04-13-2020, 04:32 AM
FLshooter Wrote:Id like to know what kind of velocity you can get with a 22 Grendel barrel w/6.5 twist shooting 90 grain SMK. Want to compare to my Valkyrie
I finally got around to loading some of the new Berger 85.5 LR Hybrids for my Howa Mini in 22 Grendel, which has a 24" Bartlein 1-6.8tw bbl. I've had pretty decent velocity & accuracy in a couple of 223AI rifles with Alliant PP2000MR, so tried a fairly stiff charge of it in new cases formed on Starline brass. Loaded 10rds each with Federal 205s & CCI 450s, then seated them to jump around .020", which fits into the plastic Howa 6.5 Grendel mag with a little room to spare. Conditions were actually very mild yesterday afternoon; it was 82*F with no more than 3mph of breeze from 7:00. Any less breeze than that, and I'd have issues with heat waves off the bbl interfering with what I can see through the scope. At any rate, the Fed 205 loads were fairly consistent, with ES of 24, SD of 8, and avg vel of 2946fps. Bolt lift was normal, and there were no pressure signs. The first couple of CCI 450 rounds gave stiff bolt lift that scuffed the caseheads, but no cratering of primers nor any ejector swipe. ES was 36, SD - 12, avg vel -2950fps. Oddly enough, the next 8rds after the first two had normal bolt lift, but whatever - I don't believe I'd run this load again; instead, would back it off about .3gr. Was shooting AR500 steel plates at 600yds, and wasn't all that impressed with the groups with either primer. Not saying they were 'all over the place', but I'm pretty sure the rifle will shoot better than what I saw. If nothing else, I at least got a good idea of the velocity this chambering is capable of....