Need some stability

[Eric M]

So I'm screwing around with a 22 250 load and I have a pretty typical 1 in 12 twist barrel. Manual says to stay under 60 grains for stability unless you have a faster twist. I wanted to try to get a 60 to stay flat. It shoots 55 grain Sierras pretty well. Anyway thoughts on loads. Faster enduron 4166 powder? Something slower burning?

[b23]

Which particular 22-250 is it?  I only ask because most 22-250's have 1-14 twist barrels which unfortunately really limits many 22-250's from shooting heavier bullets.

[Eric M]

Which particular 22-250 is it?  I only ask because most 22-250's have 1-14 twist barrels which unfortunately really limits many 22-250's from shooting heavier bullets.

It's a Savage with a twist in 12. This is mostly just a curiosity thing for me. According to what I've been reading, a twist in 12 isn't enough. They were saying 10 or 8. I've got a box of 60 grain Sierras and I thought I'd see if there was a way to keep them stable with the right powder.

[BigGoonTuna]

i'd say the only way to find out would be to try it.  i have read quite a few people saying that a 1:9 shouldn't stabilize 140gr bullets in my .264 mag, it shoots them just fine.

[TheSkyBuster]

I shoot a savage model 16 with a 22” 1-12 bore and it shoots the sierra 1375 bullets just fine.  You might not even notice a difference under 200 yards.  I was using Varget with those bullets.  Ultimately for my pet load I settled on Sierra 1390’s seated .040” off the lands and pushed by Vihta- N135.   I can look up and pm you my load data when I get home if you want.

[Eric M]

I shoot a savage model 16 with a 22” 1-12 bore and it shoots the sierra 1375 bullets just fine.  You might not even notice a difference under 200 yards.  I was using Varget with those bullets.  Ultimately for my pet load I settled on Sierra 1390’s seated .040” off the lands and pushed by Vihta- N135.   I can look up and pm you my load data when I get home if you want.

If u get a chance that would be great thanks.

[Eric M]

i'd say the only way to find out would be to try it.  i have read quite a few people saying that a 1:9 shouldn't stabilize 140gr bullets in my .264 mag, it shoots them just fine.

I was going to load a few last night but decided to wait and see if anyone had any thoughts on the matter first. Thanms.

[b23]

Savage is one of the few companies that has wised up and uses a little faster twist on their 22-250's. 

At 22-250 speeds a 1-12tw should be plenty for up to 60gr bullets. 

Maybe take a look at the 53gr Vmax.  They have a higher BC than many of the 60 grainers and can be driven faster.

[Eric M]

Savage is one of the few companies that has wised up and uses a little faster twist on their 22-250's. 

At 22-250 speeds a 1-12tw should be plenty for up to 60gr bullets. 

Maybe take a look at the 53gr Vmax.  They have a higher BC than many of the 60 grainers and can be driven faster.

Thanks. The Berger manual (1st edition page 346) was where it said 14 and 12 stabilizes traditional bullets under 60 grains.then it suggests a 9 or even a 7 for the 70 grain so it seemed 60 was in no mans land. Anyway shot some matchking 52 grain today. They grouped ok but I might try 4064 instead of 4895 for those or maybe that enduron 4166. If anyone has a suggestion for a powder for those 60s let me know. Thanks.

[Calvin Rayborn]

Boat tail?

[Bill W]

mine stabiliezed 60 grain Hornady HPs with a 12 inch twist.

[Eric M]

Boat tail?

No the 60 grain bullets I have are just hp's.

[Eric M]

mine stabiliezed 60 grain Hornady HPs with a 12 inch twist.

Just curious what was the maximum distance you shot? @theskybuster mentioned 200 yards and I have heard that from one other person that they might be fine out to 200.

[Eric M]

And to further muddy the water while looking in the Hodgdon magazine from last year, it lists the 22-250 with a 1 in 14 twist and goes all the way up to 70 grain. In its rifle data lists, it has the 63 grain Sierra SP's listed. I guess I'll just load some up and see.

[b23]

Eric M, you may already know this but the weight of the bullet doesn't necessarily dictate the twist, as much as its design/profile does.  A flat base 60gr bullet can get away with using a slower twist while a same weight VLD type bullet will require a faster twist to stabilize it.  A good example is Hornady's 53gr Vmax.  It has a very sleek profile with a relatively short bearing surface and nearly always requires at least a 1-12tw barrel but the nearly the same weight 52gr Amax, with its less sleek profile, lower BC, and longer bearing surface typically shoots extremely well from a 1-14tw 22-250.  Generally, the higher the BC the faster the barrel twist needs to be.