22-250? Can it be used for Mid Range(600yd)

[jwfuhrman]

What is everyones opinion on 22-250 for a starter cartridge? Ive got a Savage(not sure of model, its older) that I can borrow in 22-250 if I would like to.

I dont wanna go out and buy something until Ive got a feel some what long range shooting, and then when I do, Im going with 308(have the reloading compnents for it already, dont have to buy anything special).

Just lookin for opinions.

 

[effendude]

JW,
I run a F-class league here in MN. Every year I get some new guys who want to use their prairie dog /coyote rifles. The 22-250 is an excellent cartridge, but most factory barrels are too slow of a twist to shoot the heavier bullets accurately. I don't allow .224 bullets less than 68 grains to be shot at 600 yards. If the rifle has a 1-8" twist or faster, you have a good start. The light bullets just get pushed around far too much to be safe. The 22-250 is also hard on barrels compared to other rounds, 22 shots in 22 minutes gets the barrel warm.
Scott

 

[Magnumwill]

JW,

I shot a CZ 550 Varmint in 22-250 my first few 600 yard F-Class matches with 55 gr Nosler BT. It can be done. My results were not spectactular at all. That light bullet gets moved around a lot. But it worked until I could save somem $$ To get a new setup.

 

[gambleone]

I used a Mauser-98 22-250 with 52gr Sierra mk hpbt in a 1/14 twist using IMR-4064 & did real well out to 500 yds. That's probably about the limit with those light bullets. I would have been in trouble if the wind kicked up. My next 22-250 will be a 1/8 or 1/9.

 

[bozo699]

jw,
I have five 22-250s I have killed ground hogs out past 600 with all but one
(Ruger m77) for the 1:14 and 1:12 twist barrels you will have as many misses as hits @ that distance. with my 1:8 and 1:9 twist barrels I get repeatable results.I personally think if you try to compete with the rifle you mentioned @ distances you mentioned I think you will be dissapointed in its results,and possibly give up on compitition shooting altogether.Suguestion,take the rifle and shoot it @ say 300 yds,learn what the bullet is doing in the wind,practice trigger pull ect. and then when you get your .308 you will be ready to compete,just a suguestion though. @ anyrate have fun and enjoy.
Wayne.

 

[tiny68]

Savage has been using a 1:9 or a 1:12 twist in a 22-250 for a good while. You need to check the twist with a tight patch on a jag with a cleaning rod. With a 1:9 you can shoot the 69 SMK which will work ok up to 500 yds. I have shot many sub-3" groups at 500 if the wind isn't too bad. Some people have been using the 75 Amax in a 1:9 twist, but it will not stabilize in my 1:9 22-250.

As an option, you can buy a Shilen pre-fit barrel for less than $300. Really easy to swap barrels once someone helps you do it once. Get the twist you want. I would suggest a 1:8 223. More selection, better choices, and cheaper factory loads plus lots of brass if you reload. A 223 will give you 2-3 times the barrel life of a 22-250. Just food for thought.

Most of all, go out and shoot. If nothing else, go to a match and just observe and ask questions. You will figure out soon enough what you want. Luck, Tim

 

[bozo699]

Tim's right, thats good food for thought,lower recoil better barrel life,you could even go 1:7.5 and shoot 77 gr sierra's well above supersonic @ 600 yds and would be a tac driver. and like Tim said you can buy blackhills in 68 or 69 gr match ammo cheap! if you don't want to load.
Wayne.

 

[bozo699]

I forgot to mention on last post you wouldn't be wearing your friends barrel out that way,just borrowing his stock and action,and if he needs his gun back it takes just a few minutes to switch back.I think Tim had a good idea for you there.
Wayne.

 

[effendude]

Tim, How do you shoot a .223 Rem from a large case head bolt?

Buy a pre-chambered .308 if that is your goal, and then you are set. As stated, changing it back to .22-250 will take little time.
Scott

 

[tiny68]

With a Savage you can swap out the bolt heads with the barrel. A complete bolt head is around $40-50. About a 30 minute swap. Good point. I forgot that. My son's 223 is built off of a LA that was originally a 270. He has a sporter barrel for carrying and a full bull for target and FClass. He stated shooting it when he was 9 yr old. I have 3 LA Savages or Stevens actions. The only short actions I have are Target actions. Luck, Tim

FYI - If you decide to go down this route, Savage Shooters has some good technical articles to help you out the first time for barrel and bolt head swaps.

 

[Kenny474]

The 22-250 could be used at 600yds, given the rifle had a fast enough twist to stabilize a bullet heavy enough to be effective at that range. Though I don't feel it would be a good choice for a "beginner's starter round". It has a rather short accuracy lifespan compared to some other rounds that will produce similar ballistics, and some that will simply be better suited to 600yd shooting and still give exceptional barrel life. So by the time you start to get the feel of the rifle and start getting dialed in you will be at or near the end of the barrel's life, and basically need to start all over again with a new barrel and possibly a new round. This will be even more of an issue if the rifle you plan to borrow has a high round count, as you will get very little range time before the barrel goes south. It's just something to keep in mind.
I'm not trying to say it can't be done with a 22-250, only that there are better choices to learn with. If the 22-250 has a suitable twist rate (1-9 or faster) than it's worth giving it a shot.

If your friend is willing to let you keep the rifle for a bit, you would be much better off to simply buy a pre-fit barrel in a more suitable round. I understand not wanting to spend money when just starting, but a better suited round will make it much easier to learn to shoot long.

A light recoiling round that throws a high BC bullet, like a 6BR or similar round, would be ideal to learn with. Even the .308 will be more difficult to learn with, as recoil will make things far more difficult as the rifle is going to move a lot more and also tire you out much quicker.

 

[rocketron]

[quote Kenny474

If your friend is willing to let you keep the rifle for a bit, you would be much better off to simply buy a pre-fit barrel in a more suitable round. I understand not wanting to spend money when just starting, but a better suited round will make it much easier to learn to shoot long.

A light recoiling round that throws a high BC bullet, like a 6BR or similar round, would be ideal to learn with. Even the .308 will be more difficult to learn with, as recoil will make things far more difficult as the rifle is going to move a lot more and also tire you out much quicker.


sounds like the best idea so far....the barrel could be sold to get some $ back if things didn't work out or if you got a savage for yourself you could have a swith barrel for youself.

the barrel contour may be the limit.....22 shots in 22 min from a sporter barrel on a 90 deg day.....the barrel will be smoken hot till you were done.

Ron

 

[CaptainMal]

Guess I should do a "first post" sometime.

Shoot a 22-250 Ackley Improved in 565 yard gong matches at the Manatee Co. Gun club here in South Florida. It used to have a 1-12 barrel on the 40X action but I changed that to a Broughton 1-8 after retiring here from Pa. It's 26" and medium varminter style. Figured no groundhogs so may as well use it for something.

Probably should NOT have done that.

77 grain Bergers shoot .2" @ 100 yards. Extensive playing with targets at 565 got me into an average 2.5" group range if the wind stays reasonable. On the 4" gongs I get "cooked" by those 6BR's and Improved versions.

My 25-06 blueprinted Rem 700 outshoots it at 565. Gave up.

Now one thing to remember. I'm having fun. I talk to other shooters, practice and shoot a lot. Also load and try multiple combinations etc. It's a great experience. Hope you have one too. Just don't be bummed if your results are not as expected.

Learn and enjoy. My new 6 MM Dasher will be ready by Fall.

 

[therifler]

you got a 22-250 and you would like to see if you like shooting 600yds . long range bench or f-class? if you want to shoot long range from the bench. load your best 55gr bullet you got shooting in the gun and give it a try .the 308 you have in mind will work better out to 600yds. but you go with what you got . The Rifler