FYI 22-250 Rem Sierra Varminter Keyholing

[scabtrapper]

Had some keyholing yesterday at the range...worst I and other guys at the range had seen.
Going back today with my original Nosler 50 gr BT loads which always shot well.

Shooting my first Savage build at 100 yds...

Savage 110 single shot long action
24" ER Shaw CM 22-250 Rem 1:14 twist barrel
Federal Case with 33.0 gr H335, Sierra 50 gr Varminter Spitzer, and CCI 200

center, lower left, and lower right targets were first 12 shots then the keyholin started.

http://i387.photobucket.com/albums/oo320/yellowdog2008/Public/001.jpg (http://s387.photobucket.com/user/yellowdog2008/media/Public/001.jpg.html)

[LongRange]

check your twist rate...if its stabilizing 50g noslers and not 50g SMKs something funny is going on.

http://www.accurateshooter.com/technical-articles/gunsmithing/how-to-determine-barrel-twist-rate/

[darkker]

http://www.jbmballistics.com/cgi-bin/jbmstab-5.1.cgi

Don't need to know the load, need to know the velocity. You are at best on the ragged edge

[scabtrapper]

50 gr nosler BT are all over but not keyholing....tried another scope that was on and still all over. I think the barrel might be toast...around 1500-2000 rounds.

[limige]

my old remmy 1:14 loved 55 gr Winchester white box psp.
I would be real curious what your velocity is running. your not stabilizing for some reason. I would guess your running too slow but I've never used that powder to have an idea. imr4895 and h380 and varget are great choices. 4064 is great I hear too.

[kkeene]

Heavy fouling or a burr that is damaging the bullets?

[scabtrapper]

Heavy fouling or a burr that is damaging the bullets?

Pulled the barrel off and looked down it with a cheap bore scope and looks like some fouling but no burrs...first couple of inches of rifling look almost non existent compared to rest of the barrel. Have other barrels and calibers to try out so onto a new rebuild. Thanks for the replies and info.

[jonbearman]

If you are going to rebarrel why not go to a faster twist rate as well. I would go at very least a 12 twist or maybe a 9 twist. You can still shoot the light to heavier bullets without the head aches. The reason tipped bullets wont stabilize the same is they are physically longer and require more twist.

[sharpshooter]

With today's selection of bullets, I wouldn't barrel any 22 cal. slower than a 12 twist.

[limige]

All depends what you want to do. If you want to shoot 40 gr blistering fast keep the 1:14 so the bullet doesnt overspin.
On the other hand if you want to use it on deer go for 1:9 to shoot the 70-80 gr range.

Everything has its place. 40 gr at 4300 fps is pretty wicked

[scabtrapper]

Thanks for the info guys. Am thinking about rebarreling to a 22BR...what twist would you recommend? 9 or 12? probably gonna shoot 40 to 60 gr bullets.

[kkeene]

1:9 The 22br is a great varmint caliber.

[LongRange]

id go with the twist that matches the weight bullets you plan to shoot and maybe just a little faster...not enough twist and the bullets will not stabilize...to much/fast twist causes drag/friction and will reduce velocity.

[kkeene]

I have a 1:7 twist 22:250 ai that likes every bullet between 52 great Sierra 1410 match to 75 great a-max, with the exception of 55gr v-maxes. Don't limit yourself to a slow twist barrel.

I do wish mine was a 1:9 but I got a great deal on this one.

[kkeene]

I have a 1:7 twist 22:250 ai that likes every bullet between 52 great Sierra 1410 match to 75 great a-max, with the exception of 55gr v-maxes. Don't limit yourself to a slow twist barrel.

I do wish mine was a 1:9 but I got a great deal on this one.
75gr, not 75 great. Auto correct got me that time.

[limige]

1:12 covers up to 60 gr fine. I would stick with that. If 70-80 start appealing to you get the 1:9