Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles 22-250 Reduced loads

I've been reading the thread on "gopher" loads for the .223 and wondering if anyone has any recommendations for the same in 22-250? I would like something good out to 250-300 yards with less noise, recoil and heat. My 22-250 is a walking varminter with a lightly contoured barrel and I'd like to be able to see the impact on p-dogs. Any reduced loads out there?

Thanks,
Jeff M.

I shoot a 50 gr. Speer TNT over 29 grs. of H-4895 or IMR-4064. Good for about 3000 fps in my rifle. Very accurate.

17 gr SR4759 with a Hornady 50 Vmax gives me 2800 fps

Good question.

How about anyone with reduced load info using 55gr. V-Max's and Varget?

Appreciate any comments

What you are asking for is a �Catch 22�. You want to shoot p-dogs at 300 yards, with less noise, less recoil, and less barrel heat with a 22-250.

If you own a 22-250, enjoy what you have. A round that can truly make a 300 yard shot.

Hell a 22 long rifle rimfire (less noise, recoil, and barrel heat) can make a shoot on a 300 yard prairie dog if it gives you enough pot shoots at him.

my question is WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY?

at the rate of 3000+ rounds a year your going to replace barrels every other year. And with the cost of reloading components going sky high and the cost of re barreling going up every year I need to maximize my barrel life as much as possible. I just replaced two barrels earlier this year and another is in the shop getting done.

i've yet to shoot one out in 20yrs

i shoot 34.5gns imr3031 ,50grn v-max

If you want a close range "gopher" gun get a hornet or a 221 fireball, down loading a big case like a 22-250 does not work all that well, like asking a 25year old to act like a 5 year old. sure he can do it but it is more funny than practical.
B

Reduced loads work very well. Use the 50% formula with IMR's SR 4759. It will yield around 2800 fps with light bullets in small calibers. For instance a full load in the 22-250 uses about 36 grains of regular powder so use 36/2 = 18 grains of 4759 and I suggest the 40 gr bullet.

With the rifle zeroed for 200 yds with the full load the %50 load should hit on or a little high at 100 yds.

The #4759 powder is best for this as it very high bulk, made for reduced loads so it ignites well and best of all that load will fill the case more than 1/2 way to prevent double charges.

You proved my point.
Thank You
B

There are a bunch of us that use reduced loads in lots of different rifles. You might check with prairie dog shooters sometime, as so-called "gopher loads" are used by many.

And yes, indeed, reduced loads can work very well.

Well, I don't agree with those above that the 22.250 can't do reliable service with reduced loads also... it adds to the rifle versatility with reduced loads...these loads are results I have tested, but ultimately the safety of such loads are the responsibility of the handloader himself as he is the only one that has control over his use of ANY data and the safety precautions of his handloading techniques...
That notwithstanding...here is some data you may find useful...

Blue Dot Range Report: 22/250

Firearm Used: Ruger 77 Mk 2

Barrel: 22 inch sporter weight

Case: Remington

Range Tested: 7 grains to 20 grains. 20 % ( 6.6 grains) 60 % ( 19.8 grains)

Full Case Capacity to Rim: 33 grains/

Bullets Used in Test:
46 Win HP, 50 Hornady SP, 52 Sierra HP Match, 55 Win FMJ, 60 Hornady SP
63 Sierra SMP


Test Results:

I. 46 grain Winchester Hollow Point, Win Large Pistol Primer

1. 7 grs: 1721 fps
2. 8 grs: 1895 fps
3. 9 grs: 2095 fps
4. 10 grs: 2264 fps
5. 11 grs: 2390 fps

6. 12 grs: 2537 fps
7. 13 grs: 2675 fps
8. 14 grs: 2781 fps
9. 15 grs: NO Reading
10. 16 grs: 3063 fps

11. 17 grs: 3177 fps
12. 18 grs: 3274 fps
13. 19 grs: 3388 fps ( Consider Max)
14. 20 grs: 3440 fps ( Extractor Mark, Scrapped Case)

II. 50 grain Hornady SP, Win Large Rifle Primer

1. 7 grs: 1722 fps
2. 8 grs: 1911 fps
3. 9 grs: 2057 fps
4. 10 grs: 2206 fps
5. 11 grs: 2328 fps

6. 12 grs: 2473 fps
7. 13 grs: 2627 fps
8. 14 grs: 2729 fps
9. 15 grs: 2856 fps
10. 16 grs: 2940 fps

11. 17 grs: 3116 fps
12. 18 grs: 3181 fps
13. 19 grs: 3271 fps
14. 20 grs: 3354 fps

With this bullet, all the way to 20 grains was reached ( 60%). However, I would recommend max being set at 19 grains or less.


III Sierra 52 grain Hollow Point Match Win Large Pistol Primer

1. 7 grs: 1676 fps
2. 8 grs: 1841 fps
3. 9 grs: 1998 fps
4. 10 grs: 2127 fps
5. 11 grs: 2311 fps

6. 12 grs: 2416 fps
7. 13 grs: 2551 fps
8. 14 grs: No Read
9. 15 grs: 2795 fps
10. 16 grs: 2935 fps

11. 17 grs: 3029 fps
12. 18 grs: 3127 fps
13. 19 grs: 3252 fps
14. 20 grs: 3297 fps

This bullet also reached the 20 grains mark ( 60 %) . However once again I recommend max being set at 19 grains or less.


IV Winchester 55 gr FMJ, Win Large Pistol Primer

1. 7grs: 1636 fps
2. 8 grs: 1800 fps
3. 9 grs: 1986 fps
4. 10 grs: 2126 fps
5. 11 grs: 2247 fps

6. 12 grs: 2392 fps
7. 13 grs: 2504 fps
8. 14 grs: 2631 fps
9. 15 grs: 2738 fps
10. 16 grs: 2872 fps

11. 17 grs: 3003 fps
12. 18 grs: 3095 fps
13. 19 grs: 3203 fps
14. 20 grs: 3250 fps

As again Noted, this bullet also achieved reaching the 20 grain Mark ( 60%). However once again I recommend max capacity at 19 grains or less.


V. Hornady 60 grain SP, Win Mag Rifle Primer

1. 7 grs: 1587 fps
2. 8 grs: 1769 fps
3. 9 grs: 1901 fps
4. 10 grs: 2034 fps
5. 11 grs: 2162 fps

6. 12 grs: 2290 fps
7. 13 grs: 2406 fps
8. 14 grs: 2489 fps
9. 15 grs: 2618 fps
10. 16 grs: 2735 fps

11. 17 grs: 2832 fps
12. 18 grs: 2832 fps
13. 19 grs: 3058 fps ( considered max)
14. 20 grs: 3119 fps ( primer leaked, extractor marks, scrapped case)

Max was achieved at 19 grains. Recommend Max load at 19 grains or less.
Based on tree used as back stop, which had a 6 inch diameter to it, bullets at 15 grains of powder and up were penetrating the tree completely. Based on this I would recommend this point as a potential deer load for youths, keeping range within 100 to 125 yds or so ( 30/30 range). The 63 grain Sierra SMP showed a lot more damage to the tree than did the Hornady, and at a much lower velocity. Use on deer is the personal choice of the shooter or adult. Some argue against 22 Center fire on deer and others are just fine with it. Key is shot placement and range limitation. I am just reporting damage to media, and penetration that I am passing on to the reader.



VI. Sierra 63 grain Semi Pointed ( SMP) Win Mag Rifle Primer

1. 7 grs: 1455 fps
2. 8 grs: 1607 fps
3. 9 grs: 1848 fps
4. 10 grs: 1860 fps
5. 11 grs: 2034 fps

6. 12 grs: 2176 fps
7. 13 grs: 2327 fps
8. 14 grs: 2443 fps
9. 15 grs: 2578 fps
10. 16 grs: 2668 fps

11. 17 grs: 2787 fps
12. 18 grs: 2850 fps
13. 19 grs: 2958 fps ( Consider Maximum!, NO problems observed)
14. 20 grs: 2982 fps ( Popped primer, jammed bolt)


Conclusions:

For training and starting out a youth, I consider the 22/250 a better first choice to start out with, based on the test results as compared to a 223. The 223 has the economy of cheaper brass, but the 22/250 I thought offered more flexibility by being able to achieve higher velocities with heavier bullets than the 223 achieves.

For training of youths to deer hunt, the 63 grain bullet offered a lot of promise of everything tested. Results for a 64 grain Winchester would be close to the same, just recommend working up. Start looking for max with 18 grains or so. As one can see, the increase in fps is not that much, and would make no real world difference, as I consider that 200 yds would be max range. I also feel that training a youth not to take shots over that distance is a responsible habit for an adult to teach younger shooters. Let them learn with experience and practice to learn to shoot at longer ranges.

The 22/250 can be loaded down to levels that are between a 22 Long Rifle and a 22 Mag.
The recoil is very low, but also so is the noise at these levels. Especially the 10 grain loads and under. It can also be enjoyable for an adult. My own 22 mags are going to get dusty, as these loads are not only cheaper to shoot, but are more accurate� plus one can have a bullet of his choice instead of what the factory picks to load. At the lower volumes, such as 7 grains and up, these can also make a very satisfactory load for Squirrel hunting, or similar sized game at appropriate ranges. Consult a trajectory chart in some of the commercially available reload manuals. Even at 2000 fps or under, these would make good loads for calling coyotes if you can bring them in at 100 yds or so.
Game bullets would have the punch to drop a coyote at those velocities.

Important Notes:

These loads were tested in cool weather, moist outside and around the 55 to 60 degree ranges. Work up if the higher loads near max are to be used in hot weather.

Bullets were seated out to the magazine length in the Ruger. If your rifle has a tight neck, or a shorter chamber ( Rugers are generous) then work up your loads. Also seating bullets deeper can increase pressures.

Remember Blue Dot is a faster powder. However no filler is needed and I have tested it down to just 10 % of load capacity ( 3.3 grains and it worked just fine). It is not powder position sensitive in the case either.

This data represents data that I have observed. It is shared as a point of reference.
Outcomes are the responsibility of each handloader, who should be careful in his work.

The 22/250 showed me a lot of flexibility here, moreso than the 223 even.
It would be my pick as a better choice for a first rifle for a youth, utilizing this gathered test data.

Cheers and Good shooting
Seafire/ May 11, 2004

Good post, Seafire

And I agree with your opinion of the 22-250 it is a grand cartridge.

Why shoot reduced loads? Because it works. Barrel heat is greatly reduced and so is barrel wear. Throat erosion is almost eliminated. Recoil is reduced to practically zero. Yes, recoil, try shooting all day with full load 22-250, you will know recoil.

I shoot 50 or 52 grain bullets over 29 gr. IMR 4064 for a reduced load. 36 gr. of Rx 15 is my full load. Both shoot to the same point of impact in my rifles at 100 yrds. beyond that the hotter load shoots flatter. Most of my shooting is under 250 yards so I dont need the extra powder or extra wear on the gun.

The reduced load is effective out to 300 yrds or so and the full load is for long range shooting. So I have the ballistics of a 223 and a 22-250 in the same rifle! And I can shoot them interchangeably.

That is why I use reduced loads. It works for me.

Your mileage may vary

Jim

JB..

I have a Model 70 in 22.250 that is kinda custom barreled, with a 28 inch Pac Nor on it..one of my personal favorite rifles..

But playing with load development when the barrel was new, I tried a load out of a manual for a 225 Winchester, and it was a one hole shooter in this rifle... so I stayed with it..

That was 25 grains of IMR 4198, with a 52 grain Speer HP... which has been a very effective prairie dog killer and sage rat round..change the charge up or down even a tenth of a grain and the groups open up! But at 25 grains , my Mv is at 3400 fps.. which I can live with easily...basically it is another 223 equal.. with a 223 barrel life...

Another 22.250 gets the fast loads, but not a lot of shots as I use it strictly for those WAAY out there shots..Ruger VT...But the Winchester is pretty darn good out to 350 to 400 yds... the Ruger might see 5 to 10 shots in a long day...

cheers
seafire

It sounds as if you have it dialed in. I have not tried the IMR 4198 in a 22-250, just thought it to be a little fast burning for that cartridge. Now I shall have to try it. What primer are you using? I use the standard CCI in most everything except the Ramshot and Winchester powders.

Jim

.

Well with Fuel prices etc.. I am kinda stuck with what primers are available locally in a smaller town...

for the 223, I pretty much use WSRs...

For the centerfires with a 473 bolt face and magnums, I usually pick up the CCIs at BiMart, the only place that they are available at a "low" cost, If that is what you call current primer prices...

some folks are pretty picky on primers..

winchester, CCI, Rems and Federals, all seem to work just fine for me.. with none really adding superior results and none offering less than good results..

the IMR 4198 load mentioned above has been used with CCI/LR, WLR, WMR, Fed 210, Fed 215, and Rem 9 1/2 and 9/2 Mag primers..

no variations were observed...