22-250AI Thoughts

[Mike in Oregon]

What are your thoughts on a Ruger Hawkeye Predator 22-250, 14T, 24-inch barrel, and AI it? What weight bullet might I be able to get away with you think? I'm thinking 55-grain max.

I do not like the tapered case on the standard 22-250 and have had bad luck with cycling the action in the past.

 

[AccelR8]

I think 55 might be your max but I find you never know until you try. I really like a flat base 60 grain spire point (soft point) in mine for a good performing, inexpensive bullet. Mine is not a 14T but I kind of suspect 14T MIGHT stabilize it...again, you really don't know unless you try. The stability calculators are sometimes not precisely predictive especially with flat base bullets.

55 is a safe bet I think.

 

[Gary in MD]

Most of the 60 grain flat base would work as well as the 63 grain Sierra.
Edit to add that the several 14 twists that I’ve had did fine with the 55 grain Nosler, Hornady, and Sierra plastic tips. No issues stabilizing at sea level

 

[STOMP442]

I run the 52gr Berger Varmint in my standard 14t Tikka .22-250 with excellent results. It shoots the 55gr Blitz Kings really well too, but I am at 3000ft elevation.

 

[DRK]

I run 55 gr BTs in my 22-250 improved. 7.5 twist.

 

[jwv2001]

If I had my way I would Ackley Improve everything. The manufacturers would never do it because they only want to deal with proprietary cartridges to tie you to their brass. The concept of the straight wall and 40 deg. shoulder makes all the difference in the world to a handloader.

 

[alf]

If you have problems feeding a regular 22-250, I can't imagine an Ackley making things better.

 

[Mike in Oregon]

If you have problems feeding a regular 22-250, I can't imagine an Ackley making things better.

My thoughts was due to the tapper of the case of the std 22-250 Rem.

 

[alf]

My thoughts was due to the tapper of the case of the std 22-250 Rem.

The taper is an advantage for feeding, the almost straight body with the sharp shoulder of the Ackley can be problematic.

 

[Mike in Oregon]

The taper is an advantage for feeding, the almost straight body with the sharp shoulder of the Ackley can be problematic.

Hum.... I was always told that the std 250 from time to time could give someone cycling issues. I know in my M77R I experienced that. Could have been buck fever though, or just short stroking it? IDK?

 

[C.E.Smith043]

What are your thoughts on a Ruger Hawkeye Predator 22-250, 14T, 24-inch barrel, and AI it? What weight bullet might I be able to get away with you think? I'm thinking 55-grain max.

I do not like the tapered case on the standard 22-250 and have had bad luck with cycling the action in the past.

Imo, I don't think going with an AI will aide in chambering a round any better than leaving it alone. I did a savage one time and it actually made the chambering a round worse.

Also, like you I took an existing 22-250 barrel and had an AI reamer ran in it.

Had I to do it over again, I would just go with a new barrel.

My thinking today is go with the 22 Creedmoor and skip the 22-250ai

A 1:9 twist would get you up to 75gr Vmax and should be able to shoot anything down to 50gr. without blowing the bullet apart.

 

[C.E.Smith043]

Hum.... I was always told that the std 250 from time to time could give someone cycling issues. I know in my M77R I experienced that. Could have been buck fever though, or just short stroking it? IDK?

I'm not sure how that Ruger magazine is set up but the Savage I was using was one of the the older long actions that has the magazine blocked off to accept the short action cartridges.

I think this is where my problems came from. Had I had the short action it may have not done this. But at the time Savage didn't offer a short action.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Mike, it's a well known fact that reducing all body taper in the AI calibers will make feeding problematic compared to the tapered factory case, and this applies to the 22-250.

The best rifle(s) to feed the Ackley calibers for me has been the controlled-round feed of the old pre-'64 Model 70 Winchesters. My 1951 M70 in .338-06AI has never missed a beat, and will feed upside down, sideways, even feeds empty brass. Push-feed actions are not very suitable for feeding the AI's from my experience and anecdotal experience from others.

I'd leave that rifle alone if it were me, or just a new barrel.

 

[D Coots]

Rem 700 14tw My 22-250 Imp shot great with a 55gr bullet. Single feed. 45.2gr W760 was 4064fps with No pressure. Was fun but went to 22Br after barrel shot out.

 

[Tommie]

What are your thoughts on a Ruger Hawkeye Predator 22-250, 14T, 24-inch barrel, and AI it? What weight bullet might I be able to get away with you think? I'm thinking 55-grain max.

I do not like the tapered case on the standard 22-250 and have had bad luck with cycling the action in the past.

Without getting into the Ackley Improved pro-vs-con debate.

I have a 22-250AI. Feeds almost as good as the standard cartridge as long as you don't speed rack the bolt. Extraction is way easier with stiff loads. Essentially it's a 220 Swift in a shorter package. Now with that said, I built that gun 20+ years ago when AI was the only show in town. If I were doing it today 100% the chambering would be 22 Creedmoor. Standard dies, no fireforming etc.

 

[redrockranger]

What are your thoughts on a Ruger Hawkeye Predator 22-250, 14T, 24-inch barrel, and AI it? What weight bullet might I be able to get away with you think? I'm thinking 55-grain max.

I do not like the tapered case on the standard 22-250 and have had bad luck with cycling the action in the past.

What is the intended specie of game ?
22-250 is a barrel burner. AI won't be any better.

 

[Mike in Oregon]

What is the intended specie of game ?
22-250 is a barrel burner. AI won't be any better.

Primary coyote rig. Burner doesn't come in play.

 

[DLT]

Primary coyote rig. Burner doesn't come in play.

Just for the ease of getting good brass I would do 22 creedmoor also. Wouldnt have to fire form either like a 22/250 ai

 

[Mike in Oregon]

Just for the ease of getting good brass I would do 22 creedmoor also. Wouldnt have to fire form either like a 22/250 ai

I think your right on the money! IMHO, I think it makes much more sense to do a CM over a 250AI, just for that reason. But I had to throw it out there. I knew I would have to fire form, but I only need 100 pcs. I will ponder this. The whole reason behind this post, is because I have a buddy who wants to sell the rifle mentioned (LNIB) and I was just trying to get ideas. However, that twist just isn't going to work.

Thanks everyone!!!

 

[DLT]

I think your right on the money! IMHO, I think it makes much more sense to do a CM over a 250AI, just for that reason. But I had to throw it out there. I knew I would have to fire form, but I only need 100 pcs. I will ponder this. The whole reason behind this post, is because I have a buddy who wants to sell the rifle mentioned (LNIB) and I was just trying to get ideas. However, that twist just isn't going to

Nothing wrong with that if it’s going to be a coyote hammer. Forming loads should be plenty accurate for that ! See how that rifle cycles the standard 22/250, could be better off leaving it alone