22 nosler??

[stello1001]

So I've been kinda having an itch for a .22 cal bolt rifle. The .223 would be awesome, but it would be even more awesome if I had a .22 cal gun with more oomph. Ideally, I would like a 22-250. Because I don't reload, I'd be stuck shooting light varminting bullets from what I've seen is offered on factory ammo. If I was going to be reloading, it'd be a no brainer, I'd go 22-250 without a doubt.

This leaves .224V and 22nosler for shooting heavier .22 cal bullets out of factory ammo. The V has a lot more options, and even a fusion line of hunting ammo, which i would like to try since I might take a deer or so with it. However, the V was designed to be able to shoot heavies and loading them long without running to mag length restrictions, which seems to be the problem with .223. It also doesn't really offer a lot more than a .223 when both are loaded with equal weight bullets.

This leaves me with 22 Nosler. The cartridge is bigger so it offers more volume for more powder. It offers factory ammo at decent prices but I am highly restricted when it comes to variety. All factory ammo is loaded and offered by Nosler. Their heaviest stuff is the 85 grain RDF. From my limited research, RDF stands for reduced drag factor but people tend to think of it as "random damn fliers" because I'm guessing they don't shoot well???

Can anybody school me on this interesting cartridge and what your experiences have been with its factory ammo offerings? Will the current ammo be enough to take a whitetail at say 250 yards max or would those RDFs really not be suitable for the task?

I already own and hunt with a 6.5CM as well as a M70 in 270 Win. I want a .22 cal just because I got the itch for one. Because I do a lot of hunting and spend time in the field a lot, I know eventually I would take it with me on a hunt or two. It would probably also see some range time, shooting at steel but only every now and then. Not really concerned with barrel life as I don't plan on burning too much ammo through it though.

 

[RTH1800]

Find a custom reloader. Get the 22-250 or 22CM

 

[stello1001]

Find a custom reloader. Get the 22-250 or 22CM

I actually had not considered that. Thanks for pointing that out. I have no idea where to start on custom reloaders though.

I'll look that up and see what I can find...

 

[spife7980]

I really like the rdf but it is by no means a hunting bullet.

A valkyrie to a 223 isnt really the same, the valkyrie will be faster. Following your same logic if the valkyrie isnt appreciably faster than the 223 then the 22 nosler shouldnt be appreciably faster than the valkryie either.

If you want to get a fast 22 then get a fast 22. All three of your options are fine but they arent really "fast". But since youve pigeon holed yourself into factory ammo then the valyrie is the obvious choice if 223 isnt enough for you.

 

[RTH1800]

If you go .204 you get speed and factory ammo.

 

[b6graham]

i'd bet unknown munitions has 22creed soon

 

[PinesAndProjectiles]

If you want a fast 22, go with a Swift!

Copper Creek will load ammo for you and even send you a kit with different charge weights to see what your rifle likes.

You can then advance to an OAL kit where you can sample different OALs and get the most from your boom stick.

 

[stello1001]

I really like the rdf but it is by no means a hunting bullet.

A valkyrie to a 223 isnt really the same, the valkyrie will be faster. Following your same logic if the valkyrie isnt appreciably faster than the 223 then the 22 nosler shouldnt be appreciably faster than the valkryie either.

If you want to get a fast 22 then get a fast 22. All three of your options are fine but they arent really "fast". But since youve pigeon holed yourself into factory ammo then the valyrie is the obvious choice if 223 isnt enough for you.

Spife, there has been so much talk and discussion regarding the V that I could not find it quick enough, but I recall reading somewhere that the V and 223 are pretty much very similar performance-wise. That the V was designed to feed out of mag length magazines with heavy bullets loaded long, which is where the 223 suffers and sometimes has to be single fed.

And from my limited research, I think the 22 nosler has more case capacity than the V and judging by manufacture claimed MVs, the nosler seems to be faster too. Of course, those specs are not the best to reference, but it's really all I have at this point. I figured this is what I wanted and though it was significantly better than the V but perhaps not. I like the variety of factory ammo that is offered for the V and may end up deciding on that, just really dislike the uncommon bolt face.

If you go .204 you get speed and factory ammo.

That would be such a fun round to shoot. However, I don't think I could feel comfortable taking a deer with it. When and if I do this build I am trying to figure out, I thought about making it a switch barrel build or whatever you guys call it, with the vision of also putting a .204 barrel down the road in the future.

i'd bet unknown munitions has 22creed soon

That would be such a kickass round to shoot. Would this practically be a 6 creed necked down? Or is this like the 22 nosler, which is a totally different cartridge and not just a necked down 26 nosler?

If you want a fast 22, go with a Swift!

Copper Creek will load ammo for you and even send you a kit with different charge weights to see what your rifle likes.

You can then advance to an OAL kit where you can sample different OALs and get the most from your boom stick.

A 220 swift would also be a killer idea. I could always reach out to copper creek like you mentioned and have ammo loaded to my liking. I would just hate the idea of paying 35+ dollars/box of 20 when I see the V and nosler offering ammo @ 20ish bucks...



Thank you all for the feedback. If anybody wants to add anything else, feel free to do so. I am taking into account all this and giving it some consideration.

 

[b6graham]

22creed is just a necked down 6 creed. or headstamped 22creed brass https://alphamunitions.com/product/22-creedmoor-srp-small-rifle-primer/

i run the 22LRV from West Texas Ordnance which is basically a necked down 6XC. 95gr smks on cruise at 3150fps

 

[stello1001]

22creed is just a necked down 6 creed. or headstamped 22creed brass https://alphamunitions.com/product/22-creedmoor-srp-small-rifle-primer/

i run the 22LRV from West Texas Ordnance which is basically a necked down 6XC. 95gr smks on cruise at 3150fps

That could actually work with my current 6.5 creed rifle if I turn it into a switch barrel configuration, the 22 creed that is...

And boy!!! Those guys at WTO sure build some nice rifles...

 

[RTH1800]

I have had great luck and 100% one shot kills on large does to 400 M with the 32 grain Hornady load. Quite a few killed. It is worthless if you hit a blade of grass or leaf but on open shots its perfect.

 

[stello1001]

I have had great luck and 100% one shot kills on large does to 400 M with the 32 grain Hornady load. Quite a few killed. It is worthless if you hit a blade of grass or leaf but on open shots its perfect.

Are you doing head/neck shots??? Or have you had positive results on heart/lungs shots?

 

[RTH1800]

Started with head shots. Moved to neck shots and then very close behind shoulder. Careful to miss the bone. It is superb on open field shooting.

 

[b6graham]

That could actually work with my current 6.5 creed rifle if I turn it into a switch barrel configuration, the 22 creed that is...

And boy!!! Those guys at WTO sure build some nice rifles...

my other comp barrel is a 7SAW. couldn't be happier with it

 

[stello1001]

Started with head shots. Moved to neck shots and then very close behind shoulder. Careful to miss the bone. It is superb on open field shooting.

I wouldn't mind taking head/neck shots but what if that huge buck I've been after for years pops up when I have the. 204 Ruger with me and not my creed lol? I know I haven't had the buck fever recently with those small bucks and coyotes, but I can only imagine I would get real shakey on a big buck. At that point, I don't think I'd be physically able to hold dead on for a head shot @ 200 yards. It's that "what if" that has me wanting something with more room for error.

 

[fdkay]

I built a .22 nosler bolt gun:

.22 nosler project

I had a Remington .223 sps tactical laying around that wasn't being shot. It wasn't consistent and the 1-9 twist just didn't thrill me. I got to thinking about the .22 nosler in a bolt gun. The case actually has a bit more capacity than the valkyrie. I didn't want to drop a ton of money into the...

www.snipershide.com

The good things about the Nosler:
Increased speed, especially with handloads out of a bolt gun (I'm gettin 3100 FPS with an 80 grain bullet)
Not as over-bore as a 22-250, means longer barrel life
Lots of good bullets
Very accurate
Pleasant to shoot

The not so good:
rebated rim, causes feeding issue. The only real solution is a DBM.
Limited brass source. Nosler and Midway. Midway brass is nothing more than Nosler brass by contract.
Somewhat finicky to reload, not accuracy wise, but performance wise.
Cartridge is almost dead.

That's really about it.
To really get the performance you are seeking, you need to handload. factory stuff is okay, but limited.
I seat the bullets out quite a bit and get an increase in performance.

I know my 80's hit pretty hard a 275.

 

[RTH1800]

I don't think you would want to shoot a trophy buck in the head. I would be confident in shooting a big buck in the open with it. I would not be hunting a big buck with it due to the grass/brush issue. It simply will not get there.
I use mine for doe removal.

 

[stello1001]

I don't think you would want to shoot a trophy buck in the head. I would be confident in shooting a big buck in the open with it. I would not be hunting a big buck with it due to the grass/brush issue. It simply will not get there.
I use mine for doe removal.

Yup, my point exactly. I'd like to possibly do a 204 Ruger at one point but I want a 22 cal now. Thinking I may go with V for factory ammo options or something more hot rod with custom reloads...