22-250 1:14 load advice 50/55gr loads CFE/W760

I was looking at light/handy 223’s for Wallaby/Fallow but started moving to the 22-250 and have picked up a nice Tikka that is chopped to 20inch. I sort of like the old school light, fast and flat out to 250-300. I also got a light Manatis suppressor off the forum so the expected “bark” from the shorter barrel should be tamed. Part of the reason I moved onto the 22-250 was the ability to share reloading components with my 284 Win as it uses large rifle primers and similar powders. And lastly I can always rebarrel it later to a fast twist 22-250 for heavier bullets or convert it to a 243 or whatever without much mods. It’s wearing a Vixen 3-12x40 in the old Tikka Alloy rings until I find some 1in Optilocks's someone is moving on.

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Anyway enough background

I have the following components
FED210 and some WRE primers
PPU cases full length sized
CFE223 from another project
Belmont 760
100 50gr VMAX projectiles to start

I was thinking 37-38-39 for both Powders to start. Has anyone used these powders with 50gr bullets that can offer suggestions and expected velocity at 20inch?. I also have some Reloader 16 but plan on saving that for the 284.

In the Noslar #9 manual CFE223 is good for the 50-53 gr projectiles. A max load of 40 grs should see 3971 fps out of a 24 inch barrel, a 20 inch barrel maybe 3850 fps. Still getting along at a fare pace.
In my 24 inch Mod 700 22-250 I get 3587 fps using 55 gr Noslar BT using either 36 grs AR2208 or 40 grs Staball 6.5. The 55 gr BT bullets work well on Fallow and goats and on the few reds I have shot with it. I took it down south a couple of years back and shot wallabies and rabbits out to just on 400 yards. It’s a neat calibre.

40 grains of cfe 223 worked well for me with 50 -55 grain pills.
My experience with win760 would suggest it would go good but haven't tried myself

I'm using 35.6Gr of 2208 behind Sierra Blitzking 55Gr in my 20" 22-250 to give me 3635fps with LR primers.

I might need to re chrono that load as I don't remember it being quiet that fast for some reason,but my notes say its that.

Grab some less explody pills unless dedicated head neck or crease is your thing. Bog std cup n core Hornady or Winchester are good.

BM2 works well in those bullet weights. My 20'' was doing 3300 easy and that was fireforming to AI.

I hear CFE works well too but have yet to verify myself.

I’m using 36.5 g of Varget (2208) with the sierra boat tail game king 55 g for 3500. Really accurate in my Sako and devastating out to 300m on fallow and sika, even shot a few red hinds.

Sorry,to be clear I'm suggesting something else for the deer. V max is awesome on wallabies. Speer 52 grn HP could work for both ok.

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Originally Posted by Micky Duck

Sorry,to be clear I'm suggesting something else for the deer. V max is awesome on wallabies. Speer 52 grn HP could work for both ok.

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I had understood - and wasn’t planning on using the VMAX on deer so wasn’t clear myself. I’ll load up some Barnes or conventional cup and core for that. Was just looking for some experience on pills in the same size range with the powders I had on hand.

Good man.be aware Barnes may be problematic to get stable.winchester make a great 55grn factory load for 22-250 our man in CHCH Wilhelm arms n optics sorry can't think of his handle on here.was selling Winchester 55 grn cup n core a week or so ago.awesome projectiles.

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Originally Posted by Micky Duck

Good man.be aware Barnes may be problematic to get stable.winchester make a great 55grn factory load for 22-250 our man in CHCH Wilhelm arms n optics sorry can't think of his handle on here.was selling Winchester 55 grn cup n core a week or so ago.awesome projectiles.

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Richard Wilhelm, @Hunter2, excellent projectiles at a bloody good price. Personally I wouldnt be using 2 different projectiles for different jobs, just pick a boolit that works on deer and then shoot everything else with that. The 55's and 60's flatten wobblies, pretty spectacular.

True but man do VMAX flatten wobblies terribly well. I've used lots of different pills in the 223 over the years but everytime I use a 50 grn VMAX or zmax I am again amazed at how emphatically they flatten them.

Too easy to have two different 55 or 50 grn loads.

@forester I use the 50gr Barnes TTSX to good effect on deer out of my 1:14" 220 Swift. I pull the plastic tips out for good stability in the slow twist barrel. I know of a few guys using them in 22-250's with very good results. They have the BC of a brick but I've managed to shoot deer at up to 230m or so with them.

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Originally Posted by Gruntled

I’m using 36.5 g of Varget (2208) with the sierra boat tail game king 55 g for 3500. Really accurate in my Sako and devastating out to 300m on fallow and sika, even shot a few red hinds.

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Was my experience too. Hammer of Thor stuff, and I had a matchbox full of recovered projos from under the skin on the far shoulder with the sierra 55 gamekings:thumbsup:

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Originally Posted by Gkp

40 grains of cfe 223 worked well for me with 50 -55 grain pills.
My experience with win760 would suggest it would go good but haven't tried myself

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Got out to the Quarry/Forestry today to sight in with the PPU and do a ladder test with the home loads using CFE223 and WRE primers behind a 50gr VMAX. I made up shooting area to get a 100yrd spot and I got into it using the rolled up chainsaw chaps as my rear bag and bipod up front. Unfortunately the cheap Chronograph lasted 10sec before the battery ran out so I don’t have actual velocity or ES but not that important for a point and shoot load. The PPU shot MOA (and will be my fallow deer load for now), and the home loads looked average from 38gr to 39gr before really tightening up near max at 40gr. The last two loads were about 1/2 MOA. I haven’t adjusted left as there was a bit of a side wind left to right. I think I’m good to go after only 25 odd shots. The VMAX should be doing 3700 from the 20inch barrel I’d guess.

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50grn VMAX at 3700fps sounds like will be extremely explody... They wicked enough out of 223.

@Forestry, I've had limited experience shooting an old mates 22-250 mostly on goats some years back but it was a great killer with 55 gr projectiles he ran. I know two others who use 22-250's primarily on deer, mostly reds with one using standard factory Winchester ammo to great effect.

It's always been a calibre I've liked so I've really enjoyed seeing what your results and experiences to date have been.

If you'd like to try some "Speer 52 gr HP" or "Sierra 63 gr SMP" projectiles then flick me a PM and I'll put some in the post :thumbsup:

The 52s work very well in them.

The only rifle I wore right out was a Winchester 22.250. 1/14 22" in barrel. I used W760 (40 grns come to mind but check it out) and 55 grn Lapua bullets (cant get them now).

It's a very cool caliber. Deer and smaller things. Trouble is if you get into something like shooting hundreds of hares on young pine trees like I did you will soon burn the thing out.

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Originally Posted by Seventenths

@Forestry, I've had limited experience shooting an old mates 22-250 mostly on goats some years back but it was a great killer with 55 gr projectiles he ran. I know two others who use 22-250's primarily on deer, mostly reds with one using standard factory Winchester ammo to great effect.

It's always been a calibre I've liked so I've really enjoyed seeing what your results and experiences to date have been.

If you'd like to try some "Speer 52 gr HP" or "Sierra 63 gr SMP" projectiles then flick me a PM and I'll put some in the post :thumbsup:

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Some good fellas on here ! I really appreciate all the advice and offers.

Loaded up 35 odd with 39.8gr CFE to allow a little wiggle for a warmer day and have a good easy hunt lined up soon to try them out. Thanks

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Whopped a few goats with the home loads. The VMAX seemed to work ok behind the shoulder, a few wobbled around but everything dropped. Should have taken the tails and entered the Goat comp now I see the good prizes!. Grabbed a couple of back legs from the young ones at least.

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Originally Posted by takbok

@forester I use the 50gr Barnes TTSX to good effect on deer out of my 1:14" 220 Swift. I pull the plastic tips out for good stability in the slow twist barrel. I know of a few guys using them in 22-250's with very good results. They have the BC of a brick but I've managed to shoot deer at up to 230m or so with them.

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That barrel must be ultra warm .

Not too bad at all since it's mostly just the odd shot or two while hunting.

190m roe buck last week dropped on the spot with a heart shot.

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Gidday am new here, just wondering people's opinion on rebarelling my 22/250 when it needs it. At present is a Tikka T3 Varmint 1/14 twist, I'm shooting 52 gr Eldmz on 🐐. Also have a 6.5 CM. Should I go fast twist and bigger pills or similar to what I have?
Cheers.

Shot a few more goats last weekend when out looking for a pig. First on was about 50m which bang-flopped with the PPU 55gr soft point but the next was 280yrds away and following the 22-250 is a laser theory didn’t work (shooting under it) and I missed it 3 times. I thought they just fell over from fear with the 22-250? I popped in the hand loaded 50gr VMAX home loads that are smoking and that dropped it like a stone. Loving the low recoil.

If I was rebarelling it would definitely be a faster twist but I'm more than happy with the 1:14 for now.

I seem to recall @Seventenths used to shoot Sika with VMax quite successfully?

Mate was using 50gr Vmax in a 223 on a recent goat trip & they were absolute shit killers. Lots of flesh wounds & second & third finishing shots. He's a seasoned shooter & marksman. Save them for the bunnies.

Sent from my SM-S906E using Tapatalk

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Originally Posted by Lockleydog

Gidday am new here, just wondering people's opinion on rebarelling my 22/250 when it needs it. At present is a Tikka T3 Varmint 1/14 twist, I'm shooting 52 gr Eldmz on ��. Also have a 6.5 CM. Should I go fast twist and bigger pills or similar to what I have?
Cheers.

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Whatever you wish, it was designed specifically for " varmint" shooting, light bullet, small target, longish range. This was before rangefinders and twiddly dial scopes so speed and a flat trajectory were key.
Heavier bullets expand its usefulness at the expense of speed. For heavier game it's parent the 250 savage would probably be better except it's virtually dead now or the 243. None are economical on powder but that really isn't a consideration for owners is it.

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Originally Posted by Mathias

Mate was using 50gr Vmax in a 223 on a recent goat trip & they were absolute shit killers. Lots of flesh wounds & second & third finishing shots. He's a seasoned shooter & marksman. Save them for the bunnies.

Sent from my SM-S906E using Tapatalk

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It's the same as it's always been,shot placement. If using really soft n explody you realistically only have two choices,head/neck or in the crease. Eg no heavy bone to deal with and vital bits close to surface. That isn't calibre specific either.

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Originally Posted by Tahr

I seem to recall @Seventenths used to shoot Sika with VMax quite successfully?

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Yes but at 223 speeds.

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Originally Posted by Micky Duck

Yes but at 223 speeds.

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I only shot 5-6 sika with 55 gr vmax in my .223 and had absolutely no issues with them at all killing.

Out again today with the 22-250 to protect a Manuka plantation and managed to cut off some goats from their normal escape path into the mature native. I sneaked in to 200yrds and thought they would run back toward me. I also had my bi-pod this time and tied my dog up before getting a good steady rest. Starting with the PPU 55gr loads I lined up on a big white billy and whacked it in the shoulder. The mob milled around and the next target was a black Billy which I also shot in the shoulder. The rest didn’t follow my plan and went in the opposite direction out of sight. I took off across an old skid trail through gorse wishing I hadn’t worn shorts and made the next ridge. I wacked another Billy that was angling away behind the shoulder with the PPUs that surprised me by running off downhill but I saw blood from the shot in the scope and it soon dropped. The rest of the mob were on a mission, and soon ranged at 310yds. Two misses followed so I consulted the drop chart on my phone and loaded some VMAXs into the mag. The Vixen 3-12 is a great wee scope and the BDC reticle quite useful. They were now 350yrds and I was tracking the last Billy. It stopped next to another goat so I let fly and the other goat dropped (I was aiming for the Billy!). Getting a better rest a nanny stood side on so using a hash mark I aimed for the shoulder and it dropped instantly 4 legs in the air. The rest had disappeared. Time to go back and get my dog. Final shooting position below

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The VMAX are very accurate and very effective for smaller goats.

She’s a deadly calibre the 22 250. I don’t use mine enough , the last good shoot was down south on the wallabies, it sure as hell sorted them out.

Another trip today - stuffed it up but it all ended up fine. I was taking it easy after knee surgery so mainly drove around. Came across a mob where I wasn’t expecting them and at 400yrds too far away, so I tried to drive around to another ridge where they were heading and it didn’t work as the ridge split and I was far away on the wrong spur. I went back to a big cutover block and could hear some goats bleating and spotted a couple of small white ones near the creek. While moving in the bushes moved on the other side and three bigger goats appeared about 30yrds away so I got ready for a standing shot. I had a PPU first up in case of pigs so waited for the biggest to stand side on and popped it behind the shoulder - thwack and it ran off! Now I was into the VMAX loads and another stood side on a dropped like a stone. The first one appeared again and zap it sacked with the VMAX. The last one ran past and I missed it over the top of its back when it stopped….

Back to the goats by the creek and I sneaked in to 120yrds on the rangefinder and got a rest on a log. I dropped the biggest (they were very small) and the second one went to check on its mate. A hurried shot missed it and it leap into the creek with a slash and was out of site. Two more appeared and the VMAX dropped both before the now wet goat climbed back into site and got a present with a better shot.

I took some meat off the first two and the dog was happy

I think the PPUs are too hard for smaller goats and I’ll be aiming to hit shoulder - but the VMAx seem magic


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Middle ground could well be the cheap as chips Hornady or speer 55gn cup n core projectiles.

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Originally Posted by Micky Duck

Middle ground could well be the cheap as chips Hornady or speer 55gn cup n core projectiles.

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I run 52 grain Sierra hp match projectiles in my Swift. Super accurate and hold together quite well for the speed they do.