22-250 Reloading Noob

[Mad Mallard]

Once my semester ends in 2 weeks, I will be reloading some 22-250 for the first time. These reloads will be a Christmas present to my Pappaw since he’s running low on ammo for his groundhog killing machine. The rifle is a Remington 788. I will most likely be using Hornady brass and Nosler 50 grain ballistic tip boattail projectiles. The powders I have on hand are IMR4895, IMR4064, Varget, and H335. If any of y’all reload for 22-250, which powder do you prefer and which projectiles do you prefer?

 

[Bailey Boat]

I'll come back when I have more time.... Back now...

I've been reloading 22-250 off and on since the late 60's, early 70's with a Rem 700 action. It's now wearing it's 3rd barrel and almost ready for it's 4th. Once you pass about 3300 fps barrel life is shortened significantly depending on how much it's shot.
I have several loads that I use depending on what I'm after on that particular day. If it's small targets (prairie dogs) accuracy is very critical whereas a Coyote doesn't require as much precision.
I settled on the 40 grain Sierra Blitzking a while ago and have stuck with it. I can get accuracy and speed which are both needed to get the most out of it. I get my best velocity with 4064 (4000 fps +) but best accuracy with 3031. I have hit 4125 fps with 4064 but the 200 yard groups were 1.5" at best. 3031 will shrink the groups by 50% but velocity drops to 3500 fps.

My barrels are 24" whereas yours on the 788 may be 20/22" at the most. That little bit of length will make a big difference. Determine what you're going to do with it and try the components above and see what results you get....

PS: I'd stay with a 40 grain bullet instead of the 50 you mentioned, better velocity and flatter trajectory.

 

[Howland]

Once my semester ends in 2 weeks, I will be reloading some 22-250 for the first time. These reloads will be a Christmas present to my Pappaw since he’s running low on ammo for his groundhog killing machine. The rifle is a Remington 788. I will most likely be using Hornady brass and Nosler 50 grain ballistic tip boattail projectiles. The powders I have on hand are IMR4895, IMR4064, Varget, and H335. If any of y’all reload for 22-250, which powder do you prefer and which projectiles do you prefer?

I too have a 788 in .22-250 topped with a fixed 10x Weaver C-10. Groundhog killing machine it is! It is probably the most accurate rifle I've ever been behind but might have just met it's match. I've got one 100 yard group that can be completely obscured with a dime.

I haven't shot it for at least ten years and haven't reloaded for it for twenty, but I used Lee Collet dies to neck size only and IMR 4895. If you want the Christmas gift to be a surprise, you might have to steal his spent cases to go that route. I didn't need to look any further.

Remington came out with this for a budget (cheap) rifle and it has a reputation for excellent accuracy.

 

[Mad Mallard]

I too have a 788 in .22-250 topped with a fixed 10x Weaver C-10. Groundhog killing machine it is! It is probably the most accurate rifle I've ever been behind but might have just met it's match. I've got one 100 yard group that can be completely obscured with a dime.

I haven't shot it for at least ten years and haven't reloaded for it for twenty, but I used Lee Collet dies to neck size only and IMR 4895. If you want the Christmas gift to be a surprise, you might have to steal his spent cases to go that route. I didn't need to look any further.

Remington came out with this for a budget (cheap) rifle and it has a reputation for excellent accuracy.

I would use his spent brass but all I have is 6 cases. I believe my mammaw accidentally threw the rest away. Even then I think the was only 20 spent cases.

 

[Charlie]

I would skip the reloading and buy him some factory ammo. You do not have his rifles to use to work up loads and may wind up with loads that are too wimpy or loads that cause unwanted excitement. I have loaded 22/250 for several decades for my old Ruger tang safety M77 and spent quite a bit of time and effort getting a load that I like. Factory loads are also fairly consistent if you get the same brand and load each time. Find out what load he has been shooting and get him several boxes of that.

 

[11B CIB]

If you’re ever in the Columbia SC area, I’ve got a pound or two of Alliant Pro Power Varmint which will push a 40gr VMAX to 4200fps and a 50gr VMAX to 3900fps....I also think I have some 22-250 brass somewhere; you’re welcome to it

 

[Mad Mallard]

I would skip the reloading and buy him some factory ammo. You do not have his rifles to use to work up loads and may wind up with loads that are too wimpy or loads that cause unwanted excitement. I have loaded 22/250 for several decades for my old Ruger tang safety M77 and spent quite a bit of time and effort getting a load that I like. Factory loads are also fairly consistent if you get the same brand and load each time. Find out what load he has been shooting and get him several boxes of that.

I would buy more factory ammo for him but he wants me to hand load up some for him. Plus a box of 20 rounds is between $17-$19 for ammo that the rifle likes. He wants 80+ rds of ammo. I know that sounds like a lot for a hunting rifle but for the last couple of years, he’s killed nearly 14+ groundhogs each year. Not having the rifle isn’t a problem because I can always ask him to borrow it for a afternoon to test some loads.

 

[Charlie]

If that is what he wants and if you have the rifle and time to work on a load, go for it. That will be a wonderful present.

 

[SLM]

I would buy more factory ammo for him but he wants me to hand load up some for him. Plus a box of 20 rounds is between $17-$19 for ammo that the rifle likes. He wants 80+ rds of ammo. I know that sounds like a lot for a hunting rifle but for the last couple of years, he’s killed nearly 14+ groundhogs each year. Not having the rifle isn’t a problem because I can always ask him to borrow it for a afternoon to test some loads.

If you load them just half as well as you loaded those .45LC loads, the .22-250 should be top shelf loads.....Those .45LCs of yours are still among the most accurate, if not the most accurate pistol rounds I've ever fired!

 

[Mad Mallard]

If you load them just half as well as you loaded those .45LC loads, the .22-250 should be top shelf loads.....Those .45LCs of yours are still among the most accurate, if not the most accurate pistol rounds I've ever fired!

What about the 45 auto loads?

 

[SLM]

What about the 45 auto loads?

HAHAHA!! Yeah In my brain damaged state I'd forgotten to mention the ACPs, They too are excellent, heck I'd carry them in a Greasegun and jump into a trench or tunnel full of CharlieAbdulIvan.

 

[Mad Mallard]

Well I made some test loads this week and I tested them out at the closest indoor range in my area. I found out the powder charge that was the most accurate. Thursday afternoon I loaded up 100rds with the most accurate powder charge. I don’t have pictures of the targets right now but I have some of the completed rounds.

This picture is of when I was at the range testing different powder charges.

This is the completed rounds vacuum sealed for my Pappaw. I’ll be giving them to him today for Christmas.