22/250 pet loads - 24hourcampfire

I'd like to hear of anyone's pet loads for the 22/250. I have a Tikka Varminter, and it loves 55gn Vmax, and also enjoys a feed of the Sierra 62gn semi point. Like most it has a 14 twist, so I reckon 60gn bullets are the limit as far as it goes. I';m not really thinking about going any lighter than 55gn, just like to hear what works for you. Currently using 8208, but I have some Varget to play with.
JD

I have shot the .22-250 for over 50 years. One of my favorite 3 calibers. I used to shoot 55s and little else. For the last 25 years I have been using the 50 plastic tipped bullets either Sierra or Horn. I like the speed and switched from 4064 to either H4895 or 3031. Both offer excellent speed and accuracy. Many newer powders on the market work well, but I have a large supply of both. While the common outcry is 1-8 twist barrels, I tried one. It really didn't show me any worthwhile need. I don't shoot steel out to 1000 yards. Predators are my main shooting with the round and plenty of deer, antelope and turkeys have fallen to it also. Enjoy.

55 grain V-Max, 36 gr IMR 4064 WIN large rifle mag primer

I like a 50 grain bullet but a 55 is a good one too.

Have used IMR-4895 but I generally prefer IMR-4064. RL-15 was excellent in my last 22-250.

1. 38 grains H380 50,52,53 and 55.
2. 37 grains Varget and 55 Varmageddon
3. 33.5 grains Benchmark and 55 Varmageddon

I like the 50gr bullets like Hornady V-max as well as you guys do, but the 53 is where it's at. Higher BC's than the 60gr v-max. Even bests the 55. If your 14 will stabilize that bullet, that would be the first one (besides the 50) I'd suggest. Powders like H380, AR Comp and H4895 work well for that bullet weight.

You are limited to bullet weight, based on your twist rate, but there's still a lot you can do with a slow twist 22-250. I have a couple 14" twist 22-250's left and one is a Tikka Varmint like the OP's. It only gets fed 53's now. They have been pretty acceptable, even out to 600 yards.

The last time out with my Tikka Varmint 22-250 and the 53gr V-max load I was talking about:
[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]

Other times I've managed sub 1" groups at 400 yards with that rifle/load combo. And still maintained less than 3" groups at 600 yards. YMMV..
[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]

I've actually used this rifle and load on some long range varmint silhouette shoots and it does surprisingly well. Able to hit the 611 yard steel rabbit pretty consistently. Doesn't shoot as well as the creedmoor, but still does better than you'd think for such a light pill.

old standby with a 40 grain Ballistic Tip or V Max...

33.3 grains of RL 7

30 grains of RL 7 with a 55 grain or 60 grain SP.
some loads beat it on speed, but never had anything beat it in accuracy.

1 in 12 twist on a 28 inch Pac Nor Barrel, Heavy Magnum contour.

35.5 grains of 4064 and 53 grain sierra bench rest bullet

Originally Posted by EJKELLEY

55 grain V-Max, 36 gr IMR 4064 WIN large rifle mag primer

Exact bullet, powder, and charge weight I used. Worked very well. Accurate, consistent, and plenty fast. Only difference was I used Rem brass and CCI 200 primers.

browning Xbolt, 1:9 twist 22" barrel

If your rifle will stabilize a 53vmax:

Code

53 Vmax @ 2.400" OAL, Fed210m in all:
39.2 Big Game  3,572fps (Hodgon & Nosler data suggest ~40.0 is max)
34.3 IMR-4064  3,455fps (Hornday max of 35.5)
34.7 IMR-4895  3,455fps (Lyman max of 36.2)
34.8 Benchmark 3,691fps (Hodgon max of 34.6)
35.7 Varget    3,606fps (Hornady max 35.7, Lyman 38.0)
35.8 RL-15     3,492fps (Hornady max 35.8)

Note: all loads 1 MOA or better; top four are 1/2 MOA; Benchmark load is max; my lot of RL-15 seems to lag in the speed department
I normally drop charges of Big Game and get on with life; although, burning a few grains less of other powders has small advantages.
The Lyman manual has load data for the discontinued 52 amax, which is a very similar bullet.