how usefull is a fast twist 22-250 ack????????

[Craigyboy]

I have saw some posts latley about fast twist 22-250 ackleys etc and its got me thinking. I have a brand new factory rem 700 22-250 in the cabinet that I just cant get excited about shooting nine times out of ten if I am going shooting out to 400/500 yards I take my tac20, I think this is mainly because my little tac20 matches the 22-250 running on 52/55g bullets in almost all ways wind and drop the only thing the 22-250 has over it is energy which for small varmints like crows and rabbitts isnt a big deal and the tac20 due to the pac-nor tube hammers it in the accuracy department. I want a rifle for shooting between 500-800 yards varmints and the odd sporting rifle comp at my local range. So what about an 22-250 1-8 twist to run maybe the 75g a-max or berger 80g bullets, with the bc of these bullets and the velocity they can be pushed too, on paper they should perform very well at longer ranges but what is the real life experiences, i.e are they easy to get too shoot well? I know that it might never rival a 22br in accuracy but ballistically it will, I am a bipod kinda guy anyhow only really use a front rest for load development and doubt I would see the benifits from the extra accuracy a 22br might give, I really want to stick with the 22-250 as among other reasons I have a pile of brass for it. Also how does the ackley case feed from a mag? If they dont feed well I have no problem glueing in a single shot follower it would just be nice if it did feed to have the option.
Thanks for any opinions in advance

 

[brfun]

Craigyboy
I have a 22-250AI rem 700 Jewel trigger Lilja 9 twist that shoots the 75 Amaxes well. I don't get out in the Field as much I would like but when i do with a friend of mine shooting it at targets it keeps up with his 6br. even though his BR does have an accuracy advantage. in the feild like that we have fun taking cold bore shorts just for a hit or miss challenge not for group. for group shooting at those ranges I shoot my 6 dasher I have no plans on changing caliber until the barrel is shot out. at 500 to 800 it does the job nicely. it is a 26 inch tube and I am getting just shy of 3200fps with a stiff load and the 75s molyed.
I cant say if I will chamber in that caliber again or not as there is so many others that might have a better edge but it would defiantly be a consideration. its a good cartridge in my opinion. I hope i helped answer some of your questions.
Brian

 

[Preacher]

I sure would never be without a 9 twist 22/250 Ackley that shot 75 gr Amax's into tiny holes, and made Crows turn into a puff of feathers at any sane distance, and ground hogs about as far as you can see em.......
Never had a problem getting them to shoot, and while they are not up to the 22br's accuracy 100 % of the time, they sure can come close, and varmints don't seem to care.....
I use single shot adapters in mine.....

 

[Craigyboy]

Thanks guys, sounds like its exactly what I want, turning crows into puffs of feathers gets my attention, I shoot more crows than anything else round here, the little tac20 with the 40g v-max makes a nice mess of them, would love to see the 75g a-max hit them. Just another couple of questions is there a longer throated reamer needed for the heavier bullets? And also what is the likleyhood varget will work well in it? I have a pile of varget that I dont use in anything else right now

 

[Preacher]

I had my reamer, PT&G ) ground for the 75 grain A-Max as that was all I planned on shooting, and if I choose to shoot anything lighter I'll grab another rifle thats set up for that lighter bullet.....
I've had the best luck with H-4350, and F-210M's in any of mine...
Varget will probably work, but your rifle needs to tell you that for sure....

 

[Craigyboy]

so whats the expected barrel life on it? I am sure its not great and I would be happy if it done around 1500, anyone have any long term experience with that side of it, I am about to order the barrel and reamer but still bouncing back to doing a 6mmbr as I have never had one but part of me wants that fast twist ackley bad + I have 300 brand new nosler custom brass that I could use for it along with varget, all I need is new dies and bullets. Maybe when I burn the ai barrel out ill change it to 6mmbr.

 

[brfun]

As for barrel life it all depends on how hot you run it. as you are probably aware of heat and pressure are a killer. it also depends on what accuracy is acceptable to you. I bought my barrel used with 700 down the tube and now it has 1100 and will still shoot in the high 3s low fours at one hundred. about as good as it has ever done sine i have owned it. i am thinking 1500 to 2k before it wont do 1/2 moa or better. hopping anyway! I cant help you with load data as i am using some discontinued H450 witch it loves and i still have 5# of.
Brian

 

[Preacher]

My last Pac-Nor 22/250 AI has over 1000 rounds out of it and the throat is still in nice shape, but I've never run it hot enough to hurt it much...
Next time around I'll go with a 22BR 8 twist set up for the same 75 grain A-Max and see how close they are.....