22GT load data

I loaded a lot of 22 gt for one whole winter with n555 and the carbon ring was horendus! I could barely get though a 50 rnd ammo box and had to clean out the ring or I would get heavy bolt. Shot lights out until then though. I moved away from the 22 gt for that reason after that.
A friend of mine had the same trouble with the 22 gt with a different powder, I think it was 4831sc but not sure. He said after about 30 rounds he had to clean out the carbon ring. Probably a little slow powder for the cartridge and bullet combo but definitely a problem.

Did some testing with Staball 6.5 today. Looks very promising - better groups, SDs, and faster than I was seeing with 4350.

Guns&WhiteWater said:

I just use a Forster seating die with the micrometer on top. A custom honed Forster FL die and Sinclair mandrel round it out.

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What size did you get it honed to, and for what brass?

I've used the Forster honed dies a bit, in 223 and 308. I get that once you get it honed for a particular brand of brass (and it's neck thickness) you're somewhat committed. Generally it hasn't been an issue for me - the 0.333 neck in my Forster 308 NM die sets up Lapua brass just fine for a light pass with a mandrel to set the final ID.

I'm leaning pretty hard towards the LE Wilson 6GT die - both for price, performance, and they're about 5 minutes from my house

The SAC modular die is tempting... just not sure it's going to do anything for me that the Wilson die won't - for a lot less $$$.

memilanuk said:

What size did you get it honed to, and for what brass?

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Alpha OCD brass, die honed to 0.249. Gives me 2 thou of neck tension before using expander mandrel. I think it’s the best way.

I have bushing dies but don’t use them anymore. On my 16th firing with my 6.5x47 brass (Lapua) and still going strong, and no donuts to work around.

Tried a first load (10 rounds) of N150. 33.7 gr with a 80.5 Berger. It was screaming hot at 3311 fps, with the bullets coming apart. Was hoping for a lazy load development but will need to ladder and work up

Sorry for the lengthy post- I am starting to have issues and I feel like it's only getting worse with each match. Yesterday's match I had a number of heavy bolt lifts and blew 2 primers out. Every 150 to 200 rounds I thoroughly clean the barrel and check it out with my bore scope to make sure I have removed all the carbon ring.

My 22" Bartlein .218 7.5 twist M24 barrel is chambered with a .169 Alpha reamer. I am running 95SMK at 3035fps on 35.8gr H4350 in Alpha brass and CCI450. Today the round count is at 870.

Initially my ladder test the barrel loved 36.7gr, but after fully cleaning I loaded 75 rounds only to have my subsequent practice session end on round #9 with real heavy bolt lift and crazy ejector swipe . I then dropped down to the 35.8 load because it had the next best 10 shot groups, SD's in the 4 to 5.6 range and to keep the velocity in a safe zone for barrel longevity and to stay under PRS speed limits.

My plan is to do load development in the 34 to 35gr region. After an exhausting amount of 22 GT load development reading-Is there a muzzle velocity sweet spot that I missed? Will this keep the carbon ring gremlins at bay or will it just find me in that node? Also, would giving my LE Wilson FL bushing die an additional 2thou more bump with my Redding Comp shell holder help me in this?