22-250 problems

[texasred]

Hey guys, first off, great site. I've been lurking for a while and decided to get an account and start asking questions.

I've been working with a 22-250 in the Winchester Coyote for quite some time. When I first got the gun, I put it on paper and began shooting factory loads at gophers until I felt I had enough brass to start hand loading.

I have since had the gun at the range 5-6 times with different loads and the grouping plain sucks. I thought I must have had a bum rifle and was going to hang it up when I went tried some more factory loads on paper again. I was cutting holes with the darn things.

I've tried 60 gr Hornady V-max, 55 gr Nosler Ballistics and most recently some Hornady V-max 50 gr. None of them show improvement over the next. My loads have been at or near maximum recommendations and the velocity is good 35-3650 fps. OAL is +0.010 over Nosler's Recommendation and is the max that will fit in the magazine.

Not sure what I am missing here and I am getting very frustrated. I've never had this much trouble finding a load.

Where to start?

Thanks!!!

 

[willyCJ]

So I have a 22-250AI. I have a bit more case capacity, but not much. The load was developed when I got the rifle used. It runs great with 55gr v-max pushed by Reloader 15 powder. I run 35 grains for normal use and can bump it up to about 37grains for reach out a bit farther. I use 210M primers.

My best group is just under .4 moa at 100 yards,in a hart barrel). And I'm waiting for the group where I do my part, resulting in a group under .3. I always have 1 flyer, which is off by about .5"

Like I said, mine is in an Ackley, but the combination should work for you with the charge reduced slightly.

 

[CPorter]

Max velocity is seldom where the best accuracy is at. Have you done a ladder test on any of the loads you have tried?

 

[Forum Boss]

If the factory loads are shooting well and the handloads aren't, that provides some strategies.

1. Try to duplicate the factory load,brass, bullet, seating depth, velocity).

2. Something could be wrong with your reloading procedure...

Are you measuring the powder charges?

What dies are you using? Maybe you're getting excess run-out.
How much neck tension? Factory ammo tends to have a LOT of neck tension...

I always look at neck tension inconsistency if there are fliers.

I'd also suggest you try some Bergers. I've just had the experience of groups tightening up substantially when switching from V-Max to Bergers. Sometimes just a slight variance in bullet diameter from one brand to another makes a difference.

 

[texasred]

I haven't checked neck tension. I am measuring powder very accurately and have done some short ladder tests.

There really are no flyers. They are just splattered all over the place.

I might try slowing it down a bit to see what that does.

Thanks so far guys.

 

[Tbear]

I read your post with interest. I usually use bench rest brass
methods when reloading for accuracy. I have a Savage 22-250
single shot heavy varmint BBL model 12BVSS. on laminated stock.
My best load so far is: 10th. off lands, Horn. 53gr.
match bullet, 34.7 IMR 4064, Fedral 210M primer. At 200 meters
there was a 5 shot group of 5/16 X 9/16 IN.
You might want to give this load a try. I try to keep a
neck tension of .001-.002 thou. I found my best groups to be
about 150 FPS below max.

Tbear :thumb:

 

[texasred]

Neck tension is 0.003". Just checked it.

Thanks.

 

[people]

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