Cast in 22-250

[1Shirt]

I seek words of wisdom regarding experiance in loading/shooting cast in 22-250, #1 Ruger. I have loaded cast in hornet,k-hornet, 222, and 223 with much sucess (except for the 1 in 5 flyer that seems to happen with hornet all to often). I have however never loaded cast in 22-250, and considering the vol. of the case feel that this is a different animal than the smaller .225 cases. Am interested in accuracy only regardless of vol. Would be very happy if I can find an accurate load that would run in the neighborhood of 1600-1800. The rifle shoots 40-55gr.J under and inch with most any moderate loading. Would particularly be interested in hearing from those who have loaded cast in their #1's. As always, I thank in advance all those who respond to this thread. Lastly, don't forget that 10 Nov. is the birthday of USMC. Semper Fi!
1Shirt
Retired AF
Former Marine

[sundog]

1Shirt, me, too. My newly barreled 14 twist 22-250 will be coming home shortly. No doubt at all what it will do with jacketed - it'll be a dandy. What it will do with cast..., well, we'll just have to wait and see. Brass came in yesterday. First time I've seen Nosler brass (urged by Felix). A little pricey, but after seeing it, I am expecting great things. Really nice stuff. Have you been watching the thread 'possible new design 22 cal' in Moulds Maintenance and Design?
sundog
Ret Army
Former AF

[felix]

Nosler brass is probably made by Top Brass. I ordered some in 45 colt and found it the best by far, in terms of consistency, and most especially in the primer pocket depth and diameter. Top Brass does their own case manufacture, from weighted slugs made by Olin for the case intended. ... felix

[David R]

1Shirt,

I load for a 22-250. Its kind of finicky, but when I found it, I hit the mother load. All I can tell you is what works in MY gun, which is a remington 700 VL.

I tried this and that with some success, but finally I found with this rifle, it likes the boolits back a little, both jacketed and cast. I don't know if you will get accuracy at that low of velocity. I found it at 2680 AV. I tried red dot, 2400, 3031, but finally hit a home run with SR4759. I had to weigh my boolits and powder charge to get that one inch group. I use Lyman 225646 cast of pure lino. I have some from quenched WW, but have not tried them yet.

I ran out of SR4759 so I tried WC820, a total no go. I found a case full of WC860 gave me less than 1/2" at 50 yards, but I don't think that is going to work out because its so dirty. Next is Surplus 4895. I got one decent group, but only tried 25 grains. Tonight I am going to load up 22, 24, 26 and maybe 28 to see what it does. I am going to see if I can duplicate the velocity and see how the groups are there.

See my target in the competition and results under 300 yard prone.

Have fun
David

[1Shirt]

Thanks David : Shoot a fair amount of 4759 and will start there with pure lino. Do you water quench when casting.
1Shirt

[David R]

1Shirt,

Never quenched pure lino.

I was wondering that last night, what would it do?

David

[felix]

Lino, if it is correct Lino, meaning zero slush time, meaning instant melted to solid state, or vice versa, then no hardening upon rapid cooling. ... felix

[35remington]

1Shirt, I've done a pretty fair amount of cast bullet shooting in the .22-250, and I've used the Lyman 225438, the 225415, and the RCBS 55 grain bullet. All were cast of linotype because I had problems with fillout of the bands with alloys that contained less tin, most especially the 225438.

My gun is completely allergic to any of the fast shotgun or pistol type powders and responds with shotgun patterns whenever my reloads attempt to duplicate the lower velocities you are seeking with them. Easiest accuracy is in the 2000-2300 fps region, and a lot of powders can/will serve-RL7, 5744, 4759, 2400, etc. I've taken it up to 2800+ fps with good accuracy using those powders as well as the 4895's, 4198, etc.

For best accuracy, it did help to segregate bullets by cavity and weigh them, but accuracy was still quite acceptable if this was not done save for the very occasional flyer. When I cobbled together some suitable loads my Savage has turned out to be one of the most accurate cast bullet guns I own, if not the most accurate. When I started out with the shotgun powders you could not have convinced me that this would turn out to be one of my best shooters, but with perseverence it turned out well. The relatively large case capacity of the .22-250 might appear to make it less suited for most cast bullet loads in terms of accuracy, but actual use has shown it does very well.

Since I turn these out in volume (fun to shoot; good 200 yard gopher loads) I tend to favor easy metering powders, so something like 2400 or H4227 might make your short list. RL7 meters pretty well too.

[1Shirt]

35 Remington, Sounds good. May have to try 4227 again. Have not shot much of it in the past few years, but do shoot a fair amount of 4759 and 2400. Have probably run into you at a Lincoln gun show or two.
1Shirt