22-250 Gopher loads

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longshotab

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Was out today shooting the 10/22 with cci ammo and my new 22-250 with Winchester 55grn soft point and the bulk pack winchester 45 grn JHP.

My 10/22 with the cci did as much and in many cases more damage then any of the gophers hit with the 22-250.... I was expecting more damage then just knocking them over.

I bought the gun for coyotes but it is the summer time so gophers are the main target of spring and summer so I need your imput.

I want to work up a load for gophers for my 22-250... any suggestions for bullets would be appreciated .... I already know that I'm going to be shooting Varget or some other Hodgdon powder ..

I'm shooting a Ruger M77 Hawkeye Allweather 1:14 twist

Seems to like the 45's better (tighter groups)

Thanks in advance.
Scott
 
Mine would shoot the 45 grain factory JHP's ok but I had to get the bullets closer to the lands in my reloads to get any sub minute groups, that being said 55 gr. Hornady SPSX's shoot really well in my 14 twist (remington), try that or the VMAX and Sierra Blitzkings. I cant go wrong with any of those....Ive been pushing with IMR-4064 and IMR-4320.....cases havent made a big difference but I find the Federals are heavier and did produce a bit more case head expansion then a Remington or Winchester case would on the same load.

I wish I can tell how they react on gophers but we dont' have any.. just a variety of Giant Groundhogs that Ive noticed lately.
 
I have found that a slower moving bullet will give you more destruction. My 17 center fire mostly just pierces the gophers and they fall over dead. My hornet shooting 55 gr seated real deep going not overly fast make ever gopher explode. When I slow down my swift bullets gopher explode with them too. I am shooting fmj's out of my swift at a reduced speed with explosive results.
 
A 40gr Vmax defintely has an impact;)

I usually stay with the 55gr offerings, Vmax or Nosler BT. I tried the 36gr varmint grenade but about 1 in 5 blew up in the air. The 50gr VG seems to pop the gophers pretty well. Hit them in the middle and you should get a good impact.
 
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