h*r 22-250 twist rate 1-14"

[JimMc]

This has got me puzzled. My 22-250 keyholes when I load 50 gr. v-max and 53 gr. a-max bt bullets. when I load 55 gr.sp bullets the bullets work fine. All bullets are Hornady and are reloaded 1/2 grain below maximum according to the Lyman reloading handbook. I was under the impression that the slower twist would shoot the lighter bullets whereas the fast twist would shoot the heavier bullets. I do not understand why this is happening.Since this rifle will shoot the 55 gr. hornady like it should, could I shoot a 60 gr or heavier. I am asking because I have two boxes of bullets that I can't shoot and I don't want to buy another weight unless I know the rifle will handle them.

Thanks

Jim Mc

[trotterlg]

The 14 twist is more than enough for any of the 55 gr bullets, I once had a 17 twist 22-250 that would stabalize 55gr bullets.  Take a very critical look at the barrel crown, it will especially affect the BT bullets because the bullet stays in the transition from muzzel to free flight longer due to the BT design.  50gr bullets keyholing in a 14 twist 22-250 would have me looking for some other cause than the twist rate.  The 1 in 14 twist rate has been the standard for 22-250's since the beginning after it was domesticated from the Varminter wildcat years ago.  Larry

[JimMc]

I have been trying to shoot a 50 gr.hornady v-max and a 52 gr.hornady A-max bullet in my 22-250. They both keyhole. I shoot a 55 gr. hornady and it shoots fine. I thought the slow twist was for lighter bullets.  I was wondering if I am wrong in this assumption.

[Fred M]

The 1-14" twist has been standard since its inception as the 22 Varminter.

It shoots all bullets up to some 60grs. I suspect an oversize barrel like a
funnel shape bore that will not properly spin the short 22 bullets. The Handi grooves are only 2 thou deep. A 0.0015 oversize will barely engage the lands and make a bullet warble.

I check the barrel dimension if oversize send it back.