Optimal 22-250 setup

[Hunter2678]

Being an Ohio boy I wanted to direct this line of questioning to you guys out west where the shots run a bit longer and the wind is more of a factor or more importantly the guys whov'e been shooting the 250's for a long time and have tons of trigger time with this cartridge. Maybe I didnt search enough so forgive me as this question is most likely already been beatn to death around here.

Ive got a new 1:12 turn savage mod 12 and have been shooting ragged one hole groups @ 100yds (when I hunker down and do my part) using Nosler 55gn bal tip with 35.5 gns of IMR 4320. I've also loaded IMR 4320 with the Sierra blitzking in 55 gn but it didnt shoot as well, im thinking a hotter charge may tighten that group up a little more since its got a better bc over the nosler.

I'd really like to shoot a longer, better BC bullet so the 60-68 gn bullets keep calling my name. However I realize that I'm right on the edge of going to a 1:9 twist when talking about shooting the 60 -65 grainers . Soooo...

Using the 22-250 what gn of bullet do you feel really optimizes the 250's case capacity as far as retaining longer range velocity and minimizing wind drift? Now that I have access to 600 yd shots and beyond Im curious to hear what you guys have to say.

Should I stick with the 55 grainers or should I progress to "60+grain land"

 

[Browninglover1]

I'd love to get some guys that have experience with the heavier bullets to chime in too, since I'm thinking about getting a fast twist 250.

I currently shoot a 1-14 twist Remington 700 VLS 22-250 that after my prairie dog hunt in a few weeks will surpass the 5k round count and probably go into retirement until I can afford a new barrel.

I've shot almost all 5k rounds with the Nosler 55 BT and hits out to 400 yards have not been a problem on sod poodles. After 400 I don't seem to have an issue with the wind near as much as with my vertical dispersion. I've been able to ring steel plates (10"x18") at 600 every time, and playing with the wind only took one or two shooting sessions to see how it affected the bullet at that distance. My groups on the 600 yard plate were in the 6-8 inch range but for the life of me I can't seem to connect on a Pdog much past 450 because I always shoot under/over them.

 

[tulku]

Hunter , you might want to consider the new Vmax 53 Grain Bullet . I think it would give the optimal long range Ballistics . The BC is higher than EITHER the 55 or 60 Grain Vmax ! I will be trying these this Summer in my Fast Twist Swift which for some strange reason shoots smaller Groups with 40 Gr. Vmaxes . I'm not sure what Twist Hornady suggests for the 53 Vmax .

 

[Thomas B.]

I am running a 1 in 8 twist 22-250 H.S. Precision HTR. Right now I am using 69gr. Sierra's for 300 yard prone reduced target match's. I just started using the fast twist this year, I previously ran with 14 twist. To make a long story short, I shot a 200 16x for my second string in lousy conditions, rainy and windy.

I have shot this match many times before using the 14 twist, and when conditions were bad I was dropping points. I will go to 80 grainers when I reach out to 600 and beyond. I still have to try out the 80 grainers but I'm confident they will work just fine.

Here is the load I'm running currently:

 

[Hunter2678]

Hunter , you might want to consider the new Vmax 53 Grain Bullet . I think it would give the optimal long range Ballistics . The BC is higher than EITHER the 55 or 60 Grain Vmax ! I will be trying these this Summer in my Fast Twist Swift which for some strange reason shoots smaller Groups with 40 Gr. Vmaxes . I'm not sure what Twist Hornady suggests for the 53 Vmax .

Yeah I almost walked out with a box of those today..I think the box said use 1:14 twist on them however. so I passed and got the 60 gn vmax flatback. We'll see how those group. Id be interested to see and hear about the folks that used those 53 grainers..

 

[vegas steve]

shoot a 7 rem mag and it will take care of everything u ever wanted to do on whistlepigs.

 

[Hunter2678]

shoot a 7 rem mag and it will take care of everything u ever wanted to do on whistlepigs.

Uhhhhh no, using that thinking why stop there?.. why not shoot a 50 bmg?....

 

[Hunter2678]

I am running a 1 in 8 twist 22-250 H.S. Precision HTR. Right now I am using 69gr. Sierra's for 300 yard prone reduced target match's. I just started using the fast twist this year, I previously ran with 14 twist. To make a long story short, I shot a 200 16x for my second string in lousy conditions, rainy and windy.

I have shot this match many times before using the 14 twist, and when conditions were bad I was dropping points. I will go to 80 grainers when I reach out to 600 and beyond. I still have to try out the 80 grainers but I'm confident they will work just fine.

Here is the load I'm running currently:

Nice shootin Tom..!. gun)

 

[strombeckj]

If your rifle will shoot the 53gr V-max there is not a higher BC bullet even close to that range in weight. The BC compares to most 65- 70gr bullets. I have not seen them shoot in anything less than a 1:12, neither of my 1:14's work. Best varmint bullet in a .224 when they will shoot IMHO.



Jon

 

[Hunter2678]

If your rifle will shoot the 53gr V-max there is not a higher BC bullet even close to that range in weight. The BC compares to most 65- 70gr bullets. I have not seen them shoot in anything less than a 1:12, neither of my 1:14's work. Best varmint bullet in a .224 when they will shoot IMHO.



Jon

Duly noted...I will most likely give them a try

 

[Hunter2678]

If your rifle will shoot the 53gr V-max there is not a higher BC bullet even close to that range in weight. The BC compares to most 65- 70gr bullets. I have not seen them shoot in anything less than a 1:12, neither of my 1:14's work. Best varmint bullet in a .224 when they will shoot IMHO.



Jon

I bought a box of them a while back..loaded up 25 or so to test out...man I hope they shoot well..speed and killer BC,.. hopefully I can have my cake and eat it too now...gun)

 

[Joe King]

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f31/53gr-vmax-92451/
http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f31/lets-see-your-varmit-rifles-56865/index39.html

It is a 1-14 twist Barrel, terminal ballistics seem to be adequate

 

[Nimrodmar10]

I've been shooting 22-250s for a lot of years. It's probably the best varmint round ever invented. Easy to find a good load for, not real picky as far as componenets and very accurate. If a factory gun won't shoot one hole groups with handloads or good factory ammo, it's the exception and not the rule.

The 22-250 was made for a 52-53 gr. bullet. Every one I've ever owned loved the Sierra 52 gr. Boat Tail Hollow Point Match bullets. They'll also shoot any weight from 40 gr. to 60 gr. with the slow factory twist. Try to shoot anything heavier than a 60 gr. bullet and there's a very good chance the bullet will key hole at 100 yards. Shoot a 69 gr. bullet in it and it will key hole at 25 yards. You also have to be picky about the construction of the bullets you shoot. Shoot a thin jacketed bullet such as the 50 gr. Hornady SX bullet at typical 22-250 velocities and all you'll see is a gray streak that dissapears about half way to the target as the bullet turns itself to dust.

When I shoot ground hogs I use the Sierra 52 gr. BTHP Match because the whistle pigs are tough and if he makes it back into the hole, he doesn't count. Ranges can also be on the far side of 500 yards and these bullets are very accurate. Shooting prairie dogs I use whichever bullet is cheapest because I may shoot 1000-1200 rounds a day. My current bullet for this is the Midway Dog Town bullets. They hold together at 3800 fps and make the pds explode.

If you're having problems shooting PDs at 600 and beyond it's because your drop tables aren't correct for the situations or your range finder isn't hitting it's mark. When the bullets go sub-sonic at around 775-800 yard things get a lot trickier.

If you want to use the 250 for deer, load the Nosler 60 gr. Partition and aim for the vitals. 300-400 yard shots are not a problem and the deer don't run far, if at all.

Can you use the 69-80 gr. bullets in a 22-250? Yes, if you've got the correct rifling twist and a long enough throat to seat the bullet out where they need to be.

Can you tell I'm a 22-250 fan?

 

[jehu]

My set up is a Sako 85 Laminated SS Varmint with a Swarovski 6X18X50 shooting Hornaday V-max 55gr, exteremly accurate.