IMR-4350 & 22-250 a good combination!

[gamestalker]

I've been seeking the magic load for this Ruger American 22-250 for a while, I think I found it.

I've been working with Varget for a good while and with fairly decent results, but I didn't have any Varget at the moment for these 40+ yr. old 52 gr. Sierra HPBT's, and 55 gr. PSP's, they were so old, they didn't have a part number on the box. I remembered I had used IMR4350 many years ago for the 22-250, and decided to try the same rather old Speer data from the late 70's.

I ended up at 39.7 grs. for both bullets, CCI-200's, and the 52 gr. HPBT's, and once fired Win. brass seated up against the lands. No pressure issues at all, but certainly not mild load. Even though I didn't recall any issues way back then, I honestly thought IMR4350 was going to be too slow burning for this application, as I believe the data for IMR4350 and 50 gr. - 60 gr. bullets has since been eliminated from modern published sources. It started out pretty poorly at 36.0 grs. though, very dirty, looked way under pressure, but as I worked it up, it really cleaned up at 38.5 grs., and velocities were very consistent. As I continued working up to the final 39.7 grs. everything about the load was excellent.

Velocity ended up in the low 3600's fps, and groups are well under an inch. Shot a coyote at 328 yds. on Sunday morning, the HPBT bullet didn't even exit, it just exploded internally. I think I found the perfect combination for 52 and 55 gr. bullets for this 22-250! Unless I can't find 4350, I don't think I'll ever go back to Varget for 50 gr. or heavier bullets in 22-250.

GS

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I didn't recall any issues way back then, I honestly thought IMR4350 was going to be too slow burning for this application,

Many years ago I was told I was wrong to load 4350 in the 30-06 with anything but the heaviest bullets and certainly not with my favorite bullet weight of 165grs. Today many reloaders agree 4530 is a great powder for the 30-06 with 165gr bullets. Funny thing is, those same reloaders telling me 4350 was too slow a powder just loved H414/W760 and that powder is just a hair faster according to the Hodgdon burn rate chart, go figure! (although back then we didn't know H414 and W760 were the same powder)

When I hunt for a powder I try to find the powder that will fill the case best. I usually get the best velocity and accuracy doing it that way.

 

[gamestalker]

I'm the same way Arch, I like a good full case. IMR-7828 is another great powder in that respect, in the cartridges I load with it, I get compressed charges and zero pressure problems even with max charges.

GS

 

[Sunray]

There is no 'magic load.' for any rifle/cartridge combination.
"...I believe the data for IMR4350 and 50 gr. - 60 gr. bullets has since been eliminated from modern published sources..." There's only so much space in a book. Not enough room for every bullet/powder combination. Still kind of odd that every bullet weight from 40 to 63 uses the same data. 36.0 to 40.0(c). Different pressures though.

 

[splattergun]

Good for you Gamestalker! As you know, I've found some luck good with 4350 too. I found a sudden improvement with it as I closed in to max charge of 56 gr w/ 165 gr in 30-06.

I hope we're not stoking a run the stuff by spreading the good news! I'm almost out.

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

Have you tried IMR4064 or H380? Both are ideal for that caliber.

 

[gamestalker]

No, haven't tried IMR-4063 or H380, I'm really happy with the IMR-4350 at the moment. So far, it is grouping awesome with both the 52 and 55 grainers. But that is certainly some options to keep on the table for possible future loads, thanks for the tip Kevin.

GS

 

[murf]

kevin,

if you mean imr 4064, that is the classic "go to" powder for heavy bullets in the 22-250 and 220 swift since forever.

murf

 

[gamestalker]

Ya, I assumed Kevin was referring to 4064, I figured it was a typo.

GS

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

Yup. Typo. Corrected.

I load my 55gr pills in front of 36gr. of 4064.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Each rifle has it's "likes".
I tried IMR4350 in the often stated load of 40.0gr. It was "ho-hum" in my rifle. I got ~3,550fps, or what I get with IMR4064 and RL15 at ~34-35gr.

My rifle "performs" with H380, however. At 39.0gr I get 3,700fps from 55gr Sierra bullets and groups in the "3's" and "4's".
This is a max load. My rifle won't tolerate the Hodgdon max load of 41.0gr.
Also, it wants the bullets at the SAAMI max of 2.350". Longer loadings open up the groups. Go figure!

 

[merrill]

Back in the 70's when I loaded for 22-250, my favorite load was IMR 4350 compressed load under a 55gr. Sierra.