22-250 Questions

[papajoe222]

I'm looking into purchasing a new rifle and have some questions about this caliber. First, what kind of barrel life can I expect? Second, are components for reloading readily available? Lastly, how does it stack up against other 22 caliber offering for accuracy, which actually what I'm really looking for?

 

[troy fairweather]

What will it be used for,

 

[mountain_man]

Accuracy like all things depends on the barrel and ammo. Yes they can be accurate. Most barrels are slow twist and like the lighter bullets. I have a buddy that pushes some 60 grain tipped match kings pretty fast, and he is getting good results. I've been with him when he shot out to 600 yards, and the wind was killer on the little bullet that far out and hits on steel were wimpy. 450 and in was pretty easy to manage wind and there was a lot more oomph on steel plates. Those little bullets really start running out of gas out there at long distances Barrel life depends on how fast the bullets are pushed, there is a lot of powder going down that little bore. And also on your acceptable level of accuracy degradation is. Components should be readily available as long as you can find primers. The large varieties have been scarce here. Recoil is more than a 223 but less than a .243 still pretty mild.

 

[horsey300]

I'm looking into purchasing a new rifle and have some questions about this caliber. First, what kind of barrel life can I expect? Second, are components for reloading readily available? Lastly, how does it stack up against other 22 caliber offering for accuracy, which actually what I'm really looking for?

So, barrel life depends on the game you play, if you're going to push light pills hard and fast, probably 600-800 (maybe 1200 depending on the exact powders used and your acceptable level of throat erosion)rounds on the barrel life. Our savage has a 12 twist and runs a pretty decent variety of pills ridiculously accurately, but soon we'll be adding a ruger to the stable for the 10 twist barrel to run the long slippery pills. And in that regard, barrel life will improve greatly, using 30-40 (ish) gr of powder to kick 70-75 gr bullets out the muzzle at 3200-3500 fps is an almost perfect combination for much of what we do, my buddy has a 10 twist and the 80 gr are on the list to try to stabilize and if they do, we'll all have a very good chuckle. The thing with the .22-250 is, if it can't utilize the heavy long pills, you're simply relying on sheer velocity to beat the wind, and that's only viable for so many yards before the fast twist .223, .224valk, and .22arc start to out shine it with the 62-88 gr bullets. So I would say your use and expectations should be weighed in here, with a fast twist and heavy bullets I think you'd likely check many boxes of contentment, with a 14 twist? Maybe more frustration? As for components, that's never been an issue more than any other cartridge.

Eta: now that I'm more awake, I remembered the .22 creed would also be worth considering!

 

[OS/N]

My 14:1 22-250 will shoot 62 fmj reasonably well w/ IMR4895. I mostly target with a 223 turnbolt gun though w/ 69 and 77 bullets. They do about the same at 200yrds but heavier bullets shoot tighter groups beyond. Flatter doesn't matter much if the pattern is big and off target - to me anyway.

I switch to a larger diameter when shooting further than 200yrds. 308 w/ 0.5+/- BC prefered.

 

[tbs]

I've been running 22-250 for over 35 years and have competed with it extensively. My latest variation has a 1 in 8 twist cut rifled barrel. I handload and keep my pressures around 50K psi which is below max. I get great barrel life when using H380 powder and keeping my loads fairly mild.

Back in the day the 22-250 was used for benchrest because of the great accuracy that is achievable but better solutions came along not too long after. The 22-250 uses less powder than the new 22 Creedmoor but you may be relegated to light bullets in 22-250 depending on the barrel. The 22-250 usually comes in 1 in 14 or 1 in 12 but there have been some 1 in 9 twist barrels showing up on some rifles.

The 22 Creedmoor would be a smarter choice nowadays as there is more ammo available if you don't hand load. I personally will stick with 22-250 because I know how to work with it and get the most out of it.

 

[1948CJ2A]

The caliber for a 22-250 is .224. I think you are asking about the cartridge itself.

I love mine. It's an old Sako with a 1-14" twist heavy barrel and it's a tack driver. The 22-250 is still chambered in many new rifles so ammo, rifle choices, and reloading components should be OK.

If velocity is what you're after, then it's on the faster end of the 22 caliber spectrum. The 220 Swift is faster. I also have a 222 Rem that shoots just as good if not better than my 22-250. The 223 is probably the most popular these days. Can't speak to the "cutting-edge" stuff...

 

[Hookeye]

This one has killed a couple hundred groundhogs, over 40 years. 3 at 100 yds, w factory ammo.....3/4 ". Not free floated and no cool down, just one after another.

Handloads ought to shrink it considerably. Was reportedly a " one holer" with such.

Have not scoped the bbl, dunno what throat looks like. Dont care. Barrels are replacement items. If you can afford to wear one out, you can afford to replace it IMHO



Rig hasnt been taken on a prairie dog shoot where bbl heat from extended shooting would be a factor.

 

[Hookeye]

Im not a Sierra bullet guy. Have the load data for this rifle.

Will reload some 50 and 55gr Noslers for it over the winter.

.22 250 is wicked. Its loud. And IMHO too much horsepower for sub 200 yard chuck blasting.

 

[redneck2]

back maybe a dozen or more years ago I had a Remington 700. With a hand load I was trying out I shot the first shot, then the other four totally missed the target. I thought. Careful examination showed the bullet hole was slightly egged out in two places. All five had gone through not only one hole but nearly the same exact hole

So yeah, they’re capable of excellent accuracy. But, I had gotten it for prairie dog hunting and the muzzle blast would drive them down after the first shot, so it went away. It was the 2nd .22-250 I’d owned. The original was used for groundhogs and killed well over a hundred. In my opinion that’s where it shines. For target shooting I see no reason to subject yourself to the muzzle blast and limited barrel life.

 

[Hookeye]

I had a blued fluted 700 VS .22-250 (not catalogued).
With a 12X M8 and the HS stock, it bounced as bad as my 700 ADL .243 at 9X.
So I ditched the VS
Proly not one of my wisest moves LOL

This Ruger #1 (inherited) is my 2nd .22-250.
I'm more of a .243 guy, but dang if the .22-250 isn't a chuck slaying rocket.

 

[kmw1954]

First, what kind of barrel life can I expect? Second, are components for reloading readily available? Lastly, how does it stack up against other 22 caliber offering for accuracy, which actually what I'm really looking for?

Barrel life will be highly dependent on the bullet and how fast it is shooting, or how hot is the load. Components, all .224" calibers use the same bullets, the only thing that changes are the bullet weights and again that is dependent on the rifling twist rate.

I shoot paper targets out to 300yds so I do not need the terminal velocity that a hunting bullet needs. I do not need to burn the amount of powder used in a 22-250 or 22CM to do that. With a 223 and a fast twist barrel I can shoot heavy bullets that hold the wind better than the light ones. For now I have moved to a 6mm round and am eyeing a 22ARC rifle as it is bigger case than the 223 yet smaller than the 22-250. It will handle the very 90gr bullets very well, or can be reduce down to a 68gr Match bullet and do just as well.

 

[.45Coltguy]

In my Savage 112 FVS[older model], it was Sierra 55gr bthp over 34.0gr IMR 4895 or 34.0gr IMR4064 @ 3450 MV. VERY accurate to 300 yards. Those loads were not barrel burners, as they were about 1.5-2.0 gr below max. Plenty of oomph on prairie dogs or coyotes for that matter. OP will like the 22-250.

 

[Litetrigger]

Is the .22/260 accurate? Does water run downhill? And how does it stand up against other .22's, let's go back to the 1930's, decades before the name and form was adopted by Remington when already widely reconized as one of the most accurate cartridges ever created. A number of wildcat experimeters of the time claimed credit its "development" and insisted on being recognized as such, which led to torn friendships and even bitter rivalries. One even named his creation the .22 Varminter, and copyrighted the name so that other gunsmiths were obliged to may him a royality for Varminters produced in their shops. Another, with justification, Called it the Swift (now still known as the Original Swift) About that time Winchester was interested in a varmint caliber with higher velocity than the Hornet and the .22/250 seemed to be just what they were looking for. In fact its adoption by Winchester seemed so certain that various .22/250 developers were politicking for credit and the rewards and everlasting ballistic fame that were sure to follow. I've long suspected that Winchester introdued the .220 Swift rather than the .22/250 in order to avoid the catfight that might have followed. Some were enraged by their visions of .22/250 fame swept away they made it their life's work critizing Winchester's speedy .220 Swift.
As for accuracy, the .22/250 was long a favorite of benchrest shooters and thru that 1950's held virtually all accuracy records until the .222 Rem appeared on the benchrest scene. If I were looking to buy a great .22 caliber for varmint shooting the .22/250 Rem would be one of my top three choices. But as so happens I already have these.

 

[horsemen61]

Is the .22/260 accurate? Does water run downhill? And how does it stand up against other .22's, let's go back to the 1930's, decades before the name and form was adopted by Remington and was already widely reconized as one of the most accurate cartridges ever created. A number of wildcat experimeters of the time claimed credit its "development" and insisted on being recognized as such, which led to torn friendships and even bitter rivalries. One even named his creation the .22 Varminter, and copyrighted the name so that other gunsmiths were obliged to may his a royality for Varminters produced in their shops. Another, with justification, Called it the Swift (now still known as the Original Swift) About that time Winchester was interested in a varmint caliber with higher velocity than the Hornet, and the .22/250 seemed to be just what they were looking for and its adoption seemed so certain that various .22/250 developers were politicking for credit and the rewards and everlasting ballistic fame that were sure to follow. I've long suspected that Winchester introdued the .220 Swift rather than the .22/250 in order to avoid the catfight that might have followed. Thus enraged by their visions of .22/250 fame swept, some made it their life's work critizing Winchester's speedy .220 Swift.
As for accuracy, the .22/250 was long a favorite of benchrest shooters and thru that 1950's held virtually all accuracy records until the .222 Rem appeared on the benchrest scene. If I were looking to buy a great .22 caliber for varmin shooting the .22/250 Rem would be one of my top three choices. As so happens I already have these.View attachment 1229396View attachment 1229397View attachment 1229398View attachment 1229399

Beautiful rifles @Litetrigger

Question what is the top rifle the one with the laminate stock?

 

[Jim Watson]

My Ruger 77V .22-250 14 twist is good with some but not all 60 grain spitzers. Fine with 50-55.
It is a good accurate varmint rifle but I doubt anybody has shot one in benchrest since the .222 and then the 22 and 6 PPC came out.

Unless you want 400 yard prairie dogs, I think it is hotter than necessary.

I like it but would not replace it, a bolt action .223, maybe something more modern than my 788 would do.
My attempt at an F class AR .223 fast twist heavy bullet gun is not necessarily a bughole 100 yard rifle, but is showing its strength out to 600.

 

[JDeere]

I have an older Model 700 with a synthetic stock that shoots bug holes with my loads. It's a 12 twist and runs 55gr SGKs or 60gr Partitions for hunting purposes. My boys and I have taken whitetail with it over the years. I wanted to venture over into 220 Swift territory but never got around to it...

 

[Picher]

I'm looking into purchasing a new rifle and have some questions about this caliber. First, what kind of barrel life can I expect? Second, are components for reloading readily available? Lastly, how does it stack up against other 22 caliber offering for accuracy, which actually what I'm really looking for?

I've been using .22-250s for many years, for both informal target and varmint hunting. It's never failed me! Once, in a remote area, a crow flew overhead almost 100 yards high and I shot, cutting its head off and it glided a few seconds before hitting a tree and falling to the ground. I was surprised that it flew about 30 yards without a head.

 

[Litetrigger]

Question what is the top rifle the one with the laminate stock?

The rifle is a switch-barrel hybred built mainly for prairie dogs. The stock was made for right hand shooting with left hand bolt operation, which may seem an unusual combination but has become rather common for certain types of shooting. The left bolt-left load-right eject action is a Ralph Stolle desigh made by Kelbleys in Ohio, stainless steel .22/250 Rem barrel made and chambered by Shilen in Texas, the laminated stock was designed and made by Fred Wenig Custom Gunstocks in Missouri, trigger made in Austra by B&A and Leupold Vari-X 8.5-25x50 made in Oregon. So I reckon you can say it was made about everywhere. The other barrel, a Shilen .204 Ruger, can be swapped in field in about 5 minutes so a busy prairie dog shoot is only briefly interrupted unless I forget to change bolts. It shoots pretty good.

 

[doubleh]

The 22-250 was designed to reach a long way out there to kill small critters. FPS with light bullets ruled the day then and only the 22 Swift topped it but was known as a barrel burner. I can remember reading reports of the swift barrels being gone with less than 1000 shots. The 22-250 lasted somewhat longer. How hot you get your barrel has a lot to do with barrel life.

I haven't kept a round count on my Ruger #1 but it is still a less than .3'' shooter of a bench at 100 yards. I found it to be mostly overkill for my varmint hunting and went to a 223 which fits my needs better. I am guessing I have fired around 500 rounds out of this rifle. Like about every caliber I have reloaded my best accuracy has been obtained with a little less that max loads. This rifle loves 45 gr. Sierra Hollow points and IMR 4895 powder. If you can afford to shoot a 22-250 enough to burn out a barrel you should be able to afford a new barrel for it

 

[Gordon]

The rifle is a switch-barrel rig I had built for prairie dogs. The stock was made for right hand shooting with left hand bolt operation, which may seem an unusual concept but has become rather common for certain types of shooting. The left bolt-left load-right eject action is a Ralph Stolle desigh made by Kelbleys in Ohio, stainless steel .22/250 Rem barrel made and chambered by Shilen in Texas, the laminated stock was designed and made by Fred Wenig Custom Gunstocks in Missouri, trigger made in Austra by B&A and Leupold Vari-X 8.5-25x50 made in Oregon. The other barrel, a Shilen .204 Ruger, can be swapped in field in about 5 minutes so a busy prairie dog shoot is only briefly interrupted unless I forget to change bolts. It shoots pretty good. View attachment 1229527View attachment 1229528

I love the integral mounting system! The rings, too! all stainless and hand-fitted; oh MY ! My current .22-250 is an Ackley Imp. with a 1-8" twist 25" . I like 85-grain VLD Bergers at 3000 fps in a mellow load. It does reliable 3/4 MOA as far out as I can shoot (600 yards), and supposedly, that's a just under 50,000 PSI load . The rig Weighs just under 12 pounds .

 

[horsemen61]

The rifle is a switch-barrel rig I had built for prairie dogs. The stock was made for right hand shooting with left hand bolt operation, which may seem an unusual concept but has become rather common for certain types of shooting. The left bolt-left load-right eject action is a Ralph Stolle desigh made by Kelbleys in Ohio, stainless steel .22/250 Rem barrel made and chambered by Shilen in Texas, the laminated stock was designed and made by Fred Wenig Custom Gunstocks in Missouri, trigger made in Austra by B&A and Leupold Vari-X 8.5-25x50 made in Oregon. The other barrel, a Shilen .204 Ruger, can be swapped in field in about 5 minutes so a busy prairie dog shoot is only briefly interrupted unless I forget to change bolts. It shoots pretty good. View attachment 1229527View attachment 1229528

Damn that’s awesome!

 

[.308 Norma]

Second, are components for reloading readily available?

That seems like a funny question this day in age. I've had a 22-250 for many years (so has my wife), and while "components for reloading" for them have almost always been "readily available" in the past, I don't know what 22-250 reloading component availability is like nowadays. I've had problems locating even 44 (Special and Magnum) reloading components around here lately. I had to order some cast 44 bullets out of Montana, and it's starting to look like I'm not going to find any 44 Special brass unless I order it from Midway or Brownell's.
Luckily, I have enough Large Pistol primers to last me for a few years. And I have a decent selection of powders.
To answer your question about the 22-250 though - both my wife's and my 22-250s do real well with Bruce Hodgdon's old favorite 22-250 load - 38grs of H380 behind a 52gr Hdy BTSP.
On the other hand, my wife and I are hunters - not bench rest, precision, long-range rifle shooters. I watched through binoculars as my wife "evaporated" a vole (a field mouse) at about 40 yards with her 22-250. And I myself have killed plenty of coyotes, rockchucks, ground squirrels and a few foxes at 100-250 yards with my own 22-250. But I don't know how either rifle would do on a small bullseye at 500 yards.

 

[COZ_]

My dad bought me a Remington 700, 22-250 for my 14th birthday. I used it for 34 years before selling it in 2004. (Dumb move) Dupont IMR 4320 36.1 grains, sierra bullets 52 gn HP. It was very accurate with the home loads. Shooting quarters at 200 yards. Shot many coyotes and loved the red mist from jack rabbits. I used an RCBS Rock Chucker press and RCBS dies. The press was $35 back in the 70's. This thread brings back memories.

Have fun and enjoy.

 

[lightman]

I'm looking into purchasing a new rifle and have some questions about this caliber. First, what kind of barrel life can I expect? Second, are components for reloading readily available? Lastly, how does it stack up against other 22 caliber offering for accuracy, which actually what I'm really looking for?

Barrel life depends on many things, like the above posters have said. Accuracy could fall off at 600 rounds or it could possibly shoot well at 1200 or more rounds. It can get hot rather quickly. An afternoon on a busy Prairie Dog town can use up a significant amount of barrel life where shooting groups at the range and letting the barrel cool can give fairy long life.

Components: Brass can be hard to find right now but it can be found. Bullets are readily available. Power is also readily available but expensive. Large rifle primers are scarce right now but they can be found. Search places like Midway USA, Midsouth Shooting Supply, Powder Valley, ect.

Accuracy: The 22-250 can be very accurate.