Duplicated on the varmint forum..

Berger 30 grain HP in 22 caliber

I have read a few good reviews on this bullet, and had the opportunity to pick up some.

First impression, at $20.00 a box for 100, they are spendy little suckers for a 30 grain bullet.

Second impression, once the box was opened, it is a very long bullet for a 30 grainer.. actually as long as the 40 grain Ballistic Tip. I took this as a good thing, because the 35 grain V Max is one short and fat bullet. This one is the varmint version so, it had a hollow point configuration.

I weighed some on my reload scale and they were exactly 30 grains on the nose.. I didn’t expect anything less from Berger.

Initial tests on velocity potential are the focus of this range report here. Since the bullet is long for its weight, I can see some velocity potential using fast powders.

I did some chronographing, for the 22/250 and the 223 using a variety of powders.

The bullet was barely seated into the cases. This proved to be a problem in the 22.250 as it would not feed, without hanging up. In the 223, which uses a benchrest follower, they fed just fine…

Here are the results…. Some of these for the 223, should look familiar numbers to 204 shooters, for around this bullet weight range.

22.250.
Firearm Used: Ruger 77 Mk 2 Sporter, 22 inch barrel
Primer Used: CCI Large Rifle
Brass Used: Winchester, Full Length sized, 5th reloading on these cases.

Blue Dot, 19 grains: 3934 fps
RL 7, 34.5 grains: 4503 & 4501 fps
RL 10, 36 grains: 4489 & 4486 fps

223 Remington
Firearm Used: Ruger VT, 26 inch barrel
Primer Used: Winchester Small Rifle
Brass Used: Remington 223 brass, full length sized, second loading

1. RL 7 / 27 grains: 4223 fps
2. RL 10 / 27 grains: 4111 fps
3. Unique, 10 grains: 3179 fps
4. 2400/ 18.5 grains: 3888 fps
5. IMR 4198/ 24.5 grains: 4086 fps
6. H 4227 / 18 grains: 3727 fps
7. Benchmark / 28.5 grains: 3975 fps
8. IMR 4227 / 18.5 grains: 3705 fps
9. Blue Dot / 14.5 grains: 3797 fps

Next I will test the accuracy of my favorite powders here. My assumption is that they will all do quite well. Both rifles are very accurate. The 30 grain loads here duplicate the performance of similar bullet weights in a 204. ( compared to a 223)…

The 22/250 gives the velocity nuts something to check out and play with…The shape of this bullet, make me believe it will be a good distance performer, regardless of lack of bullet weight.

Will update the accuracy potential of a few loads when I get the chance soon.
It is a spendy bullet, but you are getting spendy performance out of it also. Each to his own on making that decision of the cost effectiveness of it… However, since I saw a box of 22 Win Mag ammo the other day, with a trendy bullet on it, and it had a price tag of about $18.00 for 50 shots. The 30 grain Berger might end up being a cost effective ‘boutique’ bullet.. I can see their place and potential. Impressive for a coyote caller…

Cheers
seafire

I'm going to have to try this one in my .223 w/ Blue Dot. With 14 grains of BD and a 36 grain bullet, I am getting 3260 from a 23" COntender barrel. It's not much louder than a 22 Magnum.

Do you know the BC of the Berger offhand?

The 36 grain Barnes Varmint Grenades have been impressive so far for my medium-range pelt loads and I am hoping they continue to work as well on bobcat this winter. But the Berger may be even more of a good thing.

You know, you just keep making me spend more money...

Where did you get your Blue Dot load data? I have a 22BR that I'd like to use my Blue Dot in, but I can't find data anywhere for it. Thanks for your help!
Selmerfan

Seafire/B17G has been kind enough to provide us with a ton of terrific data for Blue Dot loads.

I was a skeptic at first, but these loads are very accurate and extremely economical. I've been impressed.

I don't know if he has 22 BR info, but I bet you could interpolate from his data and come up with a good starting point.

My Blue Dot Data comes from my own personal work and getting out and chronographing the results...

the 22 BR case is ideal for Blue Dot as it likes short and fat cases the best, for flexibility.. it has proven accurate in almost any case I have used it in...

Consult some of the 223 data that I have put on line and work up from there...or drop me a PM with what bullet weights you want to use, and I can tell you where to go from there...

I'm very interested in your data that I could work up from. I'll soon be shooting my 22BR 12" Encore barrel when I get the dies and brass this week. I have to believe that a fast powder from the short barrel will be just as if not more efficient than a standard 22BR powder like Benchmark or H322. Have you found this to be true to any degree? Thanks for your help.
Selmerfan

Selmer,

Blue Dot is a great powder for Encore barrels..

It is not position sensitive, doesn't need a case filler, even on really low velocity loads..

Even in a 16.5 inch barreled Ruger 77, pretty much all the powder burns in about 14 inches of the barrel...

You will find it both accurate and it will also provide substantially less recoil that the Benchmark and H 322 loads you speak of... and don't get me wrong.. In a 223 and 22.250 both of those two powders are strong performers in my experiences...

Seafire, can you email me some data and velocity info from a pistol? willie_rosin@hotmail.com
Thanks for your help! Do you get velocity anywhere close to the standard powders, or is this loading the round down considerably? I'm ok with downloading, they should be good out to 200 yds. with much less noise and recoil.
Selmerfan