First time .22-250

I've loaded for .22-250 with Varget almost exclusively. Lately I've had to look into branching out due to lack of Varget in my area.
Mine loves 36.7 gr. behind a 50 gr. Hornady v-max. Yes, that's a pretty hot load, put I've seen SO many different max loads for Varget. Lee lists a different max than lyman, who lists a different max than Hodgdon...and the list goes on. I realize they are testing in different equipment.

Mine just started to work in smaller groups as the charge went up, I get no signs of over-pressure, and .75" groups at 235 yds when I do my part.

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The 22-250 can use a multitude of powders, I like IMR4007SSC and VihtaVuori N-150 and good old IMR4350. Varget is also a great choice. With 50g V-Max I get the best velocity with 40.0g 4007 and the best accuracy with 35.5g N-150

I use 34.5 grains of Varget with 52 grain Hornady A-Max bullets. They shoot excellent for me.

Back in the day (70's), way before Varget (90's) IMR4320 was the hot setup with Rem Power-lokt bullets, and there is no reason that it would not work today with the shortages of Varget that we see.
I've personally not had good luck in my current 22-250 with Varget and my 52gr A-Max bullets. I get under 1/2" groups with 33.3gr of IMR3031 and the 52gr A-Max. I keep saying that I should try H4895 but haven't yet.


NCsmitty

Your Rem 700 is likely a 1in14 twist barrel, so it will do very well pushing 50, 52, 53 and 55gr bullets.

I use RL-15, Varget and H380 in mine, with each powder matched up to its own bullet weight and construction.

You said your rifle doesn't like Hornady factory 55 V-max. Have you tried Winchester Super-X 55gr PSPs in your rifle? These were super consistent and very tight grouping in my 700, then I started reloading and got slightly better results - but not by much.

Tried reloading Winchester's bulk 55gr PSPs and never got results as good as the same bullet shot from the factory-made Super-X cartridge.

I've had good luck with varget and CFE-223 in my 22-250 Kimber.

I've got a Rem. 700 BDL in 22-250, got it back in '73. My loads for it is Hornady 52gr BTHP, IMR 4064, 33.6 gr. , 3400 FPS. Another load I like, Nosler 52 gr. BTHP, 32.7 of 4064, 3400 fps. IMR 3031 is also an excellent powder for this round, I've used it for a long time, then decided to try 4064, both very good for the .22-250. Good luck.

My Savage loved Varget and 50gr V-Max. Was hell on jack rabbits out here in Arizona!

I have a rifle similar to the original poster's. He should try 36.0gr of IMR4064 beneath any 55gr bullet. I know that the Speer and the Vmax work well with it.

jgh4445: My Son and I both shoot a Savage HB 22-250 and the only load we use is 36.5 grsof Varget with a 50gr V-Max bullet and I belive we are getting about 3795 FPS but don`t have a chrony. The guys at Hornaday told me to use the 50 gr V-Max rather than their 55 gr V-Max bullets. This load will shoot 1/2 inch or under at a 100 yds in both of our rifles. We never have really tried anything else. I show 37.5 grs of varget using to 50gr V-Max at 3834 fps as the Max load in my 2013 Hodgdon reloading Manual.
ken

Well, I hope your SPS Stainless is not like mine. The only bullet that gives great accuracy in mine is the 52 gr Sierra with 38.0 gr of Varget for 3700 fps.

36.5 gr of Varget gave me 3400 fps in my rifle.

jgh4445 said:

The Hornady manual lists a max of 34.6 gr of Varget for 3600 fps. The Varget can lists 36.5 gr as Max for 3664. Thats a difference of 1.9 gr for 64 fps. I find the different max loads a bit disconcerting. Does anyone load with either of these powders for the 250?

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Unless both Varget loads were tested under the same exact circumstances with the same exact components and the same length barrels the differences you quote are not strange at all and nothing to be concerned over.

I have a Rem 700 VSF (1-in-14")and I have tried several powders, some of which fall into my "Best Load" honor for each bullet. I only name a load a Best Load if it shoots the same (or relatively the same) group on two or more occasions (separate trips to the range).

- Sierra 40gr Varminter (SP-Flat) 36.0gr IMR4064, CCI200
- Nosler 40gr Ballistic Tip, 40.0gr IMR4007SSC, CCI200

- Speer 50gr TNT (SP-Flat) 34.0gr IMR4895, CCI200
- Sierra 50gr HV, 34.6gr IMR4895, WLR

- Speer 55gr Varmint (SP-Flat) 38.0gr H380, CCI200
- Sierra 55gr Varmint, 38.0 IMR4007SSC, WLR

- Sierra 60gr Varminter (SP-Flat) 33.5gr IMR4064, CCI200
- Berger 60gr Varmint (HP-Flat) 35.2gr IMR4064, CCI250M

Each rifle, and barrel, is unique. So....whatever works in yours will be good. Those are just some good powders and loads that worked well in mine. You have a 1-in-14", but DON'T be afraid to try some 60 grainers to see how they do. That 60gr Sierra and IMR4064 load shot the best 5-shot group ever fired in my rifle (.271"), and consistently shoots 1/2" or less (always 5 shot groups) with a flyer only very rarely.

jgh, do the Hornady SP bullets have a flat base? That may be your real difference, most of the plastic tipped bullets tend to be a boattail design. The base of a bullet has far more influence on accuracy than the tip, and some barrels just don't shoot boattail bullets well.

I have had really good luck with 40 gr. ballistic tips and enough IMR 4064 to hit 4000 fps. This load absolutely blows up whistle pigs. My coyote load is a 55 gr. Winchester softpoint and enough W760 to hit 3850 fps. This load is a little hard on pelts.

Try a lot of different bullets if you can, I found that my new 700 stainless only likes 52 Speer HP's...I had over 400 rounds of Vmax and bal tips through it before I ended up with them, it was a partial box left over from my coyote huntin days.... Varget, or IMR3031. Have some 4007ssc on order.

My 22-250 is a 1 in 14 and does not like any 55 grain bullets, but loves the 50 grain Zmax/Vmax. I am shooting 34.8 grains of Varget in that load.

My X Pro trigger works pretty good and I don;t notice the set screw. Maybe place a call to Remington and see what they say.

I have had my best groups with 4064.

My most oft-used powder, spread across several calibers. IMR4064. Ever read the "If there were just one powder..." threads? Alot of guys choose 4350, or 4895, or other versatile and favorite powders. Mine is 4064.... it's a go-to powder for me.

That Timney trigger might be your answer ! I put one in my older Rem. 788 .223, thats what made it a true zinger! Hope it settles your problems!