Centerfire 22 long rifle

PaulS · Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2014 6:26 pm Post subject: Centerfire 22 long rifle

I have successfully made the first 22 Long Rifle Centerfire cartridge. (my belief)
I did it using a 25 ACP case. I trimmed the rim to the right diameter, cut some of the web out of the case and formed it using three dies that I made from grade 8 bolts. I have a decapping pin and a capping rod. Now I have to make a powder measure that can accurately meter 0.5 to 1.5 grains of HP-38 and make a bullet mold to cast some bullets.

I plan on using 40 grain bullets at 1250 fps - just like the standard 22 LR rim fire.

I will be able to shoot them from my contender with the 22LR barrel.

gelandangan · Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2014 8:47 pm Post subject: Re: Centerfire 22 long rifle

PICTURES!!! Please.

I am VERY interested in these kind of things.

DallanC · Site Admin Joined: Jan 18, 2005 Posts: 3572 Location: Utah

Crazy, post some pictures of the loaded rounds.

-DallanC

TRBLSHTR · Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2014 11:16 pm Post subject: Re: Centerfire 22 long rifle

If ya use a small pistol mag primer-ya probably won't need powder! Shocked

Btw-how will ya get the firing pin to hit center from a lr bbl in a contender? Viking

Vince · Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2014 1:10 am Post subject: Re: Centerfire 22 long rifle

You have done good Paul. Love to see some pics mate, and also some engineering drawings (without giving away your secrets of course). Like Gelan, I am very interested.

There are moulds available for .224 calibres mate, you shouldn't have any trouble finding something. Biggest pain in the butt is fitting gas checks, if you want to use them...they are so small and fiddly. Layman make a 44gr mould, designed for the Hornet, that closely resembles the .22 bullet.

I'm not sure what electronic scale could measure the loads you are talking about, but I used to easily weigh down to 2gr using a Redding Balance Beam scale.

A standard small pistol primer with a couple of grains of a fast burning powder will give you good velocity...I'd hazard a guess in the 1300-1400 fps easily.

gelandangan · Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2014 4:28 am Post subject: Re: Centerfire 22 long rifle

the problem that I can see is that the case of the 22lr is the same diameter with the projectile,
22 lr projectile have smaller diameter on the end within the case, then it stepped up to the diameter of the case.
Reloaded cases to fit standard chamber should also use similar stepped projectile to maintain rifling seal and thus accuracy.

next, for such limited case volume, very strong crimp is required to get efficient combustion. This means the reloadable shell might have very short life.

Vince · Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2014 7:34 am Post subject: Re: Centerfire 22 long rifle

Using a hollow based projectile, as they do with low powered pistol loads, would overcome the sealing problem. A tight neck would grip the projectile reasonably well, hopefully enough for a complete powder burn. The .25ACP case headspaces on the case mouth from memory, so a taper crimp needs to be applied, again ensuring sufficient grip.

slimjim · Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2014 7:46 am Post subject: Re: Centerfire 22 long rifle

PaulS wrote:

I have successfully made the first 22 Long Rifle Centerfire cartridge. ... I plan on using 40 grain bullets at 1250 fps - just like the standard 22 LR rim fire.

22 LR still that hard to find in the Northwest? I'll send you a brick if you are that desperate.

Bushmaster · Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2014 10:04 am Post subject: Re: Centerfire 22 long rifle

O K Paul. It didn't happen if there are no photos. I'm more interested in the die set up.

DallanC · Site Admin Joined: Jan 18, 2005 Posts: 3572 Location: Utah

slimjim wrote:

22 LR still that hard to find in the Northwest? I'll send you a brick if you are that desperate.

For most people yes it is. I just sold a co-worker a brick (for what I paid, $25) as she mentioned they had been looking since the first of the year and have never found it for sale.

I see bricks for sale about once a week, pass on most of them but I have bought some off and on over the summer, maybe 5,000 rounds worth. I used a few bricks as tips for hunts, few for presents, sold a couple to friends and shot up a couple.

But yea, its generally not in stock in local stores.

-DallanC

gelandangan · Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2014 3:08 pm Post subject: Re: Centerfire 22 long rifle

Hmm 22 shortage, primer shortage and now I also heard of powder shortage..
Odd..

gelandangan · Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2014 3:10 pm Post subject: Re: Centerfire 22 long rifle

Vince wrote:

Using a hollow based projectile, as they do with low powered pistol loads, would overcome the sealing problem. A tight neck would grip the projectile reasonably well, hopefully enough for a complete powder burn. The .25ACP case headspaces on the case mouth from memory, so a taper crimp needs to be applied, again ensuring sufficient grip.

true, but you still have to use steeped projectile to ensure enough of it engaging the rifling.
Otherwise the projectile would bounce along the top of the rifling as it move along the barrel.

slimjim · Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2014 4:59 pm Post subject: Re: Centerfire 22 long rifle

Shooting buddy told me he bought a brick on sale for $25 last weekend. $25?!?!?!. I had told him I would give him a brick if he needed on. Here is a sale.

DallanC · Site Admin Joined: Jan 18, 2005 Posts: 3572 Location: Utah

gelandangan wrote:

Hmm 22 shortage, primer shortage and now I also heard of powder shortage..
Odd..

Primer shortage is over as far as I can see. 22LR is uncommon but its getting better... powders are very hard to find and have been for a year. I've never found Varget for sale in stores. Loke clued me in to a shipment of H4350 which I picked up 2lbs (enough to last me a year or better). Would love to find Varget, I am down to my last can.

-DallanC

Vince · Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2014 6:44 pm Post subject: Re: Centerfire 22 long rifle

No problems getting AR2208 here mate...I would send you some if I could, but the hazmat fees would be astronomical. I have started using Benchmark 8208, made by ADI, in lieu of 2208 (Varget)...same accuracy with slightly less powder.

I'm not sure how, or if, it is marketed in the US, but it is a good powder. I'll have to do some research.