22-250 Bullet Weights (1:14" Twist)

[blauber]

Okay, have the opportunity to buy an older Left Hand Model 700 22-250, a rifle that I have in .243 as well (1:9 1/8" twist) that shoots sub-MOA.

To help my decision to purchase, I have spent hours reviewing threads on here from 22-250 reloaders on what works for them. But, I am still foggy about maximum bullet weights that a 1:14" twist will stabalize in 22-250.

Any general rules of thumb for bullet wts in 1:14" twist? Is there BC considerations? For instance, does a high BC Berger VLD or Hornady BT (long-for-weight) pose any problems for slow-twist, even at 50-55 gr? Does a lower BC and heavier (e.g. 55-70 gr) ensure effective range out to 500 yards? This will be a dedicated coyote gun and I find the wild things get hung-up at extended yardages out here (400+ at times).

Also, was wondering if anyone had experience with IMR 8208 XBR or Superformance? If not, is Varget the go-to-powder that's temp insensitive?

Brent.

 

[rral22]

If you want the ideal long range coyote gun, use your sub-MOA .243. No .22-250 can match a good .243 at long range coyote sniping.

I know this doesn't answer your actual question, but if I already had a good .243, I would likely not bother with a .22-250, and if one came up that I liked, I would think of going very light with its loads to avoid pure overlap of function with the .243.

Just sayin'...........

 

[AlexF]

With a 1-14" 22-250 you can stabilize a Nosler 60gr Partition but can't stabilize a Hornady 60gr V-MAX but the Sierra 63gr Soft Point is stabilized.
In short, everything works great up till 55gr and then only "relatively" short 60-63gr bullets stabilize.

This is not a issue most of the time since there are many great 55gr varmint bullets and that a 60gr Partition will kill a deer like lightning (if it is legal in your province and at less than 100 yards!).

Some gunmakers started to sell 1-9" 22-250 so that newer target bullets could be used with the cartridge.

Alex

 

[Mount Sweetness]

55gr soft points or 50gr ballistic tips

 

[Pathfinder]

I only shot 53-55's out of mine, I heard of guys shooting up to the 70gr. speer because it was short enought. Not so much a weight question but more to do with bullet lenght.

 

[explorin2]

I reload 22-250 with 1:14 twist and use anything from 36 barnes varmit grenades for target in the backyard, and 50 gr Seirra's and Hornaby's in the 50 -52 grn for range. There are heavier gr bullets out there but going over 60 grn may be pushing it. As Alex stated, 55 gr is kinda the upper end for most manufacturers. Alot of depends on the manufacturer/bullet type.

Regarding powder I use varget and recently have tried BL-C2 with very good results.

 

[colinmatchett]

I have had excellent luck with 64 gr Powerpoints, 63 grain sierras, 60 grain hornady SPs in 1:14 twist 22 250's. IMR 4895 and Varget depending on the rifle.

 

[Pathfinder]

was wondering if anyone had experience with IMR 8208 XBR

Yes. Lots of velocity - 55gr. vmax @ 3750fps with a max loads (see hodgdon online data) 3/4 MOA @ 100 yards...not bad but not great in a varmint rifle.

Truth be told I got better accuracy with imr-4064.

 

[Mike G]

I shoot a 22-250 with varget and 55 gr hornady sp's in a 1-14" and have no problem shooting MOA out to a 1000 yards.

 

[ben hunchak]

55 gr. Hornadys shooting moa at 1000yds....that's outstanding!

 

[Mike G]

55 gr. Hornadys shooting moa at 1000yds....that's outstanding!

Ya after 600 they are dropping like a rock but they make the trip just fine. I was quite surprised but happy as I bought a bunch in bulk.

 

[Pathfinder]

Ya after 600 they are dropping like a rock but they make the trip just fine. I was quite surprised but happy as I bought a bunch in bulk.

yeah we are quite surprised too. I guess it was not too windy ?

 

[blauber]

Thanks for all the imput...the rifle has been bought. Now it's a matter of how it will shoot and spending $$$ on a nice scope to fit the specimen.

 

[Scott_N]

Of course all rifles are different, but I've had the best accuracy with my M700 22-250 with 55 gr Nosler BTs.

 

[snoopycda]

i have a BRNO 601 that was originally chambered for 223 rem but is now chambered for 22-250. does anybody out there know the twist BRNO used? And will a 22-250 with a fast twist stabilize the heaviest of 224 bullets?

 

[AlexF]

i have a BRNO 601 that was originally chambered for 223 rem but is now chambered for 22-250. does anybody out there know the twist BRNO used? And will a 22-250 with a fast twist stabilize the heaviest of 224 bullets?

A 22-250 1-9" will do what a 223 1-8" can do: you'll be able to use 75gr A-Max and might be able to use 77gr and 80gr SMK on warm days.

Alex

 

[SuperCub]

I heard of guys shooting up to the 70gr. speer because it was short enought. Not so much a weight question but more to do with bullet lenght.

I shot 70gr Speers in mine for deer hunting. They'd go +/-1" groups.


.

 

[Pathfinder]

I shot 70gr Speers in mine for deer hunting. They'd go +/-1" groups.

.

@ 1000 yards....no doubt

 

[AlexF]

I just check the Speer 70gr semi-spitzer and the recommend twist is 1-10" or better.
By the way, a bullet can shot accurately and still not be stabilized in which case the effective BC drops by 20-25%.
Stability is often not black or white issue but rather shades of grey where performance drops but accuracy is still very good.

The classic example is a Berger 6mm 95gr VLD which requires a true 1-9" to stabilize under normal conditions with a BC of 0.493 but will shot accurately from a 1-10" but the minute yawning in flight will increase drag so much as to make the effective BC drop to 0.400!

Alex

 

[Mike G]

@ 1000 yards....no doubt

Sounds like some people need to get out and shoot more. I shoot in wind all the time not that hard to figure out hold over if you can see your impacts!!! If people actually got out and tried it it's not that difficult or very unbelievable.