I've just started working up loads with my 700 VLSS Remington in 22-250, and have a couple of questions. The powder I'm currently using is Varget, Winchester unfired brass, and WLR primers. The rifle seems to like the hottest loads I've run through it, with the following bullets:

40gr Hornady V-Max
37.5 - 38 gr

50gr Ballistic Tip
36.0gr

55gr Sierra SBT
35.5gr

These loads are in keeping with bullet manufacturers' loads, but well below what Hodgdon says, and also below what I've seen at various sites online, including www.reloadersnest.com

I've had no pressure signs; no sticking bolt and the primers look fine. Temperature the day I was shooting started at about 85° and was just below 100° when I was done. About every two groups (8-10 shots) the barrel was hot enough I didn't want to hold onto it, so I let it cool about ten minutes or so, and by then it was only warm. Of the 16 groups I fired, 10 were inside 1", and all of those were at the upper range of powder loads. So far, so good.

My questions are, how high do you go with a load for any given caliber? I obviously need a chrony to give me an idea of how "hot" these loads actually are. Once I have one, I'm assuming I need to stop when I hit at or near velocities listed, provided I'm still not having pressure signs.

My other question is, what is the greatest factor contributing to burning out a barrel? The 22-250 has a reputation for doing so, but one of the reasons I got it was because I wanted velocities I couldn't get with the .223 single-shot I have. Is it high pressures that do it, or sustained shooting in a hot barrel? I have no problem going to a Shilen or Kreiger barrel once this one's had too much, but I don't feel a need to abuse it either.

Thanks in advace, guys!

High volume shooting in a high stepper like the 22-250 will burn a barrel in no time. If I'm going to be shooting alot I bring more than 1 rifle. By the way I had a old SAKO that loved 40 grainers at max loads of 4064 and finally replaced the rifle this year after my group sizes went from .75" at 200 to 2.0" and the new SAKO likes the 52 grain A-MAX pushed by 35 grains of reloader 15 a moderate load that should prolong barrel life some.

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Originally posted by AZ223:
My questions are, how high do you go with a load for any given caliber?

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There is no real answer as every rifle is different. My VLS balks at H380 and shows pressure signs around 36 grains. As for H414, W748 and IMR4895, it will shine with any of them producing 1/2 groups with 55 grain ballistic tips.

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My other question is, what is the greatest factor contributing to burning out a barrel?

Without a doubt it's shooting repeatedly, especially with a hot barrel. I use two or three rifles for serious varmint hunts for just that reason.

I have only reloaded for a few rifles, but I don't think that a rifle's liking hotter loads is uncommon. That was certainly the case with my .30-06. The max loads shot better than anything else.

With regard to your question about how high to go with a given load, I would say that you should go until you have pressure signs or reach the maximum load in a respected loading manual for the given bullet and powder, whichever comes first. That's a pretty obvious statement, but one that many people ignore. Some folks view reloading as an opportunity to turn a 257 Roberts into a 257 Weatherby, which is an emphatically bad idea. If you already know this and/or I have misread your question, please disregard this comment. I mean no offense by it. Most of the folks on this board are extremely nice and knowledgeable, and I'm sure none of us want to see anyone blow themselves or their rifle up out of ignorance.

Hornady lists 38.4 grains max for the 40 grain V-Max with Varget.

Nosler lists 36.0 grains max for the 50 grain BT with Varget.

Sierra lists 36.1 grains max for the 55 grain SBT with Varget.

So you are at or very near maximum loads now. You have fractions of grain available with the Hornady and Sierra bullets. If you have no pressure signs, then try going to the max with those bullets. But stop there.

A chronograph is a good idea, and one thing that I haven't purchased yet. But it's not absolutely essential. Your velocities should be pretty close to what the manuals indicate for the given loads and bullets, and at the speeds you should be getting with these loads from a 22-250, 50 fps isn't going to make a significant difference in trajectory.

Regards,

LWD