22-6mm Extended-Long Range Groundhog

[riemer]

I am looking to build a 22-6mm after speaking with Lonnie Hummel at length, he mentioned 39-4100 with 55 Vmax and 36-3700 with 75-80Amaxs. I plan to shoot the light stuff out of my factory XR-100 single shot 1:14T barrel until Bartlein has my 1:8.5 30" 5R barrel finished. Then i will move to the 75 and 80Amaxs.

My targets will be slow fire and western PA groundhogs at out to 800yds or so. According to Lonnie he has shot over 2000 rounds through his barrel and only retouched the throated and crown once.

What are you guys seeing as actual real world experience? I am ready to order my reamer today and i was advised to check here for opinions and first hand experciences first. Good, bad, ugly.....lay it on me!
Thanks guys

 

[SBruce]

I don't have any personal experience with it, but I've seen some guys shooting it. Actually, I've got a question for you.

Is this a short or long action? I think I'd want one on a long action for the heavier bullets, but I cant say for fact that a long action is absolutely necessary.?

 

[Joel Russo]

If your intended targets, groundhogs and paper, are 800 or so, why the .22 cal?
I shoot plenty of PA groundhogs at long range and extreme long range. For the 800 yard stuff, I would make it simple and shoot one of the many offerings in 6mm. the 105-107 grain bullets will fare better than the lighter .22 cal stuff even if you push them faster than the 6mm.
You'll have a tough go with the .22 when the wind is stiff..but hey, it may force you read conditions better..

 

[riemer]

Run the numbers 22-6 3600fps 80amax .453 Published BC. 149" of drop at 1k yards and minimal drift.

I am using a short action an I know to remove a chambered loaded round I will have to remove the bolt, not a big deal to me.

Just looking for real information not "there are better choices IMO".

 

[SBruce]

I am using a short action an I know to remove a chambered loaded round I will have to remove the bolt, not a big deal to me.

Thanks, I wasn't sure.

 

[Joel Russo]

Run the numbers 22-6 3600fps 80amax .453 Published BC. 149" of drop at 1k yards and minimal drift.

Just looking for real information not "there are better choices IMO".

I did run the numbers, and they support the information in my original post.
The numbers also calculate to 190" drop at 1,000, not 149".
Taking your numbers, and comparing the data against one of my 6mm's, you fall short on drift at 1,000 by 1.25 moa.
500 yards and under your .22 cal will be fine. Stretch that out to 800-1000 yards, and your .22 cal will fall short on drift.

Also consider that barrel life on a .22-6 something will be significantly shorter, and that the .22-6 something will certainly be more difficult to develop an accurate load for.

Take a look at the line on any 600 or 1,000 yd match and count how many .22 cal comp rifles you see. There's a reason for that.

That is your "real information", and in my opinion, one of the 6mm's is a better choice for your intended purpose...

 

[Eaglet]

I did run the numbers, and they support the information in my original post.
The numbers also calculate to 190" drop at 1,000, not 149".
Taking your numbers, and comparing the data against one of my 6mm's, you fall short on drift at 1,000 by 1.25 moa.
500 yards and under your .22 cal will be fine. Stretch that out to 800-1000 yards, and your .22 cal will fall short on drift.

Also consider that barrel life on a .22-6 something will be significantly shorter, and that the .22-6 something will certainly be more difficult to develop an accurate load for.

Take a look at the line on any 600 or 1,000 yd match and count how many .22 cal comp rifles you see. There's a reason for that.

That is your "real information", and in my opinion, one of the 6mm's is a better choice for your intended purpose...

My buddy, geargrinder, has laying around a barrel chambered in 22-243 Improved and I thought about having him installing it to my savage action... The above reasons kept me from doing it. Exactly right!

There are indeed better choices.

 

[riemer]

I did run the numbers, and they support the information in my original post.
The numbers also calculate to 190" drop at 1,000, not 149".
Taking your numbers, and comparing the data against one of my 6mm's, you fall short on drift at 1,000 by 1.25 moa.
500 yards and under your .22 cal will be fine. Stretch that out to 800-1000 yards, and your .22 cal will fall short on drift.

Also consider that barrel life on a .22-6 something will be significantly shorter, and that the .22-6 something will certainly be more difficult to develop an accurate load for.

Take a look at the line on any 600 or 1,000 yd match and count how many .22 cal comp rifles you see. There's a reason for that.

That is your "real information", and in my opinion, one of the 6mm's is a better choice for your intended purpose...

Thanks for the information, even though I am still gonna do the 22-6mm in the factory barrel, as my investment will only be $300. I am considering a 6mm as I burn the factory barrel out! I want to launch the 105 AMAX at around 36-3800. What round can do that?

 

[Joel Russo]

Thanks for the information, even though I am still gonna do the 22-6mm in the factory barrel, as my investment will only be $300. I am considering a 6mm as I burn the factory barrel out! I want to launch the 105 AMAX at around 36-3800. What round can do that?

You'll be hard pressed to run the 6mm 105-107 gr bullets that fast. I've been down that road, and barrel life is around 500 rounds, not to mention they are really hard to get to work. The larger 6mm cases like the 6-284, 240 Wby, 6-06, etc.. will be your best bet, but you won't see 36-3800 fps. Figure 3,400 max for accuracy and brass life...

After you play this long range game for awhile, you learn that speed and light bullets are great for the 500 yard and under stuff, but moderate speed and ballistically superior bullets will win the game at a distance every time.

Played at 2,640 yards last weekend, and learned more about drift than I cared to know...

 

[mb2]

Thanks for the information, even though I am still gonna do the 22-6mm in the factory barrel, as my investment will only be $300. I am considering a 6mm as I burn the factory barrel out! I want to launch the 105 AMAX at around 36-3800. What round can do that?

Hi...I am new to long range forums and thought I would take a peek at any discussions on 22-6mm. I had gun shop just outside of San Antonio build me a 22-6mm with a 1:9 twist, 22 inch #5 tapered barrel. I was looking for a 400-500yd shooter. And a shooter it is. using 69 sierra matchking, Reloader 22, 48 grains, roughly 3800fps. at 200yds consistent 3 shoots can lay a quarter over. mb2gun)

 

[Frank in the Laurels]

800 yards might be a push for any case to drive a .22 ca bullet meant to kill anything. I think you might be better served to go with a .24 cal bullet at those ranges to begin with. I wonder how long a barrel would last with that much powder be sent down a .22 bore, I wouldn't think long.. I'd think about this for a while before doing it..

 

[shortgrass]

The .22/.243 is real big in this part of the country. Only problem is barrel life. The .22-6mm will only be more so. I don't know who said it, but,,,, "speed ain't everything,,, BC goes on for ever!"

 

[JeffP40]

We are not saying that you can't do what you are planning, just that it will be more practical to stay with the 6. All the numbers say that the 22s do not hold at distance, just too light. My choice for a wildcat in your situation would be a 6mmAI. It gives a bit of a boost at minimal cost to barrel life, and you can shoot lights or heavies at will. If you want a barrel burner, shoot 55s, if you want to carry out to 1000, you can use the 115s. In my opinion, the best of both worlds. If you are determined to stay with the 22, be prepared for a short life.
I don't know what you are trying to do with something at 3600 plus, sounds like you just want to go fast, with no thought to anything else. It will be a very short lived play toy. I shoot a 6.5-06AI, and I get 3500 with a 28" and a 100g bullet. I can't imagine what it would take to get 300 above that. Throat would be toast in not time. You would take a lot of barrel life just fireforming your cases.

 

[Hunter2678]

You'll be hard pressed to run the 6mm 105-107 gr bullets that fast. I've been down that road, and barrel life is around 500 rounds, not to mention they are really hard to get to work. The larger 6mm cases like the 6-284, 240 Wby, 6-06, etc.. will be your best bet, but you won't see 36-3800 fps. Figure 3,400 max for accuracy and brass life...

After you play this long range game for awhile, you learn that speed and light bullets are great for the 500 yard and under stuff, but moderate speed and ballistically superior bullets will win the game at a distance every time.

Played at 2,640 yards last weekend, and learned more about drift than I cared to know...

Bingo....been there done that with a 22-250...now I shoot a "slow" 6br with 105, bergers, amax and sierra 107s and get superb results at 600-800 yds, my old 22-250's best day couldnt touch this 6mm on its worst day.