Reloading for the average hunter

[Mike Matteson]

Find out what factory loads has he been using including bullets, and weights? Are the cases coming from his rifle only or somebody elses? To start with full length size the cases. Load only a few case and starting off at the low load and progress up to max load shown in the reloading manual. Have him fire those cases, and return to you to look over for pressures signs. Besure to mark the case so you can determine which loads are what. Copper bullet would be nice but, I wonder what the twist rate is? Unless the rifle has been rebarrel with a faster twist.
Being he, or it appears that he has been using factory ammo. So it's shouldn't be a big deal on reloading for his rifle. I would us the KISS formal for reloading those case (KISS) Keep it simple stupid.
If you want to get in a little deeper, you can then set of some 5 shot groups loads to see what works better in his rifle. The sky is the limit.
Good luck, that one hell of a friend.

 

[Bushrider 69]

I have a friend that is need of some 22-250 ammo and is unable to find any. I have stuff to reload and told him I am willing to help him out. My issue is I have never not done tests on loads to verify where I am at. Where does one start with reloading for someone else to make sure it will shoot good and be safe? I do not have access to the rifle so it will be a load and drop off with him deal. My plan is to follow a load from the book and pick a middle of the road powder charge. Any help would be appreciated.

Just start looking I ad from bottom and increase by few grains each 5 round and go all to maximum give to him to fire up and decide with load is good for him .

 

[Gunpowder]

I've been in this unenviable position before. I went about a grain under max, size to the shell holder, and seat to the crimp groove or book length for that bullet. If you know what ammo he normally shoots use that bullet if possible. Imo this is about as good as you can do unless he gives you the brass fired in that rifle, then you can size accordingly. If they don't function then you just look like an idiot, top accuracy is secondary. Its a tough spot to be in because you're starting off behind the eight ball for how most of us would want to go about developing a load.

 

[JakeC]

I do this for a friend as well. I take the max charge out of the book and stick to Sami spec on the seating COAL. They shoot fine, for his hunting rifle, and don't be afraid of the max powder charge, their max's are quite a bit under any pressure issues….

I would advocate staying afraid of going past max in the newer rounds that actually publish real max. My 6.5 CM was maxed out, leaking or blowing primers more than a grain below max. Published COAL helps but even still that 62k-63k psi wall is pretty firm. Older cartridges in newer guns? stuff em good.

 

[steel2]

A lot of good advice given...I've loaded for friends different times n I prefer them being there helping so they can understand a part of it anyway n my focus was more on trying to get them something comparable to factory load cause most times they don't know anything else and are wanting cheaper ammo or whatever other reasons they come up with n I try to help them understand that the components are cheaper if you do yourself but if they pay me for the time it takes it's no longer cheap and there are other benefits that are more rewarding

 

[tigerrose01]

I have done this as well...no access to the rifle either. Sized full length to SAAMI specs, kept the load on the mild side and seated to SAAMI spec as well. Functioned well and he was happy as groups were smaller than he ever had before. Definitely not the time for pushing limits or getting "extra" out of the bullet! KISS applies for sure.

 

[Doom2]

I understand your desire to help a friend, but quite honestly the liability you are accepting is huge. This is not legal advice but you should consider in the unlikely event something were to happen and your friend were to be injured, either he or his health insurance company could possible hold you liable for injuries. I personally do not load for others and also do not usually shoot other's reloads for that reason.

Depending on state laws, its may also be possible that you could be violating a criminal law for manufacturing ammunition and providing it to others.

 

[Stewart2550]

So a few more details about the situation. He is shooting a Savage with a 12 twist and we have shot my reloads in his gun before with no issues. The brass I have has been fired in my gun and resized back to specs and I know he didn't have any issues chambering before. The bullet I have plenty of that I can donate are Hornady 55 grain SP. My plan was stick to book numbers and give a middle of the road load. The issue is the only powders they show that I have are 8208 and Varget, both I would rather keep for my loads. I have BLc2, H4895, Superformance, IMR4350 or AR comp I could part with but that's not listed in the Hornady manual. Anyone have experience with these other powders as I have not used them for 22-250?

 

[waspocrew]

So a few more details about the situation. He is shooting a Savage with a 12 twist and we have shot my reloads in his gun before with no issues. The brass I have has been fired in my gun and resized back to specs and I know he didn't have any issues chambering before. The bullet I have plenty of that I can donate are Hornady 55 grain SP. My plan was stick to book numbers and give a middle of the road load. The issue is the only powders they show that I have are 8208 and Varget, both I would rather keep for my loads. I have BLc2, H4895, Superformance, IMR4350 or AR comp I could part with but that's not listed in the Hornady manual. Anyone have experience with these other powders as I have not used them for 22-250?

Here's some data from Hodgdons online reloading data. 22-250 with a 55 gr SP.

 

[epags]

Depending on state laws, its may also be possible that you could be violating a criminal law for manufacturing ammunition and providing it to others.

H--L, here in California no one can legally give another person a box of 22s let alone reload for them.
In fact the purchase of that box of 22s is documented and a minimum registration cost of an additional $1.00. Hopefully our California Rifle and Pistol Association can successfully fight these restrictive laws in the future.

 

[PrecisionRx]

I like 36 grains of Varget pushing a 50 grain bullet.

 

[hpmag308]

Depending on state laws, its may also be possible that you could be violating a criminal law for manufacturing ammunition and providing it to others.

H--L, here in California no one can legally give another person a box of 22s let alone reload for them.
In fact the purchase of that box of 22s is documented and a minimum registration cost of an additional $1.00. Hopefully our California Rifle and Pistol Association can successfully fight these restrictive laws in the future.

Just keep voting them in

 

[justinp61]

I like 36 grains of Varget pushing a 50 grain bullet.

I use the same load with a 55gr bullet in a 1-12 twist barrel.

 

[Seabeeken]

Have your friend bring over the rifle. The liability alone makes it necessary.