.22 BR Remington

The.22 BR Remington was developed around 1963 by Jim Stekl, who modified the.308 × 1.5-inch Barnes case by necking it down to.22 caliber, lengthening the case by approximately 0.020 inches, and increasing the shoulder angle to 30°. Remington standardized the cartridge dimensions and introduced brass for it in 1978. Although never offered as a factory chambering, it has gained traction among benchrest competitors and varmint hunters, especially due to improved ease of case forming from 6 mm BR brass Sierra Bullets.

Despite its smaller case capacity, the.22 BR can approach the performance of the.22-250 Remington, achieving similar velocities (40–60-gr bullets) while using 30–32 grains of powder compared to 35–38 grains for the.22-250. Load data, particularly from Sierra and other ballistic sources, includes velocity-energy tables showing maximum speeds nearing 3,900 fps and energies around 1,400–1,600 ft·lb across various bullet weights and powders.

With its high velocity, minimal recoil, and precision, the 22 BR is well suited for: • Varmint hunting, effective out to 300 yards and more. • Benchrest shooting, valued for consistent accuracy. • Anecdotal field reports describe custom rifles achieving ~4,000 fps with 40-gr bullets and exceptional success in hog control.

Although comparable to cartridges like the.22-250, the.22 BR stands out for better accuracy, longer barrel life, and lower powder consumption. It remains a worthy option among BR family wildcats, despite being overshadowed by the popularity of 6mm BR and.22 PPC variants.