.22-250' Ackley Improved loads

[Jonny]

My Step-dad's just finished building a .22-250 Ackley improved and as soon as we're finished fire forming the brass we're going to start developing a load. We'd like to use Vit140 or another Vit. powder due to availability here in the UK. Is this the best choice? We'd be using 55 Grain bullets, most likely V-Max.

Look forward to hearing your ideas guys!

 

[chino1969]

My Step-dad's just finished building a .22-250 Ackley improved and as soon as we're finished fire forming the brass we're going to start developing a load. We'd like to use Vit140 or another Vit. powder due to availability here in the UK. Is this the best choice? We'd be using 55 Grain bullets, most likely V-Max.

Look forward to hearing your ideas guys!

What is your twist rate?
Chino69

 

[Jonny]

1-14"

 

[Preacher]

The VV-140 seems a good choice for your 55's, but try the lightweight bullets in your 1 in 14.. I would also try VV-135
The 40 grain Ballistic Tip is usually awesome in most barrels, but you know the drill...
The 40 gr BT at speed will unhinge most varmints really nice.....

 

[Tommie]

I shoot a 22-250AI but have no experience with VV powder. However, if you can get ahold of 220 Swift data you'll have your 22-250AI data. The two cartridges have identical capacities.

Tom

 

[Ackman]

Don't bother "fireforming" brass, it's not necessary. Just work up an accurate load as with any other cartridge and then use it in the field. It'll be faster than a std. 22-250 and not much slower than with formed brass, and just as accurate. Now you know what the gun likes. Using formed cases just start with the fireforming load and go up again until you find best accuracy. It'll be maybe 1 - 1.5gr. more powder. That's all there is to it.

This case uses nearly 40gr powder.,edited from 50) Bullets lighter than 50gr have a lousy BC, don't mess with them. With 50's you'll be getting from 4100 to well over 4200, and 55's will be doing up to about 4,000.

Powders that work for me are Reloder 15 and Win.760. Reloder 15 has given super accuracy and very high velocity in several barrels. All are 14" twist. I haven't tried VV powder in this cartridge but know another poster on this board who uses it very successfully.

This case holds more than the Swift.

 

[Tommie]

Ackman,

Are you stating that non fire formed 22-250 brass will shoot at a higher velocity in an Ackley chamber that in a SAMMI 22-250 chamber? Also, I've never found a powder which will safely fit 50 grains,or nearly 50 grains) in the 22-250AI case. Which powder are you using?

Tom

 

[Ackman]

Tommie.....Yes, fireforming loads will go faster. The fireforming load in my Walther barrel was a 50BT@4113 with 38.5/Reloder 15, Rem9-1/2, and PMC brass. That's too much powder for a std. 22-250.

You're right, 50gr is way too much. My mistake, I typed 50gr but meant 40. Loads with formed cases are 39.5 to 40+gr of the same powder, depending on the barrel.

 

[Tommie]

Jonny:

PM sent.

Tom

 

[acloco]

..... With 50's you'll be getting from 4100 to well over 4200, and 55's will be doing up to about 4,000. .....

Any trouble with copper fouling? Are you coating the bullets?

Which bullets will not stand that kind of speed?

 

[Ackman]

Any trouble with copper fouling? Are you coating the bullets?

Which bullets will not stand that kind of speed?

All bullets are coated with Lee Lube. Copper isn't really a problem. The Walther barrel gets shot the most and even after 100 rds it cleans up using wet patches with Montana Extreme.....there'll be only the slightest trace of blue. It's an amazing barrel. The Hart doesn't foul much either. A couple others foul more, but not excessively.

Of the few bullets I've tried with that cartridge, 50 TNT's are the only ones that wouldn't hold together. Twist on every barrel is 14". The Ballistic Tip has a thick base and holds velocity,pressure) real well.

 

[AckleymanII]

I fireform while hunting:

Rem brass
fed 210
41.5g of Win 760
55g what ever
Vel=3850 with less than 1/2" groups

Formed loads in my 1-12 twist
45.5g of Win 760; fed 210
55g
4150 fps out of my 27" hart barrel

46.5g of Win 760,using a drop tube); fed 210
50g Nosler
4250 fps with SD=3 fps

37.0g of Win 760; fed 210
60g Berger
3700 fps
.300 groups

Due to the variations in lot# of powder and barrels, work up to these loads in your rifle.