what bullet to use with my 22-250..Range Report!! Update!!
- Thread starter crout
- Start date
NBdeerhunter
New member
- Location
- Moncton New Brunswick
my new stevens model 200 really likes the 55gr hornady V-Max
I see alot of 55gr post. do these really shoot that well in a 1-14 twist. I was at WSS looking at some Berger varmint grenades in 50gr and it said 1-10 twist or fast recommended.
I say this because my buddy gave me a box of 55gr nosler ballistic tips. should i try them or just trade them off on a lighter bullet?(I guess you never know unless you try but......I hate wasting my time and powder)
I say this because my buddy gave me a box of 55gr nosler ballistic tips. should i try them or just trade them off on a lighter bullet?(I guess you never know unless you try but......I hate wasting my time and powder)
- Location
- Vancouver Island BC
The Sierra 52 grain HPBT Matchking's are super accurate in all 22-250's I have owned.
Range report.
Finally got a lee collet die for my 22-250 and used 55gr Nosler Ballistic tips with Varget. I started at 35gr (I should have started with 34gr)loading to the lands and then working back by .01 off the lands and working up powder by 0.5grs. I finished off at 37gr laoded to the lands.(0.5 over max)
the results got interesting but a little discouraging in my eyes. as I worked up in powder my groups got progressively larger and larger still as I moved away from the lands, this I expected. I was hoping for a tighter group at higher velocities but nothing I could do about that. I am thinking of going up to 39gr of varget and checking pressure signs as I go or trying a lighter bullet.
The only thing I can think of to improve on these loads without changing powder/bullet. is to bed the action and change primer and increase powder. any other suggestions to shrink the groups?
Here are my two best 3-shot groups.
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This group the bullets are loaded to touch the lands
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Finally got a lee collet die for my 22-250 and used 55gr Nosler Ballistic tips with Varget. I started at 35gr (I should have started with 34gr)loading to the lands and then working back by .01 off the lands and working up powder by 0.5grs. I finished off at 37gr laoded to the lands.(0.5 over max)
the results got interesting but a little discouraging in my eyes. as I worked up in powder my groups got progressively larger and larger still as I moved away from the lands, this I expected. I was hoping for a tighter group at higher velocities but nothing I could do about that. I am thinking of going up to 39gr of varget and checking pressure signs as I go or trying a lighter bullet.
The only thing I can think of to improve on these loads without changing powder/bullet. is to bed the action and change primer and increase powder. any other suggestions to shrink the groups?
Here are my two best 3-shot groups.
This group the bullets are loaded to touch the lands
What is your focus blistering speed or accuracy... why not back the powder down to the min load and tighten up the groups? The couple hundred feet per second isnt going to matter much at 100 yards.
not to mention think of all the powder you will save and you can do that much more shooting then to shrink those groups even more...
ps most people normally shoot 5 shots for varmint calibers or target and 3 shots for hunting ammo but 0.617 is pretty darn good anyhow... what type of rifle
not to mention think of all the powder you will save and you can do that much more shooting then to shrink those groups even more...
ps most people normally shoot 5 shots for varmint calibers or target and 3 shots for hunting ammo but 0.617 is pretty darn good anyhow... what type of rifle
I'm too impatient for 5 shot groups plus a 3shot gives me a really good idea.
rifle is ruger m77 with 24" heavy barrel. 1-14twist
I want speed and accuracy it is a 22-250
it isn't going to be a 100yard gun. that's why I want my groups to shrink so when I go out to 400-500yards I will still be able to hit a 2" target.
I also know with alot of guns that when you add powder the groups get bigger and then the groups start to shrink again to a certain extent. and if i used a lighter bullet/same powder I will get higher velocities but will lose out on the benefits of a heavier bullet.
Is anyone getting .25" groups with their 22-250 at 100yards with a factory rifle?
rifle is ruger m77 with 24" heavy barrel. 1-14twist
I want speed and accuracy it is a 22-250
it isn't going to be a 100yard gun. that's why I want my groups to shrink so when I go out to 400-500yards I will still be able to hit a 2" target.
I also know with alot of guns that when you add powder the groups get bigger and then the groups start to shrink again to a certain extent. and if i used a lighter bullet/same powder I will get higher velocities but will lose out on the benefits of a heavier bullet.
Is anyone getting .25" groups with their 22-250 at 100yards with a factory rifle?
I do my load tests at the lands. When I have a powder charge I like then I adjust seating depth to tune the load in .005 increments.
Trying to many combination's at once will have you going around in circles (I know...I have tried this).
.617 @ 100 with a factory rifle is damn good. If you are expecting groups in the .2's or .3's from a factory rifle then your hopes are to high. Factory guns that shoot consistently small groups like that are anomalies. I have shot 1 hole 5 shot .25 groups at 100 with factory rifle but could not repeat the feat on a consistent basis.
If I can get 1/2 - 3/4 MOA groups consistently out of my factory 22-250 at 100m I am ecstatic.
If you want to shoot a 2" target at 400-500yds on a consistent basis then you had best have yourself a match rifle built.
For example, F-Class scoring rings are 1/2min V-bull and 1 min Bull rings. At 400m the V-Bull is 2" and the Bull is 4" (within a few thousandths of an inch), at 500m the V-Bull is 2.5" and the Bull is 5". Most competitors shooting these ranges have a tough time shooting perfect strings (all in the V-Bull) and these are with custom built match rifles on a calm day....throw some wind and mirage into the equation and a 1/4min rifle is now lucky to hold the Bull Ring.
I myself have hit gophers with my factory 22-250 out to 435yds. I know I could not do it everytime I pulled the trigger at that distance considering that if a cow farts in the next field over, it will blow that 50 or 55 grain pill 3"s or so off target.
Trying to many combination's at once will have you going around in circles (I know...I have tried this).
.617 @ 100 with a factory rifle is damn good. If you are expecting groups in the .2's or .3's from a factory rifle then your hopes are to high. Factory guns that shoot consistently small groups like that are anomalies. I have shot 1 hole 5 shot .25 groups at 100 with factory rifle but could not repeat the feat on a consistent basis.
If I can get 1/2 - 3/4 MOA groups consistently out of my factory 22-250 at 100m I am ecstatic.
If you want to shoot a 2" target at 400-500yds on a consistent basis then you had best have yourself a match rifle built.
For example, F-Class scoring rings are 1/2min V-bull and 1 min Bull rings. At 400m the V-Bull is 2" and the Bull is 4" (within a few thousandths of an inch), at 500m the V-Bull is 2.5" and the Bull is 5". Most competitors shooting these ranges have a tough time shooting perfect strings (all in the V-Bull) and these are with custom built match rifles on a calm day....throw some wind and mirage into the equation and a 1/4min rifle is now lucky to hold the Bull Ring.
I myself have hit gophers with my factory 22-250 out to 435yds. I know I could not do it everytime I pulled the trigger at that distance considering that if a cow farts in the next field over, it will blow that 50 or 55 grain pill 3"s or so off target.
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haha love the "if a cow farts it blow a .224 off target..." maybe thats why sometimes my groups open up never thought it might be those 100 cows watching in the field beside lol...
Sounds like you need some heavy .224's that a resistant to cow farts...
Sounds like you need some heavy .224's that a resistant to cow farts...
55 grainers only ever work well for me in 12" 22-250's (Savages, mostly). In every 14" twist I've used or seen, you get much better results with light bullets in the 40 to 50 grain range. Plus you get a lot more speed out of them, and better gopher gymnastics. Nosler 40 grainers have been consistent performers for me in the past
Me again. I'm sure you're all tired of me but i love getting others feedback and help.
So I've been doing some more load testing. A buddy gave me some 55gr fmj and some unknown brand of 50gr hp. these 50gr grouped excellent but I was unable to find anyone that sells the same bullet. and the fmj well...crappy to say the least.
I picked up some 50gr amax and some Hornady 50gr sxsp and some speer 52gr hp. I loaded 3rds of each starting at min and working to max loads.
Nothing impressed me at first. I was getting groups off over an inch and just under 2.5 inches. I had two groups where two bullets would touch and then I had a flier?? so 2nd to last group I fire 3 shots measuring .416 OTO with 34.5gr of Varget and the 52gr speer hp.
NOW WHAT? I'm thinking load up 20-30 rounds of my magic load and see if I can duplicate the grouping again and see how they do out to 200-400 yards. Also this is factory stock, trigger, and barrel. should I leave well enough alone or should I bed the action? What would you do?
So I've been doing some more load testing. A buddy gave me some 55gr fmj and some unknown brand of 50gr hp. these 50gr grouped excellent but I was unable to find anyone that sells the same bullet. and the fmj well...crappy to say the least.
I picked up some 50gr amax and some Hornady 50gr sxsp and some speer 52gr hp. I loaded 3rds of each starting at min and working to max loads.
Nothing impressed me at first. I was getting groups off over an inch and just under 2.5 inches. I had two groups where two bullets would touch and then I had a flier?? so 2nd to last group I fire 3 shots measuring .416 OTO with 34.5gr of Varget and the 52gr speer hp.
NOW WHAT? I'm thinking load up 20-30 rounds of my magic load and see if I can duplicate the grouping again and see how they do out to 200-400 yards. Also this is factory stock, trigger, and barrel. should I leave well enough alone or should I bed the action? What would you do?
Try some Sierra 52grn (might be 53grn) HPBT Match bullets as well.
By all means, if you had a good group with that load, take it out again and see if you can repeat it. If you can, stick with it. If it was an anomaly....try more loads.
I have found that Sierra's shoot very well in a number of my guns including my 2 - .223's and my Match 6BR rifle.
By all means, if you had a good group with that load, take it out again and see if you can repeat it. If you can, stick with it. If it was an anomaly....try more loads.
I have found that Sierra's shoot very well in a number of my guns including my 2 - .223's and my Match 6BR rifle.
I-P; Are you sure that's not Reloder 15 you are using? Reloder 19 is far too slow burning in the Swift for even heavier projectiles, let alone the 40 grainer. I use 40.0 grains of RL 15 behind the 50 grain Ballistic Tip in my Swift for 4025 fps and ½moa right out to 500 in calm conditions. Regards, Eagleye.
I use a M77 with a 22 inch light barrel. you might be interested in velocities that I have measured.
Varget and a 55 grain Sierra Spitzer.
36.5 gr - 3489 fps
Varget and a 55gr Hornady Spire Point
37.5gr - 3743
H414 and a 55gr Sierra Spitzer
38.5 gr - 3539 fps
38.8 gr - 3532 fps
39.0 gr - 3564 fps
Using Accurate Arms 2460 and 55gr Spitzer
36.0 gr - 3717
37.0 gr - 3841
Using Accurate Arms 2015 and 55gr Spitzer
34.0 gr - 3638
35.0 gr - 3715
COL - by the book - so don't use these loads if you are loading to the lands.
Federal LR primers
When I run them to the max or over, my cases may not last long. Don't forget to anneal them early if you are loading heavy.
I can't give accuracy at 100 yards - I'm sure your results will vary.
Maybe cutting your case necks to a uniform thickness or recrowning your barrel would help a little.
I always very skeptical of the first half-inch of bore from the muzzle. Trimming a little off and recrowning can bring an old shooter back on the paper. Condensation and rain are hard on carbon steel.
Varget and a 55 grain Sierra Spitzer.
36.5 gr - 3489 fps
Varget and a 55gr Hornady Spire Point
37.5gr - 3743
H414 and a 55gr Sierra Spitzer
38.5 gr - 3539 fps
38.8 gr - 3532 fps
39.0 gr - 3564 fps
Using Accurate Arms 2460 and 55gr Spitzer
36.0 gr - 3717
37.0 gr - 3841
Using Accurate Arms 2015 and 55gr Spitzer
34.0 gr - 3638
35.0 gr - 3715
COL - by the book - so don't use these loads if you are loading to the lands.
Federal LR primers
When I run them to the max or over, my cases may not last long. Don't forget to anneal them early if you are loading heavy.
I can't give accuracy at 100 yards - I'm sure your results will vary.
Maybe cutting your case necks to a uniform thickness or recrowning your barrel would help a little.
I always very skeptical of the first half-inch of bore from the muzzle. Trimming a little off and recrowning can bring an old shooter back on the paper. Condensation and rain are hard on carbon steel.
I think you meant .224
Almost all of them.
There are .223 sized bullets for the older .22 Hornet. The newer Hornets use the .224 sized bullet.
