22-250 one in twelve twist

[mikeinct]

I have been looking for a more effective long range loading for the 22-250...for years I used the 55gr Sierra semi-pointed bullet...it was extremely stable & one hole accurate in my guns,it killed very cleanly,up to 250 yd shots I had around here in Ct.[fast forward 30 yrs new place to hunt SW PA lots of 350 plus Yd shots]...I found it was horrible past 300 yds the drop was more than I wanted to put up with & the ability to cheat the wind was just not there...,hence my move to the 6mm cartridges)...I still use the 22-250... I switched to the 55gr 22 cal.V-max bullet,for better trajectory..it hits with real authority..but past 250 yds it is still not in the class with the bigger 6mm bullets...I experimented with the 60 gr V-Max 22 cal in both my 223 & 22-250 ...the 223 with a one in 9 twist could drill one hole groups with that bullet but not enough speed for my taste..It is getting rebarreled to the Tac 20 right now..My 3 22-250's all have one in 14 twist & they don't do very well with the 60 gr V-max bullet,none really like the bullet from my testing with it..So heres the plan...I've ordered a 22-250 barrel with a one in twelve twist 26inches long & a muzzle brake threaded end..I'm hoping to get better performance accuracy wise from that barrel with the heavier 60 gr.bullet..I've already noticed the big diff in drop at 200 yds using those two loads [55 gr vs. 60 gr.]in a side by side comparison...The 60gr bullet drops about 3 inches more than the 55 gr using the exact same powder charge when shooting groups at 200 yds...If this new barrel / twist rate delivers good accuracy but I want to step up the velocity just a bit..do you guys like the ackley improved version of the 22-250 ?? it is a pretty simple fix..I plan to do it myself by renting the reamer & opening her up to that shape by hand,then reloading using the AI 22-250 dies...Any one see any drawbacks to this plan???..I really like the 22-250 & would like to be able to use that cartridge to the ranges I've found in the new hunting areas...The 22-250 sporter got a good work out last week..but I used it to only 250 yds or so...I had the sights set dead on for two hundred yds...The 6mmbr was set to 300 zero & I adjusted the sights up as needed..mike in ct

 

[Preacher]

Change the twist to a 1 in 9 and shoot those awesome 75 grain Hornady Amax out of it, and you will be pleasantly suprised at the outcome.
And do the AI while your at it, and you will never look back.

 

[vlcakc]

Gunamonth is right on about setting the barrel back before rechambering for AI's. If you don't you'll be just asking for case separations. Brownell's recommends shortening headspace by 0.004" for the AI chamber. A regular .22/250 Go headspace gage is used for the NO GO gage and a shorter .22/250 AI GO gage is required.

Have two .22/250 AI's. One a 1/14 twist and the other a 1/10 twist. Both shoot Berger 60 gr. moly bullets very well, the 1/10 twist perhaps a bit tighter. The 14 twist is generally more accurate with lighter bullets. Will be trying 69 gr Sierra's in the 10 twist soon. I also use .244 AI's on PD and the .22/250 AI's with 60 gr bullets are almost as effective on PD at long range unless the wind is really blowing up a gale. The 69-70 grain bullets should be even better than the 60 gr if they are as accurate.

Ackley recommended the use of .220 Swift load data in the .22/250 AI. I tried some loads that exceeded recommended .220 loads with slow powders,IMR 4831 and R19), but have cut them back as brass life,loose primer pockets) was shortened by quite a bit. Good luck with your project. Vic