22-250 revisited - varget and 64 grain nosler partition bullet.

[Nandy]

In case we have any reloaders in here....

rifle stats:
Savage Barrel take off, seems to be a savage target contour or a varmint contour at least, 1:12 Twist, 22'', shot count unknown. I know the bullet will do better on a 10 twist but until the bonus or irs return come home...
boyds varmint stock, action bedded, tang floating, target recoil lug, accutrigger set to 1 lbs.

Shells:
Remington brass shot no more than 3 times. all have been trimmed to 1.902, neck sized, rcbs competition die, coal 2.102, WLR primer, Nosler Bonded Bullets 64 Grain Spitzer Solid Base.

Reloading
Each load has been manually thrown, each double check with 2 rcbs scales (digital 750 and a beam 505). Im seating .010" from the lands.

A couple of years ago i worked a load for this 22-250 using this same bullet, speed was good (3400+fps), accuracy was acceptable for hunting inside 150 yards BUT I had occasional flyers AND I would have blown primers in occasion which the last made me retire the load.

This year I want to bring the gun back and I am using varget instead of rl-17. I loaded 2 sets of 8 shells starting at 23 grs, used 3 grs increments up to 25.1 grs. I threw each similar load at the same time. Shot them today, this is what I got.

First set:
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn215/nandy_temp/20151028_191539.jpg

Chrono stats:
Hi Vel: 2989
Low Vel: 2726
Ave Vel: 2869
Ext Spread: 263
Std Dev: 84

Velocity
2726
2836
2855
2855
2976
2830
2886
2989

I found the speed of shot 4, 5, and 6 a bit disconcerting as it is not what i would have expected and wonder what made those speeds fluctuate like that.

Second set:
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn215/nandy_temp/20151028_191606.jpg

Chrono stats:
Hi Vel: 2917
Low Vel: 2688
Ave Vel: 2803
Ext Spread: 229
Std Dev: 71

Velocity Power Factor
2688
2789
2743
2789
2818
2812
2873
2917

although the shots here seem to be a bit out of order too, i would have expected an ascendant speed, not these fluctuations...

I generally set a camera to record the impact order. I forgot to bring my camera and had to use my phone. someone text me while I was going to be ready to start shooting the second set and the recording stopped so I have no idea which bullet is which but they seem to have a common node as you can see similar impacts of shot 3 and 8, however, since I have no video I can correlate those same impacts on set 2 to their appropriate load. I will try to shoot another set on Friday...

Everything that hit 2900+ fps is starting to show cratering on the primers which for me is a bit disheartening since I was hoping to keep the speed up to 3200 fps.
See shell number 5 and 8 on the top row and shell number 8 at lower row.
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn215/nandy_temp/20151028_201431.jpg

Here is a close up to both number 8:
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn215/nandy_temp/20151028_201557.jpg

Hodgon reloading data it says that 29.5 grs is starting load for both 63 and 70 gr bullets, max is 34 grs for the 63 gr and 32 is the max for the 70 grain.
Nosler reloading data does not have Varget included for this bullet, it does have varget for the 62 grain and it is starting at the 30 grs.

So I think I should not push past the 25.1 due to the cratering on the primer but I want to gain more speed. I guess that will mean using another powder but now i wonder if those other powders are shooting faster then wouldnt those also show the same signs of pressure? I bought about 5 cans of varget.... sight....

I will recheck my head spacing again but I dont think that is a problem. Im about to change the brass and primer but not sure those could cause those numbers or let me shot a bit hotter...

[BarryBobPosthole]

On number 6 there you must have tightened the goddammit too tight.

BKB

[Nandy]

It possible I guess... I try to do them all the same, I will watch for that.

[Captain]

I assume those are 100 yard targets.. Sorta weird, I understand the 3 inch high shot on number 1 as it was probably a clean bore and had oil in the barrel. But the rifle should have settled down after that. Are you letting the barrel cool between shots or ever 3 shots? Something looks odd about the grouping. Give IMR-4350 a try. Somewhere around 38 grains. (Which will be about a full case)
You will see the velocities go around 3200 to 3400.

[Thumper]

As usual, youse guys over-analyze everything. The scattered groups are a clear case of "shooter error". You're welcome. :D

[Nandy]

I assume those are 100 yard targets.. Sorta weird, I understand the 3 inch high shot on number 1 as it was probably a clean bore and had oil in the barrel. But the rifle should have settled down after that. Are you letting the barrel cool between shots or ever 3 shots? Something looks odd about the grouping. Give IMR-4350 a try. Somewhere around 38 grains. (Which will be about a full case)
You will see the velocities go around 3200 to 3400.

Yes, 100yds targets, barrel was already fouled, this is a target or varmint barrel, not much effect with the heat other than the time the shell spends in the chamber before I shoot which is seconds. on my porter barrel I would have waited between every 3 shots.
It is a ladder test so every shell is loaded with .3grs difference, what we are looking is for a node.

I will probably change powder once I have run all I can with varget. I know maybe the combination I have will never work but I spend close to $200 on varget powder, so i really want to give it a try!!!! A real good try.

[Nandy]

thumpy, I got your shooter error right here!!!! lol!

[Nandy]

Update,
I started with a larger dose of varget, from 32 to 34 grs, in the ladder test. The latest ladder test showed 2 strong nodes at 33.5 and 33.8, (if I recall right, I do not have my notes with me right now), with 33.35 printing the best. I set a few triplets loads at .2 grains intervals having 33.5 as my mid point. One more time the test revealed a preference for 33.5 with an average speed is 3297 with a nice .423 group. No signs of pressure.

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn215/nandy_temp/20151108_000247.jpg

Im using a carbine 3x nikon scope which pretty much covers my bullseye at 100 yards. With a better scope i am sure I can get a better group and good consistency. I am shooting some other groups tomorrow to cement this load for know. Of course, i will fiddle with the oal to see what I find later on but will call this a successful 250 ydr deer load.

I would like to have better velocity but I will push that once I get my new 9:1 or 10:1 barrel.

Another thing I noticed is that the pockets on those remington shells are loose, too loose for my like. Hornady primer pockets were real tight so i will try to replicate the load on hornady shells....

Thanks for your input!

[LJ3]

To each his own and whatever blows your skirt up and all that.

But... they have bullets in stores.... You know that? Right?

[Nandy]

Never heard that before, However, I heard they do have meat/fish already cut and processed there....
:slap lol!

[Trav]

Nandy, have you always used a 22-250 for deer?

[Nandy]

My main gun is a 7mm rm with berger 168 gr vld out of it, I also use a 30-06 with nosler 150 gr silver tip, I used the 22-250 on 2013, I plan to use on those instances where deer will be inside the 200 yards for neck shots which is my prefer method. I would be hard pressed to take a heart/lung shoot at deer with that load although I read many do in a regular basis. I am sure it will kill the deer but I am not in the game of tracking. I rather shoot and drop right on spot.

[Trav]

Ok, that makes sense. I was trying to figure out the logic behind using a 64gr bullet on a deer. I have to admit I am not a good enough shot to neck shoot them.

[Nandy]

Since all I have left to bag is 2 deer I am not in a hurry so I can just wait for the right deer and the right scenario which might not happen but i am still good in the meat department. Most of my neck shots has been done with the 30-06 as I tend to use that gun for the wooded areas so shots are close and easy.

[Buckrub]

Sure must be nice to have a lot of time to inspect deer and place a neck shot by choice. I guess y'all hunt on the Moon.

[Chicken Dinner]

I'll use a neck shot on does a lot if they're standing still - devastating.

[Buckrub]

I'd do a lot of things,if they'd stand still in the open. But I don't hunt on the Moon.

[Nandy]

Bucky, Does tend to stay still a lot in my lease. bucks, not so much but if you whistle hard enough 80 percent of them will stop long enough... no need for moon cover.