22-250 loads (& velocities)

[Stix]

Im curious to hear peoples opinions of where you would go next with either of these two loads....?
ALSO...im curious to know what other 22-250 users are loading & what velocities you are getting...?

The charges listed are the highest tested, & so far no signs of pressure that i can tell...
All at 100m.
The brass was all formed & neck sized prior to these shots, & all rounds were seated at .010" off the lands

Ive only chrono'd the zmax loads & not happy with the velocities--the 36gr load with 50gr Zmax is only reading 3490-3500fps, which probably means the 55gr SIE GK with 35.5gr/2208 is probably only doing hot 223 velocities...im not sure what to expect as a norm, but i intend to check that against a different chrono to see if my magneto is a bit crook.
(This is the rifle i was getting some double grouping with--i pulled it out of the stock & replaced it with an extra 5in/lbs on the front screw & it appears to have fixed the problem--touch wood...! not one double group out of nearly 40 rounds )

Anyway, any thoughts on where you would further proceed appreciated...
Thanks.

First load...
Hdy 50g Zmax/2208

Hdy 50gr Zmax/2208

2018-07-03 14.03.47.jpg (1.12 MiB) Viewed 16373 times

Second load...
SIE 55GK/2208

SIE 55gr GK/2208

2018-07-03 14.02.52.jpg (1.1 MiB) Viewed 16373 times

Cheers

[brett1868]

I never had any success with 2208 in my 22-250, best load was 31.6gr of BM2 pushing a 55gr SBK #1455 for .3moa. I didn't have a chronograph at the time of development but it was fast enough that Skippy never saw it coming

[bladeracer]

Im curious to hear peoples opinions of where you would go next with either of these two loads....?
ALSO...im curious to know what other 22-250 users are loading & what velocities you are getting...?

The charges listed are the highest tested, & so far no signs of pressure that i can tell...
All at 100m.
The brass was all formed & neck sized prior to these shots, & all rounds were seated at .010" off the lands

Ive only chrono'd the zmax loads & not happy with the velocities--the 36gr load with 50gr Zmax is only reading 3490-3500fps, which probably means the 55gr SIE GK with 35.5gr/2208 is probably only doing hot 223 velocities...im not sure what to expect as a norm, but i intend to check that against a different chrono to see if my magneto is a bit crook.
(This is the rifle i was getting some double grouping with--i pulled it out of the stock & replaced it with an extra 5in/lbs on the front screw & it appears to have fixed the problem--touch wood...! not one double group out of nearly 40 rounds )

Anyway, any thoughts on where you would further proceed appreciated...
Thanks.

I wouldn't worry about chasing velocity at all, accuracy beats velocity every time.

I probably wouldn't be making a decision based on just four rounds. I shoot at least two five-round groups when looking for an accurate load. Shoot the first group with each charge, then shoot the second groups with the same charges. With Trailboss loads I prefer to shoot four 5rd groups, but twenty-round sessions are hard on the rifle with full-power loads in hot cartridges. Your 35.5gn load looks like it has potential with both bullets. But you could find that your test groups were anomalies, the good ones and the poor ones, so you make up a hundred rounds that don't group as well as they did in the test.

[No1_49er]

For punching very tiny groups on paper.
Sierra, 52gn MK (1410). 37.0gn WW760.
No idea what velocity, doesn't matter. Group size matters.

[SCJ429]

I get nearly 3800 fps from 36 grains of 2208 but more importantly it shoots 1/4 inch groups at 100. Brass is Norma and the primers CCI BR2.

[SCJ429]

Your groups have a fair bit of vertical, either a lack of speed or gun handling. Check your front bag or rest, your rifle needs to come back to the same point each time. Don't lift your head from the stock between shots. good luck with it.

[Stix]

Thanks guys.

Your groups have a fair bit of vertical, either a lack of speed or gun handling. Check your front bag or rest, your rifle needs to come back to the same point each time. Don't lift your head from the stock between shots. good luck with it.

The setup i used for the day wasnt ideal, & i did get a bit of fatigue part way through the day, but when you say speed, I assume you mean speed in the bullets velocity...?
And what exactly do you suggest checking for in the front rest SCJ...? (I used the same bag i throw over the bonnet for a fox).
Cheers

[Member-Deleted]

G'day Stix mate I shoot 22-250 and for many years and over the years I found that Benchmark 2 is the best powder for 22-250 in my opinion
I have put it on a post very early in a posting , as Brett 1868 uses I use BM2 @31.6 which is the low end for that powder , for 3440 odd f/s
I also found that primers played a big part in grouping as I used cci, fed for .7moa with the same charge then changed to 91/2 rem and got a
consistent fine clover leaf
I run 55gr Hornady V-Max only and the rifle has had 3200 documented shots through it and as the throat wears I just move the bullet out to
just off the lands and it still gets .5-.6 moa but i'm afraid that won't go on for ever although I wish it would
So mate that's what I've found out is 55gr V-Max , 31.6gr BM2 for 3440f/s, 91/2 Rem primer

[marksman]

looking at records from my 22-250 Stix
I found 2208 to work best for my rifle
my best shooting load is
36.2gr 2208 , 50gr nosler shot, win cases, fed 210m primers, oal 59.3mm, 4mm jump to the lands, at 3700fps
this load shoots one hole at 200 if I do everything right
I also had success with
35.5gr 2208, 52gr berger, win cases, fed 210m primers, oal 62.6mm
cloverleaf at 100
this rifle is a freak factory rifle and just shoots, I did try BM2 with average results but all that means is this rifle dont like it
this rifle will only shoot moa with 55gr projectiles but likes 50-52gr
I would suggest to you though that when testing it is a must to have everything on your side
cloudy day, solid rest, no wind or very little, good nights sleep ect
other wise you are not just testing the rifle, I myself usually start testing at first light and am finished by 9.30-10am to get the conditions
and a coffee from the my farmer friend
good luck with it anyway

[SCJ429]

You will find that if the stock is sitting at a different place for each shot on the front rest you will get more vertical. You may also find that slow speeds also have more vertical, when the speed increases and you get it into a node, the vertical goes away.

[Stix]

Cheers guys...

Grandad...i have tried BM2 but the rifle was double grouping then, even though id pulled the action out of the stock & re-mounted scope a couple of times.
As it (appears) turned out it likes another 5in/lbs on the front screw...
The results for that powder looked pretty good--but thats more of an interpretation due to the doubles i was getting.
Its certainly worth another try though--but how much testing do you do...?.... (ggrrrhhh!!).

Marksman...conditions were pretty good that day...a little breeze picked uo at one point over an hoir or two, but i didnt shoot while it was breezy...the second target was shot pretty well (thats my interpretation from what i could see through the scope) & with not a breath of wind.
But i underatand your insistance of conditions being the best, & i make the effort to get out early when its possible.
A few questions...
how do you arrive at your jump...
Do you do your initial testing touching, jammed or jump...?
(I cant "touch" the lands as for whatever reason my press pumps out rounds too inconsistantly-some may touch, some may jam & some will be off).
Then what initial incriments do you test seating depth at...do you do the .040" increments...?

SCJ...the rifle is an ultra light & i find i get way too much muzzle jump if i shoot off of a 'solid' rest-no matter how relaxed my shoulder is.
I have to a point tried free recoil but the trigger is too heavy for that given how light the rifle is (still original tikka spring wound back to its lightest). But im pretty sure my rear rest os the problem.

Thanks for the tips on technique...

[SCJ429]

You will probably be better of attaching a cheap bipod, Chinese Harris copies work well. Put some carpet under its feet, I use my car mats. I don't preload the bipod and squeeze the trigger with your thumb behind the trigger guard. Don't hold the rifle with your left hand, you can use it to squeeze your rear bag. Get the highest magnification scope you can get your hands on, see if you can borrow one for load testing.
A Yo Dave trigger Spring is worth every penny.

[SCJ429]

My COAL with 50 grain ZMax is 2.480, jam was 2.497 and it shot very well there but for a hunting rifle I didn't want any issues so I pulled it back a little. Best group was 0.208 using cheap Lee seater which makes very straight ammo. As good as any of my other dies which cost five times the price.

[SCJ429]

I did my initial test 40 thou off the lands and fine tuned with seating depth pulling it out 100 thou out and back to jam.

[marksman]

for my 22-250 my oal jump was because I could not touch the lands with this projectile
so I made the oal with the width of the projectile seated in the neck
I did do an oal test but found the original test length was the only one that would shoot so well
I do believe that if you have a big jump you should have the projectile seated into the neck by at least a calibre
I forgot to say that I also use a light crimp on my jumped projectiles, a light crimp

[Cooper]

Hi Stix

A few questions

You mention your rifle is a ultra lite. What is it? and does it have a 22 inch barrel and is it new?

I wouldn't be surprise if it is new that after 100-200 shots it speeds up 50-100fps. Also if you only only have a 22 inch barrel to could account for another 50 to 100fps

What chronograph are you using? Is it accurate?

What brand brass?

Anyway be interested to see how you go with it.

[Stix]

Hi cooper.
Tikka t3--synthetic stock 24" fluted sporter barrel...its pretty light.
Chrono is a magneto...as ive indicated above ive not tested it against other chronos to know if its accurate.
Just using remington brass as i have a bucket of it.

[Sschrep1]

I have a 22-250 remington 700 varmit fluted 26inch barrel , just wondering if someone else owns one an knows what projectile this likes , lm trying a 50gr sierra with landings at c.o.l -24.06 an useing AR2208 , l just cant find what this gun likes really over spending the money trying all different ways , there must be someone that has found this secret load , if you can please let me know what projectile to use an length c.o.l an gr of powder for adi so it groups at least ok thanks steve

[bladeracer]

I have a 22-250 remington 700 varmit fluted 26inch barrel , just wondering if someone else owns one an knows what projectile this likes , lm trying a 50gr sierra with landings at c.o.l -24.06 an useing AR2208 , l just cant find what this gun likes really over spending the money trying all different ways , there must be someone that has found this secret load , if you can please let me know what projectile to use an length c.o.l an gr of powder for adi so it groups at least ok thanks steve

Does it shoot any factory ammo well?
I don't worry about jump during initial load development, but I'm surprised you can get a 50gn bullet close to the lands. With a longer bullet I'd start about 20-thou off the lands, shoot some loads, and then play with jump after I've settled on an accurate load. I can't work out what "c.o.l -24.06" refers to, is it a typo?

AR2208 is a great powder, but would not be my first choice here. BM8208 might work better, but you should be able to get AR2208 to shoot well.

[Stix]

I have a 22-250 remington 700 varmit fluted 26inch barrel , just wondering if someone else owns one an knows what projectile this likes , lm trying a 50gr sierra with landings at c.o.l -24.06 an useing AR2208 , l just cant find what this gun likes really over spending the money trying all different ways , there must be someone that has found this secret load , if you can please let me know what projectile to use an length c.o.l an gr of powder for adi so it groups at least ok thanks steve

I can't work out what "c.o.l -24.06" refers to, is it a typo?.

COAL of 2.406" i suspect

[SCJ429]

There is no secret formula that will have you shooting bug holes. The loads should get you in the ballpark. There are so many variables but the biggest variable is with your rifle.

A friend had a Remington 700 in 22/250 a few years ago, it would not shoot and would copper foul badly. The best I could do with it was about four inches, it was a rough barrel and soul destroying for the shooter. I told him that we could get it shooting eventually but may need to bed it, change the trigger and even rebarrel it. He sold it in disgust and bought a Tikka. It shot a 0.3 group on its first round of load testing.

How much do you love your 700? Enough to put a $1,000 barrel into it?

[Barnard]

Stix,
continue with the BM2,.....it's the best all rounder (speed with accuracy) powder for the 22-250 especially with bullet choices between 40gr to 55gr.
i have a load that have always performed great in several of my 22-250's and are;

brass = hornady.
powder = BM2 @ 34.gr (or 34.5gr)
Primer = Federal gold match.
COAL = 64mm. (or 65mm)
bullet = Nosler 50gr ballistic tip.
speed = 3680 fps (or 3700 fps)
accuracy = averaging 0.3 to 0.4 MOA.

a good 22-250 should deliver around 3550 to 3750 fps with a 50gr pill.
if not perhaps it may not be the ideal powder.

[SCJ429]

Nice work to get your rifle shooting in the .3s using Hornady brass. What brass preparation do you do to get them shooting? Are you using a factory barrel on your rifle or aftermarket Barnard?

[Barnard]

Nice work to get your rifle shooting in the .3s using Hornady brass. What brass preparation do you do to get them shooting? Are you using a factory barrel on your rifle or aftermarket Barnard?

both 22-250's are factory barrels.
Sako and a Howa.
prep work?.....nothing much, they're not batched or anything.
mostly just neck sized, as i've set my sizing die to do barely any significant sizing.
as long as they cycle nicely through the actions.

[SCJ429]

That is a great result especially with the Howa, I have not seen one that could shoot in the .3s. You must have a Wednesday barrel. Sako and Tikka barrels have really set the standard with their barrels so it is not surprising they can perform even with average quality brass.

[Member-Deleted]

Sschrep1 what twist rate is your barrel ?
I have a 22-250 with 26'' barrel with 1-10 twist and it thrives on 60-69gr Hornady with AR 2209
Sometimes twist rate can decide what your rifle likes
I also have a sako 24''barrel with 1-14 twist and its magic bullet weight is 55gr with BM2
Also another one with a 26''barrel 1-12 twist and it likes the 60gr Hornady with AR2209

[SJ_Long-Range]

I've just bought some ADI AR2206H to try with some 55gr, 52gr and 50gr. Hope the accuracy can found with this range of projectiles

[goldiexxxx]

Hoping someone can validate my 22-250 results. I have a Ruger M77 MkII that I bought in as-new condition. I have an accuracy load of 36.5gr of AR2208 with a 55gr Sierra Gameking (Super roo), however, the velocity as tested with a Magnetospeed is only 3455 fps. The ADI load data has the max load of 36gr as 3730 fps with the same bullet.
What is going on here? ADI manual unrealistic? or Magneto inaccurate?

Can anybody provide any answers?

Cheers,

Goldie

[Bill]

That is a great result especially with the Howa, I have not seen one that could shoot in the .3s. You must have a Wednesday barrel. Sako and Tikka barrels have really set the standard with their barrels so it is not surprising they can perform even with average quality brass.

I disagree, if anthing Ive seen quite a few budget Howa's outshoot budget Tikka's, my first Howa HB 223 stacked 5 in 6mm at 80m and my mate who was with me at the time grabbed it and i never got it back (Fiochhi factory ammo, we were shooting on his property). My Grendel HB also shot Lapua 155gr mega around 0.3 but the speed wasnt there lol, Ive since rebarreled it to 6mm ARC due to wanting more speed and efficiency in the sub 90gr pills.

Have a few mates that have had trouble to get factory T3X barrels to shoot consistent with factory ammo and hand loads and Beretta even accepted 1 back under warranty after they couldnt get it to shoot, obviously once they were rebarreled they held 0.5 moa quite easily. There is a reason Tikka only give a 3 shot guarantee for the their budget rifles

[SCJ429]

Hoping someone can validate my 22-250 results. I have a Ruger M77 MkII that I bought in as-new condition. I have an accuracy load of 36.5gr of AR2208 with a 55gr Sierra Gameking (Super roo), however, the velocity as tested with a Magnetospeed is only 3455 fps. The ADI load data has the max load of 36gr as 3730 fps with the same bullet.
What is going on here? ADI manual unrealistic? or Magneto inaccurate?

Can anybody provide any answers?

Cheers,

Goldie

Your speed seems very slow, try adding more powder until you see pressure signs and see what speed you can get. Are you scales accurate. Is your chrono reading low for other rifles?

Bill, you can disagree but I have still not see a Howa with a factory barrel that can shoot 0.3 of an inch at 100 metres. I have seen some 223 with heavy barrels that can shoot quite well, it seems that Howa can produce a decent .224 barrel.