Fast twist rate on a 22-250

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hmr-hound

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Hey Guys

I was just wondering if any of you shoot a fast twist 22-250. My current barrel is a 22" sporter with a 1-12" twist and I am looking at using bullets between 50-80 grains. It shoots quite well with up to 60gr SP bullets but I haven't tried heavier.

I want a balance between cheap varmint bullets (50gr) and long range target bullets(69-80gr).

From my research I think a 1-10" twist should be enough to use the heavy bullets without tearing apart the light bullets but I have no experience obviously.

The reason I ask is I've found a hydro cut line to shoot on that has over 3 km of range from the top of the hill. (according to my 4 wheeler odometer) I want to try shooting as far as possible.

After using 50gr ballistic silvertips and 60 gr soft points I found the wind drift was very harsh at about 400 paces. I was only hitting 2 of 3 shots on a 12" square steel plate even though the wind was very calm. My .270 with 130 gr BST bullets hit every shot at over 500 paces!

I want to stick with the 22-250 because I already have the reloading gear, loads of brass and I hunt wolves and coyotes, often at longer ranges (200+ yards), I don't think a .223 will perform to my needs on wolves (They can run very far if you don't knock them down).

I still want to use 50-60gr bullets because I hunt everything with them and they are cheaper. I've been having so much fun long range plinking that I don't mind buying the extra barrel and stocking up on heavy bullets to get into it.

I plan on a heavy CM Shilen barrel if I decide to go that route. Probably in the 24"-26" range but I've played with the thought of a 20" barrel to have a compact.

I don't know my velocities but I shoot 50 gr BST w/ 37.5 gr Varget and 60gr Sp w/ 34.5 gr Varget from my 22" barrel. All loaded with a Lee loader if that matters.

So, the big questions are:

What twist rate would be optimum for my purpose?
Does barrel length directly affect bullet stability or the required twist rate? How much bullet weight do I need to stay accurate at say 600-800 yards?
 
I have a 1/8 twist and will shoot the 80's awesome. I have shot it over a mile. The lighest I shoot with it is 50 grainers and it works great.
 
Last 22/250 was 7 twist McGowen to see if I could blow up the 90gr Berger VLD's.

Over 3200fps and just nice tight groups.

They work well. Cases have to be sized often due to slopping shape.

Simple and easy to make work. Lots of great bullet to feed it.

Superb in the winds at distance without the recoil and noise.

Bore life is inline with other LR boomers. Not good, not bad.

Jerry
 
I have one with an 8 twist. Shoots well with 75's and 80's. If I make another fast twist 22, it will be a 22 BR. Regards, Bill
 
hmr-hound said:
So, the big questions are:

What twist rate would be optimum for my purpose?
Does barrel length directly affect bullet stability or the required twist rate? How much bullet weight do I need to stay accurate at say 600-800 yards?
Click to expand...

Barrel length does not directly affect bullet stability or twist rate. It will give you more velocity though, which helps with total drop.

The higher the BC of the bullet, the less it drifts in the wind. Go with a high BC bullet.

The table below will tell you what twist you need. Pick your BC and bullet, and you have your needed twist.

Berger Bullet Data Sheet
 
I barreled one last year 26" 1-9 twist light varmint I only shot some 69gr smk's so far seems to group well at 100 I only fired about 20 rds so far , and will try and work up a load when the snow is off the range.
I tried a few 55gr to sight in and they didnt blow up.
 
I like fast twist barrels.

I had a .222 with a 1:7 Gaillard that shot almost all of the .224 bullets that I tried in it very well. I observed none of the bogymen that iI was told would be lurking out there; there was no significant, if any loss, of velocity, spin drift wasn't suddenly unpredictable, perhaps 1 MOA over the effective range, and there was no loss of accuracy with light bullets. I found that I could not shoot SX or Blitz type bullets designed for moderate velocity .224s as the would as often as not turn to dust in the air, not that these would be used in a .22-250 anyway; but 52 gr MKs were amazing from that barrel.

If I was going to own a .22-250 I would have it built with a fast twist barrel. Around here the .22-250 is the cartridge of choice for caribou, but in my testing I found that factory .22-250 barrels, normally 1:14, wouldn't stabilize 53 gr TSXs, and now there are 70 gr TSXs available. If I had a large capacity .22, that 70 gr TSX is the one I would be interested in trying. While some might prefer a 1:9 twist for a .22-250, I wouldn't hesitate to get a 1:7.
 
Made up a few .22-250AI quick twist rifles for friends. 1:8. Long barrels. One was tested extensively on caribou. Worked like a bolt of lightning. There is a wide range of .224 bullets available, suitable for most any purpose. The light, thin jacketed varmint bullets might fail.
 
Next project for me is a .22-250 AI 1-7" 22" sporter contour in a Macmillan compact. 3.5-10 leupold w/ a M1 elevation turret. 62gr ttsx, 75 amax and 90 Berger will be the diet.
 
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