5.5(7?) Velodog Load - Centerfire 22 LR Load - BP and Smokeless

So the wife bought me one of the Belgian Velodog pistols a couple of years ago. Very nice gesture and I love her to death, but it is chambered in the 5.5 (some say 5.7) mm Velodog round. Basically a centerfire 22 long rifle in a case that resembles a 22 magnum. I did some research and the modern 22 CCM (Cooper Centerfire Magnum) case is almost the exact size after trimming to length. So, I have a set of 22 CCM dies and 100 22 CCM cases on the way to me now. All I need is a load to put into the cases. The firearm has the Lion over PV Nitro Proof as well as the Crown over PV Superior nitro proof mark. So, I am assuming it is safe to fire with light smokeless powders. That is unless someone here has an opinion otherwise. This won't be hot rodded and I prefer the use of smokeless just for the simplicity of cleaning the thing when I'm done shooting it. I can be convinced to shoot only black powder if someone here thinks it is wiser. I do realize that the thing is probably over a hundred years old. Though it is in remarkably good shape.

So, I just need some suggestions on reproducing 22 LR ballistics in smokeless powder.

The black powder load I'm not as concerned with as I suspect the original round was a case full of black. I'd start at about a half a case and use a filler for the remaining space on the black powder loads. Might work up from there, but I'm not trying to get any level of performance out of this round. I just want it to be reliable and safe for both myself and the gun.

EDIT to add: I see that the original 22 black powder loads contained around 5 grains of black. I assume that the elongated 22 CCM case will hold a bit more than that. I guess I'll be using some type of filler for my first tries with black powder.

Nope, the Velodog cartridge was developed as a centerfire equivalent of the 22 LR that had the reliability of the center fire ignition.

There were a lot made in this style and a lot of different calibers. But the original caliber was centerfire.

What I have been able to glean off the internet is a lot of caution. Apparently the difference between a normal load and an overload can be as small as 0.20 grains depending on powder. I was hoping someone had experience with Trailboss as that seems to be a bulky powder.

Dudedog said:

One post in the link above say 4.7gr of Unique,
I can't see 4.7 grs fitting in the case and if it did I would think that would be way to much powder....
No idea on the charge weight but VV says 3N37 was designed for 22 LR
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I would be tempted to email Alliant, Hodgdon, VV and Western and ask if they have any data.
They may or may not, but all the email costs you is a little time.

I emailed Western once about AA#2 in .32 S+W Long and got an answer back in a day or so.

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Good point, I didn't think about contacting the powder manufacturers.

Thanks!

Thanks Frog. I changed the title of this thread to include your suggestion.

FROGO207 said:

If you do use black powder tamp it down like in a pistol then use a filler that keeps you from an air space or fill the brass and compress the powder using the bullet.
Trail Boss has instructions to figure out the charge. The big takeaway is not to compress it at all.

You could also start a post asking specifically for info on 5.5 Velodog loading. This might give you better exposure.

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