Would like some thoughts on some powders I could try for my 22-250, I have been using H-380 and have not been all that pleased. Shooting 50 gr BT's and 52 HPBT's. 1 1/4" groups is the best I can get with the loads I have worked up so far, have only loaded up a few different WT. Grs. though so I may have to try to go up and down the chart more. Maybe some of you have some loads I could work off that you have had good luck with. Looked thru all the manuals but thought I would try this route first. Thanks, Tim

I struggled through a dozen different recipes for my .22-250 myself, using powders usually recommended for the caliber and bullets ranging from 45-55 grains.

Earlier this year, I had decided to see how many calibers I could get to use the same powder, and started messing with IMR4895.

I was pleasantly surprised, as I had always thought this powder would be too slow. I'm using Sierra 55 gr SBT GK's (#1365) and a medium-well powder charge.

IMR 4895 is a favorite of mine, isn't the fastest load out there, but it is accurate. Some of the other usual suspects include: Bl-2-C H414, IMRs3031, 4064, 4320 and even 4350.

I stay with 50-55 grain bullets and I like H-414.

H-380 should be good for you as well....check your bedding!

A lot of folks like IMR-4895 and a few swear by it but I've been lucky to get away with using all ball powders.

See what Ramshot has for it!

I use IMR 4064 with Speer 70 grain Semi-Spitzers with great results.

What rifle are you shooting those .25 groups in? Are you getting them everytime or once in a while? Or is .25 your best group so far? How's your bench technique? Is it up to shooting sub .25 groups?
H380 may not be the best 22-250 powder but it is one of the best. Especially if you're loading in volume like for a Pdog shoot. H4895 is a good powder but you're gonna give up velocity.

quote:

What rifle are you shooting those .25 groups in?

I think he said 1 1/4" groups.

A lot of the surplus powders I've been playing with in the 22-250 are getting really hard to come by. I've had nice results with DP85,DP86and DP74.

You still may be able to get Dp85 and if so you will probably have a winner. I did in my Stevens Mod. 200 Roger

I've had good luck with a generous dose of Varget under a 50g. NBT.

if i can't get a 250 to shoot with 38.5 gr of 380 and a 55 gr nosler bt I sell the rifle or rebarrel it.

I've never had any luck with H-380.

However, it is amazing how many people have independently concluded that 4895 is the powder for them. My favorite (favorite, hell, all I've ever used in any .22-250 I've owned) is 35.5 grains under a 55 grain bullet. I've heard alot of other shooters also quote this as their go-to load. Be sure to drop it a grain or so for trial in YOUR gun as barrels and chambers -- therefore pressures -- can and do vary.

I'll second what Butchloc said. If a 22-250 won't shoot with H-380 I'd be looking at a problem with the gun. Reloader 15 also works great.

Benchmark and Varget are the best powders in my 22-250. I tried the rest, and they didn't peform.
You need to try several powders to see what your rifle likes best.
32.6 grains of Benchmark, with Sierra's 55 grain HPBT bullets gave 1/4", three shot groups at 100 yards. Bullets seated .010 off the lands.
Varget was VERY close behind, maybe 1/8".

Don

My last 3 .22-250s have all liked H380 under a Nosler 55-gr BT. The current one is a M70 Featherweight and shoots lights out with 38.2 gr of H380, Federal Primers (standard or match) and the 55-gr BTs. Not a half-inch gun, but it is very, very consistent at .75 to .90 for 3 shots at 100 yds, and I like that characteristic. Only drawback to the gun is its short magazine. As a result, it is a "two-shooter" with one cartridge in the chamber and one in the magazine--that's all it will take due to the seating depth of the bullets for accuracy.

My gun is a Ruger heavy I bought back in the early 80's, hasn't had very many rounds thru it so I know its not shot out. But to be real honest when sighting in when I shot it more I got better groups (IMR 3031, Sierra 55 gr SPT)
I got groups alittle under an 1". That was always oka for me, but I want better now. I did just have a Timney trigger put in it and and set at 2.11 pounds which is real sweet versus the stock trigger. I believe I may go with 4895 and than maybe 3031. Thanks for all the feedback and if you have any more good info I'll take it. Tim

I had very good results with a 50 grain bullet and H414. I see some others use it as well.

Mine won't shoot anything heavier than 60 gr bullets but it will shoot the 55 Ballistic Tip. Powders in order of accuracy in my rifle (Rem 700 VLS)

Varget
IMR4064
H380
IMR4895

About 35.5 gr Varget seems to be the most consistant and runs that 55 gr NBT at 3660 fps.

winchester 748, doesn''t burn the cleanest but it''ll flat shoot,as does vitavoy n-140 but burns very clean, from what you said your barrel might not be broke in, nice move on replaceing the stock trigger,don't give up on imr 3031 just yet, ladder tests show sweet spots,always worth the effort,regards

quote:

Originally posted by BDLD:
Would like some thoughts on some powders I could try for my 22-250, I have been using H-380 and have not been all that pleased. Shooting 50 gr BT's and 52 HPBT's. 1 1/4" groups is the best I can get with the loads I have worked up so far, have only loaded up a few different WT. Grs. though so I may have to try to go up and down the chart more. Maybe some of you have some loads I could work off that you have had good luck with. Looked thru all the manuals but thought I would try this route first. Thanks, Tim

Tim,

If you want to set an accuracy benchmark for your rifle the powder that I use is IMR 4350.

Beg or borrow some from a buddy and put 39.5 gr. in the case and try it.

The bullets of choice that I use in the 50 to 55gr. range (for accuracy) are the Sierra 50 gr. #1330, Sierra 55gr. #1360 and the Hornady 52 gr. Amax.

If you want more info, PM me.

Jim

40.8 grns of h380 and a 50 grn vmax is my most accurate 250 load, however its very temp sensitive, I only want to shoot it when the temps are below 40 degrees, also the vmax tends to cut yotes in half sometimes, so after some fiddling I use a slightly over max charge of RL15 and a 50 grn berger match bullet, it still shoots less than 3/4 moa, just not the 1/2 moa the h380 load does, for a sporter barreled ruger, 3/4moa is more than minute of a yote. there is a new powder out IMR 4007, I have a can, I just haven't had the chance to try it, its supposed to push a 50 at close to 4kfps, I am gonna try it next with the 50 berger and possibly with a 52grn JLK, It will prolly be closer to yote season before I do it.

RL-10x has been about the only powder my CZ-550 Varmint has liked. Luckily it likes it alot. It'll consistently shoot dime sized (or less) groups at 100 with either 52 gr. Shilen Microjackets or 52 gr. Matchkings.

Another big vote for W748. Kinda stumbled into a cpl pounds a few years back. Glad I did. I have had no cause to try another powder. Was using IMR 3031 prior to that - also very good results.

Using Nosler 55gr ballistic tips I have seen good results from IMR 3031, promising results from IMR 4895, & outstanding results from H380.
I tried Varget & Hornady 55gr V-max's & got ok results. My rifle seems to like the 55gr BT & H380 the best.

I've been having good luck with AA2015BR in my 26" tube and good luck with H4895 in a 22" tube.

My 26" 100XR actually does oustanding with H4350 at descent velocity as well.

Good Luck

Reloader

RL10 for one rifle, I shoot very light bullets though. 4895 and 50vmax in another rifle. Electic measure.

I second the Varget and 50 gr. bullets.

this is from sierra load book
22-250
40GR---IMR4064---37.0---3800
45GR---IMR4064---36.4---3800
50GR---IMR4064—35.8---3700
53GR---IMR4064---34.1---3500
55GR---IMR4064---35.2---3500
60GR---IMR4064---33.7---3400
63GR---IMR4064---33.0—3300
69GR---IMR4064---32.5---3150

I want to say THANKS to all you guys for all the good feedback, I loaded up several loads using Varget and IMR 4895 with some 50, 55 BT and SP bullets. I'll let you know how this all comes out.Thanksagain