22 CM loads

[Gary in MD]

Just recently started to load for a new 22CM that I put together. Tikka action, 25" barrel, 8 twist.
What is everyone using for powders, bullets, loads. Velocities? Performance?
Will be using 80.5 Bergers & 77 TMK down to 65 grain sierras.
Thanks

 

[RB II]

Just put mine together last week, 20" X-Caliber 1-8 twist. Started with IMR 4831 and 75 HPBT M bullets. The IMR 4831 had the best projected load fill and burnt powder ratios. So far great velocity at 3350, accuracy is so so, but breaking in the new barrel before serious loadings. Slow intervals of 3 shot groups.

Shot one round of N555, a couple hundred fps slower than the IMR 4831. May circle back to it once barrel is broken in.

Seems to be a lot of powders that should work in the bullet weights you are looking at.

 

[sable tireur]

Continuing to swim upstream, I had a 30" Bartlein in a 1:7" twist to use so I chambered it in 22 Creedmoor so I could use the 90 grain A-Tip bullets.

No this is not a woods set up but works great for longer range tree stand type shooting/hunting. Out here I'm almost never in a tree stand but usually up on a ridge below the crest spotting coyote. I did take it one time for Coues deer which worked out great on a 600+ yard shot.

Best powder so far is VVN-555 and long gone Norma MRP which I have lots of. These are full cases.

Great cartridge and lots of fun!

 

[Greatgrandad]

While not the 22 CM, my 22/250AI's in 1/8" twist are very similar. Over the years, I've shot a lot of 68/69gr BTHP, 70gr Berger, 75gr BTHP in Hornady and Berger, the old 75 and 80gr AMAX, the 75, 80gr ELD's and 88gr ELDs. Shot a lot of lesser weights for shorter range varmints and 62gr TBBC for deer.

Mostly the powders I use are 4831 (I have a lot of it from an old estate sale) but I get my best speeds with the higher weights using 7828SSC. I gain about 100fps or so over the others.

 

[Gary in MD]

While not the 22 CM, my 22/250AI's in 1/8" twist are very similar. Over the years, I've shot a lot of 68/69gr BTHP, 70gr Berger, 75gr BTHP in Hornady and Berger, the old 75 and 80gr AMAX, the 75, 80gr ELD's and 88gr ELDs. Shot a lot of lesser weights for shorter range varmints and 62gr TBBC for deer.

Mostly the powders I use are 4831 (I have a lot of it from an old estate sale) but I get my best speeds with the higher weights using 7828SSC. I gain about 100fps or so over the others.

IMR 4831 or H4831?
I shot some loads the other day with H4831sc, they are showing promise. Shot some using VV160 and speed was disappointing with the 77 & 80.5

 

[Greatgrandad]

IMR 4831 or H4831?
I shot some loads the other day with H4831sc, they are showing promise. Shot some using VV160 and speed was disappointing with the 77 & 80.5

IMR 4831. Though not the best temp stable, I had a bunch, so I found some loads for it.

Just checked the old IMR 4831 load, and I am running 41gr behind a 75 for just over 3,400 fps in a 26" tube, but the 7828SSC was 43.5gr under a 75gr bullet for 3,540 fps in a 26" barrel.

 

[Gary in MD]

Great info!

 

[Huntman777]

18" Preferred Barrel 1 in 8
69gr ELD-VT's Superformance Powder 3240fps
62gr ELD-VT's Superformance Powder 3340fps
Just preliminary loads so far. Not sure about the superformance powder. Accuracy was better with the 69gr's
Factory 80gr ELD-X's shot great

 

[Gary in MD]

I have about 60 rounds on my barrel now.
The 69 TMK shot at 3405 for (5) shots. Seemed like it was going to shoot except that I put one in left field.

 

[Warrenoliver]

Just recently started to load for a new 22CM that I put together. Tikka action, 25" barrel, 8 twist.
What is everyone using for powders, bullets, loads. Velocities? Performance?
Will be using 80.5 Bergers & 77 TMK down to 65 grain sierras.
Thanks

Gary,
24" Benchmark barrel, 1:8 twist, Tikka action. For 80.5 Berger Fullbore, 1/2" groups with N165 @ 44-46 gr. - 3250-3370 fps. I have not tried the 5xx series yet but like the N165 because it is supposed to be cooler burning.
StaBall 6.5 seems to work well also. 77 gr Barnes Match Burner with 41-44 gr StaBall 6.5 @ 3300-3520, 1/2-3/4" groups.

 

[Gary in MD]

Gary,
24" Benchmark barrel, 1:8 twist, Tikka action. For 80.5 Berger Fullbore, 1/2" groups with N165 @ 44-46 gr. - 3250-3370 fps. I have not tried the 5xx series yet but like the N165 because it is supposed to be cooler burning.
StaBall 6.5 seems to work well also. 77 gr Barnes Match Burner with 41-44 gr StaBall 6.5 @ 3300-3520, 1/2-3/4" groups.

Thanks.
I tried the N160, accuracy seemed to show promise with the 80.5 Berger but velocity was low and I was already near max (showing pressure).
I hear great things about N560 but I can't find it.

 

[Horse1]

47gn R-26 w/75 A-Max @ 3650fps from a 22" 3-groove Lilja w/6" B&T 5.56 (not a low back pressure model) suppressor. It's really the only load I've used. I loaded up 2 each from 45-47gn, chrono'd them all, witnessed no real shift in impact as charges increased in 1/2gn increments. I stopped w/47gn @ 3550 with good accuracy on the whole lot and rolled 50 of them. At some point around 100 rounds down the bore I chrono'd again having changed nothing and still working with the original 50 Alpha cases I started with, the bbl had picked up another 100fps.

I'm somewhere between 250-300 down the bore now and it's settled in w/velocity from 3650-3665fps.

This would be and "average" 200yd group. Kimber Montana, 1:7 Lilja @ factory bbl contour and 22", 2.5-10x42 NXS w/IHR reticle in Leupold BC's, B&T Ti 6" 556 muffler. ~7.5#.

 

[Gary in MD]

47gn R-26 w/75 A-Max @ 3650fps from a 22" 3-groove Lilja w/6" B&T 5.56 (not a low back pressure model) suppressor. It's really the only load I've used. I loaded up 2 each from 45-47gn, chrono'd them all, witnessed no real shift in impact as charges increased in 1/2gn increments. I stopped w/47gn @ 3550 with good accuracy on the whole lot and rolled 50 of them. At some point around 100 rounds down the bore I chrono'd again having changed nothing and still working with the original 50 Alpha cases I started with, the bbl had picked up another 100fps.

I'm somewhere between 250-300 down the bore now and it's settled in w/velocity from 3650-3665fps.

This would be and "average" 200yd group. Kimber Montana, 1:7 Lilja @ factory bbl contour and 22", 2.5-10x42 NXS w/IHR reticle in Leupold BC's, B&T Ti 6" 556 muffler. ~7.5#.

Pretty darned impressive velocity!!
That rl26 is tough to get