Starting load for 40gr Z-Max in 22-250 (edited)

Reloading equipment, methods, load data, powder and projectile information.

Starting load for 40gr Z-Max in 22-250 (edited)

Post by Paul » 11 May 2020, 11:02 am

Hi folks, first post here and hoping for some ideas.

EDIT CORRECTION FOR PROJECTILE- this is a bit embarising. I had this odd feeling late last night that I'd put the wrong projectile or not at all. It was the former, the projectile I'm trying to load is the Z max. Any help appreciated.

Im loading a few new loads for my old PH Midland 22-250 1:14. Ive got a Projectile Warehouse sample pack of 20 of the Hornady 40gr Z-MAX (not V-Max that I mistakenly put in my original post). [plus some Barnes 36gr VG but seem to have that sorted].

I've got other laods for the 250 and 308 where I use ADI 2206H. Works well. The ADI manual does have the 40gr V-Max projectile listed for 22-250, but no load for 2206H, only the older 2206.

It does have a 2206H load data for the 40gr Nosler BT(ip), which seems very like the V-Max.

Thoughts on if I can just use the Nosler 40gr data? Or use the 2206 data?

ADI lists data for 2208 in both projectiles, but for the Nosler it is a whole 2.5gr higher that for the V-Max. Apart from that difference, I would have thought a 'faster' 2206H would be better for the 40gr compared to the 2208.

But my first request is for some load data guideance :-)

Kind regards

Paul
Last edited by Paul on 12 May 2020, 6:29 am, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: Starting load for 40gr V-Max in 22-250

Post by JimTom » 11 May 2020, 3:43 pm

http://www.adi-powders.com.au/faq/

ADI reloading manual FAQ. Answer is in there mate regarding 2206 and 2206H.

By the way, 40gn projectile must be sizzling out of a 22-250. Any particular reason you want to shoot projectile of that weight mate?
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Re: Starting load for 40gr V-Max in 22-250

Post by JimTom » 11 May 2020, 3:44 pm

Fifth question from the bottom mate.
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Re: Starting load for 40gr V-Max in 22-250

Post by SCJ429 » 11 May 2020, 6:03 pm

You should be able to use over 37 grains of 2206h behind your 40 grain Vmax. Personally I would use 8208 if you have any. You should be able to squeeze an eye watering 4,400 fps out of it.
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Re: Starting load for 40gr V-Max in 22-250

Post by JimTom » 11 May 2020, 6:26 pm

4,400fps :shock: :shock: :shock:

Be chasing a new barrel by September. :allegedly:
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Re: Starting load for 40gr V-Max in 22-250

Post by SCJ429 » 11 May 2020, 6:33 pm

I bought a few boxes of 40 grain ZMax and did some load testing with the 22/250. They were incredibly fast and blew things apart but not half as accurate as 55 grain Zmax which are pretty devastating anyway. I am using the 40 grain projectiles in a 222 where they are far more suited.
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Re: Starting load for 40gr V-Max in 22-250

Post by JimTom » 11 May 2020, 7:47 pm

SCJ429 wrote:I bought a few boxes of 40 grain ZMax and did some load testing with the 22/250. They were incredibly fast and blew things apart but not half as accurate as 55 grain Zmax which are pretty devastating anyway. I am using the 40 grain projectiles in a 222 where they are far more suited.


Definitely an interesting experiment mate. How do the 40gn go out of the .222? Typically I would load 50gn in the 222, and 40gn in the 22 Hornet.
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Re: Starting load for 40gr Z-Max in 22-250 (edited)

Post by Paul » 12 May 2020, 6:40 am

Thanks JimTom, I didnt see the FAQs, but that answers it for me. Btw, i made an error as the projectile im using is the Z-Max. Looks like the 2206 for V-Max should work ok for a starting point.

Looking at this smaller projectile for a 200-300m bunny load. Though from SCJ249's post, accuracy might not be there. Twt. Some fun in the mean time checking.
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Re: Starting load for 40gr V-Max in 22-250

Post by Paul » 12 May 2020, 6:46 am

SCJ429 wrote:You should be able to use over 37 grains of 2206h behind your 40 grain Vmax. Personally I would use 8208 if you have any. You should be able to squeeze an eye watering 4,400 fps out of it.



Thanks Scj, do you mean 2208? If so, can you tell me why this wld be a preference? I'd have thought for the light 40 gr that the faster 2206H wld be the go. Open to some thoughts and learning here ☺

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Re: Starting load for 40gr Z-Max in 22-250 (edited)

Post by Rwd22 » 12 May 2020, 7:07 am

Bench Mark 8208, ADI burn rate chart puts it slightly faster than 2206.

Once I can get my hands on some powder, I'll be working out a load for my 22-250 starting with Benchmark 2 and projectiles in the 50/55 gr range.

From memory the Z-max and V-max are the same projectile, just different coloured polymer tip?
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Re: Starting load for 40gr Z-Max in 22-250 (edited)

Post by straightshooter » 12 May 2020, 7:14 am

Paul
What you are talking about should be fun but in your specific case may end in disappointment.
Commercial ammunition offerings are the way they are often for sound practical reasons.
In your case unless the projectile you select is designed to withstand the velocities you are chasing, both muzzle and terminal, you may end up with at best unacceptably poor accuracy or at worst 'disappearing' bullets or bullets that 'blow up on a blade of grass'.
I know that Sierra make recommendations regarding velocities but I am not sure if other makers do.
"Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about."
"There is no expedient to which a man will not resort to avoid the real labor of thinking." Sir Joshua Reynolds
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Re: Starting load for 40gr Z-Max in 22-250 (edited)

Post by SCJ429 » 12 May 2020, 7:40 am

I found that 8208 gave me the best speeds for this projectile, any faster burn rate like BM2 cost me speed. I never experienced any bullet blow up but the bullet runout effected accuracy at high RPM. That is why the 40 grain Zmax is better suited to the 222 which uses far less powder to send it at a respectable speed.j

For a hunting round the 50 or 55 grain ZMax or Vmax are excellent on game and I get 1/4 MOA accuracy out of a Tikka using them.
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