75gr A-max for prairie dogs..??

[pdogsbeware]

First off, I've been using the 55gr v-max for years out of my 22-250, and love it. Have even shot out to 1000 yards on steel with it... BUT, a butterfly fart will blow it off target beyond 550 or so. It's time for a rebarrel on my prairie dog gun, and I'm debating between sticking with 1-12 and the 55s or going 1-8 twist to shoot the 75gr A-max.

My question is though, how do they perform on prairie dogs? Let's face it, the reason we shoot them is to watch the show! haha Will it be as fun to watch as the v-maxs?

By the way, please, I'm not interested in whatever other bullet you use. Not one bit. My heart is set on either the 55gr v-max or the 75gr a-max. That's it.

Also...is it possible to shoot, say, the 60gr v-maxs out of a 1-8 twist barrel?

 

[Preacher]

Not sure about PD's but they sure mess up a groundhog. Not as spectacular as the Vmax though..
You should have no problem with the 60's out of a 8 twist...

 

[CT10ring]

I have shot .224 75g Amaxes in a 22-243 1/8 twist, and yes, the Amaxes have nearly the same effect.

Of course, I am shooting from along way away so, maybe not so explosive as , say a, 50g vmax @ 150 yds. 1/8 twist . 22-250 sounds like a great idea.

75g amax drifts less than half , my guess, than a 55g.

Also, yes absolutely on the 60g vmaxes.

1/8 twist . 22-250 sounds like a great idea.

 

[LRPV]

The 75 Amax performs very well on Pdogs. It will turn them inside out.
Jason

 

[pdogsbeware]

That's good to hear. Thanks guys!

Would the barrel life suffer at all though, firing the 60 grainers through that tight of a twist? I'm not asking for a number, but just rough guess. Would it be less than or equal to a 1-12 twist shooting the same 60 gr. All other variables being the same. (fire rate, barrel heat, cleaning, etc.)

 

[areaone]

Have a 1/8 in a 22 250 shoots 55 gr in little holes and will shoot 75 gr exceptionally well. I am ordering a new barrel for a different rifle, in 22 cal 1/8 twist for a 22/250. shoot a 69 sierra and you will love it for reaching out. Just do not "hot rod" and the barrel will give you your money's worth.

 

[johnmyers]

75 AMax will work well on pds. Enjoy the show because the bbl won't last long

 

[MrMajestic]

because the bbl won't last long

?????

 

[johnmyers]

less than 1000 rounds with 75s and 80s and not shot with hot loads or let get hot when shooting but it was fun while it lasted. I was told this by gunsmith before I did it

 

[fredhorace77]

I have a 1:9 twist Hart in 22-250AI that i shoot 75 A-Max out of. I love the thing. It will turn the 40gr vmax to shreads i guess its to fast of twist. The reason i went with 1:9 was at the time i barreled the gun hornady was recommending 1:9 for their A-max then they came out with the recommendation of 1:8. I measured the new box of bullets and they were just a bit longer. So my next barrel will probly be a 1:8. I am going thru this hart barrel fast because ive been hot roding it plus i have to fireform for the Ackley. If i had to do it over again i would either just use a 22-250 or go on up to the 22-243

 

[hedditch]

I would go with the 22-250 after having owned a 22-243 with a 1:10 twist. Why? The Hart Premium barrel was worn out after 800 rds. It is one barrel burning round.

 

[kelbro]

223AI. 1:8 barrel. Just as fast (almost) and explosive but much less powder and double the barrel life or more. HBN treat the bullets for even longer barrel life. Either of the bullets that you mentioned will sing in that caliber/twist.

 

[fredhorace77]

@hedditch who done the chambering for ur 22-243?

 

[pdogsbeware]

Wow. Just doesn't seem worth it. Thanks for the replies. Looks like it's time to convert to 6mm BR! I was out shooting yesterday with 2 guys who had them, and both said they wish they wouldn't have wasted their time with the 22-250 and gone straight to 6BR. ...If only the brass wasn't so darn expensive!

Thanks again guys, you helped make up my mind.

 

[johnmyers]

Wow. Just doesn't seem worth it. Thanks for the replies. Looks like it's time to convert to 6mm BR! I was out shooting yesterday with 2 guys who had them, and both said they wish they wouldn't have wasted their time with the 22-250 and gone straight to 6BR. ...If only the brass wasn't so darn expensive!

Thanks again guys, you helped make up my mind.

Have you thought of a 22br with a fast twist to shoot the heavier bullets? Almost as fast and alot more accurate. I have shot alot of rounds through 22-250s and liked them but after having a 22br I don't think I would ever do another 22-250 unless feeding on a repeater would be a problem if using for a coyote rifle.

 

[pdogsbeware]

^^^ I did look briefly at the 22BR. If nothing else the bullets are less expensive. But how much of a hassle is it to form the brass? I just can't imagine going from a 6mm neck to the 22 without having some sort of finicky issues. I reload in volume, so a factor for me is least amount of headaches. It would be nice though, to use the less expensive .224 cal bullets.

I realized I'm just being greedy. The vast majority of my shooting, probably 95%, is under 500 yards, with most under 400. (Strictly a prairie dog gun). It's nice to be able to reach out further, but it's not a need, and is it worth the cost for 5% of the shots? Like I said, I'm just being greedy, I want the best of both worlds, even though I only live in one ha

I was enticed by the 6br taking longer to heat up the barrel, as it is a prairie dog gun, and I'm not very good at pacing my shots haha

 

[johnmyers]

^^^ I did look briefly at the 22BR. If nothing else the bullets are less expensive. But how much of a hassle is it to form the brass? I just can't imagine going from a 6mm neck to the 22 without having some sort of finicky issues. I reload in volume, so a factor for me is least amount of headaches. It would be nice though, to use the less expensive .224 cal bullets.

I realized I'm just being greedy. The vast majority of my shooting, probably 95%, is under 500 yards, with most under 400. (Strictly a prairie dog gun). It's nice to be able to reach out further, but it's not a need, and is it worth the cost for 5% of the shots? Like I said, I'm just being greedy, I want the best of both worlds, even though I only live in one ha

I was enticed by the 6br taking longer to heat up the barrel, as it is a prairie dog gun, and I'm not very good at pacing my shots haha

you have a pm

 

[CT10ring]

The basic 22-250 1/14 twist is good to 400 yds easy for PD's. From what you say, this cartridge will do the job.

6br 1/14 twist, about the same vs 22-250. 400-500 yds high hit prob. wind notwithstanding. longer reach with faster twist.

cost of 224 vs 6mm bullets = no big difference, really.

I think the 22 br is formed by one pass in a die.

 

[GrocMax]

The vast majority of my shooting, probably 95%, is under 500 yards, with most under 400. (Strictly a prairie dog gun). It's nice to be able to reach out further, but it's not a need, and is it worth the cost for 5% of the shots? Like I said, I'm just being greedy, I want the best of both worlds, even though I only live in one ha

Now, I *know* the OP wasn't interested in hearing about ANYTHING but the 75AMAX out of a 22-250, but you need a 20 Prac.

Seriously. Especially if cost is a factor.

Best of both worlds for PD's is 2 20 Pracs to throw most of the rounds in, and a backup 6mm; 6BR, 6-250, 6x47, 6XC- whatever.