Key holing problem

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ghost stalker

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Hi folks. I'm shooting a Howa 1500 22-250. I have gotten 55gr hornady sp sx loaded with imr4320/36.5gr to group .5-3/4". Got a bit lucky finding a decent load quickly and think I can tweak it a bit more. But I wanted something heavier in case I run into a wolf or decide to shoot a deer with it. I picked up some Barnes tsx bt 62gr. I cooked a bunch of loads with H4350 from 36-39gr at half gr increments. First few shots I noticed key holing and terrible groups. I tried the other spectrum of my loads and the same thing. Groups were like 2-3"@100yds if not worse. Only thing I can think is my rate of twist doesn't like the tsx. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.
Chris
 
Exactly you will not shoot the 62 grainers with a factory barrel my friend....guessing your barrel is 1/12 twist! Minimum you will need a 1/10 for these bullets.
 
Sound like you've figured it out. Twist is definitely your issue. A quick Google search says that your .22-250 has a twist rate of 1:12 which is slightly better than the standard 1:14. A 62gr bullet is pretty long in a .22 caliber and even longer in a copper TSX. Your bullets are not stabilized.
 
These folks and you have it figured out. Barnes makes a 55 grain monolithic bullet as well Canada Ammo a banner sponsor has them in stock. The Remington Mod 7 chambered in 223 that my grandson shoots has a 1-14 twist rate and it stabilizes the 55gr tsx bullets very well. At 200 it will go through both sides of a white tail. It will shoot them right through a front shoulder and into the lung area without a problem.
 
Ya was hoping to pack a bit more punch but from all I have seen its not going to happen with the Barnes. But I will try the 55gr for sure. You guys are a great help
 
I'm not a fan of mono'so but if you choose to shoot them you need to remember that because they retain 99% of their weight that you don't have to shoot the weight you would with a lesser bullet.

A 50 grain that retains 99% is still 49 grains. A 65 grain that only retains 80% is the same 49 grains.
 
Looking at the Barnes site, they recommend at least a 1:9 twist for your 62gr, 1:12 for the 55gr and 53gr and 1:14 for the 50gr.

I bought some Winchester 64gr PowePoint to try in my .22-250 with a 1:14 twist. According to several post I had read they "usually" stabilize in 1:14 twist barrels. When I was lucky enough to have one hit the paper, they were hitting sideway. I have a box of 50gr TSX that I haven't tried yet, hopefully those should work.
 
For deer sized game, the Sierra 60 gr HP works very well in a 1:12. I have made it work in a 1;14, so long as I used two scoops of powder.

It does not expand too quickly and has excellent penetration.

It is also very, very accurate. It might become your all round favourite bullet.

On deer it leaves a fist sized exit hole.
 
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