Tuning .22 Cricket 2 Tac power tune

[zx10wall]

Client wanted his new .22 Cricket 2 Tactical to shoot heavyish slugs. I pulled out all the stops! Opened up the valve, opened up the valve spring adjuster, opened barrel port, installed lighter valve spring, cut a custom hammer spring, added another belleville in regulator & installed a custom poppet with titanium valve stem shaped for full flow. Groups pictured at bottom are 5-shots at 100 yards. I’m satisfied and he’ll be stoked!

I tested several slugs. The Varmint Knocker 34gr were the winner at 950 fps. 
Created: 12/21/21 07:22 PM
Description: Power tuned .22 Cricket 2
Notes 1: Tactical
Notes 2: Varmint Knockers
Distance to Chrono(FT): 1.00
Ballistic Coefficient: 0.100
Bullet Weight(gr): 34.00
Temp: 50 °F
BP: 1017.87 inHg
Altitude: 120.00
# FPS FT-LBS PF
12 951 68.29 32.33 
11 950 68.15 32.30 
10 951 68.29 32.33 
9 948 67.86 32.23 
8 949 68.00 32.27 
7 950 68.15 32.30 
6 951 68.29 32.33 
5 945 67.43 32.13 
4 945 67.43 32.13 
3 952 68.43 32.37 
2 952 68.43 32.37 
1 949 68.00 32.27 
Average: 949.4 FPS
SD: 2.4 FPS
Min: 945 FPS
Max: 952 FPS
Spread: 7 FPS
Shot/sec: 0.1
True MV: 950 FPS

 

[zx10wall]

34gr at 950 fps ~ 68 FPE

 

[douger]

Another thumper for sure

 

[Cranky1]

Wow nice build, definitely one to be happy with. 

 

[Bigredhunter]

Sweetness

 

[bertman77mk2]

Waiting for your review of the new Vulcan !

 

[Centercut]

Awesome! Great job!!!

 

[FunGun]

Great tune! Excellent results!

Just wondering though....out of curiosity, how much more do you think she has in reserve, or do you think you have maxed out on the power curve?

 

[zx10wall]

I think she’s about tapped out. That is, with getting 30 plus shots on a fill in regulated form, she’s putting out a ton of power for a 600mm barrel. I suppose you could go unregulated and get 8-10 shots at an extreme “big bore” type tune. You may get more power that way! Who knows but sounds horrible

 

[easyridemm]

Very nice build Derrick! Your client has good reason to be stoked.

 

[22-250Boss]

I have been speaking via phone with Derrick about getting my Vulcan in his hands, highly impressed with his work. He has great attention to detail, and extremely thorough with his final tuning. Another great custom job!!

 

[mcoulter]

Wow, just wow

Can you describe what did you do to the firing valve and/or spring? I assume there is some modifications there but I am not sure what I'm looking for. Also, do you peen the firing valve retainer when putting it back? I saw that was done from the factory. Have you found that the depth that you screw that valve retainer in make much difference in the tune?

 

[zx10wall]

@mcoulter, as far as porting, the factory will not port and polish for maximum or best flow dynamics. They just can’t as it would cost too much and slow production rates!

I open up and shape the ports of the valve and barrel. Factory ports are 90 degree machined/milled and smallish for the most part. I radius the 90s, enlarge and polish. 

The valve spring adjuster’s position does make a difference in the tune. As you increase reg pressure, you do not need the same spring rate to close the valve as the pressure is getting that done more efficiently. It’s best to change the spring all together, in most platforms, when going for big power increases. Yes, I peen the edge to hold the position once it’s set.