22-250 AI thoughts

[montana_native]

Looking for a long range 22 cal gun. I noticed that Shilen chambers this for the Savage. I hope to shoot the 80 gr class bullets.

I know the brass stretch is reduced and there is a velocity gain but are there any major negatives about this chambering? How hard is it on barrels?

Thanks.

 

[6BRLongRange]

No drawbacks that i can think of. About 250 more FPS than standaed 22-250, easier on barrels than some wildcats, brass doesnt need to be trimmed hardly ever. Good choice. Send me your address and Ill send you some brass to look at and drool over till you get your barrel.

 

[CJ6]

If you keep the barrel cool (no Run n Gun) type stuff. Keep the barrel clean you'll be OK. Expect 8 - 10 % less barrel life than a standard 22-250. With the fast twist, heavier bullets I think it's worth the added wear n tare on the barrel for use on the longer range shots using 224 cal bullets for varmits. My 2 bits anyhow.

 

[Phil]

Have you given any thought to a 22Dasher?????

That is the route i ended up going.............I`ve been VERY happy with my decision.

 

[Dimwit Flathead]

I've used one for several years now and have nothing but praise for it. It's not much slower than a 220 Swift with the same bullets and accuracy has been outstanding. Also, I've yet to discard any brass for incipient head separation - it lasts a long time. As for barrel wear, I'm sure it's going to go the way my Swift went in about the same number of rounds; I can't see how throat erosion is going to be any less when you're pouring all that powder through there. Keeping it clean and cool will go a long way to to a long and happy barrel life, though. One nice thing is that you can shoot regular 22-250 ammo through it too, usually with good accuracy depending on the load. Get your rifle and don't look back!

 

[Flybuster]

I am building a project similar to yours. As much as I like the Ackley improved stuff I think I am going standard 22-250 with mine. I just think you can go too overbore with these long bullets and bad stuff starts to happen. I've been around guys who shoot the fast 22 stuff and heard plenty of others warn of problems associated with running heavy bullets fast. Massive amounts of firecracking and bullet failures. I would rather step it down a notch and maybe avoid these problems. I know of a few guys here that run the A.I. with heavies maybe they will have a different report.

 

[montana_native]

The primary reason I wanted to try the improved version was to avoid trimming brass so often. My last 22-250 required trimming almost every reload which was very aggravating. I see Lapua is making brass now so maybe higher quality brass would help the cause. I was thinking that conservative loads in the Ackley version might help barrel life a bit as I was not just after the bump in velocity.

Thanks for all of the discussion so far. Its been very helpful.

 

[ronfoster]

I took a stock Savage fluted barrel in 223cal 1-9 twist, sent it SS Supply and Fred Moreo rtechabered it to 22-250 AI it is a great shooter especially with 75 amax at 3100fps using winchester brass and so far no case trimming issues Ithink you get the best of both worlds as you can shoot standard or improved loads I also have a 22 BR and it is also a fine choice and very easy to load for with excellant accuracy. ronfoster

 

[MarkS]

montana_native,

I had a 22-250AI with my first Savage. 8TW from SSS shot great with RL22 and 75 Amax. Hitting clays at 1000yds was a cake walk. The AI will help greatly on case triming. A 22 cal pushing bullets fast is hard on barrels. Just don't heat them too bad, I know a friend that has bruned up 2 22 Hornet barrels in PD town, anything will heat and burn. Still has on barrel in 22-250AI 14 tw shoots great.

Mark Schronce

 

[montana_native]

Thanks for all of the info. I am going to give it a try. If I can get around 3200 fps with the 80 gr A-maxes I will be happy.

 

[Flybuster]

Well thanks alot ;D
You have me thinking about changing my idea now.

I was doing the same thing with my 25/06 A.I. , running conservative loads, the brass didn't move at all, I rarely had to bump a shoulder back. The same principal could apply with the 22-250 A.I. Conservative loading makes the brass last forever.

The difference between the 22-250 and the A.I. is quite an improvement in boiler room. Since boiler room is bigger in the A.I. and we are running conservative loads will we need to burn more powder than the standard 22-250 to get comparable velocities? The smaller capacity of the standard case would reach higher pressure sooner with less powder consumption necessary to reach 3200fps. The smaller standard case would be more efficient on powder, but probably not on brass. More pressure under heat is more damaging, than less pressure. So maybe running conservative loads in the A.I. would even have better barrel life. Man I wish I had quickload to play with.