Starting Load for the .22-250

[rkittine]

I haven't owned a .22-250 in years and the 700 BDL I had years ago was a lot different then the one I just bought. Unfortunately it has a 1:14 Twist, but it is a heavy barrel 700 Varminter. Suggestion for the best paper punching projectile, powder and primer recommended starting point. I have Winchester, Remington and Federal Brass.

Thanks, Bob

 

[fdshuster]

38 grains of H380 with any match quality 52/ 53 gr. bullet.

 

[Terry]

http://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/22-250/

I would start here.

 

[rkittine]

Thanks guys and I printed that link out.

Bob

 

[sbhooper]

IMR 4064 and Sierra 55 grain bullets (1365) produced some of the best groups that I have ever shot with a rifle. I believe the load was a grain or so under max. It clocked 3505 from a heavy Mod 700 my brother has.

 

[Larryh128]

A lot of powders work well including H4895 and H380. I always use mag primers with H380.

 

[rkittine]

Thanks again. I have found a specialty shop within reasonable distance of me with a good supply of powders so I want to know which ones to get to try different combinations. Since I have the 1:14 twist barrel I see that I need to stay at probably the 55 grain and lighter projectiles.

Bob

 

[/VH]

H4895, RL15 and IMR8208 have worked well for me with that bullet weight.

 

[Terry]

38 grains of H380 with any match quality 52/ 53 gr. bullet.

The classic load. Works well.

 

[M-61]

38 grains of H380 with any match quality 52/ 53 gr. bullet.

The classic load. Works well.

+1 This was the load that worked the best for me. Additionally, many years ago, PMC offered small rifle primer 22-250 brass. That brass with the above load was the most accurate for me in a Colt Sauer. (Sierra 52gr.HPBT)

As with any load work UP to it.

 

[K22]

While H 380 shot very tight groups (under 1/2") in my 22 250 I experienced some pressure problems in very hot weather (i.e. > 90 degree F).

Two other powders that worked well for me are H4895 and IMR 4064. For some reason, I could never get Varget to work for me although several of my fellow shooters use it with a lot of success.

Although, rarely if ever mentioned as a preferred powder for the 22 250, I've used IMR 4350 based on the recommendations of a friend. I was very skeptical but I couldn't believe the groups I shot with it using 50 grain Nosler bullets and Federal 210 match primers. I had several 5 shot groups measuring in 3/8" range. The downside for this powder for me was that muzzle velocity was slow, 3400 to 3500 ft/sec, for the tightest shooting powder charges.

With my Remington Model 700 varmint, 14" twist, the 50 grain bullets seemed to work the best. Bullet weight seemed to be the more significant component issue than which of the above mentioned powders I tried.

 

[JamesnTN]

Mine always liked IMR 4064

 

[lawman29]

H380 & IMR4895/H4895. I shoot 55 Nosler BT in a bolt gun and Ruger #1 (both 1x14 twist). Have a selection of LR primers to try, they will make a difference.

 

[rkittine]

Thanks Guys, between my Reloading Manuals, your input and the 8 pages of information on the .22-250 on the Forum, I think I know now where to start. I am off to the store Monday and will get as many of these powders to work with as they have in stock. Last week they had a good variety of "H" powders.

Bob

 

[joshb]

8208XBR-31 grains. RL-15- 33.2 grains. Both loads behind a Hornady #2249 52 grain BTHP,.Remington brass, WLR Primer . Loaded 2k off my lands. That's where I am, right now, but I'm just starting with an older mauser actioned varmint gun. Haven't played with seating depth, yet. Mine is a 14 twist. My next powder will be 4350. I flipped a coin, on the powders, when I started with the 22-250, and used RL-15. Then, I got some advice on temp problems, and tried 8208. Good luck!

 

[Hyper]

IMR 4064 and Sierra 55 grain bullets (1365) produced some of the best groups that I have ever shot with a rifle. I believe the load was a grain or so under max. It clocked 3505 from a heavy Mod 700 my brother has.

Agreed .....Have shot my best groups with this powder

 

[MtheN]

I used this load in two Remington 22-250's. The first was an ADL that I traded for a VLS. It was a good load in the ADL (5/8 to 3/4). I shot the extra ammo in the VLS when I got it and it shot 5 shot 1/4", one hole groups consistently, so I didn't change a thing. The VLS was floated, recrowned, and had the trigger adjusted. My brother had it and said it wouldn't shoot. He hotrods everything. I loaded it down a little and he wished he would have had it back. Load is 55 vmax with 35.0 Varget at 2.535". I have taken this gun pdogn many times. It is pretty much shot out. When you set the bullet to touch the lands, it is just barely in the case. I was going to rebarrel it before I went pd hunting the last time, but ran out of time. After 3 days of shooting, I cleaned it up and shot 5 shots in 1.4" (horizontal string less than 1/2" vertical)at 320 yards. I figure with that string, it must have been me. It is going again in 2015.

 

[M14AMU]

Can't help you! I've got 1-7" twist.