22-250 accuracy issue - Range Report on page 2

D

datatools

Regular
Rating - 100%
65   0   0
Location
Alberta
Hey guys, just getting my new Kimber 22-250 shooting. It has a 24" barrel with 1-12 twist. Scope is an S&B 4-16 with Leopold rings. Nice tight setup.

1) I tried some 55gr Sierra Blitz Kings with 34gr Varget and accuracy was horrible with a 2.2" group at 100 yards. Strange thing is that each succesive shot went about 1/2" higher than the last in almost a perfect line up. What does that mean?

2) Factory 55gr Winchester accuracy was also horrible, a 2.8" group the size of a soft ball, yuck!

3) Next up was some 50gr Barnes Varmit Grenades with 34gr Varget. Horrible accuracy and it looks like the bullets hit the paper side way. Obviously this bullet didnt stabilize, but why, the twist of 12 should be fast enough, right? Question: if you chuck the bullet faster (more powder) will it stabilize?

4) Nosler 60gr Partitions grouped in 3.4". Looks like they also hit the paper some what side way, but not as bad as the Barnes VG.

5) The only other bullet I had to try was some Nozler 50gr Ballistic Tips. They actually worked not bad for the first load, group size was 1.35". I'm going to continue developing this load for now.

I'm confused. I thought the 12" twist would allow heavier and longer bullets to be used. But its looking like this rifle might like lighter bullets. I would like to try some 45gr, but I dont have any right now. What weight bullet do you feel should work best?

Bryan

UPDATE: I just measured the twist and its not 12" as advertised, its 14" twist. Does this explain the poor accuracy with the heavier bullets?
 
Last edited:
55gr Bullets are on the upper end of what a 1-12twist likes. I won't own any gun shooting .224 bullets, that's less than a 1-9twist.



.
 
1 in 12" twist should be good up to 60 gr bullets with 22-250 speeds. Check the rifling in your barrel and the crown. A non concentric crown can definiately cause those problems. There is no way you should be getting bullets with those weights you are using, to tumble. Get yourself a good bore light and take a good look. Maybe even get it inspected by a professional.
 
datatools said:
Hey guys, just getting my new Kimber 22-250 shooting. It has a 24" barrel with 1-12 twist. Scope is an S&B 4-16 with Leopold rings. Nice tight setup.

1) I tried some 55gr Sierra Blitz Kings with 34gr Varget and accuracy was horrible with a 2.2" group at 100 yards. Strange thing is that each succesive shot went about 1/2" higher than the last in almost a perfect line up. What does that mean?

2) Factory 55gr Winchester accuracy was also horrible, a 2.8" group the size of a soft ball, yuck!

3) Next up was some 50gr Barnes Varmit Grenades with 34gr Varget. Horrible accuracy and it looks like the bullets hit the paper side way. Obviously this bullet didnt stabilize, but why, the twist of 12 should be fast enough, right? Question: if you chuck the bullet faster (more powder) will it stabilize?

4) Nosler 60gr Partitions grouped in 3.4". Looks like they also hit the paper some what side way, but not as bad as the Barnes VG.

5) The only other bullet I had to try was some Nozler 50gr Ballistic Tips. They actually worked not bad for the first load, group size was 1.35". I'm going to continue developing this load for now.

I'm confused. I thought the 12" twist would allow heavier and longer bullets to be used. But its looking like this rifle might like lighter bullets. I would like to try some 45gr, but I dont have any right now. What weight bullet do you feel should work best?

Bryan
Click to expand...

I would suspect there is something wrong with your hardware. You should be getting close to MOA groups with all of those loads at 100 yds. The real noticeable difference should only start becoming apparent at 300+ yds, or with extremely light or heavy bullets. have you looked at your crown to ensure it isn't damaged? Check the torque on your bolts. Is there something pressing against the barrel, to keep it from being truly free-floating? Are your rings and bases good and tight? Do you have another scope you could try? I would be really, really surprised if the rate of twist or ammo were the culprit.
 
Agreed. My 22-250 shoots 55g bullets just fine out of 12 twist barrels. The last time I had this kind of problem with accuracy, the rifling was ####ed and I had to return the rifle for a replacement. Good luck.
 
simpleton said:
55gr Bullets are on the upper end of what a 1-12twist likes.
Click to expand...

Sorry, don't agree with this!!
I have been successfully shooting 55 grain bullets of all makes from a 1-14" twist for 5 decades. This includes hotshots like the 220 Swift, the 22-250 and the 225 Winchester.
It also includes many 222 & 223 Remingtons.
Never had a 1-14" twist rifle keyhole a 55 grainer.
However, a 60 would sometimes not stabilize in a 1-14 twist.
A 1-12" twist should work just great with any 55-60 grain pill.
The OP has other problems.
Regards, Eagleye.
 
The Barnes varmint grenades call for a 1-10 twist or faster. Should say so rite on the box.
60g bergers over 35.5g varget or 35.9 RL 15 work well in 1-12 Savage.

Give the barrel a good soak with copper solvant ( you may have allready ).
Try 36.5g varget for the 55's but work up to it.
 
Somthing else I should add since you guys have brought this up. When I buy a new rifle I always give it a good cleaning before taking it out. This rifle came brand new with more copper fouling in the barrel than any other rifle I've seen. I used BR-10 cleaner. The first 5 cloths were completely blue, the next 5 were medium blue and finally after around 10 rags through it was mostly clean. After shooting approx 25 rounds today I brought it home and cleaned as usual. The first 5 rags were more dark blue than any I've ever seen. It took 5 more before it was mostly clean again. I looked down the barrel with my bore light, but of course you cant see much. The barrel is free floating, checked with a piece of paper. The action bolts are tight, the scope is bomber. What do you guys figure? Send the rifle back??

Bryan
 
Is the scope brand new, or have you used it on another rifle and gotten good results there? I realize it is a big dollar high quality scope, but that just means it's _less_ likely to let you down. Never rule out the possibility of a scope moving (internally) on you.
 
I had the same issue with accuracy and 'keyholing'. I actually lowered the bullet weight to 45gr. and bumped the charge up a touch. Just have to keep an eye open for signs of overpressure. 22-250 is a tricky little beast to mess with!
 
Range Report

Went back to the 100 yard range today.

1) Factory Winchester 45gr, worked great, group size was 1.1".

2) Nosler 50gr Ballistic Tip with Varget 36gr, group size was .8"

3) Sierra 55gr Blitz King, no good. Group size was 2.4".

Seems this rifle likes the lighter bullets best.
 
22-250

I have been loading for 22-250's for years. Here are some favoured loads They all shot 1/2" or better at 100 yds

35.5 grns IMR 4320 CCI BR2 primer 55grn Nosler BT

34 grns IMR 4064 CCI BR2, 55 grn Nosler BT

36 grns IMR 4064 Fed210 52grn Sierra HP
 
Used this load for years with great success ... 1 moa out to 300 yards, and Minute of Muskrat out to ~450 yards

31.5 gr of IMR 3031
55 gr Spitzers
Norma 990 primers

This is a slightly compressed load if I recall - haven't loaded it in 10 years since the gun was sold out from under my fingers :(
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom