22 Nosler Reloads

[StoneHenge]

Rocketvapor, how long are the 75g Amax's? The Bergers I'm using are long and sit real deep loaded at 2.295 (c-products mag length is 2.32) and cycle fine. Don't get too caught up in the distance to lands, this is probably the second most accurate load I've ever come up with on paper at 100 yards - with the first being a 110 grain Varmageddon in my 308 RPR with an OAL of 2.60" that gave me a 0.16" 3 shot group while I was doing a ladder (SAAMI max OAL for 308 is 2.81")

 

[Rocketvapor]

I get 1.114" for the 75gr A-Max.
The book OAL for 5.56 is 2.390", I usually load longer for a .223 Wylde chamber and longer yet for a 5.56 NATO chamber.

Since either of these lengths require single loading, I'm going to start out close to the lands.

I have a lot of the A-Max's.

I shot some with the gas turn way down and single shot them but still ended up with lots of shaved brass. Pieces of brass imprinting on the primers and getting in between the extractor and bolt body. These are the only cases I have seen with a squared off base. But, Per a Nosler email, they were designed that way to function in the AR.
Took the bolt apart and polished some edges, flipped the gas block around to completely cut off all gas, and beveled the case heads to see if it helps.
Going with this:

instead of this:

Oops, sorry, already posted some of these pics.
We'll see this weekend.

 

[Rocketvapor]

75gr A-Max long loaded to 2.470" in a 20" ARP barrel.
No Gas, single shot.
Brass flakes are gone after polishing edges in bolt and base of case.

Only loaded a few of each of the following:
Reference: 77gr Factory load 3031fps avg, previous trip 3037fps
75A-Max, CCI450, 28.5gr CFE223 2951fps
75A-Max, CCI450, 29.0gr CFE223 2991fps
75A-Max, CCI450, 29.5gr CFE223 3022fps

Also shot 62gr Factory load 3200fps
and a few 55gr FMJBT, CCI450, 32gr CFE223 3356fps.

 

[jmad_81]

I have been playing with mine and some of the lighter bullets.

Had some decent luck with the 40 gr bt and H4895. Ended up getting 3/4 MOA and 3645 fps out of a 20" stainless Proof Research Barrel.

Had some Very good luck with the 55 gr bt and CFE223. 33 grs got me into a really nice .3-.4" (ish) group. I haven't shot it over a chrony yet (had to order more 55gr bt) but SWAG numbers suggests about 3400.

I am using PRI mags and can get them to 2.260"

 

[BiggerHammer]

I put a .22 Nosler together several weeks ago and have about 600 rounds on the barrel so far. I went with a Odin Works 18", 1-8 twist, DMR barrel.

Factory Nosler 77gr CC ammo hovered in the 3/4" and slightly under range. Mine shoots the 52gr Hornady ELD-M real well. Under half MOA out to 300 yards. I haven't taken the time to shoot it past 300 yards.

.22 Nosler
52gr Hornady ELD-M
30gr H4350
CCI BR-4
2X fired full length sized Nosler cases
2.260

200 yards.







300 yards, factory Nosler 77gr CC ammo



200 yards, Factory Nosler 77gr CC ammo.



First 5 shot group after breaking in the barrel.

 

[DrMike]

Looks as if you have a shooter on your hands! Handsome rifle, as well. Welcome aboard.

 

[BiggerHammer]

Smoker group at 200 yards this morning with the Sierra 77gr MK's.

 

[DrMike]

Excellent grouping. That has to be gratifying.

 

[SJB358]

Very nice. What sorta speed on those 77's? Looks great.

 

[hogginlong]

Smoker group at 200 yards this morning with the Sierra 77gr MK's.

That's quite a hot load. Hodgdon book maxes out at 29.1 CFE. Just might have to try working up to that one in my BA barrel.

 

[hogginlong]

I think I found a shooter with the 65 gr SGK in the 22 Nosgar

 

[hogginlong]

Here's my attempt at 200 yds with the 77 SMK. Anything above 29.5 CFE was max for me. Just ordered 500 more. My BA 223 Wylde really likes them too!

 

[hogginlong]

Shot with this

 

[hogginlong]

Got another 3 groundhogs with it tonight.

 

[Rocketvapor]

Reviving an old thread with a question or two and a few comments.

Question
Has anyone tried sizing with a body die (RCBS or Redding) and neck sizing with a Lee Collet die for 22N reloads?
Lee will make a custom collet die ($$) but it looks like you can accomplish the same with the .223 collet die. I have a body die on the way and will try this combo in the near future but figured I'd ask.


EDIT: Checking the drawings for the 223 and 22N and trying a few cases, the .223 collet die sizes all but the lowest 0.040" of the neck next to the shoulder on a 22N case. The sizing collar is long enough to have the bottom shaved about 0.030" moving the 22N case up in the die and not stick up too far (supported on the shell holder).
I tried a 22N case needing to be trimmed (1.775") and it had room to spare at the top. Even without shaving it looks pretty good.

Have a second 223 collet neck sizer coming and will shave some off the bottom and see how it looks.



Comment
Did some Jump testing with my 24" BA barrel and found (I think) that the "10 thou off" might not be the best for bullets like the 75/80 AMAX and ELD.
I did a Jump Test (about 005 per step) from 002 jam out to 035 jump and the 25 to 30 jump seemed to produce smaller groups. Repeated this past weekend with a 20 to 40 jump and got the same range.
Seems 030 works best in my barrel, and will test some more.

FINALLY broke the 1 MOA barrier with my 22N, 10 into 1@100yds.
(0.93 MOA ).
(I know you .1 and .2 guys see that as nothing big

 

[Rocketvapor]

Here's what the 223 collet die does with a 22N case.
I used a 1.770" long case and have about 0.030" remaining length in the top of the die.
A 1.760" case would have about 0.040" but shaving 0.030" off the bottom of the collet would be best, just in case you ran a max length case through it.
Any issue with being about 0.012" from the neck shoulder junction?
maybe a 0.035" cut since I try NEVER to load any case over 1.765".

I'll have to see how close the body die gets to the that junction.

 

[Rocketvapor]

Ordered and received a second .223 collet die to keep for .223 cases.
Shaved close to 0.030" from the bottom of the collet piece of the old die.
Then the die wouldn't size 22N cases, or necked down Hagar cases.
The mandrel was bottoming out on the case web keeping the die from pushing together enough to size the neck.
Never give up.
Put a thin copper washer on the mandrel to raise it up about 0.040". Will exercise it some and check concentricity. Might need a 3/16 flat washer drilled out to .222" but so far looks like it works.
A little cold blue on the odd parts to keep track of them.