Need advice...Changing powders (22-250)

castnblast · November 16, 2006, 03:50 PM

Got a problem...I'm having to crank up my loads for my 55 gr. bullets too high. I'm o.k. on brass & measurements, but I don't particularly like being over max to get the desired group. After re-working up my loads after a new powder lot, I have to use 36.8 grains of IMR 4064 to get the group I once got out of 36.5. 36.8 is .5 grains over max by IMR's data. My barrel twist is 1 in 14, length is 22". No, I'm not real crazy about that either, but it seems to be standard. (twist...I like the short barrel...easy to handle). I am getting no signs of case head expansion. I just don't like being that far over max. Anyone out there using IMR 4895 or Benchmark? I really want to stick to 55 gr. bullets.

amamnn · November 16, 2006, 05:44 PM

Sierra and Nosler seem to like 4895, according to their manuals. BTW, looking through the books here, it appears that the max load for IMR 4064 in that caliber and weight is considerably less than what you're using. You might want to recheck your data.

safeshot · November 16, 2006, 06:09 PM

Try varget, very consistant botle to bottle. I do not have a 22-250 but I shoot a 220 swift with a 26 in barrel an I use AA4350 with a 69 grain bullet for 3550fps
you might give this a try however it may be to slow for your barrel length.

SS

amamnn · November 16, 2006, 06:12 PM

Just for fun I looked a little more. I've never noticed such a large difference in recommended loading with a single powder. Your data appears to have come from the current Hodgon/IMR website. Nosler, Sierra, and Hornady all list max loads quite a bit lower than that. My Speer book is 5 years old and so may not be up to date, but lists a slightly lower max load also. Modern Reloading lists a "never exceed" of 37.0 grains!!!

It makes me wonder if there have not been some even larger lot to lot density issues with 4064 in the past.

T-Mac · November 17, 2006, 01:01 PM

You could try H-380.
I primarily shoot 52gr Matchkings in my .22-250, but...I get same size groups with IMR 4064 @ 36 and H-380 @ 41. Both powders yield equally tight groups on my gun.

H-380 shoots well in many a 22-250.

ConRich · November 17, 2006, 01:03 PM

I have had real good results with H-380 and with Varget in my 22-250 which has a 1-14 twist.

Rich

DAVID NANCARROW · November 17, 2006, 01:17 PM

Nosler's 5th edition lists H-380 as the most accurate powder tested for 55 grain bullets. Starting charge is 35 grains, with best accuracy at their max load of 39.

PDshooter · November 17, 2006, 01:33 PM

That's easy H380..........That was the powder Hodgon came-up with for 22-250. ........3/8 groups at 100yds

That's why it's called H380

Scorch · November 17, 2006, 02:30 PM

Actually, H380 was supposedly called that because the load that gave the best accuracy was 38.0 gr. Sounds like a made-up story anyway, whether it was group size or charge weight. But in spite of that, it is one of the better powders for the 22-250.

I use WW760, but you have to be close to max loads to get best accuracy. I used to use IMR3031, but it is a pain to weigh and meter.

ziggy222 · November 17, 2006, 10:57 PM

yes h380 was made just for the 22-250 and the magic load was 38 grains.unfortunately i can't find where i read it right now or if it was with a 50 or 55 grain slug.maybe i'll find it later.

ConRich · November 18, 2006, 01:23 PM

Ziggy, I first read the story in a Hodgdon reloading data manual. It was part of the description of H-380 and stated that when the late Bruce Hodgdon first used it and got one hole groups from his 22-250 using 38gr of it behind a 52gr bullet he named it H-380. So the stoty goes.

Rich

castnblast · November 18, 2006, 07:00 PM

Thanks guys. Yes, I consulted many manuals, and I called IMR to verify their load data. The patern at speers max was like shooting a shotgun. 3". I'm going to try some h380. There is a test pack I'm going to try. It has Varget, h380, benchmark, and I think H4895. You get 4 oz of each. I think that's the best bet. The way I see it is the bullet manufactures are taking the loads down for fear of lawsuits. That's my opinion. Theres a full 1.5 gr. variance in max loads from the manuals I've consulted.

Sounds like H380 is a great bet. Is that a ball powder?

November 16, 2006, 03:50 PM	#1
castnblast Senior Member Join Date: July 2, 2006 Location: Corpus Christi TX Posts: 1,148	Need advice...Changing powders (22-250) Got a problem...I'm having to crank up my loads for my 55 gr. bullets too high. I'm o.k. on brass & measurements, but I don't particularly like being over max to get the desired group. After re-working up my loads after a new powder lot, I have to use 36.8 grains of IMR 4064 to get the group I once got out of 36.5. 36.8 is .5 grains over max by IMR's data. My barrel twist is 1 in 14, length is 22". No, I'm not real crazy about that either, but it seems to be standard. (twist...I like the short barrel...easy to handle). I am getting no signs of case head expansion. I just don't like being that far over max. Anyone out there using IMR 4895 or Benchmark? I really want to stick to 55 gr. bullets. __________________ VEGETARIAN...old indian word for bad hunter

November 16, 2006, 05:44 PM	#2
amamnn Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA Posts: 1,323	Sierra and Nosler seem to like 4895, according to their manuals. BTW, looking through the books here, it appears that the max load for IMR 4064 in that caliber and weight is considerably less than what you're using. You might want to recheck your data. __________________ "If the enemy is in range, so are you." - Infantry Journal

November 16, 2006, 06:12 PM	#4
amamnn Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA Posts: 1,323	Just for fun I looked a little more. I've never noticed such a large difference in recommended loading with a single powder. Your data appears to have come from the current Hodgon/IMR website. Nosler, Sierra, and Hornady all list max loads quite a bit lower than that. My Speer book is 5 years old and so may not be up to date, but lists a slightly lower max load also. Modern Reloading lists a "never exceed" of 37.0 grains!!! It makes me wonder if there have not been some even larger lot to lot density issues with 4064 in the past. __________________ "If the enemy is in range, so are you." - Infantry Journal

November 17, 2006, 01:33 PM	#8
PDshooter Senior Member Join Date: March 30, 2000 Location: Indiana Posts: 607	That's easy H380..........That was the powder Hodgon came-up with for 22-250. ........3/8 groups at 100yds That's why it's called H380 __________________ Life member NRA 20yrs guard . MOS 63H 11B 43E Shoot Shovel Shut-up!

November 17, 2006, 02:30 PM	#9
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Actually, H380 was supposedly called that because the load that gave the best accuracy was 38.0 gr. Sounds like a made-up story anyway, whether it was group size or charge weight. But in spite of that, it is one of the better powders for the 22-250. I use WW760, but you have to be close to max loads to get best accuracy. I used to use IMR3031, but it is a pain to weigh and meter. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

November 16, 2006, 06:09 PM	#3
safeshot Junior Member Join Date: November 16, 2006 Posts: 5	Try varget, very consistant botle to bottle. I do not have a 22-250 but I shoot a 220 swift with a 26 in barrel an I use AA4350 with a 69 grain bullet for 3550fps you might give this a try however it may be to slow for your barrel length. SS

November 17, 2006, 01:01 PM	#5
T-Mac Member Join Date: January 18, 2006 Location: Townsend, MT Posts: 99	You could try H-380. I primarily shoot 52gr Matchkings in my .22-250, but...I get same size groups with IMR 4064 @ 36 and H-380 @ 41. Both powders yield equally tight groups on my gun. H-380 shoots well in many a 22-250.

November 17, 2006, 01:03 PM	#6
ConRich Senior Member Join Date: December 7, 2004 Location: Maine Posts: 299	I have had real good results with H-380 and with Varget in my 22-250 which has a 1-14 twist. Rich

November 17, 2006, 01:17 PM	#7
DAVID NANCARROW Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2000 Location: Wyoming Posts: 1,761	Nosler's 5th edition lists H-380 as the most accurate powder tested for 55 grain bullets. Starting charge is 35 grains, with best accuracy at their max load of 39.

November 17, 2006, 10:57 PM	#10
ziggy222 Senior Member Join Date: October 5, 2006 Posts: 184	yes h380 was made just for the 22-250 and the magic load was 38 grains.unfortunately i can't find where i read it right now or if it was with a 50 or 55 grain slug.maybe i'll find it later.

November 18, 2006, 01:23 PM	#11
ConRich Senior Member Join Date: December 7, 2004 Location: Maine Posts: 299	Ziggy, I first read the story in a Hodgdon reloading data manual. It was part of the description of H-380 and stated that when the late Bruce Hodgdon first used it and got one hole groups from his 22-250 using 38gr of it behind a 52gr bullet he named it H-380. So the stoty goes. Rich

November 18, 2006, 07:00 PM	#12
castnblast Senior Member Join Date: July 2, 2006 Location: Corpus Christi TX Posts: 1,148	Thanks guys. Yes, I consulted many manuals, and I called IMR to verify their load data. The patern at speers max was like shooting a shotgun. 3". I'm going to try some h380. There is a test pack I'm going to try. It has Varget, h380, benchmark, and I think H4895. You get 4 oz of each. I think that's the best bet. The way I see it is the bullet manufactures are taking the loads down for fear of lawsuits. That's my opinion. Theres a full 1.5 gr. variance in max loads from the manuals I've consulted. Sounds like H380 is a great bet. Is that a ball powder? __________________ VEGETARIAN...old indian word for bad hunter