Reloading for the T/C 22-250

jwoodrow · July 16, 2006, 08:09 AM

I'm starting to reload for the Thompson Center 22-250 and would like suggestions on best powder and load data plus bullet types and weight that have been found to be accurate (tight groups) for long range varmint and target shooting.

rwilson452 · July 16, 2006, 09:14 AM

I don't know what you mean be long distance. The twist in your barrel is a limiting factor. however I have found the 55gr bullets have a better BC. three of the most popular powders for 22-250 seem to be I4895, Varget and H380. I have had good shooting for target with the sierra 55gr HPBT and the 55gr BlitzKing is still accurate and very effective on groundhogs we have around here. I'm shooting a Rem. 700VLS in 22-250 for 100yard target I would suggest the Sierra 52gr HPBT where BC is not a factor once zeroed.

Naturally you thompson may like something totally different. there is just no way to tell.

918v · July 16, 2006, 11:09 AM

AA 4064 and VV N-150 with 55gr Nosler BT.

farmall · July 16, 2006, 11:43 AM

Welcome to TFL, jWoodrow. Are you shooting a rifle or pistol length barrel? I have loaded 22-250 in a Savage Striker pistol, and had great results with H4895 and Ramshot TAC. Both over the Sierra 40gn hp bullet. Also good luck with Varget and 40gn Vmaxes.
Andy

jwoodrow · July 16, 2006, 11:54 AM

My T/C is a 26" Semi-heavy barrel with a 1 in 12" twist.

castnblast · July 17, 2006, 01:10 PM

I just ran test loads this weekend, and got an incredible (considering my rest was rolled up towels on a bench) groups w/ IMR 4064 on a Sierra Game King 55 gr. spitzer boat tail. I started my charge at 33.5 grs. and went up in .5 gr. increments to 36.5 gr. I got 1/2" 4 shot group w/ my howa 1500 off the 36.5 gr charge. PLEASE NOTE THIS IS .2 GR ABOVE MAX AND SHOULD BE USED WITH EXTREME CAUTION. I DO NOT ADVOCATE/AM NOT ADVOCATING EXCEEDING MAX CHARGES LISTED. My gun was new, and I worked throught these rounds very methodically. My powder of choice would have been IMR 4895, but they were out, and the 4064 has a very, very similar burn rate. Given the groups, I'll stick with that. My gun has a 1 in 14" twist. You may be able to get stable bullet tracks up to the 65 or possibly 70. I wouldn't go heavier than that.

castnblast · July 17, 2006, 01:12 PM

BTW, it has been my experience that max loads are usually not as accurate w/ larger calibers. This was an exception, and my gun really liked this charge, but yours may likely be different. I think it was the slower twist...and shorter .22" barrel - took more powder to get a good spin. Note that most test barrels are 1 in 12" and 24" barrel.

castnblast · July 20, 2006, 02:27 PM

One more thought...You should get significantly less barrel flash w/ that 26". as well as increased velocities. Most likely, you won't need to go all the way to a max load w/ that setup. May even want to try some Sierra Game King 65 gr. spitzer boat tails.

Scorch · July 20, 2006, 08:40 PM

I have shot a 22-250 for almost 30 years. I used IMR powders, Hercules powders (now Alliant), Hodgdon powders and Winchester powders. My favorite is a 55 gr Hornady SP over a max load of Winchester 760 with a Winchester large rifle primer. With the 1:12" twist, you could load heavier bullets no problem. 60 gr for sure, possibly as heavy as 68 gr. With the faster twist you will get higher pressures, so you will have to develop your own load. But the 22-250 likes it near max.

July 16, 2006, 08:09 AM	#1
jwoodrow Junior Member Join Date: July 16, 2006 Posts: 2	Reloading for the T/C 22-250 I'm starting to reload for the Thompson Center 22-250 and would like suggestions on best powder and load data plus bullet types and weight that have been found to be accurate (tight groups) for long range varmint and target shooting.

July 16, 2006, 09:14 AM	#2
rwilson452 Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2004 Location: Tioga co. PA Posts: 2,647	22-250 I don't know what you mean be long distance. The twist in your barrel is a limiting factor. however I have found the 55gr bullets have a better BC. three of the most popular powders for 22-250 seem to be I4895, Varget and H380. I have had good shooting for target with the sierra 55gr HPBT and the 55gr BlitzKing is still accurate and very effective on groundhogs we have around here. I'm shooting a Rem. 700VLS in 22-250 for 100yard target I would suggest the Sierra 52gr HPBT where BC is not a factor once zeroed. Naturally you thompson may like something totally different. there is just no way to tell.

July 16, 2006, 11:54 AM	#5
jwoodrow Junior Member Join Date: July 16, 2006 Posts: 2	Great Comments My T/C is a 26" Semi-heavy barrel with a 1 in 12" twist.

July 17, 2006, 01:10 PM	#6
castnblast Senior Member Join Date: July 2, 2006 Location: Corpus Christi TX Posts: 1,148	I just ran test loads this weekend, and got an incredible (considering my rest was rolled up towels on a bench) groups w/ IMR 4064 on a Sierra Game King 55 gr. spitzer boat tail. I started my charge at 33.5 grs. and went up in .5 gr. increments to 36.5 gr. I got 1/2" 4 shot group w/ my howa 1500 off the 36.5 gr charge. PLEASE NOTE THIS IS .2 GR ABOVE MAX AND SHOULD BE USED WITH EXTREME CAUTION. I DO NOT ADVOCATE/AM NOT ADVOCATING EXCEEDING MAX CHARGES LISTED. My gun was new, and I worked throught these rounds very methodically. My powder of choice would have been IMR 4895, but they were out, and the 4064 has a very, very similar burn rate. Given the groups, I'll stick with that. My gun has a 1 in 14" twist. You may be able to get stable bullet tracks up to the 65 or possibly 70. I wouldn't go heavier than that. __________________ VEGETARIAN...old indian word for bad hunter

July 17, 2006, 01:12 PM	#7
castnblast Senior Member Join Date: July 2, 2006 Location: Corpus Christi TX Posts: 1,148	BTW, it has been my experience that max loads are usually not as accurate w/ larger calibers. This was an exception, and my gun really liked this charge, but yours may likely be different. I think it was the slower twist...and shorter .22" barrel - took more powder to get a good spin. Note that most test barrels are 1 in 12" and 24" barrel. __________________ VEGETARIAN...old indian word for bad hunter

July 16, 2006, 11:09 AM	#3
918v Junior member Join Date: September 25, 2005 Posts: 1,372	AA 4064 and VV N-150 with 55gr Nosler BT.

July 16, 2006, 11:43 AM	#4
farmall Senior Member Join Date: December 7, 2004 Location: Beatrice Nebraska Posts: 613	Welcome to TFL, jWoodrow. Are you shooting a rifle or pistol length barrel? I have loaded 22-250 in a Savage Striker pistol, and had great results with H4895 and Ramshot TAC. Both over the Sierra 40gn hp bullet. Also good luck with Varget and 40gn Vmaxes. Andy

July 20, 2006, 02:27 PM	#8
castnblast Senior Member Join Date: July 2, 2006 Location: Corpus Christi TX Posts: 1,148	One more thought...You should get significantly less barrel flash w/ that 26". as well as increased velocities. Most likely, you won't need to go all the way to a max load w/ that setup. May even want to try some Sierra Game King 65 gr. spitzer boat tails. __________________ VEGETARIAN...old indian word for bad hunter

July 20, 2006, 08:40 PM	#9
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	I have shot a 22-250 for almost 30 years. I used IMR powders, Hercules powders (now Alliant), Hodgdon powders and Winchester powders. My favorite is a 55 gr Hornady SP over a max load of Winchester 760 with a Winchester large rifle primer. With the 1:12" twist, you could load heavier bullets no problem. 60 gr for sure, possibly as heavy as 68 gr. With the faster twist you will get higher pressures, so you will have to develop your own load. But the 22-250 likes it near max. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services