22-250 with cast?

[2ndAmendmentNut]

My gut tells me this is a bad idea, but still I have to ask. How does the 22-250 do with cast boolits? What would velocity be like from a 26” barrel. My goal is to make a cheaper load that shoots fairly accurately at say 100 yards to practice my free standing shooting and offhand shooting. I guess if velocity would be less then 2000fps I might as well stick with rimfires.

[beagle]

Had an old shooting partner that used cast in a .22-250 and it didn't do badly if he kept the velocities down.

I've successfully shot cast in a .223 at 2400 FPS with decent acuracy and using some babbitt alloy, I've tweaked them up to 2600 FPS.

Now, this is 1-1.5" accuracy at 100 yards. With WW alloy, accuracy went south to the tune of 4" at 100 yards when I exceeded 2400 FPS.

I'm preparing to try some in a .220 Swift and that should give me some insight as to cast in high volume .22s./beagle


My gut tells me this is a bad idea, but still I have to ask. How does the 22-250 do with cast boolits? What would velocity be like from a 26” barrel. My goal is to make a cheaper load that shoots fairly accurately at say 100 yards to practice my free standing shooting and offhand shooting. I guess if velocity would be less then 2000fps I might as well stick with rimfires.

[MT Gianni]

Try it and see. My view is a 55 gr boolit @2000 fps is far better than a 40 gr @1250 fps. 22 costs are around 4-5 cents a round in many areas, even with primer and gas checks you are not much more.

[35remington]

In my 1-12 and 1-14 22-250's, the cartridge does very, very well with cast bullets.

As in near inch groups at 100 yards with velocities in the 2100 fps range or better using several different designs from Lyman, RCBS, and the Bator in 43 to 55 grain weights.

Mine's so addictive with cast that it hardly gets shot with jacketed any more.

May be the most suitable tree squirrel rifle I can think of with cast bullets. Next to my 25-20, that is. Only downside is lugging around the dern heavy fat barrelled 22-250's I own.

[outdoorfan]

Don't see any reason why you can't get into the 2000-2400 velocity range with good accuracy as long as you have a 1-12 or 1-14 twist. And you can do that without having to do anything special. Being that the .22-250 has more case capacity than a .223 (which is what I shoot), reduced loads mean less pressure and more accuracy at higher velocity than the .223. GO FOR IT!! And tell us how it works for you.

[quack1]

I have been shooting Lyman 225462 in my 22-250 at around 2000fps in a 24" barrel with consistant accuracy of 1" at 100 yards. 3031 is the powder, I'm at work now and won't trust memory for the exact charge weight. Alloy is ac wheelweights with a little tin added. I hollow-pointed some of them on a lathe and have killed over a dozen ground hogs with them in the last week or so. Accuracy is the same as before hollow-pointing, and they expand very well on the hogs.

[Bret4207]

If you can cast quality boolits that fit the gun it's do-able.

[2ndAmendmentNut]

Hey guys thanks for the input. I think I will order the necessary stuff from MidwayUSA. Like the look of Lyman’s 55gr semi-point mold, any reason not to go with this one? I will size them to 225 diameter and lube them with Thompson Blue Angel, any reason not to? Also I would like to know what kinds of powders you all are using in you loads?

[outdoorfan]

This was written for the .223, but you may find some interest in reading it:

http://hgmould.gunloads.com/casting/223cast.htm

Do a search. I'm sure you'll find some good info on loads for the .22-250.

[2ndAmendmentNut]

I have Varget and RL15 on hand and about six different handgun powders. I was thinking about trying Trail Boss, I have seen data for the 30-30 and 45/70 “cowboy loads” using this powder and cast boolits.

[2ndAmendmentNut]

Okay Midway has shipped the stuff. I went with the Lyman 55grain semi-point, Hornady gas checks, and a 225 diameter sizer die for my RCBS lube-matic-2. I will keep my fingers crossed and up date as soon as I have some results.

[Shiloh]

Just watch the velocities.
There is no way you'll be able to come close to what J bullet velocities are and have accuracy.

Shiloh

[Crash_Corrigan]

I disagree with Shiloh. If you paper patch these little tiny boolits you might well be able to attain higher velocities than you think.

Check out the paper patch forum and what Doccone31 has to say. I have been messing around with PP and have found velocity up to 2400 FPS out of a M-1 with MOA accuracy when paper patching 215 gr 311284's.

The big benefit is that you will not wear out your barell as the paper is what rubs against the steel not lead.

Second velocity will be a mite less than Jwords but a lot more than just lead.

Third you will not need a GC if you wrap the paper long and then twist the tail. Just cut it off with a nail clipper prior to lubing and sizing the boolit for the final loading.

Fourth it is fun to wrap the little buggers while watching TV and you will find use for all that junk mail you get. Send it down range around a lead boolit.

Now that I have solved the Garand dilemma I am going to tackle PP rounds for my new 327 Federal Magnum revolter.

It is a whole new {old} way of reloading.

[Wally]

I have shot mine (Remington 700 Varmintmaster) for years out to 250 yards using an RCBS 55 grain GC bullet with 10.0 grains of Unique--I get 2,200 FPS MV. I get 3" groups at that range, when the wind is absent. Great for plinking steel cans or hitting suspended steel plates. Also, I like shooting cast bullets as I have less worries about where the bullets are landing. With this load one can hit an index card with every shot out to 250 yards, on a good day!

[2ndAmendmentNut]

My goal is 2” group at 100yards, with velocity around 2000fps. Thanks to all the posts this sounds very doable, perhaps a little bit better is possible. Yet if I meet my goal I will be very happy.

[BerdanIII]

From Cast Bullet Loads for the .22-250, Carl Johnson, Handloader #55

43-45-gr. Cast Bullets
Ohaus 22045R - cast weight 43 grs.
Lyman 225415 - cast weight 45 grs.
Lyman 225438 - cast weight 43 grs.

Mild Load
SR4579 - 8.0- 1420 - 0.32" at 50 y.
IMR4198 - 15.0 - 2000 - 1.25
IMR3031 - 15.0 - 1787 - 1.25
IMR4895 - 15.0 - 1626 - 0.75*
IMR4064 - 15.0 - 1750 - 0.60*
IMR4320 - 16.0 - 1566 - 0.55*
W-W630 - 6.0 - 1550 - 0.75

Suggested Load
SR4759 - 16.0 - 2560 - 0.85" at 100 y.
IMR4198 - 20.0 - 2650 - 1.00
IMR3031 - 20.0 - 2219 - 2.00
IMR4895 - 21.0 - 2173 - 1.5
IMR4064 - 20.0 - 2041 - 1.75**
IMR4320 - 20.0 - 1988 - 1.5*
W-W630 - 11.0 - 2057 - 1.25

Maximum Load
SR4759 - 18.0 - 2730 - 2.75" at 100 y.
IMR4198 - 22.0 - 2844 - 1.0
IMR3031 - 25.0 - 2710 - 3.0
IMR4895 - 25.0 - 2530 - 1.75
IMR4064 - 25.0 - 2430 - 2.0
IMR4320 - 25.0 - 2340 - 1.5
W-W630 - 16.0 - 2650 - 2.0

53-gr. Cast Bullet
Ohaus 22058R - cast weight 53 grs.
Lyman 225462 - cast weight 53 grs.

Mild Load
SR4759 - 9.0 - 1450 - 0.49" at 50 y.
IMR4198 - 10.0 - 1680 - 0.50
IMR3031 - 12.0 - 1736 - 1.0
IMR4895 - 16.0 - 1798 - 0.75
IMR4064 - 16.0 - 1800 - 0.45
IMR4320 - 16.0 - 1592 - 0.50
W-W630 - 9.0 - 1660 - 0.30

Suggested Load
SR4759 - 15.0 - 2288- 1.5" at 100 y.
IMR4198 - 20.0 - 2540 - 1.0
IMR3031 - 20.0 - 2320 - 1.75
IMR4895 - 22.0 - 2290 - 1.0
IMR4064 - 22.0 - 2285 - 1.0
IMR4320 - 22.0 - 2230 - 1.0
W-W630 - 14.0 - 2280 - 1.25

Maximum Load
SR4759 - 17.0 - 2574 - 2.25" at 100 y.
IMR4198 - 22.0 - 2743 - 1.75
IMR3031 - 23.0 - 2580 - 2.75
IMR4895 - 25.0 - 2652 - 2.0
IMR4064 - 25.0 - 2575 - 1.65
IMR4320 - 24.0 - 2418 - 1.25
W-W630 - 15.0 - 2345 - 1.30

* These charges failed to completely burn, as indicated by powder particles on chronograph Start screen.
**Load produced .750-inch groups at 50 yards, although 100-yard groups averaged 1.750.

All bullets were cast about .003-inch over bore size, then reduced .001 to .226. Three alloys were used (1. 10 parts pure lead to 1 part pure tin, mainly for 1200 to 1500 fps, 2. 76% pure lead, 8% pure tin 16% antimony for 1500 to 2000 fps, 3. 74% pure lead, 9% pure tin, 17% antimony for 2100 to 2900 fps.). Hodgdon Large Rifle primers were used for all loads. All charges had a tuft of Kapok to hold powder in rear of case.

From: Cast Bullets in the Stevens 200 .22-250 Rifle: Hunting and Plinking Economy,
Part 2, George A. Damron V, The Fouling Shot, #196.

Eagan MX-3 EX-2 (62 grs) - 13.5 XMP5744 - 2180fps - .560 - .870 - .750 at 100 y (2.8" at 200 y)
LBT 60 SP Tapered (56 grs) - 13.5 Alliant 2400 - 2140 - .875 - 1.42 -1.5 at 100 y (2.75" at 200 y)
Lyman 225462 (54 grs) - 15.0 IMR4759 - 2100 - 2.0 - 1.5 - 1.75 at 100 y (3.5" at 200 y)
RCBS 55 FN (52 grs) - 14.5 IMR4759 - 2150 - 1.25 - 1.5 - 1.87 at 100 y (2.5" at 200 y)
Lyman 225415 (44 grs) - 15.5 XMP5744 - 2250 - 1.7 - 1.6 - 2.0 at 100 y (4.4" at 200 y)
Lyman 225438 (44 grs) w/o G.C. - 4.5 WST - .75 to 1.5" @ 50y (Plinker load)

All bullets were Linotype, sized 0.225", Hornady gas checks, Magtech 9 ½ or Winchester Large Rifle primers, Herter's cases.

From .22-250 Remington - Update on Nosler Model 48, John Haviland, Handloader #261

Winchester cases and large rifle primers.

NEI .45-224-GC
Green Dot - 8.0 - 2131 - 3.09" at 100 y.
H4198 - 15.0 - 1869 - 1.29
TAC - 19.0 - 1792 - 1.00
Varget - 22.0 - 2095 - 1.78

NEI .55-224-GC
Green Dot - 8.0 - 2009 - 1.32" at 100 y.
H4198 - 15.0 - 2033 - 1.00
RL7 - 13.0 - 1823 - 1.17
TAC - 18.0 - 1983 - 1.96
Varget - 20.0 - 2082 - 1.02

55 Lyman 225646
Green Dot - 8.0 - 1898 - 1.93" at 100 y.
H4198 - 15.0 - 1702 - 1.68
RL7 - 13.0 - 1598 - 1.04
TAC - 18.0 - 1682 - 2.54
Varget - 20.0 - 1838 - 2.00

RCBS 55-SP
Green Dot - 8.0 - 1967 - 1.54" at 100 y.
H4198 - 15.0 - 1961 - 0.36
IMR4227 - 15.5 - 2264 - 1.23
RL7 - 13.0 - 1793 - 0.66
TAC - 18.0 - 1914 - 1.56
Varget - 20.0 - 2056 - 1.10

[felix]

225646, 15.0 N110, 18.5 N120, ww+2%tin ... felix

[2ndAmendmentNut]

Just updating as promised. I got the stuff from Midway and cast up a few bullets from clip on wheel weights. I water dropped some, and let others air cool. Strait from the mold they weighed right at about 60 grains. I sized them to 225, lubed them with Blue Angel, and used Hornady gas checks. With both the water and air cooled bullets I experienced no leading. As of now the groups have not been anything to brag about, yet I have hope. The 5 shot groups average around 5” at 120 yards. Loads I have tried so far have been 8 to 9 grains of Trail Boss, and 20 to 30 grains of Varget. I am having fun and will let you all now when I stumble across the perfect load. I am open to suggestions and tips, I have a pretty good selection of both rifle and handgun powders.

P.S I believe 30 grains of Varget vaporized to bullet in flight, no leading however there was no new whole on paper (could have patterned of paper) and I only tried one (so far).

[Larry Gibson]

2ndAmendmentNut

"As of now the groups have not been anything to brag about, yet I have hope. The 5 shot groups average around 5” at 120 yards. Loads I have tried so far have been 8 to 9 grains of Trail Boss, and 20 to 30 grains of Varget. I am having fun and will let you all now when I stumble across the perfect load. I am open to suggestions and tips, I have a pretty good selection of both rifle and handgun powders."

Some years back I was successful with Lyman's 225462 at 2350 fps out of a Remington M700 ADL with a 14" twist. I used Hornady GCs and Javelina lube in WW cases with WLR Primers. Accuracy was pretty consistant around 1.5 moa for 20 shots or so before the barrel needed cleaning. No leading could be found and a regular cleaning restored accuracy. That was good enough for a "walk about" rifle for rock chucks and an occasional jack rabbit. I also got consistant 1- 1.5 moa without having to clean the barrel for 50+ shots with Lyman's 225415 right at 2100 fps.

I used H4895 with a 1/3 gr dacron filler for the 224415 bullets and old original 4831 for the 225462 cast bullets. I still have that M700 and it still shoots as well. I have a new DC 225462 mould and may try it out one of these days with new H4831SC or AA4350.

"P.S I believe 30 grains of Varget vaporized to bullet in flight, no leading however there was no new whole on paper (could have patterned of paper) and I only tried one (so far)."

I doubt you "vaproized the bullet". Either the zero was off paper or, more than like the WW alloy bullets, at the probable highe velocity of that load, just went off to never, never land.

I've found that a hardened (I WQ) maleable alloy with an unhardened BHN of around 18 gives better results than the more brittle linotype with such higher velocity loads.

I would suggest a better alloy and medium to slow burning powders if you want to push higher velocities. If the loading density is 85% or less then a 1/3 gr dacron filler most often helps consistency of ignition and time/pressure curve.

Larry Gibson

[2ndAmendmentNut]

I doubt you "vaproized the bullet". Either the zero was off paper or, more than like the WW alloy bullets, at the probable highe velocity of that load, just went off to never, never land.

The reason I suspected that I vaporized the boolit was that when I shot a suspicious cloud of gray filled the air in a cone about 15 or 20 feet from the muzzle. The gray cloud then quickly settled to the ground instead of blowing sideways with the moderate crosswinds. You are probably right, but that is just what I thought at the time.

[Larry Gibson]

The reason I suspected that I vaporized the boolit was that when I shot a suspicious cloud of gray filled the air in a cone about 15 or 20 feet from the muzzle. The gray cloud then quickly settled to the ground instead of blowing sideways with the moderate crosswinds. You are probably right, but that is just what I thought at the time.


Were that the case then you are the first who actually has done it that I know of. Now I have "blown up" J bullets out of fast twist rifles but have not with a cast bullet. I'll have to admit though that I really not tried to as I'm looking more to hit the target than to blow up bullets. What twist and rifle is your 22-250?

Larry Gibson

[waksupi]

I don't imagine it vaporized. I was shooting cast in the .223 at 2680 fps, with no problems.

[2ndAmendmentNut]

What twist and rifle is your 22-250?

Larry Gibson

It Is a real M70 Winchester post-64 action. The barrel is 26" with a 1 in 14 twist. Like I said in the other post I thought at the time I vaporized the boolit, now I am not so sure. I will have to try shooting at paper a little closer to see for sure.

[Larry Gibson]

It Is a real M70 Winchester post-64 action. The barrel is 26" with a 1 in 14 twist. Like I said in the other post I thought at the time I vaporized the boolit, now I am not so sure. I will have to try shooting at paper a little closer to see for sure.

Thanks for the quick answer. You've got to get up into some pretty high RPM for a bullet to blow up, not sure you can get there with a 14" twist 22-250 and a 55-60 gr bullet. That's all beside the point anyways as with that m70 you should get into the 2200-2400 fps range with decent accuracy if you cast quality bullets and load them right.

Larry Gibson