223 and 22-250

[dave from mesa]

Have a Ruger M77 in 22-250 and a T/C in 223 with 10" and 14" barrels.
I'm trying to use some/all the same components.
Would like to stay with 50-52 grain bullets and hopefully the same powder.
If powder won't work I would like to shoot the same bullet so I can buy them in bulk.
Anyone have some loads that use the same bullet/powder combo that you would like to share?

thanks

dave

 

[witchhunter]

You can look at a 50 grain VMax or similar bullet to shoot out of both, but they may like different bullets, powder etc. They use different primers too, the 223 uses small rifle and the 250 takes large rifle primers. With some experimentation, you could find one powder that works for both calibers, but I am gonna say, why? Find what works best for each one separately and get a keg of it and have fun.

 

[WestKentucky]

Barrel twist rates will be your friend or your foe. Measure twist rates and post up. A lot of our more experienced guys will be by to make recommendations based on twist rate.

 

[murf]

the 22-250 performs better with slower powders, even with 50 grain bullets.

murf

 

[dave from mesa]

These guns are old enough that I think they would be to use 55g and under.
Just trying to standardize something either bullets or powder.
Have looked at loads the that use the same powders but they seem to be a comprise so it might be easier to use the same bullet.
So is 50g 52g good in the 22-250? Never been a fan of 55g in the contenders.

 

[spitballer]

50 grain bullets are pretty much standard for factory ammo for 22-250 but then, most 22-250's are sold with a 14" twist which might be a little slow for anything much bigger. What I could never figure out is how 22-250 shooters can use such a large case full of anything but the slowest powder without building up too much pressure for anything but a FMJ; I don't think there are 50 grain FMJ's available, although some hunting bullets are probably pretty tough. I use a lot of the softer varmint bullets in my .223 bolt rifle and I have to use H414 just to get a full case of powder without smooshing the thin jackets all over the bore. I'd be going nuts with a 22-250! Good luck, have fun!

p.s. - actually I'm a bit envious; I like solving puzzles and would enjoy solving the mystery surrounding the 22-250's large case. I almost got one myself, but at the last minute settled on a .223. I think the early M16's had 14" twists also, so my initial experiments might revolve around a marginally stabilized FMJ. Cheerio

 

[matrem]

Most bullets 55 grains or less will likely work well in both.

But, seeing as the brass and primers can't be interchanged, I'd not try to use the same powder either.
There are certainly powders that will work in both, but you'll be sacrificing top notch performance in each of them by doing so.

.22/250 needs a tick slower powder than .223 for optimum performance from each.

 

[matrem]

Also:
I've not owned a .22/250 for about twenty five years, but I still occasionally load for a couple. I usually load 55s, but 50s, 52s, and 53 flat base have also worked well.

 

[witchhunter]

My thought is you will buy two pounds of powder anyway, why not get the two that work best for each gun? My 250 shoots a 40 grain Vmax about as flat as anything, and my .223 likes em as well. Pdogs beware!

 

[RugerOldArmy]

40Gr - 50 Gr bullets. Varget works well with both.

 

[duck911]

I use TAC and Nosler 55gr BT's in my .223 (RRA AR-15) and 22-250 (Rem 700 VLSS)

It's great in my .223 (usually sub-MOA). It's a slight compromise in my 22-250 (around MOA). Twist rates are 1-9 and 1-14, respectively which explains the difference.

But it fits my needs in both rifles.

 

[2ndtimer]

If you are on a budget, stock up on some Hornady 55 gr SP bulk bullets, and find an 8 lb keg of H-4895, Varget, IMR-8208XBR,, IMR-4064, or Reloder 15 and go for it. If you are less concerned about the budget, substitute Nosler 50 or 55 gr Ballistic Tips, 55 gr Varmageddon tipped bullets, 50 or 55 gr V-Max's or Z-Max's, or Sierra Blitz Kings. Wouldn't recommend the Speer 50 gr TNT or the Hornady SX bullets for that double duty, as they might not hold together at 22-250 maximum velocities.
That being said, I would still try to find the best load for each with whatever powder each prefers. But you should be able to put together some very decent loads for both using the same powder and bullet.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

With a 50gr to 55gr bullet Hodgdon CFE-223 will work very well in both cartridges. It's a clean and accurate powder and it's also reported to deliver the highest velocities in both when loading a 50gr bullet.

According to the numbers IMR 8208 XBR also seems to be a very good choice but i have never used it. I don't load for the 22-250.

H4895 looks also looks like a good choice for a one powder solution in both cartridges.

 

[dave from mesa]

Well thanks guys. Got lots of things to think about here.

 

[jeepmor]

Another vote for Varget and Vmax here. Varget always produces my best groups in all but one rifle. Vmax's always give me really good accuracy on my pdog rounds. Mine are .223 for that matter, I don't own a 22-250.

That said, I'm kind of Varget junkie because of my experience with it. Not the highest velocity, but that makes no matter to me as my goal is small groups, not barn burning velocities, which the 22-250 is pretty famous for.

 

[Ankeny]

Varget or H4895 works well with 55 grain bullets in my 22-250s and .223s. Benchmark or H4895 works well in both with 52 grainers.

 

[4895]

I have used Varget and 52 grain Hornady A-Max bullets with great success in both calibers.


http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.c...4_Diameter_52_Grain_Boat_Tail_A-Max_100_Count