In search of 22-250 Rem recipes

[High Plains]

I have a used 22-250 Rem with a new 24” barrel and a 1:8 twist. I probably put 30-40 rounds down the bore. I would use it for coyotes and have a lot of 50-55 grain bullets for varmints and some target rounds.
What handloads have worked well?

 

[Condor]

Welcome to THR!

My favorite recipes are below. Please consult a manual, and work up from minimum, as you may hit an accuracy node or high pressure in your rifle at a lower weight. I have a 22” sporter barrel in 12 twist, which may give different results than yours.


34.0 IMR 4064 w/ Sierra 55g Gameking at 2.35”
34.0 IMR 4064 w/ Sierra 55 HPBT at 2.30”
34.0 IMR 4064 w/ Hornady 55g VMax at 2.3875”
32.7 H4895 w/ 55g NBT at 2.35”
39.0 H414 w/ 55g Sierra Gameking at 2.35”...this is max per Hodgdon online, so work up.

 

[bigpower491]

That twist will do better with 55gr and heavier bullets. I'd certainly avoid the lightly constructed ones like a Speer TNT, at 22-250 velocity and that twist they won't make it too far out of the barrel and then they goes poof........

 

[High Plains]

I have some 70 grain Barnes TSXs but I’m in no hurry to use them. A .22 centerfire is legal in Kansas but I do not want to use the minimum size bullet for the job even though I think I could do it.

Condor: I have a lot of H-414 so this is definitely a load to try.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I have had good luck out of a couple of different 55 gr bullets and Varget powder. You probably need to work up your own load for best results, though

 

[HowieG]

I've run tests with the 55 Vmax and H414 that work okay. Certainly useable if you have a bunch of it. Makes the choice easy.

My two favorite powders in the 22-250 are H380 and IMR4064. I use the 4064 with 40 Vmax in my Ruger M77 and it's a laser beam. The H380 works well with 50 grain bullets and up. One of my favorite bullets is the 52 grain Sierra BTHP match king.

 

[Patocazador]

That 1:8 twist is sweet. I have two .22-250s but the fastest twist is 1:12. I'm limited to 55 and under.

 

[HowieG]

That 1:8 twist is sweet. I have two .22-250s but the fastest twist is 1:12. I'm limited to 55 and under.

Huh??? You tried 60 grain bullets like the #2270 Hornady FBSP? Also, the Sierra 63 SMP will stabilize out of my 14 twist 22-250 barrels and my 12 twist 223 barrel just fine.

 

[bigpower491]

Huh??? You tried 60 grain bullets like the #2270 Hornady FBSP? Also, the Sierra 63 SMP will stabilize out of my 14 twist 22-250 barrels and my 12 twist 223 barrel just fine.

Some rifles are picky, others, not so much.

Those 70gr Barnes will make a good load. 414 get you up in the 33-3400 fps range on the top end. But O boy if you hit the sweet spot.......coyote duster from about 4 football fields away.....

 

[Bfh_auto]

My 1-8 Shilen barrel hits pressure signs earlier than my 1-12 barrel does.
Be careful using other people's loads.
That being said. 53 vmax is pretty awesome with 4064.
If you run the 70s. Try something like one of the 4350s or w760/h414.

 

[Condor]

I have some 70 grain Barnes TSXs but I’m in no hurry to use them. A .22 centerfire is legal in Kansas but I do not want to use the minimum size bullet for the job even though I think I could do it.

Condor: I have a lot of H-414 so this is definitely a load to try.

Work up with the H414...this is max per Hodgdon online, and good luck!

 

[horsey300]

That 1:8 twist is sweet. I have two .22-250s but the fastest twist is 1:12. I'm limited to 55 and under.

I'm running 62 swifts at 1.5 moa or less with staball in my boy's 1:12..... Just a thought for you. Great on deer and such, full penetration and 1" exit on a muley buck last season, not sure if that's interesting for you or not....

I have a used 22-250 Rem with a new 24” barrel and a 1:8 twist. I probably put 30-40 rounds down the bore. I would use it for coyotes and have a lot of 50-55 grain bullets for varmints and some target rounds.
What handloads have worked well?

I would look straight to the 88 elds! That's the plan for our next build (1:8 .22-250 ai) they'll buck the wind better than you'll believe! For hide savers, I'm becoming a big fan of the Barnes hunting bullets, small in>small out, big inside! For 50-55 though, I've become enamored of benchmark. The current hunting load is 62 swift with staball, prairie dogs etc are getting the benchmark 55 combo, looking forward to a quick easy workup with 53 vmaxs for giggles on yotes (giggles cuz I have plenty of other options already loaded but these look fun and good for distance and wind) for barrel life, I'd look hard at blc2, 4166, and 8208 for these. Plenty of speed and not tons o powder burnt down the tube.
Personal experience with the staball leads to advice of the plan to start about .5-1 gr below hodgdon starting charge (at least in my guns, had pressure signs early every time and found accuracy in unexpected places, maybe the bullets? Maybe the rifles? Maybe primers? For now I just start this powder lower)

 

[Patocazador]

Huh??? You tried 60 grain bullets like the #2270 Hornady FBSP? Also, the Sierra 63 SMP will stabilize out of my 14 twist 22-250 barrels and my 12 twist 223 barrel just fine.

Well, then good for you ...

I tried the short Nosler 64gr in both = horsecrap groups. They shoot Hornady 55 gr into a 1/3" group @ 100 yds. I will not sacrifice accuracy for a 5% increase in bullet weight.

 

[HowieG]

Well, then good for you ...

I tried the short Nosler 64gr in both = horsecrap groups. They shoot Hornady 55 gr into a 1/3" group @ 100 yds. I will not sacrifice accuracy for a 5% increase in bullet weight.

Oh yeah, I agree with that. I wonder about that Nosler bullet. They (Nosler) say they tested it in a 14 twist barrel. I'll run it through the stability calculator and see what that tells me. I bet it's shaky at best....