Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles Putting the supercharger on the old 22.250?

Doing my usual reload and testing, to occupy my leisure time, instead of watching the Boob Tube, or mowing the lawn...

went out and did some testing on the old 22.250 to see some velocity on some loads that had shot quite well at the range earlier this week..

two powders I haven't used much on the 22.250, one old and one new were RL 17 and IMR 3031...3031 has been used in the past in the 22.250 but it is off the trendy list, so it isn't talked up much...

if it was a new powder I think varmint hunters would be talking it up big time....

Given 1/2 sized groups or better out of two of my 22.250s, a Ruger with a 22 inch barrel, and a Model 70 with a 28 inch Pac Nor barrel...

I always test velocity over a chronograph by using at least 3 shots and averaging them, to see how consistency is...

well with a 50 grain bullet ( Varmint Nightmare Extremes) and a charge of 36 grains of IMR 3031 ( 9/10ths of a grain over what is listed in the Sierra Manual), with a Federal Large Rifle primer, the chronograph gave a three readings that averaged 4044 fps, ( with minimal deviation spread!)

That reading was out of the 22 inch barrel tho!!

Then a batch tried out of the 28 inch barrel was right at 4200 fps once again with minimal deviation spread!

This should be noted that this IS NOT out of a 22.250 AI...[color:#000000][/color]....

some of you boys with Quick Load, please feel free to chime in and give us a press estimate..

My personal needs don't really need to run a 22.250 at this velocity... in fact, I usually run mine at 223 speeds, and run my 223s at 218 Bee Speeds or so..

but it sure is nice to know that this velocity potential is possible... primers went in on the next reload nice and tight, just like being brand new..

the above tests were the first use out of this batch of Win Brass...

cheers
seafire

Seafire, did you shoot groups while you were testing for speed, or just clocking them?

thanks, that is some really great info!

I usually shoot groups..if those turn out pretty well, then I will chronograph some after reloading them again...

normally I chronograph out in the woods around here, as that is much closer to home than going back over to the range and then potentially having to fight a bunch of guys who might be using the range at the same time...

Wow, that's good! I used to use 3031 in my Rem. 788, 22/250 years ago, it was really accurate but I didn't have access to a chronograph. Kinda got away from it over the years. Maybe I should try it again.

What about RE 17???

Posted that under the thread titled Reloader 17 and the 22.250...

tested some loads today...

40 grains gave an MV of 3750 fps with a 55grain bullet..

5 shots at 100 yds with the 55 grain V Max gave an group of 0.27...

ballistic tips didn't fare that well...

the rifle sure liked V Maxes with that powder charge tho...

Since you asked...

QL showing (all with OAL 2.350):

63208 psi with 36gr 3031 and a Sierra 50gr sp. 22" @ 3855, 28" @ 4065 close to max

67083 psi with 36gr 3031 and H's 50 gr Vmax. 22" @ 3911, 28" @ 4115 HOT load

Just info, your results may vary.

BTW, 40gr RE17 gives 68148psi at same oal with 55 vmax.

B

Hodgdon data, .22-250, 50-grain Sierra SP, 35.0 grains IMR3031 is MAX in 24" barrel.

MV = 3862 fps
Pressure = 62,600 psi



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