.22 CHeetah Mark II (Hodgdon Data)

.22 Cheetah Mark II (Hodgdon Data)

Hodgdon’s published data for cartridges like the .22 Cheetah, including variants such as the Mark II, provides a practical framework for load development with controlled pressures and component safety. While Hodgdon does not always publish data specific to every wildcat iteration, their general .22 and small-caliber tables offer reliable reference points for safely scaling loads to the Mark II variant.

In Hodgdon data, emphasis is placed on selecting powders that offer clean burn, consistent metering, and moderate temperature sensitivity—qualities ideal for wildcat cartridges with tighter tolerances like the .22 Cheetah Mark II. Propellants such as H322, Benchmark, and IMR 4198 often serve as starting points for experimentation, with Hodgdon’s safe charges used as baselines for working up to more tailored loads.

For bullet weights in the 35–50 grain range—those most often used in Mark II testing—Hodgdon’s tables help handloaders estimate likely pressure behavior and velocity outcomes. Hodgdon’s “maximum” loads offer ceilings beyond which care must be taken, while the “starting loads” provide safe margins to begin development. The data often includes expected velocity and extreme spread (ES) metrics, enabling reloaders to compare their chronograph results against trusted benchmarks.

Adapting Hodgdon’s data to the Mark II variant usually means scaling for changed internal case volume, neck geometry, and any shoulder or taper adjustments made in the wildcat version. Shooting safely requires incremental charge increases, consistent brass prep, and close monitoring of pressure signs, especially when approaching Hodgdon’s suggested upper limits.

Overall, Hodgdon’s data offers valuable input to reloaders seeking to optimize the .22 Cheetah Mark II. By combining Hodgdon’s disciplined approach to safe loading with wildcat experimentation, one can develop accurate, reliable loads that honor both performance and safety in this specialized cartridge.

Source: Wolfe Publishing & Hodgdon Rifle Data