New to reloading, need some advice for my 22-250

[Poik]

First of all I have a Savage 12 VLP in 22-250, 1:12 twist, 26" barrel. Up until this year I have just shot Hornady V-max factory ammo from it, but my friend has a reloading setup now, so all I had to do was buy the dies and stuff for the 22-250. I made 10 rounds of each with the following: 55gr V-max, 38.0gr H380, 38.5gr H380, 39.0gr H380, 39.5gr H380. I also loaded up some 40gr V-max bullets with 38.0gr H380, 39.0gr, 40.0gr. All using CCI250 primers. Brass is the Hornady/Frontier that came from the factory V-max 55gr ammo I had been using. I only neck sized the brass.

I took it to the range yesterday to try it out. The 38.0gr and 38.5gr loads with the 55gr v-max sucked, 1.25-1.5" groups. The 39.0gr was a little better at ~1", and the 39.5gr load was the most accurate with two 0.675" groups and one just under 1". The factory 55gr v-max stuff usually shoots right around 1" for me, so this is an improvement but I was hoping for more. With the 40gr bullets, the 38.0 and 39.0 loads were a little under an inch, and the 40.0 load was 0.675"

So after firing the 55gr v-max 39.5gr H380 loads, extraction was pretty tight. It seems like it's just starting to get more accurate at this point, so I wanted to try a few more loads between 39.5gr and 40.5gr, but am worried about the tight extraction. Is it normal for fire formed brass that has only been neck sized to be more difficult to extract, or am I really already at the upper limit with this powder in my rifle? Different reloading manuals say between 41.0 and 42.0gr H380 is max load for a 55gr bullet. Thanks for the help!

http://www.poik.org/images/55grvmax-39.5grh380.jpg

[82boy]

Welcome to thesite.
To start H380 powder was designed for the 22/250 the reason why it is called h380 is the developer thought the perfet load was 38.0 gr os it with a 52 gr bullet. According to Hodgdon 41gr is a max load with a 55gr SP. If your getting a sticky bolt opening then you need to back off that is a major presure sign. You have to remember with load data, it is subjective, they only way to be sure of anything is you need to match the load exactly, same brass, same bullet, same primer and so on. (And this would be great in a perfect world.) Your cases may have more or less capaisity that what the cases used in the manuals, also bullets designs can change pressures, and some lots of powder are hotter than others, and thats not considering the outside heat as well. Morel of the story is just beacuse a load is listed in a manual doesn't mean you can go to it. All load should be started out on the mid to light side of thing, and worked up with caution. When you see pressure signs such as a sticky bolt, ejector marks in the back of cases, shinny necks, back off, these are a signs of over pressure. A 22/250 is good about hinding overpressure signs to start with.

When using H380 I sujest using a magnum primer because it is harder to light ball powders. Honestly I have never gotten H380 to ever shoot great in a 22/250, it has been one of them powders that has plaqed me. I have found it is SOOOOOOOO much easier to tun 4895 in a 22/250. I have also never had good luck with ANY 55 gr bullet. I would say try some 52gr bullets When neck sizing brass after about 3 firings it will need to be body or full length sized. I have also found that when neck sizing brass you will get an extraction click after about 10 firings. When brass develops this click it is almost impossible to get ride of it, and it is time to throw it away.

[Poik]

Thanks for the tips. Sounds like this powder just might not be the ticket for my rifle. I did use the CCI magnum primers, and outside temp was about 70 degrees. By the book these should have been pretty tame loads! I think I will try out 4895 and some Varget and see if those give some better results. I chose the 55gr bullets because the Hornady factory v-max ammo shoots pretty **** good for off the shelf stuff. Maybe I'll pick up some 52s as well to play around with.

[keeki]

Imr4064 is a good powder in every 22-250 I've ever had

[375Win]

I've gotten excellent results from H-380 with 55gr Flatbase Rem, 52gr Horn. Match and 50gr VG's. I have a 20" heavy barrel on my Savage and a Rem LVSF barrel on my 722. Like you I am getting hard to open bolts way below listed max with 38 and 38.5 grs. about as high as I want to go. I'm pretty sure they are running about 3500fps. They shoot so well though it is hard to change.

[scope eye]

My best grouping is with Varget and 40 Vmax's both with my factory 12 twist and Mcgowen 14 twist both 26" barrels, min charge 40gr that's good for 4100 fps and 42-43 gr depending on what make brass is always spot on at 4400 fps, like I always say "a bullet that spends less time in the wind will be less affected by the wind"

Tanks Dean

[big honkin jeep]

I had similar results to yours with H380 in that I ran into pressure problems as the groups were tightening up with several different bullets. I started over with using the same mix of bullets (flat base spitzers,blitzkings, ballistic tips, custom competitions, and V max in varying weights) and Varget. I found my best load near the bottom with 32.5gr of Varget ignited by a CCI Br2 topped with a 55gr V-max. I can cover 5 with a dime at 100yds.The V max really surprised me as I have never had any luck with Hornady bullets being accurate. Sierras have always been my go to for accuracy.

[Poik]

Wow! Yeah I'm definitely not trying to shoot bullets that fast, I'm hoping I can get something nice and accurate in the 3600fps range. I picked up some Varget and non magnum primers so I'll see if I can get a few loads worked up this weekend. Thanks for the tips, I'll let you know how it goes.

[bythebook]

Imr4064 is a good powder in every 22-250 I've ever had

+1 and I have had quite a few of them over a 40+ year span.

[CharlieNC]

I could not get a good load with H380; also high pressure at even 38.0 gr with the 55Vmax. H4350 / 38.5 gr shoots very well for me using standard primers.

[bootsmcguire]

Varget is a go to for me with the 22-250 and several other calibers. 1/2 MOA is normal for me with 55gr V-Max's and Varget in my 12 twist 26" factory barrel.

[AKShooter]

Ramshot Big Game and W760 have consistently given me acceptable performance (.5moa) RL15 is good too but low velocities for me, Varget just doesn't do anything for me with any bullet or cartridge for that matter.

http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx43/71Chevy4speed/afa5401e.jpg

H380 is a love hate relationship for me, can seem to get repeatble accuracy. Good when good though lol.

http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx43/71Chevy4speed/1d5f1c57.jpg

[Ramdiesel]

Varget has shot the best in many of my rifles.Rem 204 varmint,AR-15,Model 112 Savage 223,Rem 22-250 varmint,Savage 12 vlp Dbm 22-250,Savage 10 308 FCP-SR,6mm AI fireforming brass.
The Remington 22-250 was the first rifle I reloaded for. I tried 3 or 4 different powders they all shot the same About 1 inch or so at 100 yds. I bought a Hornady O.A.L. Gauge started running my bullets out further out in the case my groups got smaller.I seat most of my bullets .10 from the lands.

6mmAI Fireforming brass with FPS
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zx-14guy/Untitled.jpg

308 3 shots 100yds
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zx-14guy/IMAG0210.jpg

204 left 223 right 100 yds
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zx-14guy/IMAG0081.jpg

204 thumb tacks 100 yds
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zx-14guy/IMAG0078.jpg

[acemisser]

I can never get 4064 to work for me and I hear all the time that is the best powder of choice..
Varget never does well either....And I never seem to get a good load with the 55 gr v max either..

And what I mean is a tight group...at least 1/2 at 100 yards...I bee trying to get a accurate
load for f class at 250 yards....Rifle is a mod 10 varminter...22-250 Savage-duh..

The biggest thing that gets me about these forums is the talk about this and that works for
me but beig able to hit a pie plate isn;t very good if you ask me...lol
I know there is such a thing as some rifle will not shoot some bullets worth a darn.

I had a 30-06 years back that would not shoot a boat tail worth crap..But it was a winner with
flat base...And I have been noticeing my 250 seems to like the boat tails over the flat base.
I have some nosler comp. 52 grainers ordered..Well anyway,,,Half fun and be safe,,,,

And one other thought-I think I am getting better accuracy with FULL LENGTH sized over
the NECK SIZED... Does anyone else find this as well ?

[bootsmcguire]

And one other thought-I think I am getting better accuracy with FULL LENGTH sized over
the NECK SIZED... Does anyone else find this as well ?

I have done some tests with FL vs. Neck Sizing, and one several different rifles I tested 2x fired NS brass against 2x fired FL with all other aspects of the loads the same. Shot 5 shot groups from cold barrels at 300 yards. In my 22-250, 308, and 243AI the NS groups were 1/2 the size FL ones. In a 223 and 204 that I used to have, the FL was only slightly bigger in group size. On a side note, so far all of my calibers based on a BR, 250 Sav., or a 308 case all shoot best with Varget. However My 30-06, 223 WSSM, and 270 don't seem to care for Varget.

All I have found out for sure is each barrel and caliber are unique to themselves and what works for me may not work for you.

Good Luck.

[John_M]

Poik, About a month ago I had a similar "difficult to extract" problem with my .223 Rem. After scratching my head for many hours and trying different procedures, I finally checked all my .223 cases with a Wilson Case Length Gauge. Sure enough, some of the cases were a teensy bit too long and others (the ones which were difficult to extract) were more than a teensy bit too long.

So, I trimmed all the cases to SAAMI specs. That eliminated the "difficult to extract" problem.

I would recommend you check the length of all your 22-250 cases and trim any that are too long.

Good luck.

[cgeorgemo]

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y94/cgeorgemo/100_0631.jpg
52gr SMK and H4895 are my most accurate 22-250 loads.

[big honkin jeep]

Might not be as fast as some loads cause it's near the bottom charge weight, but here's what my rifle likes. Target was at 120 yards, 8 rounds and the flyer was all me. A dime will cover em all except the flyer
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w188/bighonkinjeep/22-250/cbf36a83.jpg

[bootsmcguire]

B.H.J., looks like good shooting. Mine does the same with the same bullet but 34.0grs of Varget.