22-6mm Newbie Here - Advice Please

[levers4life]

Picked up a Rem 788 with Schillen 26" 1:8 twist .22/6mm barrel, dies, brass, etc. I would like some input on reloading with large for caliber hunting bullets. I love punching paper but all my rifles are set up to hunt with. I have both neck and FL dies. The guy I bought the rifle from suggested leaving the brass long (no trimming), any thoughts on that? Powder selection? Bullet selection?
Thanks to everyone for any insights you may have.

 

[RevJim]

I had one a short while. I had it set up where all I had to do was neck down 6mm Remington brass with no neck turning. I used R22 for everything, shot a lot of 64gr PP bulk bullets and used the Swift 75gr Scirocco for hunting. Just going by memory, seems I shot the 75gr with 47gr. Anyhow, back off a bit and work up. Good luck to you Pard.

 

[BallisticsGuy]

https://www.riflemagazine.com/magazine/PDF/hl139partial.pdf looks like a good place to start. Look for 5.6x57mm RWS. Should be ridiculously similar if not actually the same thing. Looks like 4831 and 4350 are options around 90gr bullets. Look to something slower yet for 100-115gr.

That's a rare enough bird in the USA that I'd suggest contacting your favorite powder manufacturer and seeing if they have some helpful data. Otherwise, I'd personally probably take some Retumbo or H1000 and fill that bad boy up to the body-shoulder junction, stuff a 115gr pill on top and give it a go. Note that that's something I'd do and it's patently dangerous to go eyeball filling cases with random powders and lighting them off. There are precautions I'll take like pulling the trigger with a string and covering the gun with sandbags on the first shot... just in case.

 

[levers4life]

I had one a short while. I had it set up where all I had to do was neck down 6mm Remington brass with no neck turning. I used R22 for everything, shot a lot of 64gr PP bulk bullets and used the Swift 75gr Scirocco for hunting. Just going by memory, seems I shot the 75gr with 47gr. Anyhow, back off a bit and work up. Good luck to you Pard.

The guy I bought it from gave me his pet recipe and it was with RL22. Seems like a good place to start. That is the exact bullet I ordered from midway this AM. I've already been forming them with the sizer die. So far, so good. I wrinkled one or two. Thank you very much for the info....I'm looking forward to putting this rifle to good use on at least one SE Montana pronghorn this fall. I really appreciate being able to access the collective, thanks for the support

 

[levers4life]

https://www.riflemagazine.com/magazine/PDF/hl139partial.pdf looks like a good place to start. Look for 5.6x57mm RWS. Should be ridiculously similar if not actually the same thing. Looks like 4831 and 4350 are options around 90gr bullets. Look to something slower yet for 100-115gr.

That's a rare enough bird in the USA that I'd suggest contacting your favorite powder manufacturer and seeing if they have some helpful data. Otherwise, I'd personally probably take some Retumbo or H1000 and fill that bad boy up to the body-shoulder junction, stuff a 115gr pill on top and give it a go. Note that that's something I'd do and it's patently dangerous to go eyeball filling cases with random powders and lighting them off. There are precautions I'll take like pulling the trigger with a string and covering the gun with sandbags on the first shot... just in case.

I'm shooting a .22-6mm. I don't think they make a 115gr pill? I usually start mild then go wild with my case fills. Have a good one!

 

[nicholasjohn]

The guy I bought it from gave me his pet recipe and it was with RL22. Seems like a good place to start. That is the exact bullet I ordered from midway this AM. I've already been forming them with the sizer die. So far, so good. I wrinkled one or two. Thank you very much for the info....I'm looking forward to putting this rifle to good use on at least one SE Montana pronghorn this fall. I really appreciate being able to access the collective, thanks for the support

I've used the 64-grain Power Point bullet to shoot a bunch of deer, and it works great. Pennsylvania used to have a doe season that was separate from the general buck season, and I had gotten tired of blowing both shoulders all to bits on 100-pound does with the .308. So, I loaded up the .22-250 with enough IMR-4350 to get them moving at around 3300 fps, and went to town with it. Minimal meat damage was the goal, and that's how it worked out. They also fell down very suddenly, with mostly broadside lung shots. All bullets exited, with exit wounds about the size of a nickel. I never shot any through the shoulders, so I don't know how well that bullet works when you hit bones. ( It did break both shoulders and exit on all the Montana coyotes I shot with that load, if that tells you what you want to know about that.)

In your cartridge they are going to go a lot faster than I was shooting them, so they may expand more violently. You could saw one in half and see if they are still making them with a heavy jacket. I did that years ago, and the jacket in the shank of the bullet was more than twice as thick as that of the 55-grain soft points we were using at the time to shoot woodchucks.

With your fast-twist barrel, you could probably use much longer & heavier bullets. Somebody suggested 90-grain bullets, and that's the direction I would lean - especially in a large capacity cartridge that will generate good velocities. There's a 90-grain Fusion bullet, if you like bonded lead-core bullets, and the monolithic bullets are available in .224 diameter in weights up to about 70 grains if that is your preference. Also, you already know the rifle likes the 75-grain Scirrocco, which ought to put a serious hurt on those Montana prairie goats you mentioned. Watch the temperature sensitivity on the RL 22 powder - it gets hot out there on the prairie sometimes during antelope season. As for the bit about leaving the brass long, you might do a chamber cast with Cerrosafe to see just how long the neck of your particular chamber is, and trim them appropriately for that length. Good luck, and have fun.

 

[levers4life]

I've used the 64-grain Power Point bullet to shoot a bunch of deer, and it works great. Pennsylvania used to have a doe season that was separate from the general buck season, and I had gotten tired of blowing both shoulders all to bits on 100-pound does with the .308. So, I loaded up the .22-250 with enough IMR-4350 to get them moving at around 3300 fps, and went to town with it. Minimal meat damage was the goal, and that's how it worked out. They also fell down very suddenly, with mostly broadside lung shots. All bullets exited, with exit wounds about the size of a nickel. I never shot any through the shoulders, so I don't know how well that bullet works when you hit bones. ( It did break both shoulders and exit on all the Montana coyotes I shot with that load, if that tells you what you want to know about that.)

In your cartridge they are going to go a lot faster than I was shooting them, so they may expand more violently. You could saw one in half and see if they are still making them with a heavy jacket. I did that years ago, and the jacket in the shank of the bullet was more than twice as thick as that of the 55-grain soft points we were using at the time to shoot woodchucks.

With your fast-twist barrel, you could probably use much longer & heavier bullets. Somebody suggested 90-grain bullets, and that's the direction I would lean - especially in a large capacity cartridge that will generate good velocities. There's a 90-grain Fusion bullet, if you like bonded lead-core bullets, and the monolithic bullets are available in .224 diameter in weights up to about 70 grains if that is your preference. Also, you already know the rifle likes the 75-grain Scirrocco, which ought to put a serious hurt on those Montana prairie goats you mentioned. Watch the temperature sensitivity on the RL 22 powder - it gets hot out there on the prairie sometimes during antelope season. As for the bit about leaving the brass long, you might do a chamber cast with Cerrosafe to see just how long the neck of your particular chamber is, and trim them appropriately for that length. Good luck, and have fun.

Thanks for the reply. I have a fair amount of experience with the 22-250, however both of my rifles are 1:14 twist so only with lighter bullets. I run a 55gr out of my varmint gun at around 3700fps. I have had good results head & neck shooting white tail & axis deer with this load. One rifle is too heavy & the other is too pretty to lug around the woods too much

I am very much looking forward to running the bigger bullets in this .22 bore. There isn't a lot of data for it out there so any input from guys with more experience is appreciated. Performance doesn't outweigh safety....my 2 boys shoot all my rifles!

I'm waiting on UPS to bring bullets but will hopefully post some results soon for those interested. And hopefully some meat right after that!

 

[Orange Dust]

Picked up a Rem 788 with Schillen 26" 1:8 twist .22/6mm barrel, dies, brass, etc. I would like some input on reloading with large for caliber hunting bullets. I love punching paper but all my rifles are set up to hunt with. I have both neck and FL dies. The guy I bought the rifle from suggested leaving the brass long (no trimming), any thoughts on that? Powder selection? Bullet selection?
Thanks to everyone for any insights you may have.

I've had one for awhile. Mine is a model 70, also with a 1-8 Shilen barrel. Mine is at its best with 75-80 gr bullets and Re22 and Ramshot Magnum powder. It shot the old 80gr A max's in the .1's. Deer hunted with HBN coated 75gr sciroccos and 50grs of Re22. Don't spend much time working up a load. Just load the 75's and Re22. Find max and back off a little. The throat will fire check very quickly. Barrels for this round costs nearly $1 a shot. Last a long time if you only shoot it at game though.

 

[nicholasjohn]

Thanks for the reply. I have a fair amount of experience with the 22-250, however both of my rifles are 1:14 twist so only with lighter bullets. I run a 55gr out of my varmint gun at around 3700fps. I have had good results head & neck shooting white tail & axis deer with this load. One rifle is too heavy & the other is too pretty to lug around the woods too much

I am very much looking forward to running the bigger bullets in this .22 bore. There isn't a lot of data for it out there so any input from guys with more experience is appreciated. Performance doesn't outweigh safety....my 2 boys shoot all my rifles!

I'm waiting on UPS to bring bullets but will hopefully post some results soon for those interested. And hopefully some meat right after that!

My 22-250 ( an old Sako ) also has a 1-in-14 inch twist, and the 64-grain Power Points stabilized just fine. It was, though, about the outer limit. I tried some 69-grain Sierras hollow-points one time, and the holes in the target were key-holed. 70-grain Speer semi-spitzers worked fine, and terminal performance on deer was the same as the Power Points. I preferred the Winchester bullet because I got better accuracy than with the Speer.

I have a buddy who routinely used the 22-250 with 55-grain Sierra soft points to shoot southern Oregon blacktails. ( Bucks there typically weigh around 150 pounds.) He wasn't a head-shooter, either - ribcage shots were his preference. He found a couple of expanded bullets in the animals, but most penetrated completely. I was surprised to hear this from him. Apparently those little bullets have a fairly substantial jacket, and didn't over-expand on deer.

How much faster is your cartridge than the 22-250 ? Just guessing, I would think maybe 300-400 fps. The only concern I would have would be that this might be a bit much for regular jacketed bullets, especially if you shoot a deer at close range. With all the new heavy bullet designs on the market, you should have no trouble finding a good bullet that holds together well enough for the intended purpose. I'm interested in seeing how this all works out for you.

 

[Orange Dust]

My 22-250 ( an old Sako ) also has a 1-in-14 inch twist, and the 64-grain Power Points stabilized just fine. It was, though, about the outer limit. I tried some 69-grain Sierras hollow-points one time, and the holes in the target were key-holed. 70-grain Speer semi-spitzers worked fine, and terminal performance on deer was the same as the Power Points. I preferred the Winchester bullet because I got better accuracy than with the Speer.

I have a buddy who routinely used the 22-250 with 55-grain Sierra soft points to shoot southern Oregon blacktails. ( Bucks there typically weigh around 150 pounds.) He wasn't a head-shooter, either - ribcage shots were his preference. He found a couple of expanded bullets in the animals, but most penetrated completely. I was surprised to hear this from him. Apparently those little bullets have a fairly substantial jacket, and didn't over-expand on deer.

How much faster is your cartridge than the 22-250 ? Just guessing, I would think maybe 300-400 fps. The only concern I would have would be that this might be a bit much for regular jacketed bullets, especially if you shoot a deer at close range. With all the new heavy bullet designs on the market, you should have no trouble finding a good bullet that holds together well enough for the intended purpose. I'm interested in seeing how this all works out for you.

It will shoot a 75 gr bullet nearly as fast as a 22-250 will shoot a 55

 

[levers4life]

I've had one for awhile. Mine is a model 70, also with a 1-8 Shilen barrel. Mine is at its best with 75-80 gr bullets and Re22 and Ramshot Magnum powder. It shot the old 80gr A max's in the .1's. Deer hunted with HBN coated 75gr sciroccos and 50grs of Re22. Don't spend much time working up a load. Just load the 75's and Re22. Find max and back off a little. The throat will fire check very quickly. Barrels for this round costs nearly $1 a shot. Last a long time if you only shoot it at game though.

Yes sir. I think RL22 seems to be the consensus, I would have thought a little faster burn rate, but I have 4-5lbs on the shelf so why knock it! I'm looking forward to putting those Swift bullets on game. I have had very good results with them in all my .30's and .270.
I will work up carefully, I want this barrel to last. I think it will be a winning combo.

 

[levers4life]

My 22-250 ( an old Sako ) also has a 1-in-14 inch twist, and the 64-grain Power Points stabilized just fine. It was, though, about the outer limit. I tried some 69-grain Sierras hollow-points one time, and the holes in the target were key-holed. 70-grain Speer semi-spitzers worked fine, and terminal performance on deer was the same as the Power Points. I preferred the Winchester bullet because I got better accuracy than with the Speer.

I have a buddy who routinely used the 22-250 with 55-grain Sierra soft points to shoot southern Oregon blacktails. ( Bucks there typically weigh around 150 pounds.) He wasn't a head-shooter, either - ribcage shots were his preference. He found a couple of expanded bullets in the animals, but most penetrated completely. I was surprised to hear this from him. Apparently those little bullets have a fairly substantial jacket, and didn't over-expand on deer.

How much faster is your cartridge than the 22-250 ? Just guessing, I would think maybe 300-400 fps. The only concern I would have would be that this might be a bit much for regular jacketed bullets, especially if you shoot a deer at close range. With all the new heavy bullet designs on the market, you should have no trouble finding a good bullet that holds together well enough for the intended purpose. I'm interested in seeing how this all works out for you.

Our native deer run about the same size here. I only harvest game on our place for meat, hence the head shots ( no great feat...75yds!)
I'm hoping the Swift's will hold together. I will test that on game here in central Texas soon (I hope), probably a feral pig. Since this will more than likely be within 200yds on my place (terrain, trees) I think it will let me know how it's going to hold up. If these bullets won't hold together at that speed I may try mono's.

 

[levers4life]

My 22-250 ( an old Sako ) also has a 1-in-14 inch twist, and the 64-grain Power Points stabilized just fine. It was, though, about the outer limit. I tried some 69-grain Sierras hollow-points one time, and the holes in the target were key-holed. 70-grain Speer semi-spitzers worked fine, and terminal performance on deer was the same as the Power Points. I preferred the Winchester bullet because I got better accuracy than with the Speer.

I have a buddy who routinely used the 22-250 with 55-grain Sierra soft points to shoot southern Oregon blacktails. ( Bucks there typically weigh around 150 pounds.) He wasn't a head-shooter, either - ribcage shots were his preference. He found a couple of expanded bullets in the animals, but most penetrated completely. I was surprised to hear this from him. Apparently those little bullets have a fairly substantial jacket, and didn't over-expand on deer.

How much faster is your cartridge than the 22-250 ? Just guessing, I would think maybe 300-400 fps. The only concern I would have would be that this might be a bit much for regular jacketed bullets, especially if you shoot a deer at close range. With all the new heavy bullet designs on the market, you should have no trouble finding a good bullet that holds together well enough for the intended purpose. I'm interested in seeing how this all works out for you.

I had trouble getting anything over 55 to shoot really well in my Savage 1:14, the cheap Hornady's shoot like a dream at right about 3675 out of a 26". They shoot good in my model 70 as well but it is a featherweight and doesn't see too much sunlight.
I know the 22-6mm is 250 or so faster than the 220 Swift, so yeah 400 or so.
Like orange dust says. I would love the 75 - 80's to match the 50-55's roughly in fps

 

[Orange Dust]

Our native deer run about the same size here. I only harvest game on our place for meat, hence the head shots ( no great feat...75yds!)
I'm hoping the Swift's will hold together. I will test that on game here in central Texas soon (I hope), probably a feral pig. Since this will more than likely be within 200yds on my place (terrain, trees) I think it will let me know how it's going to hold up. If these bullets won't hold together at that speed I may try mono's.

They will hold together until the throat starts to go