22GT load data
- Thread starter Krob95
- Start date
Im using the L.E. Wilson Bushing FL Sizing die 6GT with the expander removed and a .247 bushing.... Love these dies, they are so well made and size like butter. I just picked up another one for 22cm (6.5cm die) last week!
Just ordered three of these from Brownells, using $45 labor day coupon. 6GT, 223 Rem and 308 Win $94 each delivered! Tax and shipping included!
I'm going to assume my redding/rcbs neck bushings work in these.
Thanks
I'm going to assume my redding/rcbs neck bushings work in these.
Thanks
Did the same last week, they arrived on Thursday. I'll get some 22 GT cooked up with Alpha brass I got a while back. Don't have any Hornady dies, these will be the first I try.
I know Redding, LE Wilson and Whidden bushings work with them...I don't know anything about RCBS...
Barrel may have bit the dust the other weekend.... gotta load a few and see what it looks like on paper at 100yds. Cleaned the hell out of it so if it doesn't shoot, I at least have a line on a 7.5tw bartlein mod400 barrel. Thinking of going the 85.5 hybrid route with this next one.
I'm at the range now shooting my new Bartlein 7.5/85.5 testing N550.
Post target up when I'm done but it's hammering one hole groups....I loaded same test up with 90smk too..see how they do
1680 or so? It was ran extremely hard in the first 800 rounds. 80k throat erosion in the first 800 rounds. Approx another 17k over the last 900 rounds. I measured again after switching powders which is why I only have these two data points.
What powder were ran hard in beginning and easier at end? I've ran nothing but H4350 in mine with Hornady 88s and 90s. Not a really warm load, 3100 with 36.1gr powder.
Last edited:
I had 150rd on my 28" PVA Bartlein 1:7.5" HV so I scrubbed it clean last night. I used ThorroClean Bore Cleaning System and scrubbed it real good. I then used C4 to get rid of the carbon ring that was forming. After cleaning the barrel I loaded up 2 OCW's using the 32lb of MP610 (N550) I received from American Reloading last week.
I shot 2 charges of this powder with 85.5 the other day and realized I was loaded up way too high at 35.6 and 35.9 which were 3230 and 3275 so I didnt shoot any more and decided to come home and pull then. I didnt have any pressure signs but I knew I was near max and I was looking for a load in the 3125-3175 range.
Loaded up my first OCW with 85.5 LRHT's, 1xAlpha OCD, 450, and 34.1gr - 34.9gr in 0.2gr increments seated 0.050 off the lands.. I picked this range based off my OBT using OBT Calculator and QL (thanks @John Glidewell for the QL help). I loaded up a second OCW with 90smk seated 0.01" off the lands in 34.3-35.1gr also in 0.2gr increments. I didnt have any data so I went strictly off QL with no velocity numbers to true. I can tell I was off and my OBT was dead on same as the 85.5's.
Very very happy with this powder! Shot better than any testing Ive done so far with 22GT and Im glad because I got 32lb of it. Got it for under $200 per 8lb.
Here is the first target I shot 85.5's, I shot the first far right fouler group down the scrubbed clean barrel. 1st shot was 0.5" high then the next 4 practically through 1 hole. I then shot that second 5 shot fouler group right next to it. One thing to note, all the fouler rounds are the pulled brass from my previous too high N550 test the other day so they had noticeably less neck tension when seating bullets. Practically no resistant on bullet seating on those pulled cases...
I then shot the OCW and was happy with the results. 34.5gr was my OBT charge... Same charge I shot as the foulers.. I wonder if the lighter neck tension it liked better. Ill follow up with a seating depth test and NT tension to confirm...
I then shot the 90smk OCW. Foulers shot good, then I shot the OCW. The OBT 34.5gr load shot one damn hole. All in all, Im VERY happy with this powder and will follow up with some NT and seating depth tests then Ill shoot at distance to confirm the load. I have 7 foulers left over after this OCW so I shot them on steel at 700yd and they stacked right in there.
I shot 2 charges of this powder with 85.5 the other day and realized I was loaded up way too high at 35.6 and 35.9 which were 3230 and 3275 so I didnt shoot any more and decided to come home and pull then. I didnt have any pressure signs but I knew I was near max and I was looking for a load in the 3125-3175 range.
Loaded up my first OCW with 85.5 LRHT's, 1xAlpha OCD, 450, and 34.1gr - 34.9gr in 0.2gr increments seated 0.050 off the lands.. I picked this range based off my OBT using OBT Calculator and QL (thanks @John Glidewell for the QL help). I loaded up a second OCW with 90smk seated 0.01" off the lands in 34.3-35.1gr also in 0.2gr increments. I didnt have any data so I went strictly off QL with no velocity numbers to true. I can tell I was off and my OBT was dead on same as the 85.5's.
Very very happy with this powder! Shot better than any testing Ive done so far with 22GT and Im glad because I got 32lb of it. Got it for under $200 per 8lb.
Here is the first target I shot 85.5's, I shot the first far right fouler group down the scrubbed clean barrel. 1st shot was 0.5" high then the next 4 practically through 1 hole. I then shot that second 5 shot fouler group right next to it. One thing to note, all the fouler rounds are the pulled brass from my previous too high N550 test the other day so they had noticeably less neck tension when seating bullets. Practically no resistant on bullet seating on those pulled cases...
I then shot the OCW and was happy with the results. 34.5gr was my OBT charge... Same charge I shot as the foulers.. I wonder if the lighter neck tension it liked better. Ill follow up with a seating depth test and NT tension to confirm...
I then shot the 90smk OCW. Foulers shot good, then I shot the OCW. The OBT 34.5gr load shot one damn hole. All in all, Im VERY happy with this powder and will follow up with some NT and seating depth tests then Ill shoot at distance to confirm the load. I have 7 foulers left over after this OCW so I shot them on steel at 700yd and they stacked right in there.
Im happy with the results. Gonna test the 34.5gr N550 / 90smk load at distance and see how it does. 3139 SD6, it matches my OBT dead on and QL has pressure at 60,553. We shall see how it does
Why I like running QL. Makes this shit easy. Just curious, where is that from the max given in QL? I typically see these loads are right around 1.5 grains back from max, which is where Bryan Litz said most rifles run very well. That was some good discussion too, happy to help anytime.
It was right at 1.4gr back from max and right on the OBT 1.279...spot on!
I'm running a 26" PVA Osprey blank, 1/7 twist that my buddy chambers for me with my own reamer.
I'm using alpha brass, 88gr ELDM, 35.8gr 4350, CCI 450 primer, .020" jump.
Gun basically shoots single hole groups all day long at 3140FPS. I'm not going to even try any other bullets because I have so many of these and they shoot so well. Out to 800 yards, I actually prefer this 22GT over my 6GT. Recoil it lighter and it shoots flater. Seems like the 6mm holds up a little better for me past 800 though.
Really curious to see how long this barrel and brass last.
I'm using alpha brass, 88gr ELDM, 35.8gr 4350, CCI 450 primer, .020" jump.
Gun basically shoots single hole groups all day long at 3140FPS. I'm not going to even try any other bullets because I have so many of these and they shoot so well. Out to 800 yards, I actually prefer this 22GT over my 6GT. Recoil it lighter and it shoots flater. Seems like the 6mm holds up a little better for me past 800 though.
Really curious to see how long this barrel and brass last.
Got back out today to do a seating test with the loaded from yesterday. Im finding 22GT needs to be cleaned more often then my other barrels as the carbon ring really does start to form fast.. I cleaned the barrel again last night with Eliminator and C4 after shooting 55rd yesterday.
Loaded up 34.5gr N550/MP610 for both the 85.5 and 90smk.. Conditions were tough to shoot really tight groups today with the full sun and horrible mirage. Overcast day yesterday made for a nice clear sight picture....
85.5 I loaded 0.060 off to 0.020 off in .010 increments. As I found in my previous tests, the 85.5 love to jump in that 0.060 - 0.040 range with 0.050 being the sweet spot....
Again, CCB was high on the first shot out of the gun and the next 4 into practically 1 hole on the first 5rd fouler group down the clean barrel. I dropped a few shots out of the group, it was just really tough with the mirage.
3180 SD 6
The 90smk showed the same results as yesterday preferring to be closer to the lands! Ill load up some rounds now with these 2 bullets and test them at distance next.
3160 SD 5
Loaded up 34.5gr N550/MP610 for both the 85.5 and 90smk.. Conditions were tough to shoot really tight groups today with the full sun and horrible mirage. Overcast day yesterday made for a nice clear sight picture....
85.5 I loaded 0.060 off to 0.020 off in .010 increments. As I found in my previous tests, the 85.5 love to jump in that 0.060 - 0.040 range with 0.050 being the sweet spot....
Again, CCB was high on the first shot out of the gun and the next 4 into practically 1 hole on the first 5rd fouler group down the clean barrel. I dropped a few shots out of the group, it was just really tough with the mirage.
3180 SD 6
The 90smk showed the same results as yesterday preferring to be closer to the lands! Ill load up some rounds now with these 2 bullets and test them at distance next.
3160 SD 5
lone peak rzr 20” benchmark carbon barrel with 8 twist. I loaded up some n555 in the 22 gt and it’s amazing. Just shove as much of it as you can get into the case!! Haha
75 eldm
Alpha ocd 22 gt brass
20” 8t
40gr n555 (compressed with no pressure)
Tested 10 rnds for velocity 7 fps ES
Cci br4
3320 fps velocity
Two five shot groups on two different days. Look out coyotes!!!
75 eldm
Alpha ocd 22 gt brass
20” 8t
40gr n555 (compressed with no pressure)
Tested 10 rnds for velocity 7 fps ES
Cci br4
3320 fps velocity
Two five shot groups on two different days. Look out coyotes!!!
Attachments
Looks like I may skip the 4350 and go to n550 for this next barrel. I pick it up on Saturday and will probably do a 27" finish length as well.
Any temperature sensitivity noticed with the N550 type powder you’re using?
Are you running suppressed by chance?
I noticed some temp sensitivity with N550. I just kept my ammo in a cooler so it did not bake in the sun. I have since gone to N555. Have to run a little bit more powder but no temp issues.
Took my match gun up to Jon Beanland of Beanland Custom Rifles to have my M24 contour Osprey Barrel Works barrel blank fitted. Jon does absolutely 1st class work and having used several ‘smiths over the years, I’m convinced there is no one that does better.
Anyway, Jon had good things to say about the Osprey barrel. Said it was super straight, so much so that there was no need to index the curve, because there just wasn’t any. Also said the groove depth was very uniform. He thought the barrel was a bit harder than most, judging by how many plunges he made with the reemer. He cut the chamber with an Alpha Munitions reemer, and the chamber was a thing of beauty. I had him finish the barrel at 20” for suppressor use.
Loaded a few round of ammo Friday night so I could shoot it yesterday. Used virgin Alpha brass, CCI 450s, H4350, and 88gr ELD-Ms. Loaded five rounds at 33.6gr to zero, and one round each of 34, 34.4, 34.8, 35.2, 35.6, and 36 to try and find max pressure. No case prep on the virgin brass, just deburring and chamfering. Used an RCBS Matchmaster 6mm GT seating die. Runout at the ogive went anywhere from .001” to .006”. I’m not satisfied with anything more than .002” runout, but with virgin brass, it’s not uncommon. I’m confident I’ll get much straighter ammo after I’ve fireformed the brass.
I’m using Magpul AICS patterned magazines and I ran five rounds through to check feeding. Feeding was flawless.
The thing that impressed me the most was how close the first round out of the barrel hit to the zero from the previous barrel (Bartlein 6.5 Creedmoor). Without even a boresight, the first round hit on the left edge of the bullseye, only 1/2 mil from the previous zero. I made an adjustment and shot the next four of the 33.6gr charge. They went into about .6” with 3 of the four being in the .2s. Made another adjustment and shot the last six in the pressure series. They are the ones on the left side of the bullseye. For six rounds with six different powder charges, from 34 to 36gr, I thought this wasn’t too bad. The high shot was the last one, 36gr. Based on how well 34 - 35.6gr grouped, I’m pretty sure I could pick from 34.8 to 35.2gr and run with it. Saw no excess pressure signs from any of the charges. Bolt lift was good, no ejector marks, and primers were nice and round.
Last night, I measured some of the fired brass. When checking runout at the neck, I struggled to see any needle movement on the fired brass, indicating a very concentric chamber. Using a headspace comparator, the brass grew less than .001” on firing. I was able to slide bullets into the necks of the fired brass with my fingers but there was some resistance, indicating it’s a fairly tight necked chamber. I ran a couple of the fired brass through the Matchmaster sizing die with a .249” bushing and bumped the shoulders about .0005”. Runout at the neck on the sized cases was well under .001”.
Finally, I loaded five more rounds from 36.4 to 38gr to continue finding my max charge. Once I determine that, I’ll continue load development in ernest, but I think it’s going to shoot…
What are you guys finding to be your max charge using Alpha brass, 88gr ELD-Ms, and H4350?
What is the max velocity I should expect from H4350 and 88gr ELD-Ms from a 20” barrel?
With a .169 freebore chamber, what is your base-to-ogive when kissing the lands with the 88gr ELD-M?
Thanks,
John
Anyway, Jon had good things to say about the Osprey barrel. Said it was super straight, so much so that there was no need to index the curve, because there just wasn’t any. Also said the groove depth was very uniform. He thought the barrel was a bit harder than most, judging by how many plunges he made with the reemer. He cut the chamber with an Alpha Munitions reemer, and the chamber was a thing of beauty. I had him finish the barrel at 20” for suppressor use.
Loaded a few round of ammo Friday night so I could shoot it yesterday. Used virgin Alpha brass, CCI 450s, H4350, and 88gr ELD-Ms. Loaded five rounds at 33.6gr to zero, and one round each of 34, 34.4, 34.8, 35.2, 35.6, and 36 to try and find max pressure. No case prep on the virgin brass, just deburring and chamfering. Used an RCBS Matchmaster 6mm GT seating die. Runout at the ogive went anywhere from .001” to .006”. I’m not satisfied with anything more than .002” runout, but with virgin brass, it’s not uncommon. I’m confident I’ll get much straighter ammo after I’ve fireformed the brass.
I’m using Magpul AICS patterned magazines and I ran five rounds through to check feeding. Feeding was flawless.
The thing that impressed me the most was how close the first round out of the barrel hit to the zero from the previous barrel (Bartlein 6.5 Creedmoor). Without even a boresight, the first round hit on the left edge of the bullseye, only 1/2 mil from the previous zero. I made an adjustment and shot the next four of the 33.6gr charge. They went into about .6” with 3 of the four being in the .2s. Made another adjustment and shot the last six in the pressure series. They are the ones on the left side of the bullseye. For six rounds with six different powder charges, from 34 to 36gr, I thought this wasn’t too bad. The high shot was the last one, 36gr. Based on how well 34 - 35.6gr grouped, I’m pretty sure I could pick from 34.8 to 35.2gr and run with it. Saw no excess pressure signs from any of the charges. Bolt lift was good, no ejector marks, and primers were nice and round.
Last night, I measured some of the fired brass. When checking runout at the neck, I struggled to see any needle movement on the fired brass, indicating a very concentric chamber. Using a headspace comparator, the brass grew less than .001” on firing. I was able to slide bullets into the necks of the fired brass with my fingers but there was some resistance, indicating it’s a fairly tight necked chamber. I ran a couple of the fired brass through the Matchmaster sizing die with a .249” bushing and bumped the shoulders about .0005”. Runout at the neck on the sized cases was well under .001”.
Finally, I loaded five more rounds from 36.4 to 38gr to continue finding my max charge. Once I determine that, I’ll continue load development in ernest, but I think it’s going to shoot…
What are you guys finding to be your max charge using Alpha brass, 88gr ELD-Ms, and H4350?
What is the max velocity I should expect from H4350 and 88gr ELD-Ms from a 20” barrel?
With a .169 freebore chamber, what is your base-to-ogive when kissing the lands with the 88gr ELD-M?
Thanks,
John
Last edited:
34.8 - 35.2gr 4350 has been the sweet spot for me as well with 85.5gr LRHTs.
I can pretty much load the min-max in that range and have spreads no worse than 20fps. Haven’t felt the need to go higher than that as it’s already very close to speed limits from a 28” barrel.
I can pretty much load the min-max in that range and have spreads no worse than 20fps. Haven’t felt the need to go higher than that as it’s already very close to speed limits from a 28” barrel.
@Hondo64d I ran up to 37.4gr H4350 with 90 atips(same velocity as 88s w/ same charge) was running 3235 for two shots from a 26" M24 hawkhill 219 bore 7tw(similar config as your Osprey) the action is a bighorn so I did see minor ejector cut imprints on case head, I've found this common with several thousand rounds on the zermatt actions. No bolt lift observed. I'd think I could run warmer but don't see the point. I ended up running 35.8gr right at 3100fps.
So here's my question....
I have been looking at the hogdon data and they are saying that the 22GT with an 88gr ELDM has a max charge of 33.6gr @ 62K PSI.
Most people I know, including myself, are running upper 34's to 35 almost 36 grains.
If hogdon load data is getting almost 3000 FPS with 33.6gr of 4350 in a 24", could you assume they are using a .218" bore barrel? I'm at 3150 with 35.8gr of powder.
The reason I ask, is if they are saying 33.6gr is 62K PSI, 35.8gr has to be pushing the limits of where I would want to be pressure wise, theoretically anyway.
Last time I went shooting with virgin brass, I was getting heavy bolt lift and brass peeling from the ejector. Bad pressure... The stuff that had been shot before exhibited much less of this, but still did it intermittently. Terminus Zeus Action - Osprey barrel
I scoped the barrel when I got home and found a heavy build up of carbon in the first 8 or so inches of the barrel. (About 400 rounds on barrel) I guess my light cleaning after shooting wasn't doing enough. I cleaned it out good, but haven't shot it to see if it will solve my pressure issues.
Probably going to back my load down around 35gr to see if I can find something a little further away from pressure, just in case I have to shoot in the rain or start getting a hot barrel/hot ammo. In all reality, it doesn't make a huge difference in wind holds to drop some velocity, but every advantage does help.
I have been looking at the hogdon data and they are saying that the 22GT with an 88gr ELDM has a max charge of 33.6gr @ 62K PSI.
Most people I know, including myself, are running upper 34's to 35 almost 36 grains.
If hogdon load data is getting almost 3000 FPS with 33.6gr of 4350 in a 24", could you assume they are using a .218" bore barrel? I'm at 3150 with 35.8gr of powder.
The reason I ask, is if they are saying 33.6gr is 62K PSI, 35.8gr has to be pushing the limits of where I would want to be pressure wise, theoretically anyway.
Last time I went shooting with virgin brass, I was getting heavy bolt lift and brass peeling from the ejector. Bad pressure... The stuff that had been shot before exhibited much less of this, but still did it intermittently. Terminus Zeus Action - Osprey barrel
I scoped the barrel when I got home and found a heavy build up of carbon in the first 8 or so inches of the barrel. (About 400 rounds on barrel) I guess my light cleaning after shooting wasn't doing enough. I cleaned it out good, but haven't shot it to see if it will solve my pressure issues.
Probably going to back my load down around 35gr to see if I can find something a little further away from pressure, just in case I have to shoot in the rain or start getting a hot barrel/hot ammo. In all reality, it doesn't make a huge difference in wind holds to drop some velocity, but every advantage does help.
I would like to know what bore Hodson is using. I am loading 35.6 grains and the 88 grain Hornady bullets. No pressure signs in alpha brass h4350 powder .219 bore
Last edited:
Man I'm running 3100fps with 90s and 35.8gr H4350. I went all the way up to 37.5gr before seeing any ejector marks on alpha brass. Im using a 219 bore hawkhill barrel. According to Hodgdon numbers, I'm bout to launch my bolt into my face.
This is really pissing me off. My load shows no pressure signs and legit shoots 1/8 moa and is right now the best shooting gun I have. However by Hodsons numbers sooner or later I will kill myself with this thing I guess. Does anyone have quick load data for these loads. I can't figure out how everyone is using 2 full grains more than Hodson with no pressure signs. I really would like to not change the load. I shot this load yesterday and was killing it at 1200 yards.
Last edited:
Just shoot it. If you are not experiencing heavy bolt lift or other signs of pressure you are fine. Their data is very conservative, as is any published data.
Well by all accounts I should be dead and my AI would be circling the earth. Running 36.2gr h4350 in a .218 bore 6.5th barrel, but had a load for 3260fps at 37.something grains. If you’re not having pressure, send it.
Did some more load work up on my .22GT. Once I found max, I concentrated on higher charges hoping to find accuracy with 88gr ELD-Ms at 3000fps or more from my 20" Osprey barrel. Alas, it was not to be. This barrel decidedly did not like any charges of H4350 greater than 36gr, grouping a bit over 1" with for 10 shots. I remembered back to when I was finding max, that four consecutive charges from 34 to 35.6gr all went into the same ragged hole so decided to try 35gr. Bingo! 35gr grouped 10 shots into .443" center to center. You can see ”flyers” at 6 o’clock and 8 o’clock in the group. By the time I was six shots in, mirage off the suppressor was significant. Had it not been for that I think I could have done even better. Eight of the ten shots are probably in the high .2s. Didn't chrono it but based on come ups at 900, velocity is about 2900. I had hoped for more speed, but I don't think 100fps is going to make or break a shot. Overall, very pleased so far.
John
John
Last edited:
What is the twist rate of your barrel? Have you tried other powders? How many rounds on it, did you see speed increase after the first 100 or so? I am running N555 and can easily get over 3200 at 36ish grains. My barrel is 26" but still, should only be 150ish fps difference.Did some more load work up on my .22GT. Once I found max, I concentrated on higher charges hoping to find accuracy with 88gr ELD-Ms at 3000fps or more from my 20” Osprey barrel. Alas, it was not to be. This barrel decidedly did not like any charges of H4350 greater than 36gr, grouping a bit over 1” with for 10 shots. I remembered back to when I was finding max, that four consecutive charges from 34 to 35.6gr all went into the same ragged hole so decided to try 35gr. Bingo! 35gr grouped 10 shots into .443” center to center. By the time I was six shots in, mirage off the suppressor was significant. Had it not been for that I think I could have done even better. Didn’t chrono it but based on come ups at 900, velocity is about 2900. I had hoped for more speed, but I don’t think 100fps is going to make or break a shot. Overall, very pleased so far.
John
20” 7 twist .219 bore. H4350 is all I’ve tried so far. I did work up to well over 37gr but was starting to see mild pressure signs, groups were garbage and I only achieved 3065fps, which from a 20” barrel, probably isn’t too bad. Going to try some 6.5 StaBall I guess.
John
N150 seems to work well with the 88's if you can find some to try. I am around 34 grains, about 3150 fps 24" barrel.
Just in case y’all haven’t heard yet, Forster is making .22GT dies. I picked up a full length sizer and Micrometer seater from Graf’s. Had to buy them separately, as they don’t offer that combo in a set.
John
John
