22 Creedmoor Build

I'm starting to collect parts for a 22 Creedmoor build. The action is a standard Savage 12FV in 6.5 Creedmoor purchased at Cabela's during their sale. $269 after rebate is a no-brainer price for a donor action. I am having the action trued up and will be bedding it into either a Savage laminate stock or an H-S Precision composite stock. My research so far has got me leaning toward a 26" 1/7 heavy barrel. I'm looking for input from members who have been shooting this cartridge. What twist rate do you use and what bullets have you had luck with? I see the new 95gr SMKs call for a twist rate of 6.5, but I'm assuming that is for service rifles at slower speeds. The BCs on the 95s are very impressive. What brass have you been using? I have a decent supply of Hornady 6mm Creedmoor brass to get me started. I'll just need to pick up a bushing die and appropriate bushings. What size bushings have you been using for forming and loading? Any input will be appreciated. Thank you! -Quigley

That'll be a cool build, I'm curious what you can launch those 95's at.

Info is fairly limited at this time but the caliber is catching on. I've seen a bit of data from guys running the 80gr bullets. Pretty impressive velocities and ballistics. Alpha Munitions is supposedly starting to produce 22 Creedmoor brass.

Currently building the same on a tikka action. Using a benchmark at 24" 1 in 8. Plan on using 75 eld match with re26. Dies available at horizon firearms outta texas if interested. Good luck with your build

quigley257 said:

....I see the new 95gr SMKs call for a twist rate of 6.5, but I'm assuming that is for service rifles at slower speeds.

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......I don't have a .22 Creedmoor, but you won't go wrong stepping up a bit with twist....It's more helpful than adding velocity especially if looking at the heaviest for caliber bullets.

I'm seeing pretty consistent velocities of 3400-3500 with 80gr Bergers being posted by current users of the cartridge. Bergers stability calculator shows the 80.5gr fullbore with an SG of 2.20 using a 1/7 twist at 3450fps. The 90gr VLD at 3200fps in 1/7 gets a 1.61SG. I would imagine you could push the 95gr SMKs at an honest 3000fps or better. I'm excited to explore this round. The lack of recoil and amazing BCs of the newer bullets should combine to make an excellent long range, no recoil round.

Wow. I just crunched some theoretical numbers through the Berger Calculator. If the cartridge is can launch the 90gr VLD at 3200fps, it will stay supersonic out to 1600 yards!! It will carry 1000 ft-lbs of energy out to 600 yards. This is going to be fun...

This may be helpful

Thank you! I had not seen this before. Lots of good info...

I was all geared up for a 22-250 AI, but am seriously looking to the 22CM instead. I have a set of Redding competition 22-250AI dies. Can I use the 22-250 AI SEATER for the 22CM? If so I would only need a bushing 6mm creed with .26 and .253 bushings.

It would be a 26" 1-7 twist barrel.

I spoke with a smith who runs a 22 creedmoor for prs shooting. He has built a handful of these rifles to run the 90gr Vlds. He runs them at 3150 due to the 3200 velocity limit, but told me they could be ran at 3250-3300 out of a 26" bbl 1-7 twist.

quigley257 said:

What brass have you been using? I have a decent supply of Hornady 6mm Creedmoor brass to get me started. I'll just need to pick up a bushing die and appropriate bushings. What size bushings have you been using for forming and loading? Any input will be appreciated. Thank you! -Quigley

Click to expand...

I use my converted Lapua small rifle primer brass, neck turned and annealed for my Proof barreled 22 Creedmoor. Runs 3265 fps with ease, the primer pockets still seat like new after 15 loadings. I use a 0.251 bushing for loads.
If your interested, I sell it for $220/100 casings shipped to your door.
Thanks,
Sanford Grasseth

So far I'm having good luck with the hornady 6 creed brass. Loading 95gr SMK @ 3085fps. I found a good shooting load. I'm sure I could get another 100-150fps but I'm happy with this load so far. I haven't ran any over 3x firing yet though.

Are you having to turn your necks with the 6.5 lapua brass? I'm also using a .251 bushing.

Nice.
Yeah, you have to turn necks as you create a large donut at the neck - shoulder junction that has to be removed.