Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles New 22-250, looking for a place to start.

50 Vmax over RL-15 is my go to load for slow twists...

Thanks again for all the info folks! I've noticed that Hornady bullets seem to give the best accuracy more often than not. I think I'll start with those in two or three different weights and see what I come up with. I already have several of the powders mentioned, too. I guess I'm already off to a good start.

For powders I've done best with Varget followed by RE15, and IMR 4064. The 50 grain bullets have shot the best for me so pick your flavor. The poly tipped 55gr bullets would not stablize for me in my 1/14 twist VSSF2 so you may think twice about stocking up on any of those before you develop a load for your rifle. I keep it simple with primers and just stick to the Winchester WLRs but I would imagine any of the others would work just as well.
I found H380 to be a very dirty powder and due to the temp/stability issue wouldn't load any of that again.
Good Luck

The new CFE 223 powder from Hodgdon looks very promising also.

which is probably their response to Alliants AR Comp.. which is a temp insensitive version of RL 15, only with a slightly quicker burn rate...

but has been one of the most accurate of any newer powders I have tried in the last 10 years..

benchmark is an extreme powder. we use this load in half a dozen vssf. accurate. deadly. 50 grain balistic tip and win brass.

+1 especially Varget and BG with 40 - 55 grain bullets.

I've already got H-4895, Varget and several of the RL powders mentioned. All I need to do now is get some bullets ordered, along with a set of dies and I'll be in business when I get home.

50gr VMAXS over 38.0gr of H380 CCI200 primers COAL 2.50" rem 700 factory 26in heavy barrel

I've posted this load before but I'll add it again. 40gr NBT pushed by 41 grains of H380. 4000fps and "5 shot cover it with a dime" accuracy out of my old 700 bull barrel.

Mine also likes 50 gr Vmax's and H-380 powder. Factory Savage barrel liked 38.0 grs best. It now wears a McGowen barrel that likes 40.0 grs of same powder. I like the 50 gr Vmax. Great performance, comes in a 250 count box, and when I was at Scheel's last, they had them in a 500 ct box on the shelf.

That's handy right there.

Quite a few people shoot v-max bullets. The gentleman I purchased my rifle from suggested 52 Grain A-Max bullets and after the first time I loaded them I won't try anything else. Currently shooting them with 35.8 grains of IMR 4064 but think I will boost it up to 36. They are scary accurate and have excellent reviews on Midway.

HeavyRevy:

Read your post...A lot of people DO shoot Vmax bullets, and they ARE accurate; its when you hit game rather than a paper target they sometimes splash, and don't penetrate as well as soft point spitzers and some hollow points.

So, yes, I prefer OTHER bullets for hunting with the 22/250:

52 Speer HP; 40 Sierra HP; Sierra 50-60 grain SPs and HPs; Hornady 55 SP.

Our go to bullet for coyotes in .22-250 and .223 has been the 50gr V-max. Never a splash. Now keep in mind that even in the .22-250 our loads are only about 3600 fps at the barrel and shots are generaly 200 yards on up.

CB

On the bullet for predator subject, I just started reading a book called "Hunting the Hunters" by Rick Kinmon - one of the most successful predator hunters the world has known. His caliber choice is the 6MM PPC and his go-to load for everything from foxes at 20 ft. to wolves at 300+ yards is a Hornady 80 gr. FMJ loaded to 2850 fps. I just thought that was interesting.

yeah that or a 6 BR would both be more than adequate.. and a 80 FMJ would be more than enough to do the job without any pelt damage...

55grain V-max, Benchmark, FED210M, and WIN cases worked well for my 700 VS. It also shot well with H380, but the temp sensitivity was something to watch out for. I had great accuracy with 52grain Berger Match, H380, FED210M, WIN cases.

My go to powder is H-380 and 55 grain V Max. DEADLY and very accurate. I tried Varget but got worse results.

I've seen a lot of recommendations for H-380 and I'm tempted to give it a try, but I've also read it's not the best powder for extreme cold, and any hunting application for my predator rifle will include extreme cold. Winter is predator season in AK. Anyone have cold weather experience with H-380?

Yep...use a magnum primer and rock on...