I inherited a Winchester post 64 22-250 varmint, I know the twist isn't enough for the heavier bullets of today so it will get rebarreled soon, BUT when I am shopping for bullets what bullet am I looking for? I know it's a newbie question, but is it a .223 or .224 or some other diameter? TY!
22-250, please school me
- Thread starter cmysix
- Start date
.224.
Gary in MD
Gold $$ Contributor
.224” is what you want.
An 8 twisted barrel will let you shoot up to 80 grains or so and will also handle some of the lighter varmint bullets very well.
An 8 twisted barrel will let you shoot up to 80 grains or so and will also handle some of the lighter varmint bullets very well.
4064 is the best powder in my opinion but it doesn't meter well. ( light bullets)
First, this is a great long range varmint caliber, capable of excellent accuracy and terminal performance. I used one for years until I shot the barrel out.
Most likely you have a 14" twist which was standard in those days. It's easy to check. Thus 50 to 53 grain bullets would be ideal. As far as powders, there are a number that work very well with this caliber. First choice would be IMR 4064 followed by IMR 4895 and Varget. There are others also that work well with this caliber, the one's I listed are the ones I had successful experience in this caliber.
I had considerable success accuracy wise with IMR 4350 but at the cost of reduced velocities.
H 380 is known for its outstanding accuracy in this caliber but it's a ball powder. I personally do not like ball powders, especially this one due to the temperature effect with this powder but many have used it successfully.
Most likely you have a 14" twist which was standard in those days. It's easy to check. Thus 50 to 53 grain bullets would be ideal. As far as powders, there are a number that work very well with this caliber. First choice would be IMR 4064 followed by IMR 4895 and Varget. There are others also that work well with this caliber, the one's I listed are the ones I had successful experience in this caliber.
I had considerable success accuracy wise with IMR 4350 but at the cost of reduced velocities.
H 380 is known for its outstanding accuracy in this caliber but it's a ball powder. I personally do not like ball powders, especially this one due to the temperature effect with this powder but many have used it successfully.
nakneker
Gold $$ Contributor
.224 bullets, I would shoot it first with lighter bullets, it may be a very accurate rifle. If you’re dead set on shooting heavier bullets then that’s a non issue, I understand that. I had that same rifle, mine shot very good, it’s been years but I know I was using H380 and a variety of 50 bullets. The rifle loved the combo.
B23
Gold $$ Contributor
Those and the 53gr Sierra MK's always seem to shoot not only very well but they are always easy to load for.
I'd probably give the barrel a good scrubbing first then proceed with load development.
The 50 grain V-Max, is a very accurate, small varmint to, Yote's,.."Killer bullet",..
in any of, the 1-14 Twist Barrels.
Be sure to AVOID Bullets, OVER,.. .800 Long,.. like the 53 grain Hornady V-Max !!
52 gr. Amxes / ELD-M's are, Awesome, as noted by SSL in post #5 and, IMR or, H-4895 for Powder, "Works" !
Win 748 or, H-380 works very well,.. IF you like to, THROW your charges !
in any of, the 1-14 Twist Barrels.
Be sure to AVOID Bullets, OVER,.. .800 Long,.. like the 53 grain Hornady V-Max !!
52 gr. Amxes / ELD-M's are, Awesome, as noted by SSL in post #5 and, IMR or, H-4895 for Powder, "Works" !
Win 748 or, H-380 works very well,.. IF you like to, THROW your charges !
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BOTH, the 55 grain FB Varmint, Berger's and, 60 gr. FB, HP, "Varminters" from Sierra at, 3,500- 3550 FPS with, 38.3 of, IMR 4350 ( Yes, IMR 4350 works, GREAT at near, Max chg's ) Both are accurate and deadly LR Yote bullets, in my 24", 1-14 twist, Rem 700 .22-250
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ggshoots
Gold $$ Contributor
22-250 has been my favorite coyote rifle for for many years. The 52 nd 53 grain Sierra with IMR3031 has been the powder for me. Had at least a dozen 22-250's. Been playing with a couple of Stevens barrels in a Savage switch barrel so tried some other loads, wasn't that happy until I threw my old load in. It was to cold to chronograph loads this day. That Stevens barrel has shot quite a few 1/4-3/8" groups with that load.
If you are going to shoot deer, antelope and varmints, you dont need the heavies, you got a very capable round right there. She will handle 40gr to 60 at least, I would not shoot the heavier vmax bullets, but a 60sp works great. I primarily shoot Pdogs and Coyotes with mine, use a lot of 40gr and 50gr, CFE223, N135, Varget,
Tac, all have treated me well. Should be a great gun!
Tac, all have treated me well. Should be a great gun!
Ackman
Gold $$ Contributor
That thing will be just fine as is. Don't know the twist on your rifle but my guess would be 1-14 or 1-12. I've shot tons of 50 and 55gr bullets through a standard 14"twist - 22-250 and 22-250AI very accurately and effectively. Never tried the heavier 60 Sierras, which may be hard to find these days. The 50's and 55's work just dandy. Now have only one standard 22-250, stock Savage sporter - maybe 12 twist? - with best/most accurate load using RL15 powder and a 50gr bullet @ 3925. Target below....first 3 shot at 75yds, next time out at 100, same group. That's plenty for varmints, will just demolish pd's at any realistic distance and nicely gutpile a rockchuck.. You don't need to get on the fast twist / heavy bullet bandwagon. (A friend tried that with his 22-250AI, fast twist shooting 75's or something like that. He found the thing fouled very fast and didn't like it, pulled that barrel off) My only coyote kills have been targets of opportunity with the 22-250AI version....longest was with a 50gr bullet and lasered at 475yds, went down like it had stepped in a hole. Another 100yds and it still would've been dead. What you have will be just fine, get a load that's accurate, shoot it, get to know it, and enjoy it.
***Also W760 and AA2700
Attachments
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My savage Mdl 12 FV , 12 twist .
6x18 American made Burris on top
40 grain Barnes varmimators , jumped about .080” pushed on top of a good charge of h380 that I trickle in for a final weight. This is my light to zero wind chuck gun.
Definitely unbelievably accurate until you see it shoot. My dad has been using it for the last couple of years for problem varmints at his place. When that barrel finally gives up the ghost I will truly be sad. My dad he is having a ball !!!
6x18 American made Burris on top
40 grain Barnes varmimators , jumped about .080” pushed on top of a good charge of h380 that I trickle in for a final weight. This is my light to zero wind chuck gun.
Definitely unbelievably accurate until you see it shoot. My dad has been using it for the last couple of years for problem varmints at his place. When that barrel finally gives up the ghost I will truly be sad. My dad he is having a ball !!!
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