The 22 creedmoor thread

[Lawnboi]

Iv gotten enough questions and have had enough questions about this cartridge that I think it needs it’s own thread. Too much clutter in the 223 thread. I’ll start with my build, and findings on what I’m hoping will be the ultimate deer gun. Hopefully others can add their experience as well as I know a handful of us on here are in the process of making one of these things .


I’ll start with the barrel, I ordered a 16.5” PVA prefit, on a 7 twist blank, the prefit has .100 freebore, is PVA 3B contour and threaded 1/2”, barrel is also cerakoted. I ordered on the 10th of January and got the barrel today. The barrel weighs 2lbs 9oz. The way PVA contours their barrels you end up with the same or similar muzzle diameter whether 16” or 26”, so going longer would likely increase weight more than expected.

THIS IS A TIKKA PREFIT.



The barrel spec is a 7 RH twist, .219 bore, 6 groove barrel. The chamber is cut for .100 freebore. Speaking with PVA they are specd with a large neck so alpha and the like will run, alpha brass drops in the chamber without difficulty. Machine work looks excellent. I took some measurements with 88eldm with it off the rifle.

I screwed the barrel on, and torqued with a SAC modular action wrench to 75 ft lbs. Headspace was confirmed with forester headspace guages.




I’ll update this thread as it gets screwed on, as I load ammo for it and as I hopefully shoot some animals this fall with it.

I encourage others to share their experience with it as well.

 

[Lawnboi]

Initial loading


For starter components I have chosen alpha srp brass, 88eldm, h4350 and cci 450s.

I was able to do some pressure testing in the back yard. My research showed everyone running 37-42 grains of h4350. My goal is to find a safe charge down low to fire from the brass and assess the barrel as it speeds up.

36-38 grains of h4350 produced no pressure signs. 38 grains yielded 2760fps. These are the first 5 rounds down the barrel. Going to load 10 at 38 grains and see where it’s at for accuracy. Checking brass growth, my upper end cases grew .002”, case appears to be supported very well in this chamber.

First time using a Whidden arbor press die, as wilson dosnt make one for the 22 creed and getting a smith to cut one is not very economical. The Whidden works well, different if you’re used to wilson but I’m happy with it as of now.

Case fill with h4350 as of these loads is pretty low. I’m going to grab a few pounds of 4831sc and try that to try to get case fill up.

Following break in my goal is to run the 88 eldm at around 2900 fps.

 

[Lawnboi]

Update: 10/12

Have the barrel broken in, figured I would add some information on my final load for the season, and what I have found. I’m around 250 rounds on the barrel now, and it has sped up approximately 120fps.

I gave up on h4350. It’s just too hot of a powder for the pressure I like to run my rifles, I am load fairly low, wanting a load that’s safe from high heat and moisture to working well in the cold. I’m also assuming that low powder density combined with small rifle primers lent to some poor ignition, having multiple hang fires in sub 20 degree temps.

I swapped to the Peterson brass with LRP, I wouldn’t buy SRP brass for this load any longer, large rifle with their thicker cup combined with better ignition just make for a more reliable system for my purpose of this rifle.

I had some carbon issues with my suppressor shedding lots of carbon, ending up with chunks occasionally in the freebore and neck area, causing pressure and a number of pieces of brass wrecked. This was exacerbated by h4350. From now on when swapping to a short barrel rifle, that has a lot more muzzle pressure than most of what I shoot, I’ll clean the suppressor immediately. I had chunks coming down my bore that I couldn’t believe even fit down the bore. Lesson learned as I shoot 100% suppressed now. Could see the chunks baked into the neck/freebore area with the bore scope.

Final load with h4831sc and Peterson LRP and 88eldm has ended at 2840fps average. I have worked up more, and could achieve another 100fps, but that’s the top end, 100fps makes no difference for my uses with this rifle. My load is still moving 2kfps at 500 yards, really where I want to keep it terminally at my max range.

Last few days I have been shooting cold bore along with confining zero with a few shots and this rifle seems to be holding awesome.





Loaded up some 77tmk. 42g of h4831sc made 3k fps average, grouping very well. 77tmk at faster velocity create some serious damage. I’m not sure I’d want more on a deer.

 

[ShootOkHuntWorse]

Oh great another thread I have to open every 20 minutes to see if anyone has posted.

 

[id_jon]

Got my Preferred barrel yesterday. Ordered 11/21/22. 16.5", sporter #1, 7 twist, .160 freebore. I did not weigh my barrel, but weight is in a CTR stock with an empty mag, suppressor and cover on. Should be able to get out and shoot tomorrow. I have 88gr eld-ms loaded up in Alpha brass with H4831sc.

 

[Muddler]

Looking forward to results. I have a barrel on order w/ CarbonSix and recently picked up a bunch of 69 gr TMK's

 

[mt100gr.]

Iv gotten enough questions and have had enough questions about this cartridge that I think it needs it’s own thread. Too much clutter in the 223 thread. I’ll start with my build, and findings on what I’m hoping will be the ultimate deer gun. Hopefully others can add their experience as well as I know a handful of us on here are in the process of making one of these things .


I’ll start with the barrel, I ordered a 16.5” PVA prefit, on a 7 twist blank, the prefit has .100 freebore, is PVA 3B contour and threaded 1/2”, barrel is also cerakoted. I ordered on the 10th of January and got the barrel today. The barrel weighs 2lbs 9oz.
View attachment 517270
View attachment 517271

I’ll update this thread as it gets screwed on, as I load ammo for it and as I hopefully shoot some animals this fall with it.

I encourage others to share their experience with it as well.

Gonna be a fun thread. Thank you.
What are guys finding to be the go-to powder for 22CM?
Is there ready-to-go brass available?
Expected average barrel life?

I have a std bolt face tikka on hand that may become a project....6mm or one of these....

 

[Lawnboi]

Gonna be a fun thread. Thank you.
What are guys finding to be the go-to powder for 22CM?
Is there ready-to-go brass available?
Expected average barrel life?

I have a std bolt face tikka on hand that may become a project....6mm or one of these....

I’m going to start with h4350 with 88eldm. Curious on how @id_jon ends up with 4831 because I might buy some to hang onto my h4350 for other rifles. We will see.

Finding headstamped 22creed brass is easy now. Peterson, alpha and Hornady are making it. Iv got 100 pieces of alpha SRP 22 creed brass that I’m hopefully going to kill this barrel with, I’m hoping I get Atleast 1000 round barrel life out of it.

The above barrel is a shouldered tikka prefit. Iv also got a 6 creed prefit from PVA but it’s 26” and 7 pounds.an 18” 6 creed is also on my short list for a suppressed hunting gun. I’m hoping to hit 2900-3000 with the 88s in the 22 creed.

 

[SouthPaw]

Got my Preferred barrel yesterday. Ordered 11/21/22. 16.5", sporter #1, 7 twist, .160 freebore. I did not weigh my barrel, but weight is in a CTR stock with an empty mag, suppressor and cover on. Should be able to get out and shoot tomorrow. I have 88gr eld-ms loaded up in Alpha brass with H4831sc.

My next barrel will be a 22creed from Preferred to shoot the 88eldm and some lead-free stuff in CA. I have 10 pounds of H4831sc just sitting because I can't stand to shoot the magnum anymore.

Looking at their freebore options, they recommend the .080 for anything less than 90g. So I'm curious @id_jon with the longer .160 are you able to reach the lands with the 88eldm with still enough bearing surface in the case neck?

 

[sram9102]

Looking forward to results. I have a barrel on order w/ CarbonSix and recently picked up a bunch of 69 gr TMK's

That's gonna be a burner... What length did you go with? My 24" Carbon 6 pushes 88 elds 3250.

 

[id_jon]

My next barrel will be a 22creed from Preferred to shoot the 88eldm and some lead-free stuff in CA. I have 10 pounds of H4831sc just sitting because I can't stand to shoot the magnum anymore.

Looking at their freebore options, they recommend the .080 for anything less than 90g. So I'm curious @id_jon with the longer .160 are you able to reach the lands with the 88eldm with still enough bearing surface in the case neck?

I'm kind of wishing I'd have gone shorter, I'm at 2.715 to get the base of boattail to the base of the neck. Not going to measure my jump, but it will be big. Worst case, I'll just get some 95s, but I bet it will shoot fine.

From the published data I've seen for 22 Creed and 22-250ai, seems like 4350 is a touch fast, so I'm saving it for my 6 and 6.5. 4831/sc should be good, and sounds like h1000 or rl26 is even better.

 

[mt100gr.]

I'm kind of wishing I'd have gone shorter, I'm at 2.715 to get the base of boattail to the base of the neck. Not going to measure my jump, but it will be big. Worst case, I'll just get some 95s, but I bet it will shoot fine.

From the published data I've seen for 22 Creed and 22-250ai, seems like 4350 is a touch fast, so I'm saving it for my 6 and 6.5. 4831/sc should be good, and sounds like h1000 or rl26 is even better.

H1000 you say? With the heavy .224 bullets? That's a powder that I am long on....

 

[id_jon]

H1000 you say? With the heavy .224 bullets? That's a powder that I am long on....

Hodgdon and Petersone both have published data with it. I sleep better at night loading that way personally

 

[Randfal]

The 22 Creedmoor is a nice hot rod. I did a Tikka with a Ackley version of it (reamed chamber with 22-250AI reamer to headspace with 22Creed brass). I made the barrel length 17” and it’s twist was 1:14. I did it just to push 40 and 50gr bullets. Even at 17” I could still push 40gr Nosler to 4206fps with XBR powder. I got into a virgin prairie dog town and could not contain myself. I burned the throat out of that barrel in less than 300rds. Best money I ever spent lol. Everything I hit turned to red mist

 

[Lawnboi]

The 22 Creedmoor is a nice hot rod. I did a Tikka with a Ackley version of it (reamed chamber with 22-250AI reamer to headspace with 22Creed brass). I made the barrel length 17” and it’s twist was 1:14. I did it just to push 40 and 50gr bullets. Even at 17” I could still push 40gr Nosler to 4206fps with XBR powder. I got into a virgin prairie dog town and could not contain myself. I burned the throat out of that barrel in less than 300rds. Best money I ever spent lol. Everything I hit turned to red mist

Going to take self control not to do that with mine.

 

[wind gypsy]

Gonna be a fun thread. Thank you.
What are guys finding to be the go-to powder for 22CM?
Is there ready-to-go brass available?
Expected average barrel life?

I have a std bolt face tikka on hand that may become a project....6mm or one of these....

As awesome as the 22 sounds, i decided to go 18" 6mm first for a couple reasons but primarily because I don't have much time for the load bench anymore and you can get decent factory 6 creedmoor ammo for $1.15/ea. Less time loading, mo time shooting. A little more barrel life is nice. And i might start using monos for whitetails so I liked the idea of a fast 6mm a little better for that application on small midwest whitetail properties.

There's a lot to like about the numbers on a 88 eldm at creedmoor speeds though!

 

[wind gypsy]

Looking at their freebore options, they recommend the .080 for anything less than 90g. So I'm curious @id_jon with the longer .160 are you able to reach the lands with the 88eldm with still enough bearing surface in the case neck?

Funny how that type of generalization works. Far as I know an 88 ELDm has a longer bearing surface than a 90 Berger and thus should be better suited for a long freebore anyway. Maybe the sierras and atips are longer yet though?

I’ve seen FTR guys talking about wanting over 0.200” freebore on 223 chambers for the 88s. Of course freebore diameter and lead angle come into play if not the same.. throat is going to move pretty quick on this cartridge I imagine though.

 

[Seeknelk]

H4831sc works well with 88s in my 24" criterion barrel @ 3250. N565 worked very similar. Now that I have more 4831 I'll go back to that tho.

 

[Randfal]

As awesome as the 22 sounds, i decided to go 18" 6mm first for a couple reasons but primarily because I don't have much time for the load bench anymore and you can get decent factory 6 creedmoor ammo for $1.15/ea. Less time loading, mo time shooting. A little more barrel life is nice. And i might start using monos for whitetails so I liked the idea of a fast 6mm a little better for that application on small midwest whitetail properties.

There's a lot to like about the numbers on a 88 eldm at creedmoor speeds though!

Some 22 creed brass is out there. I’ve bought Hornady before and just used 22-250 brass and fire formed it. The necks will be slightly shorter but it doesn’t hurt anything. NOTE: you have to either create false shoulder or have bullet jammed in the lands to maintain headspacing when using 22-250 brass. I had lots of 22-250 brass so I used it. Easier to just run 6creed brass into 22Creed die and be done.

 

[wind gypsy]

Some 22 creed brass is out there. I’ve bought Hornady before and just used 22-250 brass and fire formed it. The necks will be slightly shorter but it doesn’t hurt anything. NOTE: you have to either create false shoulder or have bullet jammed in the lands to maintain headspacing when using 22-250 brass. I had lots of 22-250 brass so I used it. Easier to just run 6creed brass into 22Creed die and be done.

Yeah, I definitely wouldn't fuss with forming brass now that there are plenty of options for 22 creed head stamped brass.