Hey folks,
I've only been reloading for a few years and have mostly used published loads or very close. I don't get real excited about the prospect of loosing fingers and such in search of a "hot Load"...know what I mean?

So, I find myself in need of the right powder for a short barreled 250 Imp. All the data I can find is for rifle length barrels and the fireform loads I used gave me a fireball about 2' long.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, it seems that I should use a fast powder so that it will all be burned in the barrel, right? The large calibers that I have listed in the TC books show H110 & I4227 most of the time. Does this sound right or should I stick with the loads that are recommended for rifles?

It seems that some of you guys have 250 Imp barrels, can I get some direction?

Thanks,
Rick

Rick,
You did say 250imp Right? What type of gun? If it's a XP or encore you can use rifle data. But not if it's a contender. Mike Bellm or Quarter Miler would have the info on that. I don't have mine back from Mike yet so I can't say 1st. hand on the load data.
I don't think H110 or Imr 4227 would be good choises. I would stick with rifle powders.

Sorry Jules,
Meant to include that it is an Encore. Yes, I plan to use rifle data and since I posted I've dug around a little and see that I can probably get an idea by looking at 6.5 JDJ data and comparing loads to the standard 250 Savage with similar bullet weights.

I guess my main question is whether to use faster powders in shorter barrels. I seem to get conflicting info depending on who I ask. Maybe this question will generate some informative discussion.

Rick

Rick,
Have a look at this>>>
http://www.accuratereloading.com/250ai.html

Personally, I don't think the use a faster powder in a shorter tube holds water. There are some instances like straighwalled revolver rounds where folks, in the opposite order, have picked up some speed in longer barrels using slower powders. But, in the bottleneck rounds, they seem to hold there same preferences for fuel whether in a 14" tube, or a 24" tube.

As an asside, I had a wildcat similar to the 6.5 JDJ, and it preferred H 4350, which seems like much to slow of a powder for such an application. It was ~50 fps slower then somewhat faster powders, but accuracy was notebly better then the faster powders.