Hi all, I am new to this site,I’ve been reading many, many posts about the 22-250, I am considering buy a Savave model 12 low profile varmiter with a 12 twist. I DO NOT reload and don’t really intend to. My ? is will this gun be a good choice for shooting factory ammo in 50gr. , 55gr., 53gr.(if I can find it) and maybe 60gr. as these bullet weights seem to be readily available in my area. I want the 22-250 because it’s a fast,flat shooter, probably won’t be shooting more than 300yds. But you never know. Coyotes, woodchucks and other undesirables will be my main focus. Thanks.
22-250
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I have seen where that caliber can be quite a barrel burner, I don’t plan on sitting in a P Dog town so I don’t think that will be a problem for me, an occasional range trip and bipping a coyote or two is probably all I will be using it for, I’d like to be able to get it sighted in and just be able to put the x-hairs on the intended target and pull the trigger.
alf
Silver $$ Contributor
I've wore out 22-250 barrels on PD's, for your use, barrel life is not a concern.
If it was, I'd probably go with a 223 instead, longer barrel life & cheaper to shoot.
As long as the 10# bare weight doesn't bother you, get it.
alf
Silver $$ Contributor
I'd go anywhere in the mid range, 3X on the bottom, 16X on the top.
If 3-600 yards and you do not reload, suggest you just go to the 223. I have a few of both and the 223 is hard to beat for easy ammo, easy on the barrel, easy accuracy, easy recoil, etc. There is very little the 223 will not do that the 22-250 will do better with those bullet weights. Do an 8 twist it will give you the light and heavier bullets.
17VLD
Gold $$ Contributor
If you can find loaded ammo with the 53 vmax you will love it,point and shoot out to 400 yards would be a cake walk. The 12 twist is Taylor made for the 53 vmax. I'd search these classified adds for a 6.5x20 Leupold and be extremely happy, of course there are tons of choices, perhaps a 4.5x14. Depends on your budget and eyesight, but buy the best you can afford you won't be sorry.
Matt
Matt
From what I’ve read, an 1:8 twist is too much for the 50-55 grainers, unless I’m missing something, but on the 2 bullet twist calculator sites I’ve looked at (Berger, Jbm ) say that they are not stabilized. I thought about getting a 1:10 twist gun but all I will be probably shooting are factory ammo in 50-60 grain. If I were planning on reloading I would rethink a little.
Coyotefurharvester
Silver $$ Contributor
With a factory barrel there is no guarantee a particular brand or preferred bullet will shoot accurately. Quality mounts/mounting of a good optic is needed to assess ammo accuracy. Stay away from the base/entry scopes no matter the brand, find a mid line and up scope. 14-16x and above top end.
The gun I am looking at is available in both a 1:9 and a 1:12 twist, but because I only plan on shooting factory ammo I figured that the 1:12 twist would be the best for my application, also the Savage 12 from what I understand has a easily replaceable barrel in the event I maybe get into reloading which at that point I would also change the barrel to accommodate the heavier/longer bullets.
Ive got a sako 1 in 14 that shoots 60 gr. ballistic tips the best of any weight Ive tried in it. I think those 60s are short length to ogive. So you cant go entirely on bullet weight. Doug
Clancy
Silver $$ Contributor
I would pick something other than a Savage. There are a lot of Tikkas available right now. I think you’d end up with a much better rifle if you went that way, and it’ll be a perfect platform for a custom when you get hooked.
Whatever you buy, give it a real good cleaning before you shoot it. Buy one box 3 kinds of ammo that’s widely available, test it and go buy more of the winner from the same lot.
I just did a factory ammo test for a guy that gets free Hornady ammo. It was a 6 ARC. We tested 5 kinds of ammo, 2 5 shot groups each. We cleaned between ammo and shot 2 foulers of each. (That’s way more than enough in a Krieger.). Anyway, we saw groups from 4” to .205”. The lot of 108 ELD match we ended up with has shot a bunch of .2s
Put some serious cash into the optic.
Whatever you buy, give it a real good cleaning before you shoot it. Buy one box 3 kinds of ammo that’s widely available, test it and go buy more of the winner from the same lot.
I just did a factory ammo test for a guy that gets free Hornady ammo. It was a 6 ARC. We tested 5 kinds of ammo, 2 5 shot groups each. We cleaned between ammo and shot 2 foulers of each. (That’s way more than enough in a Krieger.). Anyway, we saw groups from 4” to .205”. The lot of 108 ELD match we ended up with has shot a bunch of .2s
Put some serious cash into the optic.
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Gary in MD
Gold $$ Contributor
Love the 22-250, great choice!
I'd pick a Tikka over the Savage but lots of guys like the Savage.
Yea, for the love of God, put a decent scope on it
I'd pick a Tikka over the Savage but lots of guys like the Savage.
Yea, for the love of God, put a decent scope on it
Higgly -
Howdy !
I have either owned, shot, and/or performed re-loading for several .22-250s since 1974. This includew Rem and Ruger factory guns, custom rifle from P.O. Ackley, Fred Sinclair, Mark Penrod, C.L Meracle.... built on Mauser, Remington, Ruger, and Winchester actions.
The 1-14 twist was utilized by Remington for their .221 Fireball, .222, .222Mag, .223, and even for their M-700 .220Swift " Classic " rifles ( to my knowledge ). 1-14 works well for 50-60gr .224" cal bullets, with the 60gr bullets being ok for use in a .22-250, as-long-as
bullet oal does not exceed .75". For " benchrest " shooting, 52-53gr FB HPs were the
proven winning bullet wt.... back when the .22-250 was a " wildcat ", and was used for short range benchrest.
For years and years 55gr was the most prevalent bullet wt seen in.22-250 factory ammo.
It is still a usefull bullet wt for a .22-250, today. If your application is groundhog, something like a factory loading featuring the excellent Hornady 55SX bullet is suggested.
+1 on the 4.5X14 scope idea, put forth by 17VLD.
With regards,
357Mag
ELR LVR
Silver $$ Contributor
You will like it
RegionRat
Gold $$ Contributor
Still some good tidbits in the main site 22-250 section.
https://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/22-250/
https://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/22-250/
Coyotefurharvester
Silver $$ Contributor
Out of a 12 twist 22-250 some of the best factory ammo Nosler 55 BT, on the economy side the white box(40 rounds) Winchester 45 Hp has shot above it's price point. The Sig ammo is good if you run across it.
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