22-250 AI Remington 788

[Prairie Sasquatch]

I'd like to get some input on something I've been thinking about lately. I currently have two Remington 788 rifles. One is in 22-250 with a factory barrel and a Timney Trigger. This one is a 1-14" twist and is a 1/2" rifle with 55 grain and under bullets. I shoot this gun for coyotes primarily but I keep it in my truck and just enjoy shooting it.

I also have a Remington 788 in 243 that has a carbine barrel 18". I picked this gun up probably 5 years ago for $300 and it shoots about 1". It's in decent shape and has worked well for my daughter and nephew to shoot deer with at under 200 yards. It's not a gun I get excited about. My daughter now has a left hand Tikka in 243 and my nephew has a 6.5 creedmore.

I was thinking of putting a new barrel on the 243 in 22-250 AI with a fast twist and a Timney trigger. It's the medium action with mag length of 2.85" which should handle just about any bullet I think.

My thought is that when I burn out the 22-250 I have I'll rebarrel to 22-250 AI and run a 1-10 or 1-12 for bullets under 55 grains for shorter range coyotes and prairie dogs.

I'd then have two 22-250 AI rifles which would pretty well cover my varmint needs and be back to one set of dies.

I have a ton of brass for the 22-250 which is why I'm thinking of going this direction.

I've got a couple questions. Does this make sense or should I just sell the 243 and look at a different platform and caliber? If I did rebarrel the 243 to 22-250 AI what twist should I go for heavy bullets and what bullet would work well for long range coyotes.

 

[Mark M.]

If it were me, I wouldn't sell, but when the time came, I would true the 788 action and rebarrel to the 22-250 AI. 8 twist and shoot up to the 77gr bullets

 

[just_jon]

^THIS^

I'm on my 3rd 22-250AI barrel but all have been 12 twist running 35 to 52 grain bullets. Loads of fun upwards of 4970 fps, but my next barrel will be a 8 twist built around the 77 grain Berger OTM.

 

[Prairie Sasquatch]

I should have mentioned in my post that the 22-250 788 actions have very short magazine length designed for 55 grain and under bulllets. Max oal of 2.35" I don't think I can effectively use heavy bullets in that action without chewing up case capacity.

It would work fine on the .243 action though.

 

[budlight]

Velocity changes the need for fast twist barrels. Where a short barrel 223 needs a 7 twist 22-250 only needs a 9 for a 77 grain.

I don't think I can effectively use heavy bullets in that action without chewing up case capacity.

I've run into the same dilemma. But when do you ever need a quick second shot? I've never had to shoot any big game animal down to a critter twice. So when I rebarrel something like one of my AI's I did the .300 additional throating. It turns your rifle into a single shot loading extremely long OAL. Like my VLD 175 gr .270 AI.

My bullet magazine is my chest inner coat pocket! I keep my bullet warm until I put one into the rifle. Cold powder does not have the same impact point as the summer day that you sighted in the rifle. Some powders to a less extent.

My other thought. When I was kid in 5th grade I was given a 26 inch 22-250. I thought that I could do anything with it. But state law was NO 22 cal center fire for tagged game. Later I bought a 26 inch 243 rem 700 Varminter and had a brake installed. I know you said that you have a lot of cases, but the Horse Power difference of 6mm is a world of difference. My 243 spits out 80 grains at over 3500 fps using modern powders and the 87 grain put me in the PD red mist club. You are not going to get the same results with a 22

 

[xsn10s]

I believe 1-12 runs most bullets 55gr and under. I'd probably run a 1-10" just to be safe or even 1-9" or 1-8". I've read 1-8" still can run 55gr and gives you the flexiblity for heavier bullets. But if your focus is on the lighter bullets a 1-12" or 1-10" should be just fine.

 

[del2les]

Rebarrel the 243 to 22/250AI and use an 8" twist. That is what mine wear, and it shoots the 75-88's just fine.
You can still us it for deer with several various bullets, and at least in my case, I really can't tell much difference when examining game shot with it.

 

[Prairie Sasquatch]

I have a 243 that I shoot 87 grain v-max out of as well as a 25-06 and a 6.5-284. I'm certainly not short of capable long range guns for varmints and deer.

A 26" 1-8 twist 22-250 AI sounds like the way to go for the 243.

What powders do you guys run for the heavies in 22-250 AI?

 

[Mark M.]

If bullet length is a big concern and depending on you budget, you might think about selling the 243 and starting with a Tikka T3x action, this give you what you want.

 

[ntg]

I don't own one yet, but if you're thinking about the AI, I would think about the 22 CM as well

 

[yobuck]

I personally wouldnt be placing any more pressure on a 788 action than is necessary.
Lug setback issues is not uncommon with those with some of the hotter cartridges.

 

[del2les]

I have a 243 that I shoot 87 grain v-max out of as well as a 25-06 and a 6.5-284. I'm certainly not short of capable long range guns for varmints and deer.

A 26" 1-8 twist 22-250 AI sounds like the way to go for the 243.

What powders do you guys run for the heavies in 22-250 AI?

7828SSC, H4350 and since I have a lot of it, 4831.

 

[hesse]

I just had a 788 rebarreld . 22-250i went with the 1-12 twist to run 53 to 60 grain bullets. For varmint hunting out 350 yards

 

[just_jon]

I should have mentioned in my post that the 22-250 788 actions have very short magazine length designed for 55 grain and under bulllets. Max oal of 2.35" I don't think I can effectively use heavy bullets in that action without chewing up case capacity.

It would work fine on the .243 action though.

Excellent point on mag length limitation. COAL for my 22-250AI loads are as follows:

> 2.23" 35 gr. Hammer Hunter
> 2.26" 44 gr. Hammer Hunter
> 2.28" 40 gr. Berger FB Varmint
> 2.37" 52 gr. Sierra Match King