22GT .120FB vs .169

[JoeK]

Considering the 22GT for cup’n core bullets in the 75-88gr range and also interested in trying some of the 70+gr monos from Maker, lehigh, hammer for open country deer/pronghorn hunting.

If anyone has experience with the 22GT which chamber would you choose? .120 FB or .169?
My hunch is that I don’t actually need the longer FB but according to the interweb monos may prefer longer jump and I don’t know how long I would want to seat the 80-88gr either…

 

[Hondo64d]

I had the .169 freebore and it shot the 68gr HHTs fabulously.

John

 

[Hoghead]

I have a 22 creedmoor with 120 and my buddy has the 169. I loose case capacity with the monos. As soon as he brings me his rifle so I can make a dummy round for the smith I'm going to have it throated to 150 I think thats the sweetest spot.

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[hereinaz]

In my experience, too short is a problem if you have to seat bullets into the case losing efficiency and getting donut problems. That is the determining factor for me. Will the longest bullet I want to shoot fit?

I haven’t measured the lands in forever.

While throat length may be something bench rest guys say they can see effects (Eric Cortina says he doesn’t chase lands) I haven’t seen that it matters in a practical sense. I think half of what they do is like the religious ceremonies the bladesmiths used for samurai swords. Some was metallurgical and some was ceremony. Hard to say which is which for lots of shooting “rules”.

I stopped worrying about jump a long time ago.

There are manufacturers who are known to have long throated rifles and they still shoot.

I think if people believe it matters, then it does to them. But, if you want to know whether to believe it or not, don’t choose that fork in this moment in time your life.

If you might shoot monos, pick the one that the masses say works and be done with any more energy into the thought.

That is my opinion worth everything you paid for it.

 

[JoeK]

Thanks for the inputs. I'm definitely not going to be doing any bench rest load dev or messing about near the lands. Unless I go with the .120FB and end up running out of throat to seat these bullets outside the case. which is exactly what I want to avoid.

"In my experience, too short is a problem if you have to seat bullets into the case losing efficiency and getting donut problems. That is the determining factor for me. Will the longest bullet I want to shoot fit?"
This is exactly the question I'm looking for the answer to.

I didn't really intend to go beyond the 80ELDs since there's so many reports out there of the 88s being finicky for a lot of folks. I don't know how the CBTO of 80ELDs compares to the 70gr monos. I also don't know if the .169FB was designed for the longer 88/90gr class of bullets or if it's also justified with the 80's. And now they announce the upcoming 88TMK into the mix and more FB space does sound like a better idea. but I don't actually know where the geometry lines up on these bullets and how much FB it really takes to seat them properly out of the case.

 

[nm.otter]

I didn't really intend to go beyond the 80ELDs since there's so many reports out there of the 88s being finicky for a lot of folks.

In .22 GT?

 

[khuber84]

The only bullets that really need the 169 are 88/90 Hornady, the heavy solids, and surprisingly the long bearing 77tmk. I have some match barrels with 169fb, and my 22in light barrel is 120, I shoot 80 eldm and 85.5 Bergers in that.

 

[JoeK]

in general. most info on heavy .22cal is found in 22CM or .22 ARC.
of course it's hard to interpret internet chatter vs reality but anecdotally it seems the 80s CAN be easier to deal with, or perhaps it's just a crapshoot and the loudest voices come from a few guys who struggled with the 88's. The 80s are definitely easier to find for less $ though.

 

[JoeK]

The only bullets that really need the 169 are 88/90 Hornady, the heavy solids, and surprisingly the long bearing 77tmk. I have some match barrels with 169fb, and my 22in light barrel is 120, I shoot 80 eldm and 85.5 Bergers in that.

of course the 77TMK is always in the mix for a killing option. I was actually worried the .169 might be getting a ways out ahead of a 77gr

 

[amassi]

of course the 77TMK is always in the mix for a killing option. I was actually worried the .169 might be getting a ways out ahead of a 77gr

of course the 77TMK is always in the mix for a killing option. I was actually worried the .169 might be getting a ways out ahead of a 77gr

77tmk don’t care bout no jump haha that’s the beauty of a mag length design
I’d do the .170 for long monos, the eld line and safe bet the new 22 tmk options would work.


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[khuber84]

88s can be finicky if you're one those guys that doesn't belive seating depth matters.........

 

[nm.otter]

Anyone seen failures to perform well in factory .22 ARC or .224 Valkyrie 88gr loads?

It's possible there's a reason Hornady does not offer them in .22 CM factory ammo.