Started Load DEV 22-250/53g VMAX

[benchracer]

I completed the Berger seating depth test as the first part of load development for my 12 twist 22-250 using 53g VMAX's. The target shows a pretty dramatic seating depth preference:



I improvised a bit on the seating depths I chose to test. I measured the actual distance to the rifling with this bullet @ 2.507 COAL, but wasn't sure that would leave enough bullet in the case. I decided to start the test at SAAMI max length (2.350") and work forward from there. The clear winner of the test puts the bullet just shy of .080" from the rifling @ 2.430" COAL.

Now that I have established the preferred seating depth for this bullet in my rifle, I plan to do a powder charge runup with IMR 8208 XBR, CFE 223, VARGET, and RL-17.

 

[Salar600]

Thanks to share. I should do the same test in the near future but with 4064. I wasn't sure the 1x12 would have been enough for this long bullet.

Your results are promising

 

[CB11WYO]

...I wasn't sure the 1x12 would have been enough for this long bullet....

Yup Yup I worked loads this winter for my buddy's 22-250 and the 53 gr V-maxs in a 1x12 "bone-stock" factory Savage Weather Warrior. It'll do 1" groups at 200 yds when all is right. If I remember we settled on 35 gr. Benchmark and about 0.010" off the rifling.

Benchracer,
What make/model rifle are you using?

 

[benchracer]

A 12 twist is easily enough for this bullet. I find that the plastic tipped 55's shoot better from a 12 twist than they did from a 14 twist as well.

 

[benchracer]

Yup Yup I worked loads this winter for my buddy's 22-250 and the 53 gr V-maxs in a 1x12 "bone-stock" factory Savage Weather Warrior. It'll do 1" groups at 200 yds when all is right. If I remember we settled on 35 gr. Benchmark and about 0.010" off the rifling.

Benchracer,
What make/model rifle are you using?

It's a sporterized Czech mauser '98 with a 26" 12 twist Shilen pre-fit barrel. I had the barrel installed last year and am just now getting around to working loads up for it.

 

[benchracer]

I completed load development with IMR 8208 XBR and the 53 VMAX's. Chrono data and groups @ 250 yards to come next week. Here is what the powder charge workup looked like:

 

[benchracer]

I completed a load workup using CFE 223, with ho-hum results. Later, I realized that I had assembled the test loads using standard primers. Given that CFE 223 is a ball powder, I should have used magnum primers. I will re-test using CFE 223 and mag primers. My results with CFE 223 and CCI 200's are shown below. Nothing to write home about...

 

[benchracer]

VARGET and RL-17 still to come...

 

[gohring3006]

Tag,
I have several pounds of RL17.

 

[benchracer]

I just got back from the range. CFE 223 shot much better with mag primers. Varget shot well, too. RL-17 was the star of the day, however. It grouped in the high .3's to low .4's with two different powder charges!

I still need to take and post target pics and get chrono data for the final loads. Based on previous testing to establish pressure limits, I am expecting 3900ish with RL-17 and the 53 VMAX from my rifle.

Interestingly, RL-17 shot very well with 69 SMK's, too. It looks like RL-17 is going to be my go to powder in 22-250. I was not surprised to see it do well with the SMK's, but I am surprised that it outperformed Varget, CFE 223, and IMR 8208 XBR with the 53 VMAX's and did so by a fairly wide margin.

 

[greyman]

I went back and reread your first post, and I have a question once you decided on a seating depth, how do you know that is the best for ALL powders and loads tested? not being a smart *** I would like to know cause that's where I usually go off the tracks with my load development?

 

[ntg]

What velocity did you get with the RL17 and the 53gr. Vmax?

 

[benchracer]

My own testing has demonstrated, to my satisfaction, that preferred seating depth is bullet dependent. I have also found that similar bullets will often show similar preferred seating depths, regardless of the powder tested.

My best advice is to test this out for yourself. Choose a bullet to experiment with and perform the Berger seating depth test, using a starting load. Repeat the test with other suitable powders.

As a control, seat your chosen bullet to book length, perform your powder charge workup with each powder you are using, then perform the Berger seating depth test for the best load with each powder.

When seeking a definitive answer, a person can take the word of someone else (who may or may not be right) or test things out for one's self. IMO, testing is better. Hard data trumps opinion any day, my own included.

 

[benchracer]

Here is a pic of the load development for the 53 VMAX with RL-17: