22-250 load... stuck...what next?

[raw_toe]

So I've got a new 22-250 and have been working on a load for it using varget and 50gr VMAX. Unfortunately after much loading and shooting, I'm just not getting any further and best 3 shot group is .52" @100 yds with an average speed of 3525 fps. Barrel twist is 1:14. On my last batch I took that best load and tried tweaking seating depth to tighten group up, but no luck. It actually got worse.

At this point I'm starting to wonder if I need to either switch powders for this bullet and/or switch to a heavier or lighter bullet. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Intended use here is as a varmint/coyote gun out to 300 yards.

thnks

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I think you need a different powder and bullet. Try a 52 gr hp of some type and a powder like n135

 

[scope eye]

You are not sending them fast enough at 3525fps that is a minimum charge probably around 34gr, you should be knocking on 3800 - 3900 and even 4000fps with that combo of 50gr Vmax's and Varget. You should be Somewhere around 38, 39, or even 40gr of Varget. with a minimum 50 thou jump.

Dean

 

[Brians356]

What makes you feel the rifle (which, curiously, you did not describe) must be better than a 1/2 MOA gun?

 

[john pruitt]

a half inch gun will kill a yote everytime at 300 yds he will not ever know it wasnt a bughole gun

 

[raw_toe]

What makes you feel the rifle (which, curiously, you did not describe) must be better than a 1/2 MOA gun?

It's a mossberg patriot. I guess i didn't really think about that, it could be doing the best it can.

 

[CJ6]

Not too long ago (even today)people would have considered themselves lucky to have a chance to get a 1/2 moa factory rifle.

 

[Brians356]

It's a mossberg patriot. I guess i didn't really think about that, it could be doing the best it can.

For the money, you're ahead of the game already. But, I wouldn't be surprised if you can squeeze more accuracy out of it. I just wouldn't expend a lot of time and money trying to find a magic "one ragged hole" load - not that you couldn't prove me wrong!

Since you've humored me this far, may I then ask you: Have you had previous success gleaning much better accuracy from other bolt-action rifles?

PS

I found this review on the American Rifleman web site. The 308 Win tested averaged about 2 MOA with three different factory loads. So you should feel downright smug about your early days loading for it! Kudos.

http://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2015/11/23/review-mossberg-patriot-rifle/

 

[Catfish]

Try the 52 and 53 gr. SMK`s with H-380 powder.

 

[Snuggie]

I have a Rem 700 V that only had the bolt face trued and a trigger job and bedded in original stock. I have a target with 5 shots in 1/4 in at 200 yds with 40 grainers and V140. They will shoot!!

 

[Brians356]

I have a Rem 700 V that only had the bolt face trued and a trigger job and bedded in original stock. I have a target with 5 shots in 1/4 in at 200 yds with 40 grainers and V140. They will shoot!!

Yes they will. But a Rem 700 is not the OP's Mossberg. So ... ???

 

[Snuggie]

Yes they will. But a Rem 700 is not the OP's Mossberg. So ... ???

No it is not just indicating that a 22-250 will shoot. Ok?

 

[Brians356]

No it is not just indicating that a 22-250 will shoot. Ok?

Ok! Since the 22-250 is well known as an accurate cartridge, I got off on the wrong scent there.

Variants of the 250 Savage necked down to 22-cal were very successful in the early days of benhcrest competition (as were 6mm versions like Donaldson's) then the 222 Rem came along and dominated until the PPCs took the sport by storm.

 

[raw_toe]

Since you've humored me this far, may I then ask you: Have you had previous success gleaning much better accuracy from other bolt-action rifles?

yeah i have a ruger american in 308 that shoots 1/2 minute with my handloads, so i guess i was assuming i could do better with a known accurate round like 22-250. and maybe i could, but realistically the time i spend trying to get smaller might be better spent calling coyotes. the 22-250 was shooting 2" groups with Hornady factory ammo, so i've already got a lot of improvement.

its funny, i look at a 1 moa group and i think "uhg", wife looks at it and says "wow"...

 

[Brians356]

You are not sending them fast enough at 3525fps that is a minimum charge probably around 34gr, you should be knocking on 3800 - 3900 and even 4000fps with that combo of 50gr Vmax's and Varget. You should be Somewhere around 38, 39, or even 40gr of Varget. with a minimum 50 thou jump.

Hodgdon lists 37.5 grs of Varget max behind a 50-gr bullet. From a 24-in barrel max velocity 3834. But his Patriot has a 22-in barrel, so subtract maybe 140 fps from that for ~3700 fps book max.

 

[Brians356]

its funny, i look at a 1 moa group and i think "uhg", wife looks at it and says "wow"...

I have a friend, the smartest guy I know, who has a PhD in Economics. I showed him my "wallet" group, a 4-shot cloverleaf I shot at 200 yards with a bone stock R-700 VS in 223. "But, you missed" he said. "No, wait," I said, "that's my aim point, sure, but I adjusted the scope to move bullet holes away from the aim point so I wouldn't obliterate it. On purpose, don't you see?" "Well, you still missed. What good is if you can't hit the target?" Explain as I might, I couldn't get him to grasp the concept of group size vs location.

 

[Tommie]

How spoiled we shooters have become.

 

[AckleymanII]

Varget is pretty slow for a 50g, benchmark does much better, kiss lands, find pressure, my accuracy node was at 3800.

 

[Puzzaz01]

I have a few 22-250 with 1:14 Hart barrels, shooting 52 grainers and they really don't shine until they are running close to 4000 fps. I found years ago that H414 was my go to powder for my combined velocity and accuracy. Nothing more fun than vaporizing a varmint and being able to watch it through the scope without all the recoil.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[16tpi]

You are not sending them fast enough at 3525fps that is a minimum charge probably around 34gr, you should be knocking on 3800 - 3900 and even 4000fps with that combo of 50gr Vmax's and Varget. You should be Somewhere around 38, 39, or even 40gr of Varget. with a minimum 50 thou jump.

Dean

rem 26'' barrel hornady book 5th edition, 50v-max, varget 31.8gr/3300fps-36.4/3800fps. start low work your way up.5gr at a time look for pressure signs.

never had luck with varget in a 22-250.

IMR 3031, has always worked well or imr 4064 in a 22-250. [.005-.010] off the lans.

As far as the .500 group you where talking about at 100 yards, you could kill a dog no sweat a 300yds. pushing a black bird. it can be done tho.

Just remember the 22-250 was built and beat the 220 swift in barrel life. if you want to run it hot get a swift or get ready to buy a barrel.