Just picked up a Savage 22-250, now what?

[Utah Shooter]

I did not need the rifle but got such a great deal on it I decided to pick it up. I have never owned one nor wanted to but I guess I have it now.

It is a Savage FLV (left handed I am right handed) with a 1:12 twist. I make my own projectiles so I can make them at any weight as long as a 7s ogive works. I am curious what weight most are shooting through this twist? I am hoping to reach out to 400 yards at max.

 

[joshb]

I don't have any technical data to offer, as I'm still playing with first 22-250. I can tell you that it's a fun, accurate cartridge, and I bet you're going to like it. There is a thread that gives a lot of info on loads, here. Good luck!

 

[acloco]

52's HPBT's will be perfection in this twist.....even a touch past your 400 yard goal.

 

[357Mag]

Utah -

Howdy !

With that 1-12, you should be able to handle bullets up to 63gr alright.

I am a fan of " high load density ".
For use w/ 55s, I suggest you try powders like WW760 ( H414 same stuff ), IMR 4007, VV 150, IMR 4350; and /or IMR4451.
If you can, give FED LR Magnum Match primers a try when shooting WW760 / H414.

A varmint-style 55 should be good for things like groundhog, out to the 400yd you mentioned.
Lighter 50 -53gr .224" cal bullets would scrub-off a lot of energy, by the time they reach 400; compared to a 55BT.
You could also shoot 60s, including custom 60s that might exceed .750" lg. That length of 60s appear to go unstable when shot from a
1-14.

Best of luck in your endeavors !


With regards,
357Mag

 

[benchracer]

With a 12 twist, the 53 grain VMAX is THE bullet, IMO. I am currently working with IMR 8208 XBR, CFE 223, Varget, and RL-17. Initial load work with IMR 8208 XBR shows a lot of promise, but I haven't yet determined the winner among these four powders. All should yield an accurate load above 3800 fps from a 26" barrel. I have attached a pic of the target from my seating depth test fired with the starting load.

I also tried 69 grain SMK's from my 12 twist 22-250. To my surprise, they shot very well during load development. Initial load development was done with Superformance. Without doing a seating depth test, the accuracy load came in at 40.2 grains (Hodgdon lists 40.6 as max) with an average MV of 3579 fps. I am also working with RL-17. RL-17 showed pressure sooner than I had anticipated, so I will have to back my charges down and re-test before I come to any final conclusions.

When I can get my hands on the new tipped Matchkings, I want to try them to see if I can stabilize them from my 12 twist in the same way the regular SMK's do. If they will stabilize, they would have tremendous potential, being launched at 3580ish.

 

[lpreddick]

I have 3 of these and really enjoy shooting each. A 12 twist is ideal for 60-64 gr bullets but it will shoot all 35 -55 gr. The heavier ones won' t go as fast but they will have higher BCs and will buck the wind. The lighter ones will scream and deliver a lot of energy. This cartridge is not picky re powders either...pet loads everywhere. Biggest downside is barrel life. Shoot it hot and fast and the throat will suffer...did this with an 8 tw shooting 80 gr bullets. Enjoy.

 

[seymour fish]

Utah, Take a hard look at the 60 gr JLK. It stabilizes fine in a 1:14 at 3700. Great accuracy to 600. Relatively high BC useful in your western wind. Seymour

 

[40X Guy]

Benchracer nailed it. My sons 12 twist LRPV Savage is shooting the 53 V-Max over 38.5 grains of CFE-223 powder with Fed 210 GMM primers and lapua brass. The perfect bullet for 12 twist 22-250 rifles. A great combo! And this is the load right out of Hornady 9th edition manual.. 8208 will work well also. Good thing about the 53 V-Max is they are explosive on chucks, very accurate, a decent BC, priced right and available!

Frank

 

[justinp61]

My FVSS (1-12) loves Sierra 1365 55gr Game Kings over 36.0gr of varget. With this load I have taken groundhogs out to 416 yards.

 

[Utah Shooter]

Awesome. Thank you for the replies guys. Looks like now I just need to try and find some brass at a good price. :-\

 

[A_Gamehog]

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/Dept/Reloading/Rifle_Brass/22-250_Remington

Lots of brass to compare.

I like the:
53 V-max
Varget
Winchester LR primer
Remington brass

With my savage 1-12 22-250 I could shoot Nosler 69's with a "hot" load of Varget. (5 shots)

 

[coues52]

Utah shooter I was at cabelas in Lehi ut 12/24..they had rem 22-250 in stock..may be worth a call..coues52

 

[bheadboy]

Utah, I have had 4 22-250 and now the 5th a 40x with 13twist Hart,

I prefer the 55 sierra blitzking using h414 at about 3700fps rem 9 1/2's for pd. great accuracy and very explosive.

groups bug holes. taken pds out to 570yd,

bob