Best 22-250 rifle out of the box

[shortgrass]

I'm looking for recommendations on the most accurate 22-250 out of the box

When you find it, let the rest of us know. There is no such thing. You pay your money, and you take your chance.

+1. My thoughts, exactly!

 

[nonliberal]

I bought a Savage BVSS 22-250 when they first came out and it made me believe I was so good I should compete in Benchrest competitions. I quickly learned that both me and the gun were not in the same league as a dedicated BR gun and shooter, but it is very impressive for a factory gun and I'm slowly coming along too.
It's the rifle that got me addicted to accuracy and started a long expensive road.

 

[Bears3469]

Wow,
I never dreamed I would get so many responses.
Thanks guys.
Here are the loads I used.
5 shots of each--- 52gr Hornady match BTHP w/38.0 gr H380 1-1/2" group
52gr Hornady match BTHP w/35.5 gr 4064 2" group
55gr Hornady fmjbt w/38.0 gr H380 2-1/2" group
55gr Hornady fmjbt w/35.5 gr 4064 2" group

 

[fdshuster]

Ed: If your concern is accuracy, forget the full metal jacket boatail bullets. Concentrate on the Sierra, Berger etc. match hollow point bullets. A few of my favorites are the 52 gr. Berger #22408 and the 53 gr. Sierra #1400.

Surprisingly, although not a match bullet, the 50 gr. Hornady V-Max have been excellent in several 22 cal. like the 222, 223 & 22ppc.

With the results you show, I'd start with the 52 gr. Hornady match bthp, segregate them according to weight & lengths and try different seating depths.

 

[nonliberal]

I've had very good results with 33.6 grains N140 and and 60grain Vmax. Solid half inch load assuming good conditions.

 

[joejo]

Wow,
I never dreamed I would get so many responses.
Thanks guys.
Here are the loads I used.
5 shots of each--- 52gr Hornady match BTHP w/38.0 gr H380 1-1/2" group
52gr Hornady match BTHP w/35.5 gr 4064 2" group
55gr Hornady fmjbt w/38.0 gr H380 2-1/2" group
55gr Hornady fmjbt w/35.5 gr 4064 2" group

before tearing my model 7 apart to make it more of a varmint gun i used your first load.

i started there then eventually moved up to 41 grns of h380. don't forget to try differnt seating depths. that little model seven would shoot 5/8 inch groups with 40 grns of h380 with a hornady 52hp flat base in the lands. of course you can't expect the same results but someting as simple as a grain of powder or 20 thous difference in seating depth can improve or reduce precision. you basically only tried 2 powders with different bullets. pick 1 powder and one bullet then tune. then only change one thing at a time.
depending on your twist rate i'd pick 380 and a flat base 52 grn bullet.
you could however just buy an 8 twist barrel and shoot 75 grain bullets and open a whole new world for your 22-250.

 

[MrMajestic]

Here are the loads I used.
5 shots of each--- 52gr Hornady match BTHP w/38.0 gr H380 1-1/2" group
52gr Hornady match BTHP w/35.5 gr 4064 2" group
55gr Hornady fmjbt w/38.0 gr H380 2-1/2" group
55gr Hornady fmjbt w/35.5 gr 4064 2" group

In my limited experiences the poorer the barrel condition the less they like boattail bullets. Try some quality flatbases before you throw in the towel. I have a '57 Winchester Model 88 in .308 that you don't need a borescope to see how bad the bore is! It shoots flat base bullets at 1 MOA and some at 3/4! Feed it a Boattail and if you get 2 MOA your getting lucky.

As for new, get with Jim at Northland and get a Varminter action, Criterion or Shilen barrel and a stock of your choice. You will increase your odds a getting a keeper over a factory tube.

 

[wmdron]

In response to your original question, buy a Cooper you won't be sorry.

 

[K22]

K22: I agree with everything you said about the necessary steps to take in trouble shooting a rifle, but unless the condition of the bore is inspected with a borescope, you will be like the dog chasing it's tail. Trying to get a shot out barrel to shoot acceptable groups is a complete waste of time and money.

I have a take-off factory Remington barrel, chambered in 6mm. To look at it with the naked eye would make you believe it's in as new condition. I even thought about having it setback & re-chambered to 6BR, put it aside for possible future use, then bought a Hawkeye borescope. Went into that barrel & saw what looked like a sewar pipe. One of the worst barrels I've ever inspected. Throat erosion to the extreme. Large chunks of steel torn out of the grooves and tops of the lands, etc.

Borescope first to judge the quality of the barrel. If it looks "good", then begin the trouble-shooting that you described.

Of course but the guy said he recently purchased the rifle since I didn't believe that a "shot out" barrel was an issue at this point. Still if the crown or throat was damage due to improper cleaning or if the fellow allowed copper to imbed then he indeed would be chasing his tail. You point is well taken.

I was quite puzzled that he was getting such large groups with H380 and match bullets.

 

[fdshuster]

K22: "I recently bought a USED", etc. etc. is what set off the warning bell for me. A lot of used rifles being offered for sale have shot-out barrels, especially the varmint cartridge chamberings in known barrel burner rounds. 22-250, 243 Win. 6x284, 7mm Magnum, etc.

 

[bozo699]

I'm looking for recommendations on the most accurate 22-250 out of the box

When you find it, let the rest of us know. There is no such thing. You pay your money, and you take your chance.

+1. My thoughts, exactly!

+2. Also my exact thoughts! However I have not had a Tikka that wouldn't shoot very good right out of the box. I read on here all the time how guy's have one hole factory rifles,.....Right!!! But the Tikka's I have will shoot three shot 1/2 minute groups pretty consistent with hand loads and 1' or less with the right factory loads, if you need more accuracy then that then you better find a reputable smith and spend some money and even then sometimes you can pull your hair out chasing that one holer!
Wayne.

 

[mikegaiz]

Take a look at Sako's all old models and the 75 and 85. will give you that kind of accuracy. Not sure about the A7? don't care for it.

 

[gene pool]

With only 4 loads, you have not experimented enough. Try a number of loads, make sure the barrel is clean of copper, check action screw torque, etc. I bet the Weatherby will surprise you.

That said, my out of the box 22-250 shoots .3 groups regularly. It's a Remington VTR. It took me many loads to finally come up with the right combinaion. I wish it did not have that silly muzzle break though. But I will not dare cut off the barrel for fear it will mess up the tight groups.

Good luck.

Gene Pool

 

[bozo699]

With only 4 loads, you have not experimented enough. Try a number of loads, make sure the barrel is clean of copper, check action screw torque, etc. I bet the Weatherby will surprise you.

That said, my out of the box 22-250 shoots .3 groups regularly. It's a Remington VTR. It took me many loads to finally come up with the right combinaion. I wish it did not have that silly muzzle break though. But I will not dare cut off the barrel for fear it will mess up the tight groups.

Good luck.

Gene Pool

Gene,
How many in these .3 groups? 3 shots? 5 shots? just curious, I have a VTR in .308 and it shoots well for a factory rifle but it's no match for your's. I definitely wouldn't touch the barrel either, I would use it to show off with or I would compete on a local level with it and win some money
Wayne.

 

[BoydAllen]

The trouble with these discussions is that we don't know enough details. Over the years, I have seen a lot of fellows at the range that were trying different loads and they were making some serious mistakes that kept them from achieving their goal. So often the discussion goes directly to loads when there are a multitude of factors that must be right to get good accuracy. IMO if the bedding isn't right, or the scope or its mount have problems, if the fellow really thinks that there is no wind, and has no way to verify this, it the trigger is as it came from the factory, and so on and so on. Take your rifle to the range and shoot five five shot groups, counting every shot that was aimed at the target, no called pulled shots or alibis. measure one bullet hole, and use that to subtract from your outside to outside group measurement, to convert to center to center. Average the groups. That is how accurate your rifle is, not the smallest group you shot on a given day. Again, just my opinion...

On a more positive note, the group that the fellow posted as having been shot with his Remington using a bipod was excellent. IMO if he had had a couple of wind flags out, the horizontal might have been cut in half, but is is impressive nonetheless.

 

[stinnett1981]

That Rem 700 .223 that I posted pics of the .318 group doesnt shoot groups like that all day. This is just one of my best groups I ever shot with it. So there is luck involved. On average it will shoot .5 groups give or take alittle. That .318 group was pure luck!

Also how Boyd Allen said about all the other factors that involves shooting more accurate. Dont forget about the shooter himself being a factor. I was barely shooting 1 MOA with this rifle 6 months ago. After LOTS of practice my groups got alot smaller. I learned just because your cross hairs is on the target doesnt mean you are gonna hit it. That fraction of a second when you pull the trigger is a VERY VERY important fraction of a second!

 

[BoydAllen]

Such refreshing candor..Big Attaboy

 

[bozo699]

Very well stated as per usual Boyd
Wayne.

 

[bozo699]

Sako varminter and be done with it. They are the only two factory rifles I have. My 22-250 with my reloads 52 grain berger flat base.. does consistent .210 MOA at 300 yards.

Say it isn't so!
Wayne.

 

[Lazydays]

Hi,
I just joined .
I'm looking for advice.
I recently bought a used Weatherby Vanguard 22-250.
Took it out to the range with 4 different reloads to see how it would shoot.
I'm not satisfied with it's accuracy and already thinking about selling it
and buying something NEW.
I'm looking for recommendations on the most accurate 22-250 out of the box

if the Vanguard has the thin light barrel, you have to shoot it with a cold barrel. Kind of the nature of the beast. But sounds like the rifle may have some bedding issues. Have you tightened the bedding screws with a good torque wrench yet? If not loosen them and retighten them in about three steps till you get to about 40 inch pounds. (also a good time to inspect the condition of the bedding)

Now for the most accurate out of the box, and also not knowing your budgit!

* the Coopers and Savages are by far the best. Never owned a Cooper, but have seen them turn out some nice groups one right after another. I have owned three Savages (one 112BVSS-s and one 112BVSS, plus a 12BVSS-s) The first one always shot in the quarter inch range, and have shot sub .20" groups more than once. Sad as it may be the rifle was stolen, and I do miss it. The second one had the internal magazine, and will always shoot in the low .30" range. The third is a short action single shot. I've only put a 150 rounds thruit, and it's already in the mid .20" range. The first two rifles were built within a month of each other, and the last one was built about ten years later if that matters much. The second one has the Rifle Basix trigger, and the stock is slightly modifed to make it more comfortable for me to shoot. Nothing else. The newer one is as it came out of the box with the Accutrigger as factory set (about 1.5lb.).

* on the otherhand I shot at least a dozen Remingtons thru the years and the best was shooting groups in the .40" range with hand loads and 50 grain bullets. I did have a Winchester Mod. 70 heavy varmit rig for awhile that would shoot right at 1.5" groups no matter what you ran thru it. It's now a 6BR by the way. The Remingtons and the Winchesters come with a 14 twist barrel, and that kinda limits you to bullet selection, but also has a couple slight advantages that 98% will never see. Savage normally ships a 12 twist barrel, and this is much better, but also offer a 9 twist barrel to allow you to shoot much heavier bullets that in the end will give you more range.

* the Cooper has the best barrel! The Savage is button rifled and much better than 98% of the production rifles sold. The Savage barrels are a little too long for a 22-250 at 26" (looking at case capacity verses bore diameter). Need a better recoil lug (as does Remington). Savage has the best bolt head design and the fastest lock time for a factory rifle. The Savage varmit stock rides the bags better than the other three, if that matters a lot. Off hand shooting I like the Remington stock design better.