22-250 ai

[Jayhawk]

Looking at building a fast twist 22-250ai and shooting 75 - 80 Amaxes. What is the best brass for fireforming and what is your preferred method? What speeds are you getting and how far are you killing varmints?

 

[Petersen]

Dont rule out the 22.243 win. You dont have to fireform brass and it feeds smoothly for quick follow up shots. I was first considering the 22.250AI myself and I am happy I didn't go that way.

My purpose for the rifle is long range shots at night. This is my first season with the rifle and my longest shot was a 510 yd. coyote. She was bedded under a juniper and never got out from under it. Not only did I drill her the first time, but my follow up shot was good as well. The has also been consistent on shooting my plates at 800 and 900 yds. if it isn't too windy.

I am shooting 80 gr. AMAX at 3350. There are no signs of pressure at all and I am sure I could bump it up if I wanted. It has a 28 inch Broughton barrel - 8 twist, and was put together by Mike Bryant. Awesome rig..

 

[MagnumManiac]

Looking at building a fast twist 22-250ai and shooting 75 - 80 Amaxes. What is the best brass for fireforming and what is your preferred method? What speeds are you getting and how far are you killing varmints?

I'm running my 22-250AI in a stainless 28" barrel but with the standard 14" twist. I do not plan on using anything heavier than 60gr's.
I've found Remington brass to be very good for fireforming, and it lasts quite some time as long as you don't push the envelope with it. The worst brass I've used is Winchester, got a lot of neck splits.

My preferred method is the COW (Cream Of Wheat) method with a very fast pistol/shotgun powder and a twist of 'dacron' to hold it all in place, then a plug of either bee's wax or soap.
I normally start with around 5gr's and work up until I have nice sharp shoulders forming, this also allows the brass to form without making a 'stretch ring' above the web which will make your brass last longer!

I can quite easily get over 4000fps with 50gr BT's and very close to 3900fps with 55gr BT's.
500yrds is not difficult with this cartridge, but wind is still a major problem!
gun)

 

[B23]

Not sure when it is supposed to be out but Lapua is going to be producing 22-250 brass.

 

[Randominator]

I have had excellent results with Remington brass. My rifle is standard twist of 1-12. I have only gone up to 55 grain bullets and I am only pushing them @ 3800 fps. 3 shots @ 100 yards will go into .304". Case life is very good. I did my fireforming with H4895 and a 55 grain bullet.

 

[Jayhawk]

Thanks for all the replys. I am still up in the air on the caliber. Have thought of 22-243, 22-250, 22-250 ai, 220 swift, 220 improved. Looking for the best barrel life, when fireforming cases would that not add to the barrel's round count? Also would the barrel need to be longer than a 26"? Thanks again!

 

[MagnumManiac]

Thanks for all the replys. I am still up in the air on the caliber. Have thought of 22-243, 22-250, 22-250 ai, 220 swift, 220 improved. Looking for the best barrel life, when fireforming cases would that not add to the barrel's round count? Also would the barrel need to be longer than a 26"? Thanks again!

This is why I use the COW method, it doesn't add to the round count when you don't use any bullets down the tube, the pressure generated is so small using this method that I doubt it would be eroding anything from flame travel or the like.

You do not need a barrel longer than 26", but if you're chasing velocity, it can only help having a longer tube.
I only use my rifle for sniping vermin (varmints to you Yanks) so weight is not an issue for me.

No matter which of the cartridges you mention above you choose, barrel life will be very similar, maybe a few hundred rounds less with the 22-243, it is a very intense cartridge and will burn throats a little quicker than either the 22-250/Swift based cartridges.
Cheers.
gun)

 

[B23]

Have always been a huge Swift fan but based on brass quality alone it would be a no brainer. IMO if you wanted the added horsepower of a 22-250AI I would just step up to the 22-243 and forget about any fireforming.