.22-250 reload question

AL45 · April 30, 2013, 12:38 AM

Have a friend who experienced burn marks around the necks of his .22-250 reloads. Cases were trimmed to 1.902. The maximum trim length is 1.912. He used w296 and h380 powder. Bullets ranged from 50-60 grains. Powder charged ranged from 37-39 grains. What caused the burn marks around the case necks?

**Mal H** · April 30, 2013, 12:57 AM

Are you positive he used W296 in a 22-250? If so, please get more details on that load instead of the range you gave for two quite different powders. And please find out where he got the load data.

W296 is a relatively slow magnum pistol powder, but it is a very fast burning powder for a rifle caliber especially one with a high volume case like the 22-250. I don't think I've ever seen that powder recommended for a 22-250; smaller cases in the .224 caliber certainly (e.g., .218 Bee, .22 Hornet, etc.)

As for your question about the burn marks, they are usually caused by too low of a pressure - the case and neck don't seal tightly in the chamber. In general it's nothing to be overly concerned about as long as the load is a safe one. For H380, the powder weight range you gave is on the low to below minimum powder weight range for the lighter bullet, but it is close to a good range for a heavier bullet. He should get better data for that powder.

vmaxmike · May 1, 2013, 08:17 AM

If you can post a picture of the cases in question it would also help.

Calif Hunter · May 2, 2013, 05:08 PM

Sounds like w760, I bet. I used to load 39 gr of H414 under a 50 gr bullet before I switched to Ramshot Big Game powder.

gwpercle · May 2, 2013, 07:34 PM

The Hornady reloading manual shows H380, in the 22-250 with 55 grain jacketed spire point bullets:

starting load of 35.0 grains for 3,200 fps

maximum load of 40.6 grains for 3,600fps

A load of 37 to 39 grains of H380 should have been right in the correct range for this powder. Typically burn marks indicate not enough pressure being generated to expand the case mouth and seal the neck. Not enough powder. But in this case I don't know. Unless the necks were work hardened from several loadings the necks should have sealed.

I have a batch of 41 magnum cases that I had to anneal (soften) the necks in order to reload with light cast bullet loads, left hard they wouldn't seal and had the " burn" marks.

W296 powder was not listed in the Hornady or Lyman manuals.

April 30, 2013, 12:38 AM	#1
AL45 Senior Member Join Date: December 12, 2012 Posts: 761	.22-250 reload question Have a friend who experienced burn marks around the necks of his .22-250 reloads. Cases were trimmed to 1.902. The maximum trim length is 1.912. He used w296 and h380 powder. Bullets ranged from 50-60 grains. Powder charged ranged from 37-39 grains. What caused the burn marks around the case necks?

May 2, 2013, 05:08 PM	#4
Calif Hunter Senior Member Join Date: May 10, 2000 Location: La Palma, CA, USA Posts: 165	Sounds like w760, I bet. I used to load 39 gr of H414 under a 50 gr bullet before I switched to Ramshot Big Game powder. __________________ Calif Hunter

April 30, 2013, 12:57 AM	#2
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia Posts: 16,955	Are you positive he used W296 in a 22-250? If so, please get more details on that load instead of the range you gave for two quite different powders. And please find out where he got the load data. W296 is a relatively slow magnum pistol powder, but it is a very fast burning powder for a rifle caliber especially one with a high volume case like the 22-250. I don't think I've ever seen that powder recommended for a 22-250; smaller cases in the .224 caliber certainly (e.g., .218 Bee, .22 Hornet, etc.) As for your question about the burn marks, they are usually caused by too low of a pressure - the case and neck don't seal tightly in the chamber. In general it's nothing to be overly concerned about as long as the load is a safe one. For H380, the powder weight range you gave is on the low to below minimum powder weight range for the lighter bullet, but it is close to a good range for a heavier bullet. He should get better data for that powder.

May 1, 2013, 08:17 AM	#3
vmaxmike Member Join Date: November 5, 2009 Posts: 29	If you can post a picture of the cases in question it would also help.

May 2, 2013, 07:34 PM	#5
gwpercle Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2012 Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Posts: 1,752	The Hornady reloading manual shows H380, in the 22-250 with 55 grain jacketed spire point bullets: starting load of 35.0 grains for 3,200 fps maximum load of 40.6 grains for 3,600fps A load of 37 to 39 grains of H380 should have been right in the correct range for this powder. Typically burn marks indicate not enough pressure being generated to expand the case mouth and seal the neck. Not enough powder. But in this case I don't know. Unless the necks were work hardened from several loadings the necks should have sealed. I have a batch of 41 magnum cases that I had to anneal (soften) the necks in order to reload with light cast bullet loads, left hard they wouldn't seal and had the " burn" marks. W296 powder was not listed in the Hornady or Lyman manuals.