I just ordered a brux 6.5 twist so I can try out these new sierra 95gr 22cal bullets. I'll chamber myself up a 22dasher. Just curious if anyone is shooting these and curious how they stack up against all the other heavy 22cal bullets. Lee
Sierra 22cal 95gr
- Thread starter skeetlee
- Start date
The Berger stability calculator gives a factor of 1.30 for 95 SMK at 3050fps for freezing at sea level with a 7" twist. 6.5" gets you back up to 1.51 SF. So 6.5" is safe for 99% of conditions. 7" would be fine if you're at higher elevations or hotter air.
Otherwise I have been hearing the .223 Rem shooters say that while the 95 shot well, the additional BC afforded by the 95 SMK does not overcome the loss of velocity over the 90 VLD at "practical" ranges. However with the .22-250 AI, .220 Swift, .22 C'Moor, .22 Dasher etc. .600 G1 is pretty good looking if you don't mind a shorter barrel life. Only issue there is the 3200fps velo limit imposed by many people for shooting steel, which shouldn't be an issue for varminters though.
When I called, Sierra said that you should have no RPM issues with 7 twist to 3200fps, I gather those RPMs on the 90 VLDs might blow them apart. That leaves the 90 SMK and maybe the Hornady 88 ELD as remaining über BC options.
I've been gearing up for shooting the 95 SMK but one more issue is the throat has to be so long to be above the NSJ that if the 95 doesn't shoot for you, you'll have to set back/rechamber the barrel to get lighter projectiles' shank back in the case neck. My plan is to throat on the short side and if the 95 shoots well, I'll run the throating reamer deeper to stay above the NSJ.
Otherwise I have been hearing the .223 Rem shooters say that while the 95 shot well, the additional BC afforded by the 95 SMK does not overcome the loss of velocity over the 90 VLD at "practical" ranges. However with the .22-250 AI, .220 Swift, .22 C'Moor, .22 Dasher etc. .600 G1 is pretty good looking if you don't mind a shorter barrel life. Only issue there is the 3200fps velo limit imposed by many people for shooting steel, which shouldn't be an issue for varminters though.
When I called, Sierra said that you should have no RPM issues with 7 twist to 3200fps, I gather those RPMs on the 90 VLDs might blow them apart. That leaves the 90 SMK and maybe the Hornady 88 ELD as remaining über BC options.
I've been gearing up for shooting the 95 SMK but one more issue is the throat has to be so long to be above the NSJ that if the 95 doesn't shoot for you, you'll have to set back/rechamber the barrel to get lighter projectiles' shank back in the case neck. My plan is to throat on the short side and if the 95 shoots well, I'll run the throating reamer deeper to stay above the NSJ.
Lee is about 700' amsl, but it does do semi-cold up here.
I admit I didn't run any numbers...just kinda swagged it from what the 90 Berger is like. I bet a 7.0 would be fine, but it might place a little too much pressure on getting it up to speed, so there's that.
I admit I didn't run any numbers...just kinda swagged it from what the 90 Berger is like. I bet a 7.0 would be fine, but it might place a little too much pressure on getting it up to speed, so there's that.
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Sierra has historically been extremely conservative in their "box recommendations".
Nothing wrong with that, but it doesn't mean it's gospel truth either. Kinda the same as factory barrel's twist rates...
