Speedy Varmint Load

[41rem]

Been experimenting with the Nosler 40 grain Ballistic Tip in my fast twist Tikka sporter. Have a nice load that will group 5 rounds into .65" at 100 yards

As I'm running +4000 fps its shooting fairly flat out to 300 yards with only 4" of drop. I'd imagine the wind will reek havoc on this lightweight speedster, thoughts?

 

[TheCZKid]

Caliber?

 

[Gary in MD]

I believe the cartridge is 22-250, from other threads.

 

[17VLD]

If it's a fast twist 22-250 I'd definitely try the 53 Vmax or the 62 ELD-VT even though they start out slower they will definitely do well out at distance. It's nice to see all the new tipped 69s too,assuming you are after varmints here. I get it the 40s are fast and fun and should be tried too but I'm pretty impressed with the 53 Vmax and it's b.c. of .295
Matt

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Yep. I shot a lot of 55s out of dashers at close to 4000. Even though its flat the wind beats them up. I wouldnt try a gopher much over 300 because the miss percentage went way up.

 

[41rem]

So many bullets to try.

I'm surprised these 40 grainers shoot so well in my rifles. I originally bought them for the little 22 Hornet, then was wondering if they'd shoot in my fast twist AR. They did

So on to this 22-250 and again they cluster into tidy little groups. After this "need for speed" phase runs it's course I'll start using more practical projectiles, I bought this as a low recoil hunting rifle after all.


41

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

In my .22-250 Rem 24" sporter wt. barrel, 14 twist with, Brake / Bipod @ 8 1/4 lbs, the 50 gr V-Max @ 3,550 fps, IS a Killer on Sage Rats, all the way out to, the furthest Ledge of Lava Rocks at, 225 - 235 yards with NO,..
Muzzle "Jump" ( I can see the Splodies @ 18 power ) and at, Sub 1/2 MOA accuracy, it's good enough to, Hit them reliably to, the edge of the Rock pile. I'm NOT changing,... Bullets or, Velocity !
The 52 gr Berger FB Varm't and 52 gr. ELD-M's,.. DO,.. the SAME " Job" at, Sub 3.550 fps !
Of, course, the V-Maxes are,. a Bit More,. Explosive !

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

@ 41 rem,..
Any of the 3 Bullets that, I've mentioned above, Plus, the 53 grain, V-max,.. SHOULD all group, Better than, .65 at, 100 Yards from, a "Good" .22-250 Rem., Rifle ( Esp,.. Tikka's )
IMHO,.. Junk the 40's,.. Me, thinks ! ( Sub 1/2 MOA is, the Goal of, most, Varmint "Sporter" Rifles )
Good Luck !

 

[Dgd6mm]

When I get back from Wyoming I'll try some TNT 50 grainers in my 12tw
22-250.

 

[41rem]

No way I can see a hit with my current set up. I'm target shooting off the bench at 25x. This light sporter moves the scope right off the paper on each shot

 

[Benchrest Braxton]

don't forget nosler makes a 53 grain varmageddon alternative to "big money hornady's" 53 grain vmax.

After hornady decided to start beating up on the little guys i switched over to the varm's and am happier overall

They have a slightly lower bc (i have verified this) since they are a flat base, but they make up for it in bullet stability (important for people running 12 twists or slower). the 53 vmax pooped out (tumbling) for me at transonic (mach 1.2) for me (550 yards).

so far i've had the 53 varm out to 800 and is holding together wonderfully, i'd also give the terminal performance the nod too over the vmax.

to the OP: if you have a 12 twist or faster try the 53 grain flavor of bullets (they have a secant nose profile over 50's and 55's). if you want higher impact velocities past 300 or so these will be what you want.

 

[Benchrest Braxton]

In my .22-250 Rem 24" sporter wt. barrel, 14 twist with, Brake / Bipod @ 8 1/4 lbs, the 50 gr V-Max @ 3,550 fps, IS a Killer on Sage Rats, all the way out to, the furthest Ledge of Lava Rocks at, 225 - 235 yards with NO,..
Muzzle "Jump" ( I can see the Splodies @ 18 power ) and at, Sub 1/2 MOA accuracy, it's good enough to, Hit them reliably to, the edge of the Rock pile. I'm NOT changing,... Bullets or, Velocity !
The 52 gr Berger FB Varm't and 52 gr. ELD-M's,.. DO,.. the SAME " Job" at, Sub 3.550 fps !
Of, course, the V-Maxes are,. a Bit More,. Explosive !

why are you running 223 speeds? just teasing a little

 

[Gary in MD]

No way I can see a hit with my current set up. I'm target shooting off the bench at 25x. This light sporter moves the scope right off the paper on each shot

I've got the 8 twisted Tikka, your right it does have some muzzle jump so I don't see the impacts through the 20x either, I don't care because when I sashay down to where the critter was standing.... It's laying there dead and busted up!

 

[Gary in MD]

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

why are you running 223 speeds? just teasing a little

In my BRAKED, 8.25 Pound sporter, Rem 700, .22-250 running @ .223 Ai Velocities I CAN See, the Body parts of Sage Rats & PD's, Flying thru the Air at THESE "Speeds".
Using, 55 grainers at, 3,600 fps = NO Bueno ( Too Much,.. Muzzle, Jump ).
I've Found, the "Holy Grail" of .22-250 Loads and I,.. LIKE it !
Added Bonus,.. a Little Better,.. Barrel Life !

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

I Do shoot, the Bigger 55's and 60 grainer's for Yotes, etc at, 3,600+ But for, the Small stuff, it's the 50 V-Max !
T'is Fun to Watch, the "Splodies" on, Sage Rats !

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

If I Had, an 8 Twist, Tikka, "Sporter" .22-250, I'd Be shooting, 53 gr. V-Maxes and DROP the Velocity Down to,..
3,450 to 3550 fps and WATCH, the Fun on,.. PD's and Sage Rats. ( On 16x, 18x 0r, 20 x Scopes )
H-4895 or Varget will allow you to, Do "this" and Still Be,.. VERY,.. "Accurate" !

 

[3Ackleys]

don't forget nosler makes a 53 grain varmageddon alternative to "big money hornady's" 53 grain vmax.

After hornady decided to start beating up on the little guys i switched over to the varm's and am happier overall

They have a slightly lower bc (i have verified this) since they are a flat base, but they make up for it in bullet stability (important for people running 12 twists or slower). the 53 vmax pooped out (tumbling) for me at transonic (mach 1.2) for me (550 yards).

so far i've had the 53 varm out to 800 and is holding together wonderfully, i'd also give the terminal performance the nod too over the vmax.

to the OP: if you have a 12 twist or faster try the 53 grain flavor of bullets (they have a secant nose profile over 50's and 55's). if you want higher impact velocities past 300 or so these will be what you want.

Those 2 bullets are the exact same price at Midway- $23/100. Only difference is the Hornady are in stock and the Nosler are not.
I have shot a lot of the Vmax in 222/223/22CM & 220 Swift they shoot very well for me.

 

[Fern]

Those 40g noslers in my friends 22-250 were pushed to 4500fps and punched through a AR500 target

 

[varmintshooter]

Speed kills AR500 its why they to keep speed below 3000 fps. What was the distance when it went thru