Leaving a lot of the 22-250 on cutting room floor

jski

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Jan 18, 2018
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Looking for a rifle that has a 1:9
twist rate for the 22-250. I want to push some of the heavier bullets (95 gr) to reach our further. Better BC.

I believe the current and common 1:12 twist rate leaves a lot on the cutting room floor as far as the potential of 22-250 cartridge.
 
If you are going 9 twist it might be advantageous to go 22-250 ai or the infamous 22creed...just reread your post and savage makes a few 9 twist ir you can easily rebarrel one.
I built an 8 twist many years ago and your right = it turns the 22-20 into a totaly different round
 
Then you're going to be looking for either a custom rifle or you're going to be looking to rebarrel some other rifle. .22-250's don't tend to come with fast twist pipes. Find any ol rifle with a .473" bolt face and build up.
 
Savage made an M12 in 22/250 in a 1/9 twist, and I have an old take off barrel from one in my rack. While it did well with 75/77's to 1,200yds, it would not stabilize the 90's. I switched the barrel with a 1/8" chambered in 22/250AI, and it shoots the 90's well. However, it prefers the 80 to 88 Amax/ELD. I have used it to 1 mile, and it makes a nice LR low recoil fun rifle.

Groups run in the .2's with 80 AMAX/ELD, and it remains super-sonic past 1 mile.
 

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"Maybe you need a .243 instead where you can shoot 55. to about 105gr"

The .243" 105 AMAX/ELD has a BC of around .500, Berger 105 VLD BC .493 and 108gr .511, and the 108 ELD .536. The .224" 80gr ELD runs .48 and the 88 ELD BC .545, so using a fast twist 22/250 or AI yields higher velocity with less powder and similar or even less drop/drift at longer ranges than the 243 Win.

I can push the 80gr ELD from my 22/250 AI at a mild and very accurate 3,400fps with 4831 and reach 3,550 fps with 7828SSC, and at my altitude of 8,000', the 88 ELD I drive at 3,250fps with a retained velocity at 1 mile of 1,420 fps.
 
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I am getting ready to build a 22-250 improved. I am going to use a 6.5" twist barrel.

I have a new 8" twist fluted barrel blank I would sell.
 
"Maybe you need a .243 instead where you can shoot 55. to about 105gr"

The .243" 105 AMAX/ELD has a BC of around .500, Berger 105 VLD BC .493 and 108gr .511, and the 108 ELD .536. The .224" 80gr ELD runs .48 and the 88 ELD BC .545, so using a fast twist 22/250 or AI yields higher velocity with less powder and similar or even less drop/drift at longer ranges than the 243 Win.

I can push the 80gr ELD from my 22/250 AI at a mild and very accurate 3,400fps with 4831 and reach 3,550 fps with 7828SSC, and at my altitude of 8,000', the 88 ELD I drive at 3,250fps with a retained velocity at 1 mile of 1,420 fps.

What about @ 95gr which is what the OP is asking about?
I just think at times people try to push the boundaries of a projectile/cartridge combination when the answer can be as easy as just going up in cartridge & calibre.
Just my view!!
 
What about @ 95gr which is what the OP is asking about?

The Sierra .224" 95gr has a BC of .600, so even much better. But, if I was going to use it at long range as designed, I would use a 1/7 or even a 1/6.5 to keep it stabilized as the velocity slows down. The velocity of the 22/250AI should work in the 1/7 twist.
 
I just think at times people try to push the boundaries of a projectile/cartridge combination when the answer can be as easy as just going up in cartridge & calibre.
Just my view!!

Sometimes, but not always. Varied caliber bullets have differing BC's, and sometimes the lesser caliber bullet may have a higher BC and can be driven faster with a smaller case capacity. When simply shooting LR targets, steel gongs or smaller game/varmints, a heavier, larger caliber bullet isn't always needed nor desired. 1,000yd BR comes to mind.

Added: Other considerations for active LR shooters are component costs, heavier recoil, faster barrel erosion/costs, possible noise factor, etc. I've trained youth and inexperienced LR shooters, and practice myself, with a fast twist, long throated 26" 223 with 75-80gr bullets, and the cost savings of components compared to my larger hunting calibers allows for 2-3 times as many shots per cartridge and the barrels last 5,000+ rounds before setting back.

So there can be many advantages of using smaller and/or faster calibers for things that do not require a heavier caliber. And besides, its our hobby and fun to experiment with different things.
Here is a 1,000 yd 223 75gr loaded with AA2520 that leaves a 26" barrel at 2970fps, so its BC, flight performance and velocity are similar to many larger, more expensive and harder kicking calibers. Thus allowing for more training, more shooting fun and less end-of-the-day head/body aches.
 

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