22-250 Ackley

[HillbillyLongRifle]

I have been messing around with a Rem 700 Hart 12 Twist 22-250 Ackley Improved a little. So far it seems to like Varget and the 50 gr. V-max at about 3825 FPS. I just got some 55 Sierra Blitzkings to try out. Seems like one of them rounds i should have owned years ago. Got one Groundhog so far at 312 yards in a strong 15mph wind. It jumps about like my 6BR compared to my 20 calibers but i still like the 22 calibers for my Groundhog Sniping out to 500 yards!!

 

[357Mag]

HillbillyS -

Howdy !

Have you tried any Sierra 65SPBTs in the gun, yet ?

Also, as regards powders...... do you intend to try any out that have slower burn rates than "Varget " ?

PLease keep us posted on our successes !


With regards,
357Mag

 

[HillbillyLongRifle]

I have yet to try any sierra 65s. I will try some imr 4320 and imr 4350. Idk if I will go much slower.

 

[HillbillyLongRifle]

Goin to try the 55 sbk and imr4350 and H4831SC this weekend.

 

[357Mag]

Hillbilly -

Howdy !

I loaded for, owned, shot... a lot of various regular .22-250s... both factory and customs.
I also shot a .250 Savage, and a .224" caliber wildcat of my own design ( .35Rem necked-down to .224" cal ).

The .22-35 has case capacity between that of .22-250 & .22-250AI. I shot the .22-35 in both a 24" 1-14 SS Hart, and a
28" 1-8 SS K & P. Based on those experiences, might I say:

IMHO... your powder choice features a burn rate that is too fast, to provide best internal ballistics efficiency w/ your case/ your rifle.
Higher load densities ( than you'd get w/ IMR4320 ) are possible....

For .22-250, IMR4064 was in the zone w/ 55s ( 24" barrels ) .... to give an idea on burn rate.
For 75s in the .250 Savage ( 22" barrel ), H380 worked really well ( my load/my gun ).

When I went to use of the larger-capacity .22-35, powders that worked superbly ( for me ) w/ 55's were WW760, IMR4350; and VV160.
This is a cluster of similar burn rate powders, that are also " slower " than IMR4320 & IMR4064 ( for example ) you'll note.
I got into the 500yd club shooting the 24" .22-35, using a load of 41.6gr VV160 & FED LR Magnum Match; under prototype 55 "V"-Max.

With the 28", I shot 75 "A"-Max exclusively for both varmint & target work. My favorite combo accuracy/field load was:
40.5gr AA3100 & FED LR Match under the 75 "A"-Max. As you'll again note, the powder choice was slower in burn rate still, than what I used w/ the lighter 55gr bullets.

If you're one of those shooters that wants peak vel, you might very well settle on " Varget ". A lot of shooters do.
I myself don't bias obtainable vel FIRST , or even have a finite vel target established ( for my shooting needs ).
I prefer to find & use the best possible accuracy loads, that also give me useful vel. Again, that's to meet my shooting needs.
I'll admit that nearly all of my best accuracy rifle results have come when shooting load densities from 93 - 100% ( .224" cal & 6mm ).

My point:
I strongly suggest you consider trying-out powder(s) that get you into a higher load density range; than what IMR 4320 can provide.


With sincere regards,
357Mag

 

[vlcakc]

I totally concur with 357Mag's post. I have had much the best results in 22/250 AI capacity cases with powders in the 4350 burning rate area. R17, IMR 4007SSC (now sadly discontinued I'm told), W760/H414, AA2700 and N550 to name a few. The faster powders may sometimes show good accuracy, but cannot produce the higher velocities that the slower ones do. After all why go to a larger capacity case if you're not going to use it to get the velocities they are capable of? Good shooting! Vic

 

[HillbillyLongRifle]

I have imr 4350 and H4831SC to try out in the 22-250 Ackley with 55 gr Sierras.

 

[Ackman]

I have been messing around with a Rem 700 Hart 12 Twist 22-250 Ackley Improved a little. So far it seems to like Varget and the 50 gr. V-max at about 3825 FPS.

You're shooting that AI at very average velocity for the std. 22-250. With the AI chambering and 50's best accuracy should be doing 4100-4200fps. Try W760 or even better, RL15 powder.

 

[daniel brothers]

Hmmm.... interesting stuff... it's got me wanting to try those slower powders for my 20-250 AI with 55gr Bergers....Hmmmm..... interesting...

 

[HillbillyLongRifle]

Well im not tryn for speed. Accuracy comes first but im goin to heavier bullets and maybe alittle slower burn powder.

 

[vlcakc]

No need to compromise speed for accuracy in the 22/250 AI and similar cartridges. The slower powders suggested can easily provide both. Vic

 

[Ackman]

Well im not tryn for speed. Accuracy comes first but im goin to heavier bullets and maybe alittle slower burn powder.

It's a misconception that accuracy and velocity don't go together, There's no rulebook saying you can't have both. Some cartridges are most accurate when backed off from top end. The AI's aren't like that, they thrive on top end loads.

 

[HillbillyLongRifle]

I tried H4831SC with the 55 sierra blitzking and it shot under 3/8 speed was 3550fps. Not fast but accurate. That was about all the h4831 I could get in the case.

 

[tcob68]

I am on my second 22-250AI. The first one had a 14 twist and my current one has a 12 twist. H414 has worked great in both rifles but recently I tried some 8208XBR with 52gr Bergers and it definitely showed promise. If you can find some I would give H414 or W760 a try, I think you will like it.

 

[vlcakc]

I tried H4831SC with the 55 sierra blitzking and it shot under 3/8 speed was 3550fps. Not fast but accurate. That was about all the h4831 I could get in the case.

As you've found out, you can choose too slow burning powder for a particular cartridge/bullet weight combination. H4831SSC is a fine powder, but is too slow burning to reach reasonable velocities with a 55 grain bullet in the 22/250AI with even a case full of powder. The IMR 4350 would have been a much better choice, although it may still fall a little short of the velocity possible with some of the other powders. With the current powder shortages some of the other suggested powders may not be immediately available to you, so use whacha got. Vic

 

[HillbillyLongRifle]

Im goin to load a little faster burning powder with the 55 Sierra Blitzkings. Tryn for bughole accuracy and maybe 3700fps

 

[HillbillyLongRifle]

I loaded the 55 SBK with
Vit N-140 at 3688 fps

RL-15 at 3635

Imr 4064 at 3906 FPS

IMR 4320 at 3775 fps

The Imr 4320 shot the best groups staying under 3/8s of a inch. Most in the 1/4 range. Next was V-N140 and then IMR 4064. I stuck with 38.5 gr of IMR 4320 and my little brother has the first kill on a 320yd headshot Whistle Pig. I may try IMR 4350 later but 3775 fps and under 3/8 accuracy is everything I was looking for in this cartridge. 20 cals are still my favorite due to being able to spot your own shots.