60 grain bullets in 22-250

tomcs · September 21, 2013, 11:00 PM

I recently had a custom barrel put on my 700BDL action. Caliber is 22-250 and it has a 1x12 twist, 25 1/2 inch SS barrel. I've tried 50, 52 and 55 grain bullets (combo of ballistic tips and match bullets) with several different powders and seating depths. No great groups. Want to try 60 grain ballistic or match bullets, but I'm concerned about that heavy (long) of a bullet in a 1x12 twist. Any thoughts? Any success stories out there?

Boomer58cal · September 21, 2013, 11:55 PM

Quote:

.224 CF
- 7" for bullets heavier than 70 gr.
- 8" for bullets heavier than 70 gr.
- 8" * Ratchet rifled 4 groove
- 9" for bullets up to 70 gr.
- 10" * for bullets up to 65 gr.
- 12" for bullets up to 63 gr.
- 14" for bullets up to 55 gr.
- 14" * Ratchet rifled 4 groove

From herehttp://www.shilen.com/calibersAndTwists.html

You should be alright but you'll have to try it out yourself to be sure.

Boomer

Jimro · September 22, 2013, 06:24 AM

I shot a high power match with a fella shooting 77gr SMK's out of his 22-250 with a 1:8 twist. He shot very well. I think getting a bullet that will group for you is the biggest hurdle.

Jimro

Wallyl · September 22, 2013, 06:34 AM

In my 1982 Rem 700 .22-250 used to shoot Hornady 60 gainers #2270 all the time with no problem...at 3,600 FPS+. It has the 1-12 twist. I now only shoot the RCBS 55 SP-GC bullet with 8.0 grains of Unique. Times have changed!

the jigger · September 22, 2013, 07:19 AM

my 22/250 is also 1in 12. My go-to load is RL15 under a 60gr Hornady V-Max.
This combination has killed prairie dogs out to +/- 400yds. I hope you find a satisfactory load.

603Country · September 22, 2013, 08:18 AM

If you have some IMR4064, try that behind the bullet. If you have any ideas about pig shooting, try the Sierra 65 gr GK. You might stabilize it. I can't use it in my 220 Swift with the 1 in 14 twist (darn it). I'm pretty sure you can use the Sierra 63 gr SMP, and it shoots great in my Swift.

Jim Watson · September 22, 2013, 09:38 AM

My 14 twist Ruger .22-250 will shoot some 60 grain bullets well, I am pretty sure your 12 twist will.

hagar · September 22, 2013, 06:20 PM

Try some 64gr Winchester PP bullets with 38 grains of 4350. They shot great even in my 1 in 14 twist 26 inch barrel 22/250.

88m53453 · September 22, 2013, 07:32 PM

my 788 1/12 twist shoots Nosler 60gr fine

Marco Califo · September 24, 2013, 09:40 PM

You can calculate stability based on variables like twist and bullet length (the two most important). I have used the calculation to determine that the Hornady 75 grn hpbt would shoot well in a 1:9" twist barrel, while the same weight Amax would not (its longer).
See these threads (or search on key terms) for a free Bullet Stability Calculator, and links to tables of bullet lengths:
http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...+for+ar+rifles Post 8
http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...length+224+308 Post 2

Rimfire5 · September 25, 2013, 07:14 AM

Boomer58Cal

My 1:14 twist Remington 700 bears out your listed information.

55 grain bullets have 7 powder/bullet loads that average in the 0.4s at 100 yards.
60 to 63 grain bullets don't have one average under 0.6 and most are above 0.8.
I never bothered to try heavier bullets after finding out how the accuracy was dropping at 60 to 63 grains.

By point of comparison, the 52 grain loads have 23 different loads that average under 0.4 at 100 yards - most with Berger # 22408 and Sierra Match Kings. Four of those loads average under 0.3 inches.

The 40 grain loads have 8 different loads that average under 0.4 at 100 yards - most with Nosler Ballistic Tips.

The 1:14 twist Remington really likes the lighter bullets.

603Country · September 25, 2013, 07:47 AM

Reading this all again, I see that I didn't give much of an answer to your question. Again, I have the Swift with a 1 in 14 barrel, and I've shot various bullets through it over the years. Here's what did and didn't work.

These worked great:

50 grain Ballistic Tips and VMax
52 and 53 grain Sierras
55 gr Ballistic Tips, VMax, and Sierra GK (all extremely good over 4064)
60 gr Nosler SBBT (back when you could buy them)
63 gr Sierra SMP (shoot very very well)

What I think would shoot well, based on the above:

60 gr Ballistic Tip (it shot the 60 gr SBBT, so why not)

What I tried and failed to shoot well - didn't stabilize:

65 gr Sierra GK
60 gr Nosler Partition

Since you've got a slightly faster twist than I do, and since the 60 gr Nosler Partition was on the ragged edge of stabilization in my rifle, I think maybe you can shoot it. Maybe. As for the 65 gr Sierra GK, that's a bullet you would love, but at 100 yards I never even got that bullet on 2 foot square paper.

A_Gamehog · September 25, 2013, 10:46 AM

Great load for your 12 twist 22-250 (i have one also)

Winchester Primers
Rem Brass
60 V-max
Varget Powder

shoot less than moa @ 200

The 12 twist is great for the long shank 60 V-max.

Most accurate and explosive load for the 22-250 for varmints.

The Superformance powder was not as accurate in my testing.

Another great load is:

Wolf large rifle primers
Rem Brass
53 V-Max (long for bullet weight)
8208 XBR

Very accurate load and faster

lscraig · September 25, 2013, 02:29 PM

I shoot 55 gr Hornady SP's in my .22-250 heavy barrel Mauser 98 and get .5" groups at 200 yards. That is what I take P-dog shooting. Here are the specs for that gun:

Rifle
24" heavy barrel
1:12 RH Twist
Double set target triggers

Bullet Loads
55 gr bullet
35.5 grains IMR 3031

September 21, 2013, 11:00 PM	#1
tomcs Junior Member Join Date: November 10, 2009 Posts: 10	60 grain bullets in 22-250 I recently had a custom barrel put on my 700BDL action. Caliber is 22-250 and it has a 1x12 twist, 25 1/2 inch SS barrel. I've tried 50, 52 and 55 grain bullets (combo of ballistic tips and match bullets) with several different powders and seating depths. No great groups. Want to try 60 grain ballistic or match bullets, but I'm concerned about that heavy (long) of a bullet in a 1x12 twist. Any thoughts? Any success stories out there?

September 22, 2013, 06:24 AM	#3
Jimro Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2006 Posts: 7,097	I shot a high power match with a fella shooting 77gr SMK's out of his 22-250 with a 1:8 twist. He shot very well. I think getting a bullet that will group for you is the biggest hurdle. Jimro __________________ Machine guns are awesome until you have to carry one.

September 22, 2013, 07:19 AM	#5
the jigger Member Join Date: May 26, 2012 Location: Central Florida Posts: 78	22/250 & 60gr ? my 22/250 is also 1in 12. My go-to load is RL15 under a 60gr Hornady V-Max. This combination has killed prairie dogs out to +/- 400yds. I hope you find a satisfactory load. __________________ GOOD LUCK and GOOD SHOOTING!!! If you're gonna get old you better be tough;Gettin' old ain't for sissies!!

September 22, 2013, 06:20 PM	#8
hagar Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2000 Location: Colombia, SC Posts: 745	Try some 64gr Winchester PP bullets with 38 grains of 4350. They shot great even in my 1 in 14 twist 26 inch barrel 22/250. __________________ I don't have time for busy people

September 22, 2013, 07:32 PM	#9
88m53453 Junior Member Join Date: January 30, 2005 Location: North Alabama Posts: 7	my 788 1/12 twist shoots Nosler 60gr fine __________________ NRA Patron

September 22, 2013, 06:34 AM	#4
Wallyl Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2011 Posts: 255	In my 1982 Rem 700 .22-250 used to shoot Hornady 60 gainers #2270 all the time with no problem...at 3,600 FPS+. It has the 1-12 twist. I now only shoot the RCBS 55 SP-GC bullet with 8.0 grains of Unique. Times have changed!

September 22, 2013, 08:18 AM	#6
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 3,998	If you have some IMR4064, try that behind the bullet. If you have any ideas about pig shooting, try the Sierra 65 gr GK. You might stabilize it. I can't use it in my 220 Swift with the 1 in 14 twist (darn it). I'm pretty sure you can use the Sierra 63 gr SMP, and it shoots great in my Swift.

September 22, 2013, 09:38 AM	#7
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,542	My 14 twist Ruger .22-250 will shoot some 60 grain bullets well, I am pretty sure your 12 twist will.

September 24, 2013, 09:40 PM	#10
Marco Califo Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2011 Location: LA (Greater Los Angeles Area) Posts: 2,598	You can calculate stability based on variables like twist and bullet length (the two most important). I have used the calculation to determine that the Hornady 75 grn hpbt would shoot well in a 1:9" twist barrel, while the same weight Amax would not (its longer). See these threads (or search on key terms) for a free Bullet Stability Calculator, and links to tables of bullet lengths: http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...+for+ar+rifles Post 8 http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...length+224+308 Post 2 __________________ ............ Last edited by Marco Califo; September 25, 2013 at 02:16 PM.

September 25, 2013, 07:14 AM	#11
Rimfire5 Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2009 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 923	Boomer58Cal My 1:14 twist Remington 700 bears out your listed information. 55 grain bullets have 7 powder/bullet loads that average in the 0.4s at 100 yards. 60 to 63 grain bullets don't have one average under 0.6 and most are above 0.8. I never bothered to try heavier bullets after finding out how the accuracy was dropping at 60 to 63 grains. By point of comparison, the 52 grain loads have 23 different loads that average under 0.4 at 100 yards - most with Berger # 22408 and Sierra Match Kings. Four of those loads average under 0.3 inches. The 40 grain loads have 8 different loads that average under 0.4 at 100 yards - most with Nosler Ballistic Tips. The 1:14 twist Remington really likes the lighter bullets.

September 25, 2013, 07:47 AM	#12
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 3,998	Reading this all again, I see that I didn't give much of an answer to your question. Again, I have the Swift with a 1 in 14 barrel, and I've shot various bullets through it over the years. Here's what did and didn't work. These worked great: 50 grain Ballistic Tips and VMax 52 and 53 grain Sierras 55 gr Ballistic Tips, VMax, and Sierra GK (all extremely good over 4064) 60 gr Nosler SBBT (back when you could buy them) 63 gr Sierra SMP (shoot very very well) What I think would shoot well, based on the above: 60 gr Ballistic Tip (it shot the 60 gr SBBT, so why not) What I tried and failed to shoot well - didn't stabilize: 65 gr Sierra GK 60 gr Nosler Partition Since you've got a slightly faster twist than I do, and since the 60 gr Nosler Partition was on the ragged edge of stabilization in my rifle, I think maybe you can shoot it. Maybe. As for the 65 gr Sierra GK, that's a bullet you would love, but at 100 yards I never even got that bullet on 2 foot square paper.

September 25, 2013, 10:46 AM	#13
A_Gamehog Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2009 Location: Central Oregun Posts: 563	Great load for your 12 twist 22-250 (i have one also) Winchester Primers Rem Brass 60 V-max Varget Powder shoot less than moa @ 200 The 12 twist is great for the long shank 60 V-max. Most accurate and explosive load for the 22-250 for varmints. The Superformance powder was not as accurate in my testing. Another great load is: Wolf large rifle primers Rem Brass 53 V-Max (long for bullet weight) 8208 XBR Very accurate load and faster __________________ "Happiness is knowing the Barred Owl is Eating the Spotted Owl and environmentalists are watching Nature take it's course" Last edited by A_Gamehog; September 25, 2013 at 10:51 AM.

September 25, 2013, 02:29 PM	#14
lscraig Junior Member Join Date: September 4, 2013 Posts: 9	I shoot 55 gr Hornady SP's in my .22-250 heavy barrel Mauser 98 and get .5" groups at 200 yards. That is what I take P-dog shooting. Here are the specs for that gun: Rifle 24" heavy barrel 1:12 RH Twist Double set target triggers Bullet Loads 55 gr bullet 35.5 grains IMR 3031