22-6mm loads

[ic-doc]

Re-directed here from another forum.

Newbee to CALGUNS.NET--are there any folks that have load data for 22-6mm and/or experience with this wildcat? I have Varget, IMR-4064 and IMR-3031. I have Hornady A-Max 52gr and HPBT bullets as well at 55gr bullets. Thus far, 43gr of Varget work well the first time but primer pockets are expanded such that Federal 210 primers will not seat and stay put. 45gr of IMR-4064 has the same issue. My gun smith thinks that this is a brass issue (new Remington) so I am trying new Winchester.

So, are there any other loads that seem to work for the 22-6mm and experiences with different brass and primers?

NRA Life Member
Sig P239 9mm & .40 S&W
Custom 22-6mm
Custom 6mm Remington
Custom AR-15

[ic-doc]

So, nobody is using this round? Or, no discussion about it? It is a wildcat load. But it is really great if done correctly. The trick is to figure out how to zero in on a load. The different powders do make a difference.

[meaty-btz]

Personally, I've noted that there are not a lot of wildcaters here. Not even me, I just do obscure.

[RugerNo1]

You will find that there is not too much discussion on this forum outside of 9mm, 45 Auto, 40 S&W, .223 Rem., and .308 Win.

However, I have a question. Do you mean 6mm-223, also known as 6x45mm, or some other wildcat? The Hodgdon Reloading database has info on 6mm-223.

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

[ic-doc]

Thanks for the replies. I did not get much response from the Hodgdon site. Their loading book shows 22-6mm as a 6mm Remington or Winchester brass necked down to take a .224 bullet. I'm using light weight bullets at 50gr, 52gr and 55gr. These chronograph at between 3900fps and 4150fps. My problem is after firing new brass, the primer pockets are too expanded to accept a new primer. This is the case for both Remington and Winchester new brass. 43gr of Varget leaves some necks cracked the first time. IMR-4064 does not but still has the primer pocket issue.

For .223, I just shoot factory ammo in AR-15.

[RugerNo1]

If your primer pockets are getting too loose and you are cracking virgin brass, then your loads are way too hot! Very well over max for that cartridge and well into dangerous.

[6mmintl]

Might want to consider changing calibers after rebarreling at 1500 rounds.

Dont know why you need the horsepower of a 22-6mm Rem, cnnot be for long range shooting of dogs with those light bullets, if so then just go the 6mm Rem round and "Fast twist" 1x8.5"-9" barrel and shoot 95-105 VLD bullets all the way out to 800-1000.

Or, try a 22-250 with a 1x9" twist and shoot the 75-80 grain VLD bullets 3000-3200

[ic-doc]

Many thanks for the replies. The more data and feedback the better.

22-6mm was chosen for flat shooting in the varmint competition. It would also be for ground squirrels. This rifle has a Shilen #7HV SS select match barrel 1:14" twist and Remington 700BDL SS action. Thus far, I am using the same loads that the smith used. However, he used CCI large rifle primers while I am using Federal 210 large rifle. So the situation is very strange. He did have a smaller OAL than I had. I was to the lands and he was back of them. I'm going to try some new loads with shorter OAL. This barrel has had perhaps about 300 rounds through it.

New 6mm Remington is being built but won't be ready until early next year. This rifle will have a Shilen 1.25" diameter straight cylinder 6mm 1:14" twist SS select match barrel and Remington 700BDL SS action. I plan on 55gr BT Hornady bullets for this rifle.

Targets are 200 yards or less. I used to use 22-250 for ground hogs but here in CA there are only ground squirrels. Come to think of it, 22-250 might be good here as well.

[DirtyDave]

Targets are 200 yards or less.

Why such Hot Rod rounds to shoot 200yds? I would just use factory 223 v-max's for that.

I just had a rifle built in 6mm Rem, but I went the opposite way you are going. I have a 1:8" twist barrel and have some 105gr A-max's loaded up for it. I have yet to finish breaking it in, but its looking like a real sweet shooter.

[ic-doc]

Well, not "always" 200 yards or less. The varmint competition is at 100, 165, 200 and 225 yards. The paper target for ten points is about the diameter of a quarter. This target is used at all distances. A flat-shooting round is ideal to not have to adjust elevation from one distance to another. Twenty shots in twenty two minutes--not much time to fool around and make adjustments. This is great practice for field hunting ground squirrels. They can pop up at any distance. So calibrating the NP-2DD reticule for the four distances, one can pretty well figure out how to scope a squirrel. But I need to get a consistent and safe load first. It is not going very well--sigh.

[ic-doc]

In view of my current rifles, I am considering adding a 22-250 which would be good out to 200 yards. Ground hogs in the past in OH have not had great survival rates with this load/caliber. The CA ground squirrels are a smaller target. 22-6mm or 22-250 should do the job.

[RugerNo1]

My go-to varmint gun is my Ruger No.1 in 22-250. It has shot so many varmints that it is time for a new barrel.

[ic-doc]

22-6mm loads

Here is a load that works--0.255" center to center at 100 yards.

42gr Varget powder
52gr Hornady A-MAX bullet
fire formed Remington 6mm brass
Federal 210 primer