I am considering getting a 22-250 in a CZ 550 American Sporter to play with. Anybody shooting one of these things and have some experiences to share?
Ron

Verhoositz ,
A mate of mine that I shoot a lot with bought one about 18 months ago . Had it pillar bedded , free floated and the trigger done by a good smith . Great rifle with very nice wood , good trigger , good finish , one of the best Mauser type actions around . Accuracy as good as 1/2 inch for 5 shots .

take a look at the CZ 527 in 204 ruger, you will get better trajectory and wind drift in a smaller lighter weight package. both are great rifles however

quote:

Originally posted by cummins cowboy:
take a look at the CZ 527 in 204 ruger, you will get better trajectory and wind drift in a smaller lighter weight package. both are great rifles however

Sure about that? If it were so, why do highpower rifle competitors using AR15s in the match rifle category stick to the 223 Remington and use 69 grain and heavier bullets for the 300 and 600 yard stages of a match?

AFAIK, nobody in Highpower is running to make a target rifle in 204 Ruger. In fact, the trend is in the opposite direction, towards 6 mm factory and wildcat cartridges.

Just for my education, what is the wind drift (in inches/MPH of true value crosswind) at 300 yards for a 204 Ruger at factory load MV?

What I am comparing a 204 to is a 223 shooting a 50grn bullet. The 223 shooting a 69grn bullet may very and prolly does have less winddrift than the 32grn from a 204. The problem most people will have shooting a 69grn bullet from a 223 is the trajectory aint gonna be that great, the people you are talking about that shoot heavies from a 223 are shooting at known distances so drop can be figured easily. The 204 is going to make the average shooter who doesn't spend tons of time practicing (like high power shooters) be able to make a shot at extended ranges such as between 300-400 yds much easier. Keep in mind the 204 could also shoot super heavy for caliber bullets too like your high power people my guess the reason why they don't is lack of bullet selection. imgaine a 55grain 204 bullet, it would have one heck of a BC. I bet it would be superior to the 223 heavies. If you wanna compare the 6mm we are talking about a whole different ball of wax. to me in most cases a 223 has the best balance of performance with bullets of around 50grns. besides most rifles don't come with the right twist to shoot anything much over 60grns

HP said:"AFAIK, nobody in Highpower is running to make a target rifle in 204 Ruger. In fact, the trend is in the opposite direction, towards 6 mm factory and wildcat cartridges."

You bet...bigger holes in the target can translate to a better score!
I have scored many a 30cal shot target that enjoyed that benefit...lot of 30 cal "plugs" gathering dust somewhere.
But the M1A shooters always say "well, if you would shoot a man's gun...."

And what CumminsCowboy said...trajectory in the field can be as important as wind drift, since there may not be wind, but that dang gravity is always present.

HP Shooter: Are YOU sure about that???
I did some checking just now in my Sierra Reloading Manuals (volumes #3 and #5)!
Using the highest velocity, maximum load from an AR-15 in 223 caliber, that Sierra lists, using their 69 gr. Match King bullet - the load attains 2,900 FPS at the muzzle! Compare that to the 204 Ruger Remington load (Remington 2,005 catalog page 79) showing a muzzle velocity of 4,225 FPS in the 32 gr. loading and 3,900 FPS in the 40 gr. loading!!
Now my question of you arises in this view! Wind drift is a factor of a bullets SPEED and its time of travel or how long the wind has to work on moving the bullet!!! Is it not?
The slower a bullet travels through the air the LONGER the wind has to move it sideways! Is that not correct???
Anticipating you giving the correct answers to those questions then the 204 Ruger bullet is moving faster at 300 yards and at 500 yards than the 223 69gr. bullets! Thus LESS wind drift in the 204 Ruger at those ranges!!!
I will list the velocities from the cited texts for your perusal.
Both the 204 Ruger loadings ARE superior velocity wise over the 223 69 gr loads! But I will only illustrate the 204 Ruger 40 gr. loads in this comparison!

204 Ruger velocity - muzzle = 3,900 FPS
223 Rem velocity - muzzle = 2,900 FPS

204 Ruger velocity - 300 yards = 2,677 FPS
223 Rem velocity - 300 yards = 2,128 FPS

204 Ruger velocity - 500 yards = 2,021 FPS
223 Rem velocity - 500 yards = 1,693 FPS

The Remington ballistic chart only illustrates the 204 Ruger out to 500 yards but I am certain the 204 Ruger will maintain its superiority velocity wise (and therefore wind drift wise?) another 100 yards to the 600 yard point? Do you not agree?

My Sierra manual lists the wind deflection in a 10 MPH cross-wind for the 223 and the 69 gr. bullet as follows: at 300 yards deflection is 9.2" and at 600 yards this bullet is deflected 43.3".
Even as we converse I am searching for actual wind deflection figures for typical 204 Ruger bullets and will post them for comparison ASAP.
Any comments or corrections for me out there so far?
More comparisons from the Sierra Manuals and the Remington ballistic chart!
When sighted in at 200 yards (for both the 204 and the 223) the resulting drop figures at 500 yards are:

204 Ruger (32 gr) -28.9"
204 Ruger (40 gr) -28.1"
223 Rem (69 gr) -49.0"

This illustrates CLEARLY that the 204 is 20+ inches flatter shooting at 500 yards than the 223!!! Does it not???
I am expecting similar superiority in wind drift comparisons - don't you now expect this also? And like I say I am searching for the specific 204 Ruger wind drift figures now!

The 204 Ruger is beginning to look like maybe it would indeed be a very GOOD bet to be chambered in an AR-15 for 300 and 600 yard competition!!!
Yes - by the way - the 204 Ruger does shoot flatter than the 22-250 in the field over yardages I prefer to shoot at (out to 600 yards!).
More to follow!
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy