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anyone use a 22-250 with 1/8 twist barrel?

usmc02xx

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Sep 19, 2012
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Locust Grove GA, USA
Ran across a barrel the other day matching those specs in a 26 incher. And it got me thinking (dangerous) about running a heavy 77 or 80gn round from a 22-250. In theory it sounds like it should be really good shooting but i dont know of anyone that runs it. Anyone out there with hands on experience with it and/or loading for it? Offhand im expecting something close to a .243 shooting a 75gn projectile. Sounds reasonable to me, but im an idiot so best to ask others with more knowledge....
 
Think more like a 90 VLD @ 3000 fps. the 1-8 will stabilize it in a bolt gun at that speed. I shoot a 22-6hagar in a AR15 and can get 77's to 3200 fps and 90's to 2950 easily and it is just under 22-250 performance. go to 6mmbr.com and look at the 22-250 cartridge guide.
 
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I have a 1-8 twist 22-250ackley barrel for one of my Savage 10's. 75 gr Amax's at 3250fps is pretty nice.
 
I'm running a 26" 1:8 twist Hart barrel on one of my 22-250s. I built this rifle specifically for extended range prairie dog shooting. I've had excellent results using 80 grain Hornady AMAXes, RL15, and GM210M primers...Muzzle velocity of 3,056 fps. Shot her out to 1000 yards for shits and giggles last month. 8.1 mils elevation was all that it took. Most will say that I'm not pushing these projectiles fast enough, but barrels are not as cheap as they used to be.
 
A fast twist 22-250 has always made sense to me.

A .223 loaded to the cartridges true pressure potential [not SAAMI] will get the velocity within a few yards of the 22-250 with light bullets.
But with heavy bullets, the 22-250 stands above the .223 [even loaded hot]

My calculations:
75 gr Amax 22-250, 38.5 gr 760, 3,584 fps
75 gr Amax .223, 26.9 gr H335, 3,256 fps
--------------------------------------------
difference from Quicktarget = 132 yards

50 gr. Vmax: 22-250, 39.5 gr. 748, 4,186 fps
50 gr. Vmax .223, 23.7 gr. 5744, 3861 fps
-----------------------------------------
difference from Quicktarget = 61 yards

40 gr. Vmax 22-250, 38.5 gr. H322, 4,513 fps
40 gr. Vmax .223, 25.9 gr. W296, 4, 268 fps
-----------------------------------------
difference from Quicktarget = 35 yards

33 gr. Vmax 22-250 39.6 gr. H322, 4,848 fps
33 gr. Vmax .223, 27.8 gr. W296, 4623 fps
-------------------------------------
difference ~ ~ 25 yards
 
We machined a 22" 22-250 with an 8 twist for my DTA. I got 3300 FPS out of an 80 grain Sierra using Superformance and CFE223. We backed it down to 3150 and getting 1/4" groups at 100 yards with the Superformance because I want to use it in comps and need to respect the 3100-3200 FPS speed limit. I have some 90 grain Sierra's that I am going to try next, but I don't expect it to stabilize. It will still shoot the 55's plenty accurate as well.

In short, I run mine suppressed and have made consistent hits out to 985 yards. There is almost no recoil, and it is just plain fun.

Go for it!

Ty
 
the 90's are stabilizing fine for me in a 1-7.7 Krieger 20" barrel at 2900-2950, I know SR shooters running them in 1-7 Barrels at 2500... the 6.5 twist barrel myth doesent hold water to me. But you should try it and see if your combo will do it. I would bet it would..... the extra speed helps alot.
 
Ditto on the 22-250 with 1:8. I've only shot 75 hornadys in it and it it shoots great.
 
A fast twist 22-250 has always made sense to me.

A .223 loaded to the cartridges true pressure potential [not SAAMI] will get the velocity within a few yards of the 22-250 with light bullets.
But with heavy bullets, the 22-250 stands above the .223 [even loaded hot]

My calculations:
75 gr Amax 22-250, 38.5 gr 760, 3,584 fps
75 gr Amax .223, 26.9 gr H335, 3,256 fps
--------------------------------------------
difference from Quicktarget = 132 yards

50 gr. Vmax: 22-250, 39.5 gr. 748, 4,186 fps
50 gr. Vmax .223, 23.7 gr. 5744, 3861 fps
-----------------------------------------
difference from Quicktarget = 61 yards

40 gr. Vmax 22-250, 38.5 gr. H322, 4,513 fps
40 gr. Vmax .223, 25.9 gr. W296, 4, 268 fps
-----------------------------------------
difference from Quicktarget = 35 yards

33 gr. Vmax 22-250 39.6 gr. H322, 4,848 fps
33 gr. Vmax .223, 27.8 gr. W296, 4623 fps
-------------------------------------
difference ~ ~ 25 yards

Clark, that one load, 75 gr Amax .223, 26.9 gr H335, 3,256 fps is REALLY fast for a .223 Remington. What cartridge over all length were you using on that?
 
My 24" 8tw. Broughton 223 @ 2.445", 25.1 Varget and 75 amax = 2870fps.
My 223 awsome to 1000 with no / light wind. At 3100 [+], yes, that would be fun.
 
My 24" 8tw. Broughton 223 @ 2.445", 25.1 Varget and 75 amax = 2870fps.
My 223 awsome to 1000 with no / light wind. At 3100 [+], yes, that would be fun.
That's the sort of numbers I am used to seeing. 75 grain bullet at 2750-2900 fps out of a 223 Remington. Clark threw me with the +3200 fps claim. That's +300 fps faster than anything I've ever seen.
 
ranger1183 ,
That is a Quickload calculation for 2.26" OAL .223 at 75 kpsi [not 55 kpsi SAAMI] the max the .223 case head is capable of with long brass live.
The calc for 22-250 is at 67 kpsi [not 65kpsi SAAMI] the max the 22-250 case head is capable of with long brass life.
 
I was just thinking about how cool a fast twist 22-250 would be the other day. If I were to do a custom rifle this is probably the route I would go. What is the consensus on barrel life on one of these running 75 gr. bullets at 3,000 fps?? Less than a .243 doing the same??
 
Hmmm...This post reminds me that I have a FN Mauser with 1-7 twist barrel in 22-250 that I put together...12 years ago?...in the back of my safe. I think I shot it once with 75gr Hornady blems that I got for a song ($45 for 1000 I think). I stripped the scope off, but it still has the Canjar singe set trigger on it...

This thread makes me think maybe I should revisit that old girl (definitely some good G2 in this thread)...I don't even remember why I got side tracked away from it, now that I think about it...
 
Bart Bobbitt has a formula for calculating number of shots to wear out a barrel.

Barrel life (Bart Bobbitt)

The trouble is, he is a national level competitor, and barrels he would throw away would still be good ebough for me.
I have only bought two barrels that were worn out, and one was a 22-250.
 
We machined a 22" 22-250 with an 8 twist for my DTA. I got 3300 FPS out of an 80 grain Sierra using Superformance and CFE223. We backed it down to 3150 and getting 1/4" groups at 100 yards with the Superformance because I want to use it in comps and need to respect the 3100-3200 FPS speed limit. I have some 90 grain Sierra's that I am going to try next, but I don't expect it to stabilize. It will still shoot the 55's plenty accurate as well.

In short, I run mine suppressed and have made consistent hits out to 985 yards. There is almost no recoil, and it is just plain fun.

Go for it!

Ty


Don't be surprised if the 90 smk's stabilize fine in your 1:8 twist. I shot some in my 1:8 22-243 with mild loads and had no issues stabilizing them. There really is no advantage in running them over a 80 amax or Berger vld though. The bc is not much higher if any, I can't remember off the top of my head, and you can't push it near as fast. The 90 Berger would be a diff story though. That thing has a monster bc... I have no stability info on it for you though.
 
Yeah, I built the barrel around the 80 A-max. Only one problem, none to be had! Hornady has temporarily quit making them. Sucks......

I did consider the 90's, and a 7 twist. However, that 80's numbers were to tempting.

Thanks for the info,
Ty
 
I've thought about a fast twist 22-250 for years but just have never pursued it. I'd also thought about a 22-250AI or a 22-250 IMP30* Maybe someday.

Xdeano
 
We machined a 22" 22-250 with an 8 twist for my DTA. I got 3300 FPS out of an 80 grain Sierra using Superformance and CFE223. We backed it down to 3150 and getting 1/4" groups at 100 yards with the Superformance because I want to use it in comps and need to respect the 3100-3200 FPS speed limit. I have some 90 grain Sierra's that I am going to try next, but I don't expect it to stabilize. It will still shoot the 55's plenty accurate as well.

In short, I run mine suppressed and have made consistent hits out to 985 yards. There is almost no recoil, and it is just plain fun.

Go for it!

Ty

Thats exactly the kind of thing i was looking to hear, thanks for the extra info. I think I'll be placing a barrel order today. Now i just have to convince my wife that my current barrel is "shot out" :)
 
I just did the same thing. Put a 26" McGowen 1:8 bull stainless on my Savage. I picked up a box of 600 of the 80 Hornady's so I figured I'd start there. I'm using Alliant Power Pro 2000MR which for me has been 100FPS faster in both .223 and .308 than any other powders. It did not dissapoint in the 22-250. Here is my Chrono reading on 34g load which is max recommended by Alliant for the 80g SMK. Alliant showed 3076 for the 80SMK. Needless to say I was a bit shocked. The group was .83 MOA at 100. I'll probably back off to 33g which was right at 3120 to save barrel life.

image_zps3a04985d.jpg
 
I have a few 8 twist 22-250s ( and 223ai) Love the 250's with 75gr amax. About my favorite coyote hunting round.

Couple weeks back with my Montana Rock 8 twist 22-250 and 75gr amax



 
Yeah, I built the barrel around the 80 A-max. Only one problem, none to be had! Hornady has temporarily quit making them. Sucks......

I did consider the 90's, and a 7 twist. However, that 80's numbers were to tempting.

Thanks for the info,
Ty

Approximately one year ago I started a .22-250 build. I kicked around the idea of a 7" twist for the 90 VLD's but then settled on an 8" twist and chambered for the 80 gr AMAX. Here are the specs:

-Blueprinted Rem 700 SA
-PT&G spiral fluted bolt with Badger knob
-Custom recoil lug by DPR (Rifle smith'd by Dixie Precision Rifles)
-Brux MTU 1-8" twist cut at 26"
-DPR Muzzle Break (no side ports)
-McMillan A5 Adj. FDE, Brown, Black Marble Swirl
-Surgeon Bottom Metal DBM
-Jewel HVR trigger
-all metal Cerakoted in FDE
-Badger USMC rings
-Premier 5-25x56 GenIIXR

I could not be happier with this rifle. Just wish I could find some damn 80 gr AMAX's. Current load is Nosler brass, 34.2 gr IMR 4350, 80 gr AMAX, Fed 210 primer. Less than 8 Mils to 1k. Accuracy is unbelievable. It shoots the 80 gr VLD as well as it does the AMAX.
 

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I have a 22-243 Middlestead which has a 30 inch Krieger with a 7.7 twist that i had to shoot 80g Berger VLD's until i discovered that the 90g VLD's that Berger say won't work shoot much better. I run them at 3,300 ft/sec and 70 moa gets you past 1,840 yards with very repeatable results .
 
7grt,
I've always like the middlestead design. Let us know how many rounds you get out of that barrel, i'm guessing it'll be in that 1k range. I've shot a buddies 22-243 with the 80's if i remember right and it was screaming at 3500fps and accurate as heck. His tube went south right around 800 rounds. He was using H1000 in his. Amazing little round.

xdeano
 
Digging up a necro thread.

tikka recently started producing their 22-250 in 1:8 twist, 22.4” barrel. Curious if anyone has one and have any pet loads?

been thinking of trying lightish bullets 53gr vmax on rl26 but open to heavier bullets(my favorite is berger, then vmax) if i could find any. Supplies are starting to show up and somewhat stay in stock. Just not sure if i can run long bullets in the factory mag or if i need to swap out bottom metal(i own some) and aics mags(own those too).

thinking about stuffing my halo lr on it, thread the barrel for a can and strait killin the coyotes that hang up at 400 yards on occasion. Currently handling that with a .223 12.5 mid length and doing alright.
 
Digging up a necro thread.

tikka recently started producing their 22-250 in 1:8 twist, 22.4” barrel. Curious if anyone has one and have any pet loads?

been thinking of trying lightish bullets 53gr vmax on rl26 but open to heavier bullets(my favorite is berger, then vmax) if i could find any. Supplies are starting to show up and somewhat stay in stock. Just not sure if i can run long bullets in the factory mag or if i need to swap out bottom metal(i own some) and aics mags(own those too).

thinking about stuffing my halo lr on it, thread the barrel for a can and strait killin the coyotes that hang up at 400 yards on occasion. Currently handling that with a .223 12.5 mid length and doing alright.
Fill the case up and seat a bullets and see how fast it goes. Let us know how that RL26 with light bullets works out for you. :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO:

You are in the wrong burn rate category for light bullets. Varget 8208 4166 RL15 for light bullets.
 
Fill the case up and seat a bullets and see how fast it goes. Let us know how that RL26 with light bullets works out for you. :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO:

You are in the wrong burn rate category for light bullets. Varget 8208 4166 RL15 for light bullets.
Got it. I have 8208’and rl15 as well. I know there is a lot of misconceptions with rl26 and its abilities. Its a magnum powder(kinda) but in my 6.5’s and 6mm’s its the fastest powder. Thats 6xc-6.5x47 all the way to 6.5x284. Not saying its ideal for a .224 diameter light bullet, but worth a try. I am sure someone has tried it.
 
I doubt too many have tried it with light bullets. It would not be optimum in those other cartridges with light bullets. 55-70g 6mm 70-90g 6.5mm. I can't remember if I tried in my 22-250 with 75 and 80 a maxes. I remember I ended up using 4831SC though. I think the only thing I have used any of my RL26 in was a 243AI and 300wm.
 
Not saying its ideal for a .224 diameter light bullet, but worth a try. I am sure someone has tried it.
Rl26 works great in my 22 creed with 85 gn bullets but it does seem sorta slow there even. Id be looking at 4350 or varget maybe even for a light bullet.
 
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Rl26 works great in my 22 creed with 85 gn bullets but it does seem sorta slow there even. Id be looking at 4350 or varget maybe even for a light bullet.
85’s are heavy. I have a ton of 53’s and 55’s. I have rl15 and a bunch of other powders i can research. If rl26 is too slow no biggie. Just prefer not to have to swap powders out of my fx.
 
85’s are heavy. I have a ton of 53’s and 55’s. I have rl15 and a bunch of other powders i can research. If rl26 is too slow no biggie. Just prefer not to have to swap powders out of my fx.
It may do what you want it to, it is sort of a wonder powder like you said so worth a try if you have it. But in some other places lots of people, who are varmint hunters mostly, using lighter stuff seem to favor a slightly faster burn rate.
 
I load a 53gr V-Max on top of H4895 in my 8 twist .22-250. They are running ~3800fps. But to me the real fun is with a 80gr ELD-M on H4350 at 3280fps.
 
Digging up a necro thread.

tikka recently started producing their 22-250 in 1:8 twist, 22.4” barrel. Curious if anyone has one and have any pet loads?

been thinking of trying lightish bullets 53gr vmax on rl26 but open to heavier bullets(my favorite is berger, then vmax) if i could find any. Supplies are starting to show up and somewhat stay in stock. Just not sure if i can run long bullets in the factory mag or if i need to swap out bottom metal(i own some) and aics mags(own those too).

thinking about stuffing my halo lr on it, thread the barrel for a can and strait killin the coyotes that hang up at 400 yards on occasion. Currently handling that with a .223 12.5 mid length and doing alright.
When I was shooting an 8” twist 22-250, my best load was R15 pushing 75gr Amaxes to 3200fps. It was stupid accurate, producing multiple 3” five shot groups at 720 yards. Can’t say why, but it cheated the wind much better than the software said it should too. The only downside is the heavily tapered case doesn’t work great in AICS type mags.

Makes me want to have another fast twist 22 barrel spun up. Probably a .22 Creedmoor or maybe a .22GT this time…

John
 
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When I was shooting an 8” twist 22-250, my best load was R15 pushing 75gr Amaxes to 3200fps. It was stupid accurate, producing multiple 3” five shot groups at 720 yards. Can’t say why, but it cheated the wind much better than the software said it should too. The only downside is the heavily tapered case doesn’t work great in AICS type mags.

Makes me want to have another fast twist 22 barrel spun up. Probably a .22 Creedmoor or maybe a .22GT this time…

John
Makes sense on the mags. I thought there was a follower you could swap to. But its mot a match gun, so maybe the factory mags will do.
What length barrel were you running?
 
I have used H380, H335, 8208, 4166, Varget, and RL15 in my 22-250s with light bullets. I am on my third 22-250 barrel. A 1 in 12 factory, a 1 in 7 polygonal BHW 26", and now a 24" 1 in 9. I shot 75 and 80 maxes over h4831SC and 4000MR at around 3200fps{I think it was around 33g and pretty full case} from the 1 in 7. H4350 was what I wanted to use at the time, but it wasn't available. It should be a good powder for 22-250 with heavy bullets.

I don't see the allure for shooting heavy bullets in the 22-250. You might as well jump up to 6mm in my opinion. I had some 60g soft points loaded with 33.4 of 4166, it was about 3550 out of my 24", 34.7 was around 3700 with the 50 v max. I was shooting 34g of Varget before that with a 53 V max, I think I have 3650 or 3550 in ballistic app for that one. All shoot fine out of the 1 in 9 twist barrel. I tried some 70 RDF but they were too long for the 9 twist. For what I use my 22-250 for more velocity is more better.

The 22-250 has always fed better out of the Magpul AICS pattern mags for me, than the metal mags. Going with an AI or going with 22 Creed might be preferable for someone just jumping into one because the less tapered cases feed better out of straight mags.

If you turn your page in your reloading manuel to 22-250 and look at light bullets, 40-55g you probably wont find a powder listed that is even as slow as H4350.
 
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I have used H380, H335, 8208, 4166, Varget, and RL15 in my 22-250s with light bullets. I am on my third 22-250 barrel. A 1 in 12 factory, a 1 in 7 polygonal BHW 26", and now a 24" 1 in 9. I shot 75 and 80 maxes over h4831SC and 4000MR at around 3200fps{I think it was around 33g and pretty full case} from the 1 in 7. H4350 was what I wanted to use at the time, but it wasn't available. It should be a good powder for 22-250 with heavy bullets.

I don't see the allure for shooting heavy bullets in the 22-250. You might as well jump up to 6mm in my opinion. I had some 60g soft points loaded with 33.4 of 4166, it was about 3550 out of my 24", 34.7 was around 3700 with the 50 v max. I was shooting 34g of Varget before that with a 53 V max, I think I have 3650 or 3550 in ballistic app for that one. All shoot fine out of the 1 in 9 twist barrel. I tried some 70 RDF but they were too long for the 9 twist. For what I use my 22-250 for more velocity is more better.

The 22-250 has always fed better out of the Magpul AICS pattern mags for me, than the metal mags. Going with an AI or going with 22 Creed might be preferable for someone just jumping into one because the less tapered cases feed better out of straight mags.

If you turn your page in your reloading manuel to 22-250 and look at light bullets, 40-55g you probably wont find a powder listed that is even as slow as H4350.
Flat shooting to 400 is what i am after. After that i dont care and would just use a better cartridge. I have a lot of 40’s, 53’s and 55’s that i use in my .223 but running 40’s mainly now. I like the faster twist so it leaves me options available and I definitely do change my mind in time or seeing what i can do with a cartridge. Went heavy on 6.5’s early on but settled on 130’s in the end. My .223 i did the same. Maybe i will revert and change my mind again. Seems i have some loads to test when the brass shows up. At least i have a lot of options on projectiles and powder. Although i sold my .224 heavies to a buddy who loved them, running a 18” ar15 and although slow, went for a long ways.

i am happy to see a lot of powders suggested, i own them. Not a lot of powder, but couple bottles of a number of decent propellant. Load development is not my favorite, but i have learned how to speed up the process.
 
I've been running an 18", 250 AI for a few years. With 75g eld's and varget it bugholes and gets about 3200.


State law prohibits anything larger than .224 for night hunting here
How far are you shooting night hunting? Is it the wind up there that makes 75s a better option? Are you not allowed to hunt with 40-60g bullets there? The only night hunting I have done was at distance of a spot light beam, so pretty much anything was adequate.
 
How far are you shooting night hunting? Is it the wind up there that makes 75s a better option? Are you not allowed to hunt with 40-60g bullets there? The only night hunting I have done was at distance of a spot light beam, so pretty much anything was adequate.
50-400 yds and occasionally to 600. Yes the wind blows here and the less I need to think about it the better. The 75s do a nice job.

I run 55g game kings in my ar15 and they do pretty well too