First time .22-250

[mljdeckard]

Lemme ask, just for my own personal edification,

I got and used H380 because it was supposed to be ideally engineered for 22-250. And my very first batch of rifle loads were under 1". I suspect I'll keep using it.

But I look on this thread, and the only mention I see of H380 is towards the end of the thread, in the context of, "I got it because everything else was out of stock", and I find myself wondering of the cool kids know something I don't? Id H380 just not as good a choice as the others?

 

[guntech59]

H380 is supposed to be one of the best powders for 22-250.

I had my best success, for velocity and accuracy with IMR 8208 XBR. I only use 50 and 55gr Vmax with it.

The best part is there is less than 20 fps difference between 20 F and 90F and a near max load. No pressure signs at all at either temp.

 

[Geno]

jgh4445:
Thanks for starting this thread! I hadn't loaded .22-250s since oh, about 1988?! I recent;ly purchased an M70 Stealth in .22-250, and have been tinkering with projectiles in 35, 40, 45, 50 and 55 grains. I have a farm trip planned and see what the 35 grain atmosphere-splitters are going to do. I use Varget, IMR 4350, Accurate 2700 and Benchmark to name a few. Back in the day, I used 4064. Of all of them, I really like the Varget. There are other powders that are faster, but Varget just seems to be stable, reliable, consistent. Too, is seems to work incredibly well for my Stealth in .308 Win, and my M1As with 165 grain and 168 grains. Such a diverse powder.

All:
That stated, thanks to everyone for their insights. These posts will save me a lot of headache. I am very appreciative!

TwoEyedJack:
Were you using CCI or other Magnum Primers with the W760? I would appreciate it if you would PM me your grains used in that load. If you're uncomfortable sharing the load details, I understand that. I ask because my reloading manual calls for using LR Magnum primers with that powder. I have a chance to buy 8 Lbs of W760 at a decent price, but am unfamiliar with it.

Geno

 

[StretchNM]

........... But I look on this thread, and the only mention I see of H380 is towards the end of the thread, in the context of, "I got it because everything else was out of stock", and I find myself wondering of the cool kids know something I don't? Id H380 just not as good a choice as the others?.......

I use H380 and have tried under several bullets in 22-250. It might work as a Best Load on more than just 55 grainers, but I haven't given it its due course on all bullets. As I'm running two and sometimes three powders when building a load, as soon as I get groups nice and tight and I can repeat them, I stop and use that powder. If H380 is in that group being tested, and I select another powder right away, H380 might not get its true chance to perform. That's just the way it goes.

H380 got its name from Bruce Hodgdon (I believe) when he found that 38.0 grains of it was perfect and very accurate under a 55 grain bullet. I use it across a broad selection of calibers, well, maybe two or three or four. It's a fine powder and there's nothing wrong with having enough of it. I keep track of my loads and powder/primer/bullet inventory in an Xcel spreadsheet. I just checked and show that I still have 4.2 pounds of it, so I'm good for now. ((D)))

 

[jgh4445]

Good grief that Timney trigger is awesome!!! The H 380 helped a lot. Switching to Fed 215 primers helped even more. Then I installed the Timney. Wow! My rifle is now shooting under a half inch and I'm a happy camper!!!

 

[nastynatesfish]

35.5gr varget and a 55gr sp was beautiful in my old 250.

 

[4895]

I had some pressure problems with H380. Some of my brand new brass blew out the primer pockets after first firing with a load that was 3 grains under max. I just caution against it. Whatever Bruce Hodgdon did in his 22.250, sure didn't work for me. Be careful and start lower in the scale and watch for pressure signs like sticky bolt and a large increase in recoil. I was shooting on a hot day, 105+ F and that may have been a large factor. Either way, I neck turn my brass and uniform the flash holes along with cci benchrest primers. My best groups to date are with 52 grain A-Max and 34.5 grains of Varget seated to standard length (2.350"). The rifle is a factory stock Stevens 200 with a 1:12 twist barrel and a cabelas 4-12x scope. I would like to get a better trigger and a nicer stock.

 

[Nalgi]

34 gr of imr4895 behind a 55 gr bullet have given me 1/2 in groups for 20 years
in my 22-250 (Browning highwall)

 

[jgh4445]

Well here's a problem that isn't terrible but I'd rather everything be alike. I had given to me, more than 350 brand new, never fired or loaded 22-250 Remington brass that is ALREADY PRIMED with Fed Gold Match. Now, I haven't found a great load other than the load with H380 that took MAGNUM primers to shrink the group. Sure would like to load everything the same, but looks like , since I don't want to waste all those match primers, I'll have to work up a separate load for the Gold Match primed brass. I loaded 5 rounds with H380 today and took them to the range. With a magnum primer I got groups under 1/2 inch. With the Gold Match primer being the only difference, it shot a bit over an inch. Gonna re-visit Varget and 4064 I think. I'm really anal about small groups from a bench. What I'm trying to do here is load 500 rounds of .22-250 to take on a prairie dog hunt this fall. I'll also be taking a .223 with 500 rounds. Is an inch group good enough? Overkill? I've never been on a PD hunt before. We'll be doing the PD thing for two to three days.

 

[Chief 101]

I have always used standard LR primers with H380, and after 25 years still use standard primers. I use this powder with 50gr Noslers and 55 Hornadys. Shoot a Rem Rifle also...I have a new custom barrel with a 1/9 twist and with the lighter 50-55 gr bullets, H380 is showing a lot of promise, I will likely stay with it. I am working with slower powders like H4350 and H4831 with the heavies like 75gr Amax. I am now using BR-2 primers which are a CCI standard LR primer...I think you are fine with the brass you have and H380, just make some rounds and testfire some...Chief aka Maxx Load