222, 223, 220, 22 BR, 22-250, 22 Creed

[shortgrass]

For a business, .223 Wylde and .22-250. After that, I don't buy a chambering reamer until I have a job for it, And then, only if I feel I'll be using it more than once. There will be plenty of other 'wants' those $$$ can be applied to in the mean time, instead of tooling setting in inventory waiting to be used who knows when. For the "odd-ball" wild-cats, an 'extra' charge is applied unless the client wants to supply the tool. A throating reamer with removable pilots is a 'must have' in my shop. Time in the business will fill your tooling inventory. Dave Manson and JGS keep a fairly good "on the shelf" selection of the popular chambering reamers.

 

[brant89]

I just sold a 22BR reamer a few months ago. In my opinion it's about the optimum 22 cal chambering. It falls somewhere between .223AI and 22-250, so it offers good ballistic performance, plenty of neck to seat heavy bullets way out and still fit in a magazine, and a reasonable barrel life. They can be made into reliable repeaters contrary to what some may think, especially with the MDT 6BR mags. I can get a touch over 3000fps with 75gr ELD's from a 20" barrel, but my accuracy load is at 2930fps. Super quiet and handy supressed rifle that is supersonic (and accurate) out to 1000 yards and beyond. Below is a group shot at 730yd.

 

[venatic]

My exact thoughts for a 224 build for myself as I mentioned before instead of a 22 Creeed - The 22-243 (Family of 08s the 22-08, 6mm-08, 6.5-08, 7mm-08, 308)!

The EZ button for a supercharged .224 is the 22-243 (plain). Just run some Lapua 243 brass (which is easily obtainable) into a FL 22-243 die and you're shooting. I loped 2.5" off the chamber end of my 22-243AI and rechambered in 22-243 (plain). It shoots just about as good as new. My 8 twist bbl was putting 83gr Bergers into rather small groups at 400yds and the barrel had well over 1,000 rounds through it.

That's where I started originally.
But.. Not sure how having to size down 243 brass is as easy as just buying Peterson/Atlas/Alpha/or Hornady 22 Creedmoor brass and just load it? Or buy loaded ammo.... haven't seen any 22/243 on the shelves or online anywhere?
I can send you to 3 sporting goods stores around central Tx that will have 22 Creedmoor on the shelves if they can get it.... sells out fast.
Buy 22Creedmoor here

RIFLE

Or here

22 Creedmoor – Copper Creek Cartridge Co.

coppercreekcartridgeco.com

Or here

22 Creedmoor – Custom Reloads of Dallas

dallasreloads.com

Just saying....

 

[orkan]

In 22cal, 22BR/BRA/Dasher covers the bottom end.

22 Creed covers the hunting spectrum.

In a bolt gun, they check all boxes. A .223AI is ok in a vacuum, but its trash compared to a 22BR.

I've used more 22cal cartridges and wildcats than anyone I know of. They are all fun. Once you've used them all enough, you learn which ones are the easy button, and which ones are not.


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[Kmccord]

If it was me, I would only look at what is available with factory ammo. Anything that does not have factory ammo, would only be from request with the price of reamer included in the build. Just my .02.

 

[Coyote Shadow Tracker]

If it was me, I would only look at what is available with factory ammo. Anything that does not have factory ammo, would only be from request with the price of reamer included in the build. Just my .02.

Currently we are chambering rifles for primary target shooters and all reload. Might look to expand into hunters that want something more than a factory rifle in a versatile .224. Don't want to invest, at this time, in a lot of different Reamers. Also it takes so long to have a custom Reamer made these days.

 

[brant89]

Manson Reamers may have some 22BR reamers in stock with their standard neck and throat (.252 neck, .050 FB). This works well for 75-80gr pills but you might want to step up to .080 FB for anything longer than an 80gr or you start to sacrifice case capacity. Below is a 75ELD seated .015 off the lands with .050 FB; the bullet is almost entirely in the neck with plenty of mag length to spare. One thing to be aware of with many 22BR reamers (including the standard Manson 22BR reamer) is that they require neck turning. This may be a big no for some, but in my opinion, turning is a good idea when necking down brass anyway.

 

[brant89]

@Jud96 also built a 22BR and I'm sure he has some good knowledge on the subject.

 

[Jud96]

@Jud96 also built a 22BR and I'm sure he has some good knowledge on the subject.

Yes I did spin up a barrel chambered in 22BR with .050FB. Long story short, the barrel was a lemon. However, I really liked the 22BR cartridge. I think it's best suited for bullets 80gr and lighter. I think with an 8 twist pushing 75-80s around 3100fps is good spot to be in with that cartridge. You can probably run it faster than that with the right powders. I think the only thing "better" would be a 22 Dasher or maybe like a 22GT. However, it's nice to take Lapua, Peterson, Alpha, etc 6BR and run it into a 22BR FL sizing die and be done. Not to say fireforming loads can't be accurate, but simplicity typically leads to a more pleasant experience in my opinion.

I messed around with 80.5 Fullbores and 85.5 LRHTs in mine with IMR 4895 and IMR 4451. It was a fun little cartridge that I didn't give a fair shake because of the barrel unfortunately. I plan to build another in the future and focus on 70-80gr bullets.

In my opinion, anything much bigger than a 22-250, I'd just do a 6mm and be done. The 22 Creed is a sweet cartridge though, however fast twist 22s seem to be finicky creatures at times. This goes back to my keeping things simple. This is just my opinion though. I'd look into reamers for .223 Wylde, .22BR .050-.100FB, 22-250, and 22 Creedmoor.

 

[HARPERC]

For a business, .223 Wylde and .22-250. For the "odd-ball" wild-cats, an 'extra' charge is applied unless the client wants to supply the tool.

From the customer end I've bought a couple of reamers when wanting something different.
Oddball projects are expensive, but adding the cost of a reamer isn't comparatively much in the scheme of things.
Something unique the customer should be prepared to pay for.

 

[Varmint Hunter]

That's where I started originally.
But.. Not sure how having to size down 243 brass is as easy as just buying Peterson/Atlas/Alpha/or Hornady 22 Creedmoor brass and just load it? Or buy loaded ammo.... haven't seen any 22/243 on the shelves or online anywhere?
I can send you to 3 sporting goods stores around central Tx that will have 22 Creedmoor on the shelves if they can get it.... sells out fast.
Buy 22Creedmoor here

RIFLE

Or here

22 Creedmoor – Copper Creek Cartridge Co.

coppercreekcartridgeco.com

Or here

22 Creedmoor – Custom Reloads of Dallas

dallasreloads.com

Just saying....

Your point is well taken. I've never seen 22 Creedmoor brass or ammo anywhere around here. For most of us, the ammo isn't the issue, it's finding brass. 243Win brass (and/or ammo) is much easier to locate. As far as performance I'd guess they are similar but only have experience with 22-243 and the AI variant. Both have proven to be extraordinarily accurate in my rifles.

I thought that the 22 Creed was designed for an AR platform. If so, that could make a big difference in the selection process.

 

[brant89]

Yes I did spin up a barrel chambered in 22BR with .050FB. Long story short, the barrel was a lemon. However, I really liked the 22BR cartridge. I think it's best suited for bullets 80gr and lighter. I think with an 8 twist pushing 75-80s around 3100fps is good spot to be in with that cartridge. You can probably run it faster than that with the right powders. I think the only thing "better" would be a 22 Dasher or maybe like a 22GT. However, it's nice to take Lapua, Peterson, Alpha, etc 6BR and run it into a 22BR FL sizing die and be done. Not to say fireforming loads can't be accurate, but simplicity typically leads to a more pleasant experience in my opinion.

I messed around with 80.5 Fullbores and 85.5 LRHTs in mine with IMR 4895 and IMR 4451. It was a fun little cartridge that I didn't give a fair shake because of the barrel unfortunately. I plan to build another in the future and focus on 70-80gr bullets.

In my opinion, anything much bigger than a 22-250, I'd just do a 6mm and be done. The 22 Creed is a sweet cartridge though, however fast twist 22s seem to be finicky creatures at times. This goes back to my keeping things simple. This is just my opinion though. I'd look into reamers for .223 Wylde, .22BR .050-.100FB, 22-250, and 22 Creedmoor.

I couldn't get the 80ELD to shoot at all in my 8 twist so I switched to a 77TMK and groups immediately tightened up. 75ELD's are basically the same as the 77TMK as far as velocity and accuracy are concerned. I think I was on the ragged edge of stability with the 80's, especially in winter temps. When I re-barrel it will be a 22" with a 7 twist. I agree that 3100 would be the sweet spot and I can tell there is another node in that velocity range, but my shorty 20" barrel doesn't quite have enough poop without running some pretty stiff loads. Another 50fps would probably get me there.

 

[muzzletalk]

We are looking to purchase several Reamers to chamber for the .224 Crowd.
The 22 Caliber (.224) has been around a long time for Varmint Hunting and also getting popular in PRS.
We have newer cartridges out there and always the wildcats.
We shoot a .223 in a RRA AR for Coyotes, Hogs, PD and Chucks and IMO it is a great cartridge. I have hunted with friends that use a 22-250 and we match up our .204 with them for Chucks out to 500 yds.
I do know that the .224 cartridge depends on the bullet weight, Twist rate, FPS. Is the cartridge going to be accurate, DROP, buck the wind, be a barrel burner?
I also know a few PRS shooters that are going with a 22BR for accuracy, DROP, and bucking the wind. Right there that is telling us something if Competition shooters are using and winning about a cartridge.

The .223 will always be here, but what is everyone looking for in a Great Varmint/Predator Cartridge? Higher Velocities, Heavier Bullets, Less Drop
Besides the AIs and Wildcats.
Looking for a cartridge that can be reloaded rather easy and have components available with minimal fireforming.
Is it still going to be the popular 22-250?
The 223
The 220
The 22 Creed?
The 22 BR?
What else?

Thanks much for your knowledge and experience!
Len & Jill

22 GT

 

[Gary in MD]

Great varmint/predator round?
For me it's always been traditional varmint weight bullets launched fast from the 22-250, 220 Swift, & big 6mms. I don't like crawlers and must admit to enjoy seeing some "carnage at the target".
Sooooo - Speed kills and I'm buying!!!
Case capacity for the win ….. barrels are replaced easily. LOL
Gary