The small fast .224's are unfamiliar territory for me. About how fast can a .224 50gr. ballistic tip be driven when exiting a barrel with 1 in 14 twist without coming unglued? I know some bullets are better than others at holding together at high spin rates, but this twist shouldn't cause problems, should it? I'm thinking in terms of say, a 22-6mm with 29+" barrel. Barrel wear is of no concern at this point and I'm not going for the velocity record but I would like to know which 50 grainers would hold up the best at 4000+ and still work on varmint class critters. Sorry about the 55 in the title!
Phil
[This message has been edited by seven17 (edited 01-16-2002).]

[This message has been edited by seven17 (edited 01-16-2002).]

Seven17, The Nosler reloading manuel no.4 states that they have tested .224 cal btips up to 4900fps with out sacrifice of integrity or accuracey. I have shot 50gr btips at 4000fps from my 220 Swift 1in14 twist without any problems.

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Growler

I've shot them over 4300fps,in the 22CHeetah mach One. Never have I seen one come apart,from rotational/velocity stresses.........

While I'm on the subject, what kind of velocities might one expect from a 22-6mm with a 29-30 in barrel, 50gr bullets? Would a very slow powder be best or would I not be able to stuff the case with enough of it? Several guys in my area use this round so I will stick with it to compare data etc.
Phil

I have seen jacketed bullet melt. The evidence is a spiral of lead like a shaded pencil mark near the bullet hole. If you can find the bullet hole.

A reloader in Kirkwood Eastern Cape SA, ran a 40 gr HV mono beyond 5000 fps in his 22 Cheetah. The 40 gr HV mono is similar in length to a jacketed 50 gr bullet and there is no jacket to separate from the core .

We routinely run them at 4400 from a pair of 220 Swift rifles, one of which has been rechambered to 22-06. We are busy working up loads for that one. Good fun and kills like crazy on antelope up to 250 lbs out to 450 meters.

Most of the bullet manufacturers will warn you if there is a problem with speed. I use Hornady 55 grain SXSP bullets, and there is a paper in the box of bullets warning you not go over 3650 fps. I have loaded them a slight bit more without problems. But I have had them going too fast and they just don't get there. A very small puff of grey smoke, and they ain't no more. The Nosler ballistic tips have no warnings, so I have some loaded pretty fast, but haven't had the weather to go shooting yet. I have a box of V-Max bullets, and they don't warn you about speed either, so I am assuming they can also go fast. But, all that said, Performance is what I am after, not speed records. The Hornady 55 grain SXSP does a job on ground squirrels, and that is what I am shooting. Anyone who shoots 4-5 squirrels at 100+ yards with that bullet is hooked on squirrel shooting.