Stability Question

[aaroncarp]

I posted a thread a few months ago about what bullets to shoot from my 1:12" 22-250 for deer and wolves. Then archery season started so I never hit the range. I chose to try some 65grn Sierra Gamekings because I had read a lot of good things about them. However they recommend a 1:10" barrel. Anyways I loaded some up, I knew I would need to have them hot if I was hoping to have them stabilize from the slower barrel. Started at 34 grains of imr 4064 and worked my way up by half grain increments to 36 grains. I put a half inch group down range with 35.5 grains at 100yards. So I decided to not even shoot the 36 grains because I was already pretty hot.

My question is, how much do I need to worry about this load staying stable out to 3-400 yards? Should I worry about the precision of the load if I have a deer at 300? I would love to keep shooting at the range but, the more time I spend there, the less time I get to spend hunting.

 

[benchracer]

I have been shooting 69 grain SMK's from my 1:12 22-250 with good results. Range won't be a controlling factor in stability. The thing to keep your eye on is temperature. Consult an online stability calculator and you will see what I mean. As the temp falls, so will your stability factor. If the bullet being used was marginally stable in warmer temps, it may not stabilize in the cold.

 

[Mikecr]

+1 benchracer
If the bullets don't tumble by 25yds they aren't going to. But denser air could bring that.

 

[sundance1972]

I've been playing the the stability calculator on the Berger website (trying to decide on a new bullet for my 7mm-08), maybe give it a try? Input all your data, then drop the temp to see the changes.
Don't know how accurate the program actually is, but puts up a bit of info. Optimal twist, alternate bullets, etc