22gn, 17 Cal researchers required

[billsshed]

Thanks for the first report. Did they group?
Interesting to hear that the SP liked going slower. The only difference between them is length, as they both came out of the same set of dies. Just goes to show weight is not the only factor in stability. Length plays its role.
What barrel twist ? Bets on a slower twist rate! 1in 10, or slower maybe.
Marginally less accurate. Would you have a dimension?
It is all good data for us. Thanks

Bill

[billsshed]

Just ran some numbers through the Berger barrel twist calculator, but those projectiles are stable until you get to 1 in 12” and slower at around 3500-3600 f/s. Looking forward to hearing the details.
The Open tip comes out at .490” long and the SP .455” long.

Bill

[MISSED]

I spent some time at the range last Sunday, with my 17 Ackley Hornet Martini Cadet. The soft points liked going slower, while the hollow points liked it more the faster they went. I don't have velocities and haven't worked out how to post photos, but they were marginally less accurate than the control rounds, with 20 grain Varmageddons.

Jeff

Jeff email them to sakol461@gmail.com and I will put them up for you.

[Ol 55]

I tested some soft points in my 17 fireball at about 3800 and found they grouped bigger than the zmaxs going 4000 but both didn't shoot as good as another powder so will try some with 8208 over BM2.
Gary

[Branxhunter]

SPs at top, HPs at bottom, 115 paces - nomloqd development, just used the same primers/powder/charge weight as
my 20gn v-max load:



The HPs are spectacular on paddy-melons (the fruit, not the animal)

My 20gn v-max load:



Marcus

[Ol 55]

Marcus,
Similar results to mine I'm going to back the load down, also try them in my Ackley Hornet.
Gary

[Branxhunter]

Nice still morning so compared some projectiles in the .17-222

Marcus

[billsshed]

Maybe I should send you some 20gn, but You may have some already, just see if the group is comparable.
Those 22gn results do not seem to flash at all. I expected better. A lot better. Just for interest what is the the length of the 20gn projectile.

Bill

[Branxhunter]

Maybe I should send you some 20gn, but You may have some already, just see if the group is comparable.
Those 22gn results do not seem to flash at all. I expected better. A lot better. Just for interest what is the the length of the 20gn projectile.

Bill

To be fair I haven't done any load work up for your 22gn projectiles; I just used the same powder charge as I have developed for the 20gn v-max. Maybe yours are more sensitive to velocity/powder charge weight. Maybe a different powder might be better.

With the v-maxes group size only varied a bit with increasing powder charge so I just picked one that towards the top end of the range I tested to give a buffer. Pressure wise.

I don't have any of your 20gn offerings.

I have about half a box of 25gn Remington HPs that I will try out of interest at some stage as well. Perhaps scrounge or buy some Hornady 25gners too - purely for scientific research of course.

Marcus

[billsshed]

Thanks for this write up. I expected more from the projectiles. On that note, there may a distinct step change in relation to length. I do tend to build them with a longer jacket which effects stability.
The SP were .455” long and I can not make them any shorter than that but the open tip is .490” long.

I may just drop this eternal tinkering and just stick to the 17 and 20gn. They seem to run well.
I have some 20 and 25gn here but are maybe a bit long. .506” and .530” respectively.
I will sent them through and you can compare at your leisure.

Bill

[Branxhunter]

A bit of field testing today - left hand rabbit took at 22gn SP at ~60m. Right hand one a 20gn v-max at ~120m



Got a couple more with the v-maxes out to around 200m with the same result.


Marcus

[billsshed]

Rabbits...haven't seen one of them in a while.
Wreakage galore.

Bill

[Branxhunter]

Tried your 20gn and 25gn HPs this morning Bill, as well as some Rem and Hornady 25gn HPs. Again no load development, just picked a charge weight, loaded and shot them.

This mornings groups are the second and third row. First two groups on the left have some yips caused by me, so I think the 25gn pill may have promise in this rifle.



Up to date I had settled on BM2 as the powder of choice for accuracy and velocity. I mistakenly loaded some cases with BM1, and after checking that 21.6gn should be safe I proceeded to try them too - it looks like with the 25gn pills BM1 gives an extra ~150fps over BM2, with easy extraction. Hmmmm.....


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[billsshed]

I agree the 25gn shows promise but the factory 20gn have it all over my 20gn projectiles. I see the velocity is up in the 4K mark. By my calculations I think the 17 cal should be good for 4500fps.
When I get back to my press, I will make some shorter 20gn and send them through. You never know until you try.

Bill

[Ol 55]

I agree the 25gn shows promise but the factory 20gn have it all over my 20gn projectiles. I see the velocity is up in the 4K mark. By my calculations I think the 17 cal should be good for 4500fps.
When I get back to my press, I will make some shorter 20gn and send them through. You never know until you try.

Bill

I think you are correct factory are doing better in my Fireball at least.Haven’t had a calm enough day to try the Ackley for a while.
Gary