22GT load data

[Rocklong]

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.

 

[chungus]

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

 

[memilanuk]

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

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

 

[padom]

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

I had tons of honed forster fl sizing dies. Thats the thing, to work the brass the least, you got a die honed to say size necks of specific brass 0.004 under loaded..

But different brass may size more or less due to neck thickness difference.

This is why I went to FL Bushing dies and I really like the LE Wilson SS FL Bushing dies or SAC FL Bushing dies.

 

[memilanuk]

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 $$$.

 

[padom]

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 $$$.

Ive pretty much changed over all my rifle calibers to LE Wilson FL Bushing dies and LE Wilson SS Micrometer inline seating dies. Love them.

 

[Guns&WhiteWater]

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

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.

 

[BoulderE89]

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

 

[Flyin6]

...

 

[John Glidewell]

I have not shot my 22GT since Feb this year. Yesterday we went out and shot a bunch of our match rigs. Now the wife wants a 22GT for varmint matches. Tough real world problems lol.

 

[Flyin6]

Sorry for the lengthy post- I am starting to have pressure issues and it's only getting worse with each range visit.

My Zeus action has 22" Bartlein .218 7.5 twist M24 barrel is chambered with a .169 Alpha 22GT reamer. I use a Silencerco Harvestor 30 cal can. I am running 95SMK over H4350 in Alpha brass and CCI450. Every 150 to 200 rounds I thoroughly clean the barrel and then I bore scope to make sure to remove all the carbon ring. The barrel has 950 rounds on it.

Initially my 10 round per charge weight ladder test the barrel loved 36.7gr. I loaded 75 rounds (with a clean barrel) come to an end on round #9 with real heavy bolt lift and crazy ejector swipes. I then dropped down to the 35.8 load because it had the next best 10 shot groups, 3030fps and SD's in the 5 range. I thought that I have the recipe and proceeded to load 100 rounds and had a care free practice session.

My last match, I ran on a freshly cleaned barrel at 35.8gr, I had a dozen or so heavy bolt lifts and blew 2 primers out.

My next scheme to avoid further trouble was to find something in the 34 to 35gr region. Then my barrel loved 35.1gr H4350 at 20thou off the lands at 2940fps avg.

Loaded 50 rounds at 35.1 for Chrono and group test. On a fresh clean barrel I fired 5 at 35.8 to foul the bore with no pressure signs. But in the first 5 rounds of 35.1gr I then had blown 2 primers...so then my brain exploded and I packed up and went home for Bourbon therapy.

After an exhausting amount of 22 GT load development bumps and bruises I am out of ideas. What is happening? Are the 6GT shooters having these severe issues with carbon rings?

 

[John Glidewell]

What are you using to clean? Routine? I had a similar situation years ago. I thought I was getting the carbon ring out, but I was just polishing it so it looked shiny like metal. 3 or 4 shots and right back into pressure. If I have tough carbon, I use this. It destroys carbon, even better than CLR. https://www.breakthroughclean.com/breakthrough-clean-technologies-rust-remover-32oz-can

 

[JR1200W3]

Sorry for the lengthy post- I am starting to have pressure issues and it's only getting worse with each range visit.

My Zeus action has 22" Bartlein .218 7.5 twist M24 barrel is chambered with a .169 Alpha 22GT reamer. I use a Silencerco Harvestor 30 cal can. I am running 95SMK over H4350 in Alpha brass and CCI450. Every 150 to 200 rounds I thoroughly clean the barrel and then I bore scope to make sure to remove all the carbon ring. The barrel has 950 rounds on it.

Initially my 10 round per charge weight ladder test the barrel loved 36.7gr. I loaded 75 rounds (with a clean barrel) come to an end on round #9 with real heavy bolt lift and crazy ejector swipes. I then dropped down to the 35.8 load because it had the next best 10 shot groups, 3030fps and SD's in the 5 range. I thought that I have the recipe and proceeded to load 100 rounds and had a care free practice session.

My last match, I ran on a freshly cleaned barrel at 35.8gr, I had a dozen or so heavy bolt lifts and blew 2 primers out.

My next scheme to avoid further trouble was to find something in the 34 to 35gr region. Then my barrel loved 35.1gr H4350 at 20thou off the lands at 2940fps avg.

Loaded 50 rounds at 35.1 for Chrono and group test. On a fresh clean barrel I fired 5 at 35.8 to foul the bore with no pressure signs. But in the first 5 rounds of 35.1gr I then had blown 2 primers...so then my brain exploded and I packed up and went home for Bourbon therapy.

After an exhausting amount of 22 GT load development bumps and bruises I am out of ideas. What is happening? Are the 6GT shooters having these severe issues with carbon rings?

Is it a carbon ring everytime? I had a somewhat similar experience with a 6BR barrel when it was getting near taost. The throat was firecracked and grabbing copper. It was creating high pressure

 

[4O6shootist]

Don't build a high performance 22 on a 218 bore. It's been said many times.

 

[Flyin6]

I plug my muzzle with a PVA Bore Jimmy and soak overnight with Boretech C4 carbon eliminator. I then scrub alternating with bronze brush and wet patches. My last cleaning I also used JB blue paste. Then I bore scope.

 

[John Glidewell]

Don't build a high performance 22 on a 218 bore. It's been said many times.

I did not even notice that 1st time. Made me go check my barrel spec... it's a .219 and 7.5 twist. I have not had any issues so far, 500 on this barrel so far. I clean every 150 max. My 1st barrel was a 7 twist, it had issues. I run 90 smks at 3170 with 37.5 of N555 on this barrel.

 

[Flyin6]

Thank you all for your help in this problem.