooting better than I can anyway.
I monkeyed with neck turning, but they all chamber fine and I’ve been keeping it pretty clean so I quit. I’ve been intentionally leaving a bit of a false shoulder on the premise that it will help the virgins headspace and form out a bit better. Neck is at .255, btw.
My only gripe is that the Redding FL die sizes necks WAY down (out of town and away from my notes at the moment) then WAY back up over the mandrel and I DO feel like I need a neck die with an intermediate bushing. I collapsed the shoulders on several cases so I’ll have that before I start on the next box of brass. Thinking I’ll order a .250 bushing to wind up at .252 OD.View attachment 7200521
First 100 yard group I ever shot with the rifle. Five rounds, two holes a half inch apart. That’s about as good as I can do at this point in life and I’m fairly in love with the rifle and the round.
Click to expand...

Leverevolution acted the same and was interchangeable with CFE223 in my 6.5 Grendel. I have used H4895, Varget, and even Rl16 in my 22BR with the 88gr ELDM. All were over 3000 fps out of a 26" 1-8" Bartlein, a touch over 3100 with Rl16. Single digit SD will all of them.
 
#97
I knew Lever and CFE were real close together on the burn rate chart. I had Lever on hand and had ran it in a .223 with 75’s. I rather like it’s density and the fact it runs like water through my old uniflow. I’d stick with it, but I have some doubts about its temp consistency vs. some other powders.

Probably start fooling with RL16 and maybe 6.5 Staball come spring. Might try to fling a 95 Sierra or two along with it.
 
#98
I have StaBall 6.5, just haven't had time to mess with it. I have over 1800 rounds on my current barrel and have another just like it waiting to get chambered. Rl16 is probably the most temp stable of any powder I have tested. I shot some CFE in my 6.5 Grendel and got good velocity, but went back to 8208 for the temp stability. Too much temperature variance here in KS to not use a temp stable powder.
 
#99
Tried some 85.5s tonight. The bearing surface stays above the neck shoulder junction with these. I jumped them .020 and will do more testing later on. The 85.5's with BR4's ran around 50fps faster for me than the 88ELDM's with CCI450s with the same charge weight.


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