22.250 AI load testing

[Fjold]

I needed something else to shoot while the 375 H&H was cooling down so I did some load testing with the 22.250 that Randall (AR15 Barrels) re-chambered to 22.250 Ackley Improved.

With the Barnes 50 grain Varmint Grenade, 41 grains of CFE223 got me almost 4100 fps, I should be able to go up one more grain so I'll try 41.5 and 42 grains of powder on the next trip

The 69 g Sierra Matchkings weren't shooting well until I got to 36 grains of CFE223 then it tightened the group right up at 3200+ fps. I should be able to squeeze at least 38 grains into the AI case so I'll test that next.

[ducky_0811]

What twist is your barrel?

[JMP]

That 50gr Barnes looks good and a real zinger.

[Fjold]

What twist is your barrel?

That's a 26", Pacnor Supermatch, three groove with a 1:10" twist.

[ducky_0811]

I have an older savage with a 1:14 I'm contemplating putting a new barrel with a faster twist on, or changing it to a .260. What's the expected barrel life a 10 twist -250?

[Fjold]

It is going to depend on how you shoot it but 2,000 - 2,500 rounds will probably show a noticeable accuracy loss.

The good thing about the Savage is that once you have changed a barrel once, it's a 10 minute job.

As far as which caliber, the 22.250 is a varmint round while the 260 is a medium game round. I have both and use them for different purposes. The compromise cartridge to do both is the 243 win.

[ducky_0811]

I use the rifle for target shooting mostly, I have 3 250's now, figured I'd change one up and make long range shooter out of one but the 14 twist isn't going to cut it only stabilizing 52gr pills, Thanks for the wisdom

[MongooseV8]

What brass are you using?

[Fjold]

Prvi Partisan. All my other 22.250 brass was neck turned down to .250" for the tight necked 22.250 that I built.

[Fjold]

Shot some more test loads using the 69 grain SMK and H4350 powder at 300 yards. It was about 50 degrees this morning with a 5 - 10 MPH wind coming from 7 o'clock that pushed the bullets around a bit.