.22 Freechex report.

[JeffinNZ]

Team.

I have an experimental rig from Charlie for making .22 gas checks. Tried it out today at 50/55y in my Rem 700 .223 pushing the Lyman 225462 over 6gr of Green Dot for 1700fps; a proven load. I shot Freechex in 0.005 Cu and 0.0043 soda can wall plus old style Lyman brass slip on checks and current Hornady crimp on.

Here is how it they went. The Freechex, flyer not withstanding on the Al target shot into 3/4 inch.



I think the Hornady group may have been subject to a neck tension issue. Can't explain the flyer in the Al group. Retesting tomorrow weather permitting.

All in all, really happy with the results. The Freechex anvil supplied takes 5/16 disc however these makes checks with sides a shade too tall for the likes of the Lyman 225415. On the 25462 they are fine. I have suggested to Charlie he use 9/32 punches and adjust the anvils to suit which he is going to do.

[beagle]

Jeff....thanks for the report. I've been bugging Charlie for a .22 rig but haven't scored one yet. Keep us posted on what you find./beagle

[JeffinNZ]

Yeah, he told me that there has been demand but as the .22 gadgets are very fiddly and require a little more care to produce a quality check Charlie said he was a bit gun shy on them. It would appear he is reviewing this stance and asked if I would mind helping out with some testing. The tolerances between the mandrel and anvil on the .22 Freechex are very tight and this is to prompt nice even forming. Of course these tolerances reflect in the amount of work in producing the device though.

Another reason to pop primers at the range. HELL YES I thought.

[Euan]

Giday Guys,
I hope This works. Tested some of Jeff in NZ aluminium and copper Gas Checks. rifle is Rem mod 7 with 22" 1 in 9 twist Barrel. The load was 6.8 grains unique. All bullets cast from wheel weights, Range 85 yards. The lyman 225438 did not goe to well. but was happy enough with the lyman 225415 and the CBE 225 42.
Cheers Euan.

[Euan]

Try this time.
Picture on left= Target left is Lyman 225415 Aluminiun Gas Check. Centre is Lyman 225438 with aluminiun GC. Right is CBE 225 42 with aluminiun GC.

Picture in middle= Left is Lyman 225415 copper GC. Centre is Lyman 225348 copper GC, Right is CBE 225 42 copper GC.

Picture on right= Lyman 225415 hornady GC as a comparason.

The Lyman 225438 just don't like the load. There is definitly a lot of promise with these Free checks.
Cheers Euan.

[JeffinNZ]

Pretty respectable for 85 yards Euan.

What calibre? .223/.222/.22-250???

I have been trying to get back to the range myself but the weather is thwarting my attempts. Cos we need more rain.......................NOT. I swear I saw the dog sink out of sight in the back lawn yesterday!

[Euan]

Jeff, Sorry about that. Rifle is a 223.
Cheers Euan.

[JeffinNZ]

Team.

Did some more testing today with the .22 Freechex in my .223 Rem. I have established the 4.2 thou alum soda can wall is too thin for the .22 checks and the 5 thou Cu is a little irregular. This is mind I went to the Asian foodstore close by and bought a can of imported soda as the foreign cans appear to have thicker side walls. After consuming the pineapple beverage, which was rather pleasant, I cut the can up. The extreme edges of the can (top and bottom) side walls were 7 thou so I formed checks from these and loaded them on the Lyman 225462 bullet over 6gr of Green Dot for 1700fps; my test bed load. I have to twin size the 225462 bullets for my rifle. Front band is sized .224 with bullet upside down in the 4500 and then the check is applied and bullet lubed in a .226 die. This twin sizing allows the bullet to be seated within the case neck and into the leade. Put down this target.



10 rounds, the first of which went a shade wide. I have observed that when changing between the coated alum and commercial checks the first round from either will go slightly wide of POI as the barrel 'beds' down again. The balance of 9 rounds printed 5/8 inch at 55 yards (50m) which is basically MOA. Safe to conclude that material closer to 7 thou is a good combination for the .22 gadget. Can't argue with this accuracy especially out of my sporter weight Rem 700 with a less than perfect bore.