What are they using for powder in the Federal Premium .22-250 loaded w/ 55 SBK?

[CanusLatransSnpr]

I was doing some shooting today with some Federal Premium .22-250 loaded w/ 55gr. SBK bullets. I shot a .322" group and a .277" group with these today. Both were 3 shot groups. I decided to set out on a mission to figure out what they are using for powder in these cartridges. I pulled the bullet on one of these and all I could figure out was that there was 36.8 grains of powder there, the powder is an extruded powder, and the powder is not Hodgdon powder because it is not green and does not smell like Hodgdon.

These cartridges have an advertised muzzle velocity of 3625 fps. I looked through the Hodgdon reloading manual to see what powders were producing these velocities with that much powder and the only thing close was IMR 4007SC. Which by the way looks to be a little slower since it takes more powder to move equivalent velocities. So then I looked in the burn rate table to see the powders close to the IMR and looks like it could be VV N540 or RL 15 but, still not quite sure. Any help here would be appreciated.

Thanks, Mike

 

[CanusLatransSnpr]

Since I have had no replies, or any input, this must be taboo or something. I was just wondering if anyone else has tried this and been successful in figuring out what the "Factory" had going on. I would just buy and shoot this ammo but, when I can reload for a fraction of what I paid for them I figured I would try to figure it out and replicate their load.

Thanks, Mike

 

[Eddie Harren]

If you ever succeed in getting any ammunition manufacturer to disclose their loads, you will be a fortunate man. Many of the ammo Mfg. use powders that are not available in cannister lots, to the public. The best you can hope for is to find a load that duplicates your results with the Federal. Seeing as it is a 22-250 that should not be too difficult.

 

[cmillard]

well said. it does no good to try and "guess" what powder is being used by the factories. you could set yourself up for disaster.

 

[expiper]

Hi Mike ....it is not "tabu" but just not easy to answer,,,bak in the 60's a shootin buddy of mine bought some Remington factory 30-06 ammo loaded with 150 gr bullets....he wanted a Sierra 150 gr bullet substituted....he was using a 740 semi auto deer rifle and had confidence in the ctgs. fittin since they were new,,,and just wanted the bullets changed ???....sooo Ipulled the factory slugs and re-inserted the 150 gr bullet of his choosing...buttttt....while I had the bullets pulled I noticed that the powder in the loaded Remington factory ammo was "Ball powder"!!!??!!!....well as you know Remington didnt make any ball powder at that time (or to the best of my knowledge -ever)...and "viola" there it was...prolly 760 or sumthin ..I weighed the charge but that has been a long time ago and my memory is gettin fuzzy...I showed the powder to several long time reloading friends and they all wagged their heads in disbelief....here in later times I hear of Remington using vita-vori (hillbilly spellin) and other various brands of powder in their factory ammo ((and all the other mfgs. also use various powders as well ))....soooo as you are realizing it culd be just about anything....a few yrs ago I did the same thing for another shooter using .243 win ammo....I seemed as though the powder was Rx-19 ...we duplicated the load and it performed aprox the same.....but it is a guessing game and iffy at best....as you have said it culd be Rx-15...as long as the equvilant load wt. doesnt exceed max pressures ,try a duplicate load and see. Let us know what you find....Roger

 

[CanusLatransSnpr]

Thanks Guys for all the input. I didn't imagine that it would be a cut and dry answer and I'm going to have to do my homework. The thing that just absolutely amazes me is that these cartridges shot so well being jumped aprox. .173", or possibly the factory crimp makes a diff. also. I'm gettin ready to purchase a set of Forster dies with the full length sizer and ultra bullet seater along with a bullet comparator. Trying to eliminate as much error on my behalf as possible. Thanks again all!

Mike

 

[kitsap]

Mike,

Often the manufacturer's use a blend of powders for their product. They buy powder in large lots and have a specific performance level they wish to achieve. Also they have the pressure test barrels and other equipment available to determine if their "blend" met the specified performance levels. The blend can be different depending on cartridge and bullet weight. This is where the term "non canister" applies to powder used in manufactured ammunition.

DougF

 

[CanusLatransSnpr]

Thanks Doug! I've pretty much given up on this wild goose chase. I wondered if they blended different powders to achieve what they wanted. Thanks everyone for the input.

Mike

 

[fdshuster]

mike: Just a thought, maybe not a good one, but, can you run some chronograph velocity tests on the Federal ammo, then make some samples, ( 5 rds of each) with varying powder charges 'til you "hit on" the same velocity, or very close to it? Keep all loads with the same bullet, seating depth and primer as the factory loads, so the only unknown is the powder.

 

[CanusLatransSnpr]

Thanks Frank! That would be great if I could do that but, I don't own a chronograph. A shooting friend of mine down the street has one but I don't want to borrow it from him. I've heard to many horror stories of guys shooting chronos and I don't want to buy one for someone else LOL!