224 Wby 7-22-26 Upaded 8-23-26

[RL338]

Earlier today I had a chance to try out my new barrel on the 224. This is a Shilen 8 twist 4 groove ratchet Alternut barrel. My fired brass from the old barrel will not chamber due to unforeseen issue. I have 40 pcs of new Norma let to use. I had to pull the old ammo (55gr Sierra) and loaded it into the new brass.

First up was the reloaded 55gr Sierras

Next up was the Barnes 62gr TTSX , these are promising.

Last one was Cutting Edge 65gr MTH , I’ll be honest a little disappointed.

These charge weights are on the lighter side to break the barrel in and fireform the brass. I have 100 pcs of brass coming and after they’re fired the barrel should be broke in. Then I can fine tune a few loads. I still have 50gr TTSX , 62gr Fusion , 64gr BSB , and 70gr VLD to try.
Overall I’m excited that this turned out well.

 

[sako2]

Looking good.

 

[JD338]

Sharp looking rifle that looks to be a shooter. The Barnes TTSX load looks pretty good.

JD338

 

[RL338]

That 30.5gr load of Sta-Ball Match does look good.

When I shot these groups I alternated between bullets to see how the barrel would react to them. I did not clean the barrel either between groups and in fact there is very little copper in the barrel afterwards.

 

[FOTIS]

Excellent. Mine is really digging IMR 4064....(Thank you again Jim)

 

[TackDriver284]

Good shooting, Barnes load looks promising. Seating depth adjustment should tighten those groups. You will get it running great in no time.
Is that a tunnel? Not sure what it is when I saw it.

 

[RL338]

Is that a tunnel? Not sure what it is when I saw it.

It’s tube to try to knock down the big boomers noise. It’s about 20’ long. It sure messes with Garmin with small calibers.

 

[boomer68]

Nice to see the .224 still being used. A very unique cartridge.

 

[RL338]

Today I took the opportunity to try out 4 bullets in 224.

Left to right 64gr BSB , 70gr AB , 62gr Fusion , and 55gr Sierra. All were loaded in new Norma brass with Sta-Ball Match.
64gr BSB

70gr AB

62gr Fusion

55gr Sierra

The 55gr Sierras were tested before with BL-C2 , this time the Sta-Ball Match has better results.
In both test all bullets in the 60gr weight class are all loaded to 30.5grs of Sta-Ball Match.
I haven’t cleaned the barrel yet and it speaks volume of Shilens ratchet barrel.

 

[RL338]

I can add another bullet that will shoot in the 224. From last weekend the 70gr Berger.

 

[FOTIS]

Not bad at all

 

[JD338]

Excellent results Rick. You have a shooter.

JD338

 

[Blkram]

Today I took the opportunity to try out 4 bullets in 224.
View attachment 30078
Left to right 64gr BSB , 70gr AB , 62gr Fusion , and 55gr Sierra. All were loaded in new Norma brass with Sta-Ball Match.
64gr BSB
View attachment 30079
70gr AB
View attachment 30080
62gr Fusion
View attachment 30081
55gr Sierra
View attachment 30082
The 55gr Sierras were tested before with BL-C2 , this time the Sta-Ball Match has better results.
In both test all bullets in the 60gr weight class are all loaded to 30.5grs of Sta-Ball Match.
I haven’t cleaned the barrel yet and it speaks volume of Shilens ratchet barrel.

Also shows how the decoppering agents are working well in these newer powders.
Just read an article in the new Rifle magazine regarding the Top 10 Reloaded Rifle Cartridges that noted similar results in testing factory ammo, and then handloads with a StaBall powder and another newer powder that has these agents, in a new rifle, where he only cleaned before shooting the new rifle, and then after the factory loads, and did not clean again while testing all his handloads, and had very little copper fouling in the barrel.
Anything that improves performance, AND requires less cleaning afterwards is a good thing, in my opinion!

 

[RL338]

One thing I’ve noticed wether it’s the powder or the barrel the point of impact doesn’t change much between all the bullets I’ve tried. The scope has never been adjusted between loads.

 

[jimbires]

I wonder if a small base die , would size the old brass enough to get it to chamber in the new BBL ???

nice results with the new BBL . I sure like the Shilen BBL on the Grandsons 260 . it has shot everything I've tried . it sure is fun playing with a rifle that wants to shoot . it spoils you .