22 WCF - IMR-4227 & SR-4759 - anything else

[TonyT]

I finally fouind some misplaced data for my Win 1885 in 22 WCF. At that time I did not have a chronograph and the only powders available were SR-4759 and IMR-4227. I used the Lyman #225438 and #225462 gas checked bullets. Has anyone used Unique, LilGun or XMP-5744 in this caliber ? I believe it's actually the black powder version of the 22 Hornet.
One other question, according to my notes the same loads which shot 2 in. groups at 100 yards in the Win 1885 with peep sights would not group better than ca. 6 inches from my Model 70 in 22 Hornet with a 6X scope. Any explanation?

[Nobade]

5744 is the only thing that will shoot for beans in my Sako hornet. Why? Who knows. It sure is finicky though!

[oldhickory]

2400 might be another option to try, of course if all fails...Break out the Unique!

[oldhickory]

One other question, according to my notes the same loads which shot 2 in. groups at 100 yards in the Win 1885 with peep sights would not group better than ca. 6 inches from my Model 70 in 22 Hornet with a 6X scope. Any explanation?

There's quite a few things it could be, rifling twist, bore/grove dia. depth of the rifling, condition of the bores, and so on.

You'll probably want to keep things mild for the 1885, using a 45gr boolit some loads might be, 4gr of Unique for around 1500fps, or 6gr. of 2400 for 1650fps. These are the only published smokeless loads I've found.

[StrawHat]

I also am looking for loads for a 22 WCF. Mine is a #3 Ballard, lined and chambered by VM Starr.

I have loaded smokeless for it but only the starting loads listed for the 22 Hornet and nothing worked well enough to post here. I owuld like to find loads using 5744 or other bulky powder.

At some point I will go back and retry black powder, but this time I will use a BP lube instead of the smokeless lubes.

[oldhickory]

Sorry Strawhat, besides the 2 smokeless loads listed above the only thing I was able to come up with was 13gr. of 3F. If you want to experiment with Black, you might try some 4F.

[Bent Ramrod]

For a strong rifle, like an 1885 Winchester, I shoot either Ideal 225462 or 228367, with as much IMR-4198 as I can get into the case with a drop tube while still allowing boolit seating without deformity. This varies from 9 to 10 grains, depending on the brand of shell.

I've used the 22WCF Winchester boolit or the Ideal 225438 with 4.75 gr Unique in the Winchester Single Shot. Other loads with the 225438 have been 6.7 gr 2400 or 0.5 gr Bullseye.

I use 4.5 gr Unique and the Ideal 225107 in my Stevens #44.

[TonyT]

For a strong rifle, like an 1885 Winchester, I shoot either Ideal 225462 or 228367, with as much IMR-4198 as I can get into the case with a drop tube while still allowing boolit seating without deformity. This varies from 9 to 10 grains, depending on the brand of shell.

I've used the 22WCF Winchester boolit or the Ideal 225438 with 4.75 gr Unique in the Winchester Single Shot. Other loads with the 225438 have been 6.7 gr 2400 or 0.5 gr Bullseye.

I use 4.5 gr Unique and the Ideal 225107 in my Stevens #44.

Did you chrono those loads?

[Bent Ramrod]

The 225462 with 9.5 gr 4198 was 2017 ft/sec. The 4.75 gr Unique load with the 225438 was 1957 ft/sec; with the .22 WCF plain base it was 2021 ft/sec.

The 4.5 gr Unique/225107 load was 2121 ft/sec. I didn't chronograph the other loads mentioned.

Generally these are averages of 5 shots over my Chrony.

[TonyT]

Bent,
Thanks for the chrono data.
Tony

[trevj]

Seen the write-ups by beagle, on the castpics link at the bottom of the screen?

They are under "articles By Members". One just on the Hornet, more info in the Casting for .22's three part set.

A good read!

Cheers
Trev

[mazo kid]

If you want to experiment with Black, you might try some 4F.
I would not recommend any 4fg black powder for a load as the pressures are rather erratic. Just my 2 cents worth.

[StrawHat]

I would not recommend any 4fg black powder for a load as the pressures are rather erratic. Just my 2 cents worth.

mazo kid,

Have you tried ffffG? How is it you know pressures are erratic? I have not tried it yet but it is on my "to do" list and would prefer to avoid headaches.