Load development?

[GLP]

I'm trying to work up a load for A 22-250
The gun is a 700 ADL thats been bed ed
The problem that is that I'm getting vertical stringing the first two or three shots go almost in the same hole very satisfactory . Then it goes down hill from there with the next shot striking about .75" high not real bad but I think it could do better . I try and wait a few minutes before shots to let it cool
loads I tried are
55gn SXSP hornady Gr varget . 34 gr 4064 your not supposed to shoot this bullet over 3500 fps
52 gr bthp 36 gr varget
I have noticed that a lot of favorite loads posted are around the max. do you guys find that you get better accuracy around the max ?
how long do you let light barrels cool between shots?
thanks Gary

[Larry Gibson]

GLP

"I'm trying to work up a load for A 22-250. The gun is a 700 ADL thats been bedded...."


My M700 ADL 22-250 did the same thing until I free floated the barrel (bedded the acion also).  You might check to see if the barrel is floated.  The Speer 52 HP with 34.5 gr of H4895, W-W cases and WLR primers has always shot well in several 22-250s for me.  While not a "screamer' it has always been accurate.  I shoot use my ADL for coyote hunting so I shoot 3 shots in a little over 1 minute then let barrel cool completely before next group.  The rifle has a 3x9X scope on it.  The rifle is holding 1 to 1.5" at 200 yards with the above load and is deadly on 'yotes.

Larry Gibson

[GLP]

Thanks for the reply I checked to see how much the barrel was floated to night . I can run two thickness of paper between the stock and barrel but four gets real tight. maybe it should have more clearance ?
should I raise the action or hollow out the stock?

[Glanceblamm]

Used to own a 788 in the .22-250. First shot from a cold clean barrel always went 2" to the right.
Got some very good advice via Jim Carmical article. Said before doing any bedding work to "Shim" the barrel.
In this case it was to cut up an old credit card to fit in the stock recess that houses the rectangular lug on the bottom of the barrel.

This worked so well that I left the plastic shim in place. I could have gone ahead with some glass bedding but most of these writers say that it will devalue your rifle.

[Larry Gibson]

GLP

"Thanks for the reply I checked to see how much the barrel was floated to night . I can run two thickness of paper between the stock and barrel but four gets real tight. maybe it should have more clearance ?
should I raise the action or hollow out the stock?[/quote]"

Sounds like the barrel is sufficiently floated.  Given a proper bedding of the action;  Try the reverse, as some lighter barrel do like some pressure, cut several strips (shims) of hard card stock (match books work fine but hard plastic is better) about 1/2" wide.  Secure the rifle by the front of the stock in a padded vise.  Lift up on the end of the barrel fairly hard (it will flex some) and insert as many of the "shims" as will snugly fit.  When you release the barrel there will be about 6-8 lbs of upward pressure on the barrel.  Test it for consistant groups.

Also for S&Gs double check the base and scope ring screws making sure they are tight.  Make sure the bedding screws are staying tight too.  If the scope is not a tried and tested one you may want to switch to a scope that you know is good.  And last of all we must remember that there are barrels out there with structural flaws that cause them to expand unevenly when heated up from firing, these will always "walk".  A new barrel or another rifle is the only solution.

Larry Gibson