Flat base vs. boattail in 22-250

[Canada Honker]

I have a 22-250 varminter I've owned for about four years. I love the rifle, and on good days I have shot very well with it.

In trying to work up pet loads, I have shot up over 700 rds so far. I have a notebook stuffed with records and data.

I was surprised to discover the rifle seems to like flatbase bullets best. My best bullet so far has been the Sierra flatbase 60 gr. varminter bullet in front of 30.5 gr. of IMR 3031. My rifle has a 1/12 twist, and should be able to stabilize up to about 64 or 68 gr.

I purchased a box of the Berger 64 gr. bullets and tried them, but the results were inferior to the aforementioned Sierras. This was disappointing, because they are considerably more expensive than the little Sierras.

Have you fellows experienced that some rifles may seem to prefer flatbase over boattail?

Also, it seems like what some rifle should "theoretically" like best may not be what the rifle ACTUALLY likes best.

 

[jmundy]

Is it by chance a Ruger? I have had two that had a preference for flat based bullets versus boattails.

 

[RonAKA]

Flat base bullets are generally preferred for short range (100-200) over boat tail. At longer ranges boat tails tend to win out due to reduced wind drift (higher BC). Opinions vary on why flat base may be more accurate, but it could be due to ease of manufacture to higher tolerances. Berger makes flat base of course too. In general what you find is that flat base are used for lighter bullets (shorter range, slower twist), and heavier bullets have boat tails for longer range (faster twist). See spec sheet below:

Berger Spec Sheet

 

[357Mag]

Honker -

Howdy !

For exterior ballistics reasons ( if for no other ), you'd probably find yourself reaching for boat tails for distances out much past 450yd.

At the same time, any/all .224" cal 55s will be runnin' outta gas by 500, at least for a good clean kill on a varmint like groundhog.

Sierra 65s should hold up better on reatined energy, at extended distance; when powered by your 22-250.

In many circles, FB bullets are considered to group better than BTs.
GO with what works for the distance you are shooting.

Regards,
357Mag

 

[Larryh128]

There is a good posibility that your 12 twist won't sabilize the 64 gr Bergers because of the length/profile of the bullet. My 10 twist won't stabilize anything over 60 gr shorties.

 

[Canada Honker]

LH writes ---- To answer your other question, theoretically this bullet should not be the best choice for these rifles. Both rifles have factory barrels with long throats. The Hornady 40 grain V-Max bullets cannot be seated anywhere near the rifling but they still perform significantly better than bullets that can be seated into the rifling.

Going to this issue -- suggested in the above quote -- that what theoretically is best may not in truth be best . . . ..

I can share an experience where my 270 Winchester loves the Sierra 90 gr. hollow points. This rifle is tuned much more to bullets in the 130 gr. category.

But for some unexplicable reason, it really shoots tight using those 90's.

This rifle is one of the old original Win. Model 54 -- the rifle that introduced the 270 in about 1925. It's no target rifle, just a sporter-- but they built sporters heavier in those days -- running around 9 lb without scope. Of course -- real 24 inch barrels. The rifle has been modified with a Timney target trigger and bears a Leopold fixed-power 7.5 X scope. The scope mount required a new bolt handle and some cosmetic changes. What you have in the end is a "classic" old-school sporter that weighs a ton and can outshoot all the featherweight junk currently being vended to America's hunters.

This old girl has shot quite a few target groups at 100 yds. under 1 inch over a period of many years, and her best would include several groups around 5/8 inch. This is all carefully recorded in notebooks. The performance has been not always that good, but I put a lot of that inconsistency down to ME and my imperfect bench skills.

Someone should write a thread about how to "Sherlock Holmes" your way to a winning pet load. It is not easy. There are a lot of variables. For most of us, it is going to take about 500 rds of handloads and about three summers. Eventually you find the "sweet spot."

 

[DaveWhite]

My 700VS .22-250 loves the Nosler Ballistic Tip 55 grain, but also shoots very well with the flat-based Hornady V-max.

I prefer loading the boat-tailed bullet simply because they sit on the case better prior to seating...

 

[artbosco]

Have you fellows experienced that some rifles may seem to prefer flatbase over boattail?

Absolutely.

Each BARREL prefers a specific powder, primer, case, and bullet combination that makes it come alive.

You have the interesting and challenging job of finding out what they are.

Once you find the magic combination for that specific barrel, stick with that combination. The only reason for maybe a grain chain would be if you changed Lot # of the same powder.

 

[K22]

Both my 22 250's (14" twist) shoot very well with 55 grain Noslers which have boat tail design. If flat base bullets work for you, use them, if it ain't broke, don't fix it unless you like to tinker. Another great bullet for the 22 250 is the 55 grain Sierra boat tail hollow point.

I've also have very good result swith Hornady 55 V Max which are flat base, at least when I used them a few years ago.

The boat tail makes some sense for the 22 250 since it's a long range cartridge but if flat base bullets shoot well I wouldn't hesitate to use them.

I was surprised by your choice of powder, 3031 is very fast for the 60 grain bullet in 22 250 but if it works so be it however you might want to try H380, Varget, IMR 4064 or IMR 4350 if you have any on your bench.

 

[tunered]

Some years ago flat based bullets was thought to have longer barrel life than boatails, dont know if that theory still stands