Originally Posted by
Traffer
22LR are crimped heavily. In the book "Ammunition Making" by George E Frost, in chapter 12 titled "The 22 Match Cartridge" Frost explains that the crimp "Pull Weight" is critical with modern powders. He and his guys developed match grade 22lr with 45 to 50 lbs of crimp pull weight. Meaning it takes 45 to 50 lbs to pull the bullet from the case. Because modern powder needs compression to burn properly, the bullets must be tight enough to begin that pressure while still in the shell. I have built a crimp weight tester so I can replicate that consistent heavy crimp. I believe that the 22WMR would have the same requirement. Hence the very hard to pull bullets. I am in the process of swaging and powder coating bullets for the 22lr. Once I get the process nailed down I am going to start reloading 22WMR. Concerning the 50 grain bullets you mention, I just read somewhere that the heavy bullets will not fly straight with 1/16 twist. It takes a 1/12 or tighter to get good flight on the heavier bullets.