Speed Limits?

saands · February 11, 2007, 11:58 PM

I built a 22-250 AI and my last trip to the range surprised me. I was shooting Sierra 55gr SPBT GameKings out of it and all of the holes in the target at 100yds had little halos of pinholes around them

All I can figure is that the exposed lead tip was melting ... I realize that this is a stretch, but is there another answer to this? The holes were not ragged like what I've seen when shooting plated pistol bullets too fast and the plating comes off

BTW, these were chrono'd at an average of 3676 fps ... a velocity that I've never played around with on anything previously.

If I've exceeded the speed limit on these, will the 55gr GameKings in JHP hold up? By the way, the 40 grain Vmax do just fine at 4,310 ... did I mention that this rifle is a HOOT!

Next we try to improve on the 0.8 MOA

TIA,

Saands

rwilson452 · February 12, 2007, 12:04 AM

If those were the sierra #1345 they will come unglued at that speed.

Crosshair · February 12, 2007, 12:10 AM

What is the rate of twist on your gun? My Savage in 22-250 can push 55 grain Moly bullets to 3800 FPS (At least that is what my chrony says.) with no problems.

amamnn · February 12, 2007, 12:22 AM

Sierra lists loads that go up to 3850 fps in 55 gr. 22-250 AI. I regularly shoot loads that exceed 3600 fps. Were the little holes by any chance slightly blue?

Scorch · February 12, 2007, 01:16 AM

Definitely sounds like you are disintegrating them in flight. I had the same problem with my 22-250. I switched to Noslers because they have a much heavier jacket. My experience:
55 gr Hornadys and Sierras come apart about 3,650,
Speers will come apart at about 3,700.
55 gr Noslers will hold together to about 3,850.
52 gr Barnes hold together to 4,000.

saands · February 12, 2007, 10:26 AM

My barrel is a 1 in 14" twist and the Sierras were model 1365.

At first I thought that I was disintegrating them in flight, but I was shooting just about 1-1.5 MOA groups with them ... and it seems like that kind of accuracy shouldn't be compatible with jackets separating from the core, should it?

My recollection is that the holes had a grayish hue to them ... calling it blue/gray wouldn't be a stretch.

Thanks for the input ...

Saands

rwilson452 · February 12, 2007, 02:02 PM

As a last ditch measure you could call or write Sierra. I have always found them to be very helpfull. I have a rem. 700 VLS in 22-250 with a 1:14 twist. I haven't used that particular bullet. Mostly I use the 55gr HPBT and the BlitzKing. I like what the Blitzking does to Groundhogs.

saands · February 12, 2007, 02:04 PM

That is a VERY good idea! Somehow the thought never occurred to me

Saands

saands · February 12, 2007, 02:11 PM

Well ... they are VERY helpful indeed! The gentleman I talked to said that it was likely just a new barrel phenomenon and that he has shot the same bullets through his 22-250AI for years (at velocities up to 3900fps) and hasn't ever had a problem.

Thanks all,

Saands

amamnn · February 13, 2007, 02:30 AM

aha! your new barrel is stripping copper--nothing new or especially scary--like the sierra guys say.

I think someone may be having some troubles with barrels too, I've been shooting 55 grain sierras in .223 rem close to 3600 fps and in .243 WSSM well over that for a long long time without them coming apart. I know several other locals who think nothing of pushing 55 grain sierras over 3600 fps.

February 12, 2007, 12:04 AM	#2
rwilson452 Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2004 Location: Tioga co. PA Posts: 2,647	55 Gr Sierra's If those were the sierra #1345 they will come unglued at that speed.

February 12, 2007, 12:10 AM	#3
Crosshair Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2004 Location: Grand Forks, ND Posts: 5,333	What is the rate of twist on your gun? My Savage in 22-250 can push 55 grain Moly bullets to 3800 FPS (At least that is what my chrony says.) with no problems. __________________ I don't carry a gun to go looking for trouble, I carry a gun in case trouble finds me.

February 12, 2007, 12:22 AM	#4
amamnn Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA Posts: 1,323	Sierra lists loads that go up to 3850 fps in 55 gr. 22-250 AI. I regularly shoot loads that exceed 3600 fps. Were the little holes by any chance slightly blue? __________________ "If the enemy is in range, so are you." - Infantry Journal

February 12, 2007, 01:16 AM	#5
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Definitely sounds like you are disintegrating them in flight. I had the same problem with my 22-250. I switched to Noslers because they have a much heavier jacket. My experience: 55 gr Hornadys and Sierras come apart about 3,650, Speers will come apart at about 3,700. 55 gr Noslers will hold together to about 3,850. 52 gr Barnes hold together to 4,000. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

February 13, 2007, 02:30 AM	#10
amamnn Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA Posts: 1,323	aha! your new barrel is stripping copper--nothing new or especially scary--like the sierra guys say. I think someone may be having some troubles with barrels too, I've been shooting 55 grain sierras in .223 rem close to 3600 fps and in .243 WSSM well over that for a long long time without them coming apart. I know several other locals who think nothing of pushing 55 grain sierras over 3600 fps. __________________ "If the enemy is in range, so are you." - Infantry Journal

February 11, 2007, 11:58 PM	#1
saands Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 1999 Posts: 1,573	Speed Limits? I built a 22-250 AI and my last trip to the range surprised me. I was shooting Sierra 55gr SPBT GameKings out of it and all of the holes in the target at 100yds had little halos of pinholes around them All I can figure is that the exposed lead tip was melting ... I realize that this is a stretch, but is there another answer to this? The holes were not ragged like what I've seen when shooting plated pistol bullets too fast and the plating comes off BTW, these were chrono'd at an average of 3676 fps ... a velocity that I've never played around with on anything previously. If I've exceeded the speed limit on these, will the 55gr GameKings in JHP hold up? By the way, the 40 grain Vmax do just fine at 4,310 ... did I mention that this rifle is a HOOT! Next we try to improve on the 0.8 MOA TIA, Saands

February 12, 2007, 10:26 AM	#6
saands Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 1999 Posts: 1,573	My barrel is a 1 in 14" twist and the Sierras were model 1365. At first I thought that I was disintegrating them in flight, but I was shooting just about 1-1.5 MOA groups with them ... and it seems like that kind of accuracy shouldn't be compatible with jackets separating from the core, should it? My recollection is that the holes had a grayish hue to them ... calling it blue/gray wouldn't be a stretch. Thanks for the input ... Saands

February 12, 2007, 02:02 PM	#7
rwilson452 Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2004 Location: Tioga co. PA Posts: 2,647	As a last ditch measure you could call or write Sierra. I have always found them to be very helpfull. I have a rem. 700 VLS in 22-250 with a 1:14 twist. I haven't used that particular bullet. Mostly I use the 55gr HPBT and the BlitzKing. I like what the Blitzking does to Groundhogs.

February 12, 2007, 02:04 PM	#8
saands Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 1999 Posts: 1,573	That is a VERY good idea! Somehow the thought never occurred to me Saands

February 12, 2007, 02:11 PM	#9
saands Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 1999 Posts: 1,573	Well ... they are VERY helpful indeed! The gentleman I talked to said that it was likely just a new barrel phenomenon and that he has shot the same bullets through his 22-250AI for years (at velocities up to 3900fps) and hasn't ever had a problem. Thanks all, Saands

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