The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - velocity of 22-250 compared to 223

Art Eatman · May 7, 2006, 10:34 AM

That 22-250 load is certainly a barrel-saver.

It's easy enough to drive a 52-grain bullet to 3,700 or 3,800, but the latter is hard on the leade.

The Swift's bad rep came from the old days of single-based nitrocellulose powders like HiVel #2 and #3. Higher burn temperature. With double-based IMR, much much less of a problem. While the original factory load was a 40-grain bullet at 4,140, dropping back to 4,000 and using IMR gives good barrel life.

FWIW, the old .22 Savage HiPower, brought out in 1899, could be loaded with 2400 to some 3,900 ft/sec with a 40-grain bullet. (Phil Sharpe's "Complete Guide to Handloading") Newer is not necessarily better.

Art

May 7, 2006, 10:34 AM	#6
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	That 22-250 load is certainly a barrel-saver. It's easy enough to drive a 52-grain bullet to 3,700 or 3,800, but the latter is hard on the leade. The Swift's bad rep came from the old days of single-based nitrocellulose powders like HiVel #2 and #3. Higher burn temperature. With double-based IMR, much much less of a problem. While the original factory load was a 40-grain bullet at 4,140, dropping back to 4,000 and using IMR gives good barrel life. FWIW, the old .22 Savage HiPower, brought out in 1899, could be loaded with 2400 to some 3,900 ft/sec with a 40-grain bullet. (Phil Sharpe's "Complete Guide to Handloading") Newer is not necessarily better. Art