I have a 26" VVCG Contender barrel with a 1:8 twist on the way. It's chambered for the .223 Remington. I plan to keep in in its present format for a while, but I also plan to rechamber it a little later on.

I was considering the .22 Bench Rest Magnum of Eben Brown, which is basically the same case design as the .219 Donaldson Wasp but with app. 10 grains more capacity. Ready-to-go brass is cheap ($30 per hundred from eabco.com), so no tedious case-forming is necessary.

I have considered the .222 Rem Mag IMP and also the 5.6x50R Bellm. I backed off the idea of the .222 Rem Mag because I do like a rimmed case, and I dropped the idea of the 5.6x50R-Bellm because of brass availability (though I still have about 80 remaining pieces of 1-F RWS brass).

What are your thoughts on this?

I should have added that the primary purpose of the barrel will be targets/plinking with an occasional coyote hunt thrown in along the way. It won't be my primary coyote-getter as in this area, shots tend to be on the longish side, and I feel the .223 is just a tad light for such. But the re-chamber may get a bit more action...

With the 1:8, I plan on concentrating on the Hornady 75 grain A-Max as I know from past experience that this one will expand at the velocities I will be pushing it at. But I'll give other bullets a shot as well...

[ 07-19-2003, 17:32: Message edited by: Bobby Tomek ]

I like EAB's 22 Bench Rest Magnum. I have always thought that it is a little overbore but with the heavy bullets you will be shooting, the extra velocity would be nice! I am very curious how this barrel with the fast twist works out. I have always shot 55 grain bullets in a 1-7 and accuracy is absolutely unbelievable. These are FMJ bullets and i am not sure that the varmint bullets would work out as well, might even rip them apart..... Keep us posted on how well it shoots and what cartridge you select for the rechamber.

Bobby,
I can't really add anything to the discussion about the 22 benchrest, but I can give a little info about the 5.6x50R. I bought the first 100 from Huntingdons gor a fairly hefty price. Later I found loaded ammo from Sellier& Bellot, I think I got it from Ammo Depot. Cost me less than $14 for 20 loaded rounds. I had this Contender rechambered from 223 to 5.6x50R AI. I took it PD hunting a few weeks ago and fired a couple of boxes of the S&B. Didn't lose any cases and they shot less than 1/2". So, don't count the 5.6x50R out.

Rick

Greyfox-
I am glad to hear of someone locating 5.6x50R S&B ammo. I've seen it listed, but when I inquired, I always heard the dreaded "not in stock" phrase.

Actually, S&B was supposed to import unprimed 5.6x50R brass a couple of years ago, but that never materialized.

What dies are you using to load the 5.6x50R AI?

Bobby / Rick / Mike,
What is the case capacity of the 22 Bench Rest Magnum compared to the 222Rem Mag. Improved or the 5.6x50R AI? Within the next 12 months I will be getting a G-2 and will have a 30 cal barrel and a 22 centerfire barrel (15-17 inches). I am also considering the same twist to shoot the heavier bullet (.224) for the long range application. I hope to learn from you guys which one is the best.

Ernie

I don't have a .22 BRM case for measuring capacity, but I do know that Brown claims it holds app. 10 grains more powder than the .219 DW. So, and this an estimate only, I'd say you're looking at 10 grains better than the .222 Rem Mag AI as this round and the DW must be quite close in overall capacity. But like I said, I am estimating here -- and if someone has these cases available for measurement, we'd all appreciate the info.

THe .22 BRM hinges on overbore, but with the 26" barrel and long bullets I plan to use, I am thinking this may be a nice combo.

Bobby Ive read some good articles about the .225 Win but I have never fired one. I'm not sure what the case capacity is and I doubt there have been many cut into fast twist barrles...since it slightly predates the high bc .22cal pills....dont know about the compatablity with the contender frame either......

[ 07-21-2003, 20:24: Message edited by: Dave Jenkins ]