Thread: 22-250 varmint loads

I'm about to start some load development for new bunny bazooka. Any suggestions where to start for something to blast bunnies and hares out to far enough to make it interesting? I'm dealing with a 14 twist so lighter end of the projectile spectrum, although I did read an interesting article about how some guys reckon the 14 twist will stabilise up to 62gr you just have to get em going super quick..
I have Norma brass and projectiles I have at the moment are:

Hornady 50gr SPSX (apparently more explodey than the normal 50gr SP)

Hornady 52gr ELDM

Hornady 50gr VMAX

Powders on hand:

2208
2209
2213sc
2225
Superformance
Reloder 23
Reloder 17
Reloder 15
IMR 8208 XBR
ADI Benchmark 2

The last two powders seem to get thrown around a bit in 22-250 chat, as does CFE 223 but I can't find any of that anywhere. Could go out and source new powders/projectiles if anyone's got a good suggestion.
Also wouldn't mind working up a load that will work for fallow in within my rifles specs.

Cheers

The 50gr VMax would be my pick. Heavier may stabilise but it'll be borderline. My 1 in 12 twist 223 struggles with 55's unless they're going at least 3200 and are the short and stubby variety. When they're borderline in ideal conditions, tools like JBM suggest that a simple swing in temperature and atmospherics is enough to tip the balance and make the projectile unstable. You wouldn't want to develop a load in ideal conditions and then find out it shoots like shit in different weather.

Looking at the Hodgdon data, BM2 up to AR2208 all look like they can get into that 3850 to 3950 bracket with 50gr bullets. CFE is a small step up but I never found it to be particularly consistent or temp insensitive so I'd save your money there. 8208 and BM2 do indeed look ideal. I'd go with whichever you have the most of.

Edit. The 63gr Sierra might be worth a look at for fallow.

Been trying to get a similar load developed but keep getting side tracked. Also have a 14 twist, 60gn partition are supposed to stabilise, only got initial load tests for these but they did appear to stabilise and would be a handy one for the odd deer. I also read the 70gn Speer was specifically developed for slow twist 222 so have some of these to try, not the most streamlined but 70gn!
If my results are no good with these then it will be back to 50gn or thereabouts similar to what you have. Tried 55 tts couldn’t get them to group. Only used 2208 so far as have a heap of it.

I have been using 52g eldm and really pleased with them.
Been smashing magpies and peacocks out to 470 m if not to windy.
Running 08 and fed 210 at 3660.
I tried some 6.5staball the other day and that grouped well to
I just have to borrow my chrony back so I can check the speeds to see if it's worth while changing

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My next fun gun has to be a 22-250

55g Sierra Blitzking with 2206h & GM210M for around 3750fps IIRC. Certainly lights the wee critters up.

2208 W748, 3031, 4064 will all work well with lighter projectiles.

The 63 Sierra should stabilise, one guy in the states uses it on Mule deer and Pronghorn and went end to end on a Black Bear at 180 yards so fallow wont be a problem.

Mines at Mitchs getting a new barrel.

I'm running a pretty mild load in my factory standard T3:
55gr V-Max
35.5gr IMR8208XBR
3648fps

It's devastating on rabbits.

Originally Posted by Timmay

My next fun gun has to be a 22-250

pfft old fashioned caliber surely there's something out there with a fancy name that does 10fps more

This works in my sako and has done in my kimber and rem 700, shoots same hole groups and explodes bunnies in half. It’s also a cost effective option $65 powder and I think I paid $160 for 500 projectiles

50gr vmax same as Zmax
39.5 grs of h380
59.48 OL
3600ish FPS


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I used 38gns 2208/50gn vmax for 3800fps.
It would turn the insides of a fox into soup.

Awesome thread I'm soon going to be starting down the reloading route for my 22.250 Savage so this thread is resource for me to look back at.

DONT USE THE SPSX...they possibly wont reach target...designed for less than 3000fps...or there abouts,they awesome in .223 loaded mild...the 50grn vmax/zmax are dynamite in .22-250....as are the 55grn version...sighted inch high at hundy its point n shoot out to past 200....havent bothered past that yet....the vmax much more explody than factory 55grn winchester stuff.
dont over think it.....if rifle likes load go with it.

poke a couple of 50 gn flat based ttsx in pocket for any fallow you see....shot wee porker the other day..only about 15-20lb winchester factory load and it went through both shoulders n exited...pretty sure it would take a fallow no fuss or bother. with the accuracy being great neck shooting be difinately on the cards,pretty much any projectile bar super explody ones will do that without fuss.

Originally Posted by Plinky

Been trying to get a similar load developed but keep getting side tracked. Also have a 14 twist, 60gn partition are supposed to stabilise, only got initial load tests for these but they did appear to stabilise and would be a handy one for the odd deer. I also read the 70gn Speer was specifically developed for slow twist 222 so have some of these to try, not the most streamlined but 70gn!
If my results are no good with these then it will be back to 50gn or thereabouts similar to what you have. Tried 55 tts couldn’t get them to group. Only used 2208 so far as have a heap of it.

Shot some federal premium factory stuff today with the 60gr Partition and it kind of gave me mixed messages, shot two groups and both of them grouped two right beside each other and one about 6 inches away, but both groups totally different poi. I've determined it doesn't like them for now anyhow. Shot some old remington factory 55gr sp stuff and it stacked 10 shots into a sub inch group. It just kept putting them there so I kept firing them! so will look at similar projectiles for a start