it's in the sierra bookFor those with N540 experience, what would be a good starting point for 90gr SMKs? I'm not finding any good load data so far.
start: 23.0 gr @ 2400
max: 26.5 @ 2700
min coal 2.280
Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
We want to see your skills! Post a video between now and November 1st showing what you've learned from Frank's lessons and 3 people will be selected to win a free shirt. Good luck everyone!
Create a channel Learn moreit's in the sierra bookFor those with N540 experience, what would be a good starting point for 90gr SMKs? I'm not finding any good load data so far.
Is that 22BR data?it's in the sierra book
start: 23.0 gr @ 2400
max: 26.5 @ 2700
min coal 2.280
Interesting. Those charge weights seem really low, hard to believe one would get adequate case fill (I don't think N540 is a particularly high-volume powder). VV's site has the 224 Valkyrie at a max load of 23.8gr N540 under a 90gr Berger VLD, and the 6mmBR with a max load of 30.4gr N540 under a 105gr Scenar. It's been my (limited) experience so far that 22BR powder charges are much closer to 6mmBR when running at the heavy end of bullet selection for the cartridges; for example, my Varget load that I worked up started to pressure out at 28.2gr with an 88gr ELDM, less than 10% below the common charge of ~30-31gr for 6BR running heavies.Yes, 22 br
the latest sierra book is similar with varget. lists a max of 24.8 @ 2600Interesting. Those charge weights seem really low, hard to believe one would get adequate case fill (I don't think N540 is a particularly high-volume powder). VV's site has the 224 Valkyrie at a max load of 23.8gr N540 under a 90gr Berger VLD, and the 6mmBR with a max load of 30.4gr N540 under a 105gr Scenar. It's been my (limited) experience so far that 22BR powder charges are much closer to 6mmBR when running at the heavy end of bullet selection for the cartridges; for example, my Varget load that I worked up started to pressure out at 28.2gr with an 88gr ELDM, less than 10% below the common charge of ~30-31gr for 6BR running heavies.
Those velocities are also really slow. My instinct is that either N540's not really suitable for the case, or something is off about that data; I suspect it's the latter. But perhaps I'm wrong, wouldn't be the first time.
Your guess is accurate. I ended up testing different charge weights up to 30.5gr. I'll check my log later and post the results. That book data I'd guess is just being extremely extremely safe. Unfortunately it seems like a lot of book data is so understated these days that it's worthless and instead of having professional guidance on loads we are left having to figure it out on our own.Those velocities are also really slow. My instinct is that either N540's not really suitable for the case, or something is off about that data; I suspect it's the latter. But perhaps I'm wrong, wouldn't be the first time.
I’m using 29.08 n150 in a 22BRA.3000fps in alpha brass with a 90smk.29.4 was about 3050fps
Hey so I did reach out to Manson and jgs about getting a reamer made, jgs said 10-12 weeks and Manson said 4-6 months.. any chance I could rent your 22bra Manson reamer from you?Labor for what exactly?
It’s just a straight 22BR reamer, not the Ackley chamber, but if you still want it then sure! GAP has it right now while my barrel waits in their queue though, so lead time is probably 6-8 weeksHey so I did reach out to Manson and jgs about getting a reamer made, jgs said 10-12 weeks and Manson said 4-6 months.. any chance I could rent your 22bra Manson reamer from you?
O I thought you had an ackley one. What would you guys say is the best specs for a bra reamer with the alpha bra brass?It’s just a straight 22BR reamer, not the Ackley chamber, but if you still want it then sure! GAP has it right now while my barrel waits in their queue though, so lead time is probably 6-8 weeks
O I thought you had an ackley one. What would you guys say is the best specs for a bra reamer with the alpha bra brass?
im curious about your n540 loads especially the velocity at 30.5 grYour guess is accurate. I ended up testing different charge weights up to 30.5gr. I'll check my log later and post the results. That book data I'd guess is just being extremely extremely safe. Unfortunately it seems like a lot of book data is so understated these days that it's worthless and instead of having professional guidance on loads we are left having to figure it out on our own.
Anyone ever shot n150 with heavies in a 22 BR or 22 BRA? How did it work and what charge weights worked for you?
im curious about your n540 loads especially the velocity at 30.5 gr
8208xbr, H4895, rl15.5, varget.I have a 16” 22br barrel getting spun up right now. What powder suggestions to maximize 75eldms in the 16” barrel?
You probably could, but that’s not what I’d recommend. A big benefit of modern seating dies is controlling the orientation of the bullet as it’s seated, and you give that up with your plan. On the other hand, if that’s keeping you from running the cartridge, I say go for it and order the correct thing also. You won’t struggle to sell a 6BR seater later.Hey guys so I'm looking at seating dies.. I really wanna do the le wilson with an arbor press but they said they are too backlogged to take any custom orders. I was wondering though couldn't I get the 6bra micrometer die and a 22 cal seating stem?
I use the same exact rcbs matchmaster seating die for my 65 Saum, 65 prc, 25 prc and 6saum. Uses the same 6.5mm seating stem whole time, seats all bullets very straight. I'd totally get a 6bra seater and install a vld style 22cal stem, that's as close to custom match fitment as he can get.You probably could, but that’s not what I’d recommend. A big benefit of modern seating dies is controlling the orientation of the bullet as it’s seated, and you give that up with your plan. On the other hand, if that’s keeping you from running the cartridge, I say go for it and order the correct thing also. You won’t struggle to sell a 6BR seater later.
Hey guys so I'm looking at seating dies.. I really wanna do the le wilson with an arbor press but they said they are too backlogged to take any custom orders. I was wondering though couldn't I get the 6bra micrometer die and a 22 cal seating stem?
I had similar experiences with Redding non-inline dies. I thought I could drop a 22 cal stem in a 6 Dasher die. I quickly found out the O.D. of the stems were different so that didn't work.Not with LE Wilson Micrometer Inline seating dies, no. I actually called Wilson with this very question as I already owned their 6BR inline micrometer seater. They told me no, you cannot simply put their 22cal stem in their 6BR die, it wont fit. So I just bought a 22BR inline seating die..
Now, Im not saying you cant use a 6br seating die to seat 22BR bullets, from others posting, that sounds like it works but I never tested it. I use all caliber specific LE Wilson Micrometer inline seating dies with excellent results.
Thanks guys so I'm also guessing that the le wilson 22br die would not work for a 22bra case?
I actually just went ahead and bought the SAC aps infinity dieThat I dont know. But a quick call to Wilson will answer that one.
Question, is a .253 neck reamer going to be large enough for brass resized from alpha 6br? I ordered the brass but unfortunately it won’t be here before I leave. Was hoping to ship a few dummy rounds with my barrel to check chambered and make sure it won’t have any issues.
I do have lapua 6br brass if the neck thickness is the same between alpha and lapua.
Thanks for any help.
I know for a fact .253 you will have to neck turn. I have a .253 reamer. I’ve shot some unturned brass to fire form and it still easily hold a bullet after firing.Question, is a .253 neck reamer going to be large enough for brass resized from alpha 6br? I ordered the brass but unfortunately it won’t be here before I leave. Was hoping to ship a few dummy rounds with my barrel to check chambered and make sure it won’t have any issues.
I do have lapua 6br brass if the neck thickness is the same between alpha and lapua.
Thanks for any help.
GT Accuracy in Wyalusing is legit.Is that a legit site? I'm pretty sure GTaccuracy is not (that's the one that had the brux 7.5) I asked for a picture of the brux stamped shank and a note and no reply.
Awesome we'll if he still has some barrels and someone needs one there ya go!GT Accuracy in Wyalusing is legit.
Ya I just measured some alpha bra brass and it's 13.5 to maybe 14 thickness. With a 253 neck you would have roughly 1 thou each sideI know for a fact .253 you will have to neck turn. I have a .253 reamer. I’ve shot some unturned brass to fire form and it still easily hold a bullet after firing.
hey Mr. F, I finally had a chance to try staball match yesterday. I would say it's like Varget, so it's a bit too fast to get max velocity. I started with the 22 ARC max load that was listed on hodgdon's site at 27.6 gr. dropped it straight from a lyman brass smith powder measure.Tagging this
what is your best heavy bullet for LONG RANGE (600y+), to get best group and best water line ? If you test more than one of them.
95 SMK
90 SMK
90 VLD
90 ATIP
88 ELDM
85.5 HYBRID ??
I am loading 223rem, but I am intersted in those bullets.
thx
I used n150 and 28.5 grains with 90 smkHey guys does anyone have experience ans advice on where to start for fireforming for 22bra with alpha 6bra brass? I think I'm gonna fireform with the Berger 80.5 and either varget or n150. Any advice helps thanks everyone
22BR my go to favorite is still 90smk. Stupid accurate to 1000yd.
This was a waterline test after truing my Kestrel at 800yd with this 4166/90smk load. I input 400yd into the freshly trued kestrel and dialed what it said. Doesn't get much more dead on than this.
@padom what g7 did the pointed 90smk true at?
Alright and what kind of velocity was that? I did some stuff on GRT but the case capacity in h20 I got is for unfired brass so I know it's not exact I just wanna make sure it's enough charge to form but not blow my face offI used n150 and 28.5 grains with 90 smk
I really like the 85.5 in my 223ai. At 800 yards with around 2850mv I was using 19.5 moa elevation which my true bc was around .310 g7what is your best heavy bullet for LONG RANGE (600y+), to get best group and best water line ? If you test more than one of them.
95 SMK
90 SMK
90 VLD
90 ATIP
88 ELDM
85.5 HYBRID ??
I am loading 223rem, but I am intersted in those bullets.
thx
RL16 is a terrible choice. I'll trade you H4350 for it, out of the goodness of my heart.Thank you, this evening I'll review the old posts looking for load data using the 88's , I'm thinking RL 16 or H 4350 ?
i havent tried h4350 yet because other people badmouthed it pretty hard in this thread. I have been using RL16 recently and I think it's great in terms of case fill, velocity, and velocity spreads. Sierra book max is 29.5 gr for the 90 gr sierra match king @ 2.280 coal and 2800 fps. It seems like you should be able to go a good bit higher than that but obviously work up and not every chamber/barrel is the same.Thank you, this evening I'll review the old posts looking for load data using the 88's , I'm thinking RL 16 or H 4350 ?