Pet loads for 22-250 savage predator?

[montana bob]

I picked up a Savage Predator in 22-250 about a month ago and after about an hour of cleaning the barrel today shot a few cartridges that came with the gun. Didn't like the fellows loads to good, about 1 1/2 groups. I loaded some 53 grain SMK HP with 40 grains of H380 and shot a 3 shot group of almost 1 hole. just a little ragged around the edge. I don't want to shoot SMK for predators so I'm trying to get out the cheap and easy way by asking what works for you in your predator.There is a lot of info in all your heads and I'd like to pick your brains on this.

[sniper15545]

You might try 36.5 grns of IMR 4064 with a 50 grn varmit nightmare extremes from mid south this load and the Berger is the only 2 bullets my predator 22-250 would shot and shot these two it does, One hole groups. The nightmare extrmes are very inexpensive I might add ;D

[montana bob]

Thanks Sniper. I will get a box on the way. Have you tried H380 yet?

[82boy]

I have yet to seen any 22/250 that did not shoot 52 or 53 gr bullets with 34.5 gr of H4895. Heck I bought a new gun once, never fired it I placed a scope on it, bore sighted it, and took it to a local benchrest match match with the above mentioned load. I sighted it in the first round of the match and, I ended up winning the match in factory class betting out a few shooters with tuned loads.

[5spd]

W748/Varget/BLC2/W760 with a 50/55g vmax puts them all into touching or smaller holes at 100yd in my 22-250.

[scope eye]

My go to loads for both my 22-50 one is a 12 twist and one a 14 twist, 40 Vmax's 40 to 41 varget and 50 to 55 gr pills get 38 to 39 dose, all are good for 4000 fps plus and it has to be really windy for them to drift, and they certainly don't drop not at least for the first 300 yards anyways.

Thanks Dean

[montana bob]

Thanks Guys, I appreciate all this info. A great starting point.

[Predator1]

You may not want to hear it since you tried H380 already but I don't use ball powders. I hate the temp sensativity of ball and avoid em completely. My go to powder is XMR 4064 and if you lookin for varmints then any of the plastic tips would be my choice. I'd look into the 53gr Vmax with its good BC and throw in some 4064 and give it a go. If the 4064 aint cuttin it then go with H4895 or RL 15.

[82boy]

If you do use ball powders try using magnum primers.

[AKShooter]

Don't have a predator but my 22/250 loves ramshot big game, w760 and rl15. Ramshot is ball but doesn't seem to be all that temp sensitive. The 52smk actually is fairly highly recommended for coyotes if wanting to save fur. No experience with it myself but will be the bullet I try if the NBT's prove to be to explosve.

[big honkin jeep]

My pet load for 22-250 consists of a 55gr V max over 32.5gr of Varget and a Fed 210GMM primer. I was really surprised that the V max's shot so well. When ladder testing for my rifle they shot better than several different styles of the Sierras or the Noslers. Completely the opposite of past results in other calibers.

[scope eye]

If you do use ball powders try using magnum primers.

HI have you ever noticed a spike or increased signs of pressure when using mag primmers?

Thanks Dean

[MWalker]

I have yet to seen any 22/250 that did not shoot 52 or 53 gr bullets with 34.5 gr of H4895. Heck I bought a new gun once, never fired it I placed a scope on it, bore sighted it, and took it to a local benchrest match match with the above mentioned load. I sighted it in the first round of the match and, I ended up winning the match in factory class betting out a few shooters with tuned loads.

What barrel twist do you have?

[montana bob]

12 twist

[82boy]

If you do use ball powders try using magnum primers.

HI have you ever noticed a spike or increased signs of pressure when using mag primmers?
Thanks Dean

nope

[Mbarnes72]

How about 35.7gr-IMR-4064 and 55gr Sierra Blitz MV #1345. I had to try several bullets before mine would shoot, it was this or 55gr Ballistic tips, everything else was pretty poor.

[kb7kuh]

I load 38.0grs of H380, Fed Match mag primers,with 52gr Amax bullets and get a 3 shot .320 group at 100 yards. I can ring a 6" steel plate at 300yds with very little sight adjustment.