Using heavy bullets when reloading 22-250

cimarronvalley · October 7, 2007, 05:12 PM

Hi All:
I'm new to the Forum so please be gentle.

Does anybody have experience in reloading heavier bullets in the 22-250? I have 2 rifles, a heavy barrel target and a standard Rem 700 ADL, that have excellent acuracy out to 200 meters using standard 40-55grn bullets. I was wanting to use some heavier bullets for deer hunting (yes they are legal here) in the range of 60-75grn. The barrel twist on the rifles are: 1-12 and 1-14 respectively.

I know that my 223 rifles with 1-9 twist have good accuracy with bullet weights to 75grn. However, my heavy barrel varmint rifle with 1-12 twist is inacurate with any bullet weighing more than 50grns; 75grn bullets tumble at 35 meters.

Any input please? Thanks all.

mrawesome22 · October 7, 2007, 06:48 PM

There is a forum here called handloading and reloading. Ask in there.

T. O'Heir · October 7, 2007, 07:01 PM

"...1-12 and 1-14..." They'll both prefer lighter bullets with that twist. 55 grains and under. Said bullets are varmint bullets(designed to expand rapidly upon impact with little penetration) and are not suitable for deer sized game. The bullet doesn't get stabilized as you can see from your shooting.
Even with your .223, you have to be sure the 75 grain bullet is made for deer and not a match bullet. Match bullets usually don't expand at all.
Nosler makes a 60 grain Partition that might stabilize. Barnes makes a .22 calibre 'X' bullet too.Keep your shots under 150 yards with a .22-250 too. Shot placement is even more critical with marginal calibres.

Jim Watson · October 7, 2007, 07:47 PM

My 14 twist .22-250 was very accurate with some 60 gr flatbase bullets, not with others. Probably a small difference in length, but I was not sophisticated enough at the time to sort it out. Sierra makes a 63 gr semipointed and Speer a 70 gr roundnose that are short enough for a 12 or 14 twist barre. But a tough 55 gr would probably do as well.

270Win · October 7, 2007, 07:54 PM

Above advice is good: try some good 60-62 grain bullets, and experiment. You may find some loads stabilize at lower velocities than others, etc.

crowbeaner · October 7, 2007, 08:26 PM

I've used the 60 gr. Hornady and the 63 gr. Sierra in my 22/250s, and had good results as long as you don't try to hotrod the bullet. If you load them too hot or try to get every fps. out of them, they won't work as well as any other bullet. I used IMR 4320 and H380. You could try WW 760 as well. CB.

joshua · October 7, 2007, 08:31 PM

I have a 22-250, a Win 70 HBV and it has a 1-14 twist. I tried the 62 grain fmj and I was hearing a buzzing noise after firing them, I think it is the sound of a tumbling bullet not making the 100 yards mark. I did get them to hit paper with the hotter loads, but the grouping is not acceptable even by a shotgun standard. Winchester 64 grain PP gave me good results, in fact I still have those loads in my safe and can't wait to try them out on a coyote or an antelope. If you want to push those heavy needle shaped .224 bullets then a fast twist barrel is a must, I read that the new Savage LRPV in the fast twist 22-250 has a 1-9 twist rifling. Shooting Rags had some excellent results and with Scirroco II bullets it was .5 moa accurate out to 600 yards. That is 3" group at 600 yards! 100 yard groups are averaging less than 1moa, often in the .3s. Wow!!! josh

Bogie · October 7, 2007, 11:04 PM

With that twist, don't.

I'd suggest purchase of a .243 or .308 barrel and barrel vise and action wrench. Once you get used to it, changing barrels between calibers is a breeze.

270Win · October 7, 2007, 11:13 PM

It all depends on the rifle and the load. You can never tell until you've tried it!

Scorch · October 8, 2007, 03:13 AM

My 22-250 shoots 60 gr OK with a 1:14" twist, but only at MAX load. Try Nosler 60 gr Partition or WW 60 gr Power Points to see how they fly.

cimarronvalley · October 8, 2007, 04:19 AM

Thanks all for the receptive response (except for the one clown who suggested another forum). I needed some expeinced input. I already have 3 - 243 rifles (2 hunting and one target) and 2 - 308 rifles (1 hunting and 1 target). Your knowledge and experience is much appreciated. The reason I was requesting info on the 22-250 is for my annual hunting trips to Montana and Wyoming. Instead of taking an arsenal, I wanted to take one rifle suitable for prairie puppies, antelopers, mule/whitetail deer.

Although, in the past years, I have had excellent results with my 223 and 22-250 for the above game; always one shot and kill. Last year though, It took 3 rounds from my 22-250 to drop my muley. I was using 55grn Horanby HP and they would not penetrate the neck at 300m. I was always told that a 22-250 with a twist of 1-14 would not handle bullets above 55grn. Now with your advice, I'll start experimenting. Thanks again all.

October 7, 2007, 05:12 PM	#1
cimarronvalley Senior Member Join Date: October 7, 2007 Location: Shawnee, Ok. Posts: 155	Using heavy bullets when reloading 22-250 Hi All: I'm new to the Forum so please be gentle. Does anybody have experience in reloading heavier bullets in the 22-250? I have 2 rifles, a heavy barrel target and a standard Rem 700 ADL, that have excellent acuracy out to 200 meters using standard 40-55grn bullets. I was wanting to use some heavier bullets for deer hunting (yes they are legal here) in the range of 60-75grn. The barrel twist on the rifles are: 1-12 and 1-14 respectively. I know that my 223 rifles with 1-9 twist have good accuracy with bullet weights to 75grn. However, my heavy barrel varmint rifle with 1-12 twist is inacurate with any bullet weighing more than 50grns; 75grn bullets tumble at 35 meters. Any input please? Thanks all.

October 8, 2007, 03:13 AM	#10
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,249	My 22-250 shoots 60 gr OK with a 1:14" twist, but only at MAX load. Try Nosler 60 gr Partition or WW 60 gr Power Points to see how they fly. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

October 8, 2007, 04:19 AM	#11
cimarronvalley Senior Member Join Date: October 7, 2007 Location: Shawnee, Ok. Posts: 155	22-250 loads Thanks all for the receptive response (except for the one clown who suggested another forum). I needed some expeinced input. I already have 3 - 243 rifles (2 hunting and one target) and 2 - 308 rifles (1 hunting and 1 target). Your knowledge and experience is much appreciated. The reason I was requesting info on the 22-250 is for my annual hunting trips to Montana and Wyoming. Instead of taking an arsenal, I wanted to take one rifle suitable for prairie puppies, antelopers, mule/whitetail deer. Although, in the past years, I have had excellent results with my 223 and 22-250 for the above game; always one shot and kill. Last year though, It took 3 rounds from my 22-250 to drop my muley. I was using 55grn Horanby HP and they would not penetrate the neck at 300m. I was always told that a 22-250 with a twist of 1-14 would not handle bullets above 55grn. Now with your advice, I'll start experimenting. Thanks again all.

October 7, 2007, 06:48 PM	#2
mrawesome22 Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2005 Location: Ohio, Appalachia's foothills. Posts: 3,779	There is a forum here called handloading and reloading. Ask in there.

October 7, 2007, 07:01 PM	#3
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	"...1-12 and 1-14..." They'll both prefer lighter bullets with that twist. 55 grains and under. Said bullets are varmint bullets(designed to expand rapidly upon impact with little penetration) and are not suitable for deer sized game. The bullet doesn't get stabilized as you can see from your shooting. Even with your .223, you have to be sure the 75 grain bullet is made for deer and not a match bullet. Match bullets usually don't expand at all. Nosler makes a 60 grain Partition that might stabilize. Barnes makes a .22 calibre 'X' bullet too.Keep your shots under 150 yards with a .22-250 too. Shot placement is even more critical with marginal calibres.

October 7, 2007, 07:47 PM	#4
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 19,182	My 14 twist .22-250 was very accurate with some 60 gr flatbase bullets, not with others. Probably a small difference in length, but I was not sophisticated enough at the time to sort it out. Sierra makes a 63 gr semipointed and Speer a 70 gr roundnose that are short enough for a 12 or 14 twist barre. But a tough 55 gr would probably do as well.

October 7, 2007, 07:54 PM	#5
270Win Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2005 Location: Damascus, Maryland Posts: 921	Above advice is good: try some good 60-62 grain bullets, and experiment. You may find some loads stabilize at lower velocities than others, etc.

October 7, 2007, 08:26 PM	#6
crowbeaner Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 1,943	I've used the 60 gr. Hornady and the 63 gr. Sierra in my 22/250s, and had good results as long as you don't try to hotrod the bullet. If you load them too hot or try to get every fps. out of them, they won't work as well as any other bullet. I used IMR 4320 and H380. You could try WW 760 as well. CB.

October 7, 2007, 08:31 PM	#7
joshua Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2004 Location: norCal Posts: 2,161	I have a 22-250, a Win 70 HBV and it has a 1-14 twist. I tried the 62 grain fmj and I was hearing a buzzing noise after firing them, I think it is the sound of a tumbling bullet not making the 100 yards mark. I did get them to hit paper with the hotter loads, but the grouping is not acceptable even by a shotgun standard. Winchester 64 grain PP gave me good results, in fact I still have those loads in my safe and can't wait to try them out on a coyote or an antelope. If you want to push those heavy needle shaped .224 bullets then a fast twist barrel is a must, I read that the new Savage LRPV in the fast twist 22-250 has a 1-9 twist rifling. Shooting Rags had some excellent results and with Scirroco II bullets it was .5 moa accurate out to 600 yards. That is 3" group at 600 yards! 100 yard groups are averaging less than 1moa, often in the .3s. Wow!!! josh

October 7, 2007, 11:04 PM	#8
Bogie Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2000 Location: Job hunting on the road... Posts: 3,827	With that twist, don't. I'd suggest purchase of a .243 or .308 barrel and barrel vise and action wrench. Once you get used to it, changing barrels between calibers is a breeze.

October 7, 2007, 11:13 PM	#9
270Win Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2005 Location: Damascus, Maryland Posts: 921	It all depends on the rifle and the load. You can never tell until you've tried it!