an additional 22-250 load question

[Eric M]

In my last question thread "need some stability", I was asking about 60 grain Sierras stabilizing in 22-250. Anyway, I loaded some Sierra 52 gr hpbt's and shot them yesterday using IMR 4895 as the powder. I started in the middle of the load chart and shot 5 groups going up about .5 at a time until the last group was the Sierra recommended max of 35.3.  No pressure signs at max and that was the only thing close to a decent group at an inch and a half at 100 yards. It was still a pretty open group. Some of it was me and some was the rain. I'm just wondering what other guys do at this point in trying a bullet. This is a tricky question I think because no one wants to say exceed max load or whatever. But with the Hodgdon Manual they have max at 37 grains but using the Hdy A max bullet. Or do you guys switch powders? I have some 4064. I was thinking about bumping it up .1 for each additional group; 35.4, 35.5 etc. and looking for pressure signs while seeing what the groups are doing. Thoughts?

[BigGoonTuna]

I would play with the seating depth at that point.  Do you have a chronograph?  If not, i would highly recommend one.

[Eric M]

I would play with the seating depth at that point.  Do you have a chronograph?  If not, i would highly recommend one.

I was thinking about the seating depth also. No I don't have a chronograph. It's on my list.Thanks

[jasnt]

I'll be that guy. I load till my gun says hot load. I also never use book seating depth. Instead of .5 increments I use 1% increments so for that load it would be .3   
Check for pressure signs after every shot. Most Manuela are quite conservative with pressure.   Watch for flattening of primers, cratering and ejector marks. Hard bolt lift is too far!

[Eric M]

I'll be that guy. I load till my gun says hot load. I also never use book seating depth. Instead of .5 increments I use 1% increments so for that load it would be .3   
Check for pressure signs after every shot. Most Manuela are quite conservative with pressure.   Watch for flattening of primers, cratering and ejector marks. Hard bolt lift is too far!

Thanks. Got a couple load suggestions similar to what u are saying. I'm sure some of those loads in the manual are lawyer loads.

[slm9s]

An inch and a half at 100 yds is a poor group for a 22-250.  If that was my best group of a ladder, I would change bullet/powder/whatever.  If that's the bullet you want to run, I would change powders.

This is assuming its a decent rifle with a scope capable of shooting sub-moa groups...

[jasnt]

I'll be that guy. I load till my gun says hot load. I also never use book seating depth. Instead of .5 increments I use 1% increments so for that load it would be .3   
Check for pressure signs after every shot. Most Manuela are quite conservative with pressure.   Watch for flattening of primers, cratering and ejector marks. Hard bolt lift is too far!

Thanks. Got a couple load suggestions similar to what u are saying. I'm sure some of those loads in the manual are lawyer loads.

not only that but those loads are for making ammo to work in any rifle. Your making a custom load for that rifle. It will tell you when enough is enough if you know how to listen.   
A tip I learned for shooting groups. Use the smallest point of aim you can use.

[Biggerhammer]

I'll be that guy. I load till my gun says hot load. I also never use book seating depth. Instead of .5 increments I use 1% increments so for that load it would be .3   
Check for pressure signs after every shot. Most Manuela are quite conservative with pressure.   Watch for flattening of primers, cratering and ejector marks. Hard bolt lift is too far!

Thanks. Got a couple load suggestions similar to what u are saying. I'm sure some of those loads in the manual are lawyer loads.

not only that but those loads are for making ammo to work in any rifle. Your making a custom load for that rifle. It will tell you when enough is enough if you know how to listen.   
A tip I learned for shooting groups. Use the smallest point of aim you can use.

The majority of time I use a bullet hole at 100 and 200 yards for my hold point.

[Eric M]

I'll be that guy. I load till my gun says hot load. I also never use book seating depth. Instead of .5 increments I use 1% increments so for that load it would be .3   
Check for pressure signs after every shot. Most Manuela are quite conservative with pressure.   Watch for flattening of primers, cratering and ejector marks. Hard bolt lift is too far!

Thanks. Got a couple load suggestions similar to what u are saying. I'm sure some of those loads in the manual are lawyer loads.

not only that but those loads are for making ammo to work in any rifle. Your making a custom load for that rifle. It will tell you when enough is enough if you know how to listen.   
A tip I learned for shooting groups. Use the smallest point of aim you can use.

The majority of time I use a bullet hole at 100 and 200 yards for my hold point.

I finally got a scope that is capable of that.

[Bill W]

Here's one for you:  CCI LR primer, Winchester case, 34.5 grains of 4064 and a 52 HPBT (either Sierra or Nosler).   I don't remember how long ago I shot this load as I switched to a ball powder later on.  This isn't a hot load by any means, it was just a good grouping one for me and on probably the low pressure accuracy node.

[Eric M]

Here's one for you:  CCI LR primer, Winchester case, 34.5 grains of 4064 and a 52 HPBT (either Sierra or Nosler).   I don't remember how long ago I shot this load as I switched to a ball powder later on.  This isn't a hot load by any means, it was just a good grouping one for me and on probably the low pressure accuracy node.

Thanks I'll give it a try. I have all that ready to go.