24hourcampfire: 22-250AI /50 gr. V-max kill fest

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#2264792 - 06/19/08 06:43 PM

22-250AI /50 gr. V-max kill fest

FVA
Campfire Guide

Registered: 08/18/02
Posts: 2898
Loc: NY

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Finally got a good part of the afternoon to go woodchuck hunting in my favorite spot and had a pretty good day.
I recently acquired a 4.5-14x50 Zeiss with a Rapid 1000 reticle and put it on my lightish 22-250AI(22",#2 barrel, Edge stock) I have been chomping to put it through it's paces.
I only use the center cross hair and twist turrets as needed. The 1000 reticle just looked like a good size for aiming at tiny things at further ranges and works as planned.
My 22-250AI is twisted 1 in 8 and I mostly shoot 75 gr. A-max's. Even so,I had a bunch of 50 gr. moly'd V-max's on hand so I loaded a bunch up to 3950 fps over Ramshot Big Game and as is the rifles habit, it shot them into tiny clusters. Ran a trajectory card and grabbed my Leica Rf, binocs, Jamison rear bag and headed out.
It was one of those days that the woodchucks just kept coming out and hardly any wind. I ended up with 25 chucks out of 29 shots fired with most in the 300-500 yard range. For my area/country that is a lot of woodchucks from two different shooting areas.
Couple observations. The Zeiss tracking is awesome. I'd dial in the dope and although I did miss a few, it was almost like I couldn't miss. I didn't have to dial in a ton of MOA,mostly between 2-7, but shot placement was alway precise. Did all shooting off a bi pod with rear bag.
The 50's do recoil noticeably less than the 75's. Frankly,seeing hits with either isn't an issue if you concentrate. I always saw the woodchuck take the hit before I heard the shot/hit/recoil moved the rifle.
The V-max's turned the small ones inside out and did plenty to the bigger ones as well. Crawlers were few and didn't go far. I'm thinking the extra twisted didn't hurt terminal performance(grin) The 22-250AI is a hammer.. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera for any pics. Here is a pic of the rifle with a different scope that has been moved to a 257W.

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#2265292 - 06/20/08 05:26 AM

Re: 22-250AI /50 gr. V-max kill fest [Re: FVA]

mpwolf
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Registered: 01/16/08
Posts: 77

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Nice! Sometimes you just have one of those days!

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#2267668 - 06/21/08 02:20 PM

Re: 22-250AI /50 gr. V-max kill fest [Re: FVA]

VarmintGuy
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Registered: 05/22/03
Posts: 721
Loc: SW Montana

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FVA: Good for you and the nifty custom Rifle!
With that short (and light!) barrel AND when shooting the 75 grain bullets I am surprised you can still detect your bullet impacts!
That looks like a Darrell Holland heavy duty (large!) recoil lug!
I have some custom Rifles that use Darrell Hollands recoil lugs.
Keep after the Chucks while the getting is good!
The grass here in SW Montana is now getting so high it hides most Varmints!
Next valley west of me they are doing their first cuttings already and the Varminting should perk back up.
That is a lot of Chucks for any area I have Hunted them in, of recent!
Again, good for you on your high quality & high percentage Hunt!
Could you give me an incite into your decision making process when you were planning/building your Rifle?
I am puzzled by the short barrel and the decision to go with the Ackley Improved version of the 22-250 in your Rifle!
I am also puzzled about the light weight barrel and your decision to use the number 2 barrel weight instead of a much heavier barrel?
Great looking Rifle/scope combo by the way!
Is that a Jewell trigger or am I just imagining a lighter color trigger in your photo?
Many happy returns of "your" day!
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

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#2268616 - 06/22/08 07:38 AM

Re: 22-250AI /50 gr. V-max kill fest [Re: VarmintGuy]

FVA
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Registered: 08/18/02
Posts: 2898
Loc: NY

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Incite into decision making process, hmmm. Guess I'd have to say it started with a 1 in 8 twisted 223 WSSM I had built and the new appreciation I gained 75 gr. A-max's ability to both anchor and make 500+ yard shots a much higher percentage deal. Here is a pic of that rifle. Fluted #5 Krieger at 26".

Shot 75 and 80 gr. A-max's from 3300-3500 and came to find 3300/3350 did all I want and maybe extended barrel life/ability to keep the bullets from coming apart.
My style of Woodchuck hunting is to do a lot of humping around on hilly ground going to various high points to sit and take what comes along the way offhand. I found the 223WSSM pictured above a bit much to carry around and not the easiest to shoot offhand. I decided to build a light rifle capable of launching the 75 gr. A-max at 3300+ without leaning on it too hard hence the decision for the 22-250AI. I just wanted top 22-250 velocities in a 22" barrel and the 22-250AI does so with ease. Ultimate goal was a light rifle with the accuracy/performance for 500-1000 yards.

I had Krieger do the install and they chose the lug. I'm not sure what kind it is but it is heavier than the Holland's I have on other rifles though he may make more than one style. It is a beast of a lug.
The action is of 68 vintage and the trigger is stock ,nicely tuned.
Here is a pic of the rifle with the Zeiss. Had to trim the front Butler a bit to clear the barrel barely. I used a shorter bipod on the hunt I posted. This one for when the grass is tall and sitting positions required.

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#2270091 - 06/23/08 12:38 AM

Re: 22-250AI /50 gr. V-max kill fest [Re: FVA]

Seafire
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Registered: 04/20/04
Posts: 1417
Loc: Southern Oregon USA

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FVA;

for a New Yorker, you are a pretty cool dude...

too bad NY isn't full of more guys with your tastes and hobbies...

very nice equipment!!!

I like your style...I also had a 22.250 with a fast twist, that does well with 75 and 80 grain A Maxes...mine is not an Ackley version tho... it is built on a Ruger stainless action...

surprisingly my best velocity and accuracy come from 4064, instead of the slower powders...

Edited by Seafire (06/23/08 12:49 AM)
Edit Reason: added photo

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A reporter did a human-interest piece on the Texas Rangers. The reporter recognized the Colt Model 1911 the Ranger was carrying and asked him "Why do you carry a 45?" The Ranger responded, "Because they don't make a 46."

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#2270136 - 06/23/08 04:10 AM

Re: 22-250AI /50 gr. V-max kill fest [Re: Seafire]

FVA
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Registered: 08/18/02
Posts: 2898
Loc: NY

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That is a nice looking rig. The only powders I've messed with are RL 15,RS Big Game, and H4350. I never looked too hard for the velocity ceiling but rather just pick where I want to be and put powder in till I get there.
Nothing fussy about this rifle. So far it has shot any bullet/powder combo I have fed it into very tiny groups. Bullets I have played with in it are 50 gr. V-max's, 62 gr. TSX's, 75&80 gr. A-max's, and 75 gr. Scirocco's. Round count is closing in on 500 with one cleaning at 50 rounds and another few patches pushed through at 300-moly from the get go. Works for me.

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#2270171 - 06/23/08 05:10 AM

Re: 22-250AI /50 gr. V-max kill fest [Re: FVA]

DMB
Campfire Outfitter

Registered: 07/10/04
Posts: 8897
Loc: Grayling, MI

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FVA,
25 Chucks in one afternoon is about a world record!!!
GOOD job!!

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#2270184 - 06/23/08 05:20 AM

Re: 22-250AI /50 gr. V-max kill fest [Re: DMB]

FVA
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Registered: 08/18/02
Posts: 2898
Loc: NY

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For me anyways(grin)

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#2270653 - 06/23/08 10:43 AM

Re: 22-250AI /50 gr. V-max kill fest [Re: FVA]

VarmintGuy
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Registered: 05/22/03
Posts: 721
Loc: SW Montana

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FVA: Thanks for the explanation.
I appreciate it.
Those are some sweet looking Rifles - again good for you!
I also am not sure if Darrell Holland makes more than one thickness of recoil lug?
My mind wanders (and wonders!) about different features and styles folks incoperate in their custom Varmint Rifles.
I have as yet to contract out for a custom Varminter that incorporates either a slender barrel or a short barrel.
All my custom Varminters have long and heavy barrels.
Free velocity, heat disapation and stability of sight picture while Hunting are my goals with these type barrels.
I was just wondering about your choice of the 22-250 Remington Ackley Improved and then using only 22" of barrel on your custom rig.
I am thrilled your rig is working out so well for you (high Varmint counts and 500+ yard capabilities) its just that in my mind a 22-250 Remington Ackley Improved surely could/would be more "efficient" with a 24", 25, 26" or 27" inch barrel. If one is going to fireform cases and choose a caliber that likes/needs a longer barrel to maximize its performance I was just wondering why the standard 22-250 Remington wouldn't work nearly as well, live longer (throat & barrel wise) and be easier to set up.
In other words I wonder what the FPS advantage is with the 22-250 Remington Ackley Improved over the standard 22-250 Remington in a 22" barrel?
I am on a search for that answer as of now.
All the 22-250 A.I. users I know have 26"+ barrels on their Rifles.
I do know this, all these 22-250 A.I. users all rave about the brass life of their Rifles.
Thanks again for the incites.
Hold inot the wind
VarmintGuy

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#2270699 - 06/23/08 11:08 AM

Re: 22-250AI /50 gr. V-max kill fest [Re: VarmintGuy]

FVA
Campfire Guide

Registered: 08/18/02
Posts: 2898
Loc: NY

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Yeah, I know most 22-250AI's are built with a different thought process.
As for fire forming/velocities ,looking at a bunch of sources, 3300 seems to be tops with 75's in the standard 22-250 and most 50's run 3900ish with 24-26" barrels. I understand about pet loads/velocities but just going by the books. I might push the 50gr. load to 4000 but will most likely go back to 75's at 3350. Anyways, I load my fire forming loads right up to those velocities and have never seen signs of pressure either via the case/bolt feel and the primers still have rounded edges. I figure the case might not know it's a AI yet but the chamber does. IME, I have great accuracy with the parent cases thus loaded and it really makes fire forming a non issue to me.

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#2270727 - 06/23/08 11:20 AM

Re: 22-250AI /50 gr. V-max kill fest [Re: FVA]

Roscoe
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Registered: 02/23/07
Posts: 56
Loc: Arkansas

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What powder charge weights are you using with Big Game and the 50 and 75 grain bullets?

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#2271682 - 06/23/08 08:32 PM

Re: 22-250AI /50 gr. V-max kill fest [Re: Roscoe]

FVA
Campfire Guide

Registered: 08/18/02
Posts: 2898
Loc: NY

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Originally Posted By: Roscoe

What powder charge weights are you using with Big Game and the 50 and 75 grain bullets?

41 grs. Big Game behind moly'd 50's. I've only used RL 15 and H4350 behind the 75's so far. RL 15 for the forming loads and then H4350 as with moly'd bullets, H4350 needs the extra case capacity to fit. Plan on working up big Game next time I load 75's, which will be soon. From what I've seen with the 50's I'd guess 2 more grains than the RL 15 loads I'm running.

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The man who says he can and the man who says he can't are both right.

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#2278505 - 06/27/08 07:58 AM

Re: 22-250AI /50 gr. V-max kill fest [Re: FVA]

Kaleb
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Registered: 01/22/08
Posts: 201
Loc: wkend TN/ wk Birmingham, AL

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I really like that light rifle. Once you are set up hard to beat a heavy gun(and you have one). If you are like me you do more walking than shooting. Well 25 in a day you are not like me at all, thats a great day. My uncle has a heavy barrel Savage that makes a big hole a 100yrds but man is it a pain to carry arround. I was going to say its a give and take but with yours shooting as well as it does your not giving much. I like a light gun for hunting.

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