andy smith
Active Member
I'd like some pet loads for 22/250. I got vv150 an varget an a couple other powders. Would like to use 55-60 grain bullets????
I have super results in a 1:12 twist using 50 grain bullets. (Faster twists use 55 +) This works for me 600 - 700 yards.I'd like some pet loads for 22/250. I got vv150 an varget an a couple other powders. Would like to use 55-60 grain bullets????
There are a lot of new powders used for that weight class bullets. But H380 was where I started with the 22-250 and 55 gr boowits. A classic 22-250 load.38 of H380 and a 55gr bullet. The original standard for a great load.
I'm surprised with your velocity results. My Tikka hit 3700 fps with a few tenths more of varget and the 55 grain Blitz Kings.I shoot both H380 and Varget. I like the accuracy of H380 in my rifle but I like Varget for temp stability. I'm often shooting from 100 degrees in the summer to -10 when hunting coyotes. I just picked up 8 lbs of Varget and only have about a pound left of H380. When the H380 is gone I'll just shoot the Varget.
I'm shooting 36.4 grains of Varget with 55 grain soft points out of my 22" stock Tikka. Velocity is 3427 fps over the labradar and consistent 1/2" groups.
Like Vince I'm shooting the 55 grain Hornady Flat Base Soft Points with cannelure and I really like them for coyotes.
I just load H380 during the temps I'm using them in. But if I can get a good load with a temp insensitive powder that is the way to go. Problem is these days temp insensitive powders are hard to get. Thankfully it is getting better.I'm surprised with your velocity results. My Tikka hit 3700 fps with a few tenths more of varget and the 55 grain Blitz Kings.
I stopped using H380 about 30 years ago due to pressure fluctuations in hot weather, just too many better options out there.
What twist is yours? Mines the 1-8". I just got the rifle and only have about 80 rounds down the barrel for load development so I'm not sure if it will speed up.I'm surprised with your velocity results. My Tikka hit 3700 fps with a few tenths more of varget and the 55 grain Blitz Kings.
I stopped using H380 about 30 years ago due to pressure fluctuations in hot weather, just too many better options out there.
Mine is also the 8 twist, shoots the 55s and the heavies really well. I also have a Savage with a custom 8 twist and an older varmint special with the 14 twist. Your tikka will probably speed up a little bit. I'm using Lapua brass so that may make a difference in the velocity if the case capacity is smaller.What twist is yours? Mines the 1-8". I just got the rifle and only have about 80 rounds down the barrel for load development so I'm not sure if it will speed up.
I sold my rem 788 22-250 after I bought the Tikka. It still shot really accurate with 37.7 gr H380 and the Hornady 55 grain bullets but I had to seat bullets out so far that they wouldn't fit the magazine anymore. To say it had throat erosion would be an understatement. I thought about a new barrel but I had a 22-250 AI on a 788 action in the works so needed something easy. That gun turned out awesome. 1-7.7" Bartlien shooting 77 SMK shot a 1.6" group at 400 yards the other day in the wind.
I have 4 Tikka rifles. A 22-250, two .243's and a 270WSM. The .243's shoot in the expected reloading book velocity range. The 22-250 is slow (so far) and the 270 WSM is really slow. Accuracy in all of them is outstanding.
Fastest barrels I've shot seem to be the Savage 110's. I have a 25-06 and a 7mag and they are really fast and I'm not pushing them at all.
Buying a Tikka is like pressing the easy button in my opinion. Overall they are a really good value and they always seem to shoot well and sometimes great. My one 243 with 87 Vmax will shoot .25" groups consistently. My daughters .243 will shoot the 95 grain SST under 1/2" too. What more could you want?