What powder would you start with?

[DalesCarpentry]

Hi. I am going to be reloading for my 22-250 with a 1 in 14" twist barrel. I just ordered some 50 grain Hornady V-Max bullets that are Molly coated. What powder would you start with. I know different guns like different bullet weights and brand of bullets  along with different powder charges. Is there a powder that seems to be more accurate than another? What powder would you try first and why? Thanks and take care Dale

[Lloyd Smale]

h 380 is the classic powder for the 22250. Still tough to beat in it for 55 grain bullets.

Hi. I am going to be reloading for my 22-250 with a 1 in 14" twist barrel. I just ordered some 50 grain Hornady V-Max bullets that are Molly coated. What powder would you start with. I know different guns like different bullet weights and brand of bullets  along with different powder charges. Is there a powder that seems to be more accurate than another? What powder would you try first and why? Thanks and take care Dale

[DalesCarpentry]

h 380 is the classic powder for the 22250. Still tough to beat in it for 55 grain bullets.

Hi. I am going to be reloading for my 22-250 with a 1 in 14" twist barrel. I just ordered some 50 grain Hornady V-Max bullets that are Molly coated. What powder would you start with. I know different guns like different bullet weights and brand of bullets  along with different powder charges. Is there a powder that seems to be more accurate than another? What powder would you try first and why? Thanks and take care Dale

Do you think it would work well with the 50 gr V-Max? Thanks Dale

[Czech_too]

Based on your earlier post, I have to ask if there are other cartridges which you may eventually load for?  The reason I ask this is to try to avoid purchasing extra powders.  If you can use one or two powders for those cartridges, you're cutting down on expenses.  As an example, and I'm sure there will be differing opinions, but I use IMR 3031 in the 7.5x55, 30-06, 223 Rem & 222 Rem.  So, to answer your question with a question...

[DalesCarpentry]

Based on your earlier post, I have to ask if there are other cartridges which you may eventually load for?  The reason I ask this is to try to avoid purchasing extra powders.  If you can use one or two powders for those cartridges, you're cutting down on expenses.  As an example, and I'm sure there will be differing opinions, but I use IMR 3031 in the 7.5x55, 30-06, 223 Rem & 222 Rem.  So, to answer your question with a question...

I will most likley be loading for the 6.5x55 Swede down the road. Thanks Dale

[wncchester]

Start with 380.  Or 4064.  Or Varget.

Actually, there's no magic in any powder because, within rational burn rate limits, powders aren't "accurate" in any caliber, loads are.  It's up to us to learn what load shoots best in our rifle.  Sorry, but there just are no certainties.

[DalesCarpentry]

Can you tell me who makes 380 powder? Thanks Dale

[OR-E-Gun Bill]

Here's a little "for what it's worth" information Dale.
The Hornady 6th Edition Manual, which just so happens to have used the Remington 700 rifle for their test data on the 22-250, states "Varget gives excellant accuracy throughout the full range of Hornady bullets".
I seem to recall Hornady ammunition being your favorite in past threads so I just thought this might be a tip to look at getting a Hornady Handloading Manual in your search for the one hole performance you yearn for.

Out here, Varget and other such popular powders are very hard to find, so hopefully you have better luck at finding the powder you choose.


Bill

[OR-E-Gun Bill]

Can you tell me who makes 380 powder? Thanks Dale

H-380 is a Hodgdon product.

http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/5576


Bill

[DANNY-L]

With my Rem 700 it shoots excellent with cci200, 35.8gr imr 4064,nosler 50gr ballistic tip so the 50gr v-max should.Cuts holes at 100yds

[DalesCarpentry]

Here's a little "for what it's worth" information Dale.
The Hornady 6th Edition Manual, which just so happens to have used the Remington 700 rifle for their test data on the 22-250, states "Varget gives excellant accuracy throughout the full range of Hornady bullets".
I seem to recall Hornady ammunition being your favorite in past threads so I just thought this might be a tip to look at getting a Hornady Handloading Manual in your search for the one hole performance you yearn for.

Out here, Varget and other such popular powders are very hard to find, so hopefully you have better luck at finding the powder you choose.


Bill

The Hornady 6th Edition Manual is on my list of must have items except it think it is the 7th edition now. Yes Hornady is my favorite ammo and it seems like every rifle I have ever owned has shot better with their ammo. I think the local Gander Mountain carries the Varget if I am not mistaken so that will be high on my list of powders to try. Thanks Dale

[PowPow]

If you will shoot your 22-250 in a fairly constant temperature range, H380 is great.
If you will shoot it year round in temperature extremes, try Varget.
Varget is touted as one Hodgdon's "extreme" powders; accuracy is not affected by ambient temperature.

I was shooting both H380 and Varget in my 22-250 this morning, and I am starting to believe the claim.

[mjbgalt]

dale, in my remington varmint rifle i used 36.5 varget and seated the bullet at 2.375" just shy of the rifling. see how long the throat is, and seat just off the lands. i use remington primers.

try it and see how it works.

[DalesCarpentry]

dale, in my remington varmint rifle i used 36.5 varget and seated the bullet at 2.375" just shy of the rifling. see how long the throat is, and seat just off the lands. i use remington primers.

try it and see how it works.

I would need to buy one of them special Hornady tools that insert a special round into the chamber with a bullet in it to determine this right? Or is there another way to determine this with out that tool. This is the tool I am talikng about. Dale
http://www.hornady.com/store/Lock-N-Load-OAL-Gauge-Straight-1Each/

[charles p]

No fun using the same powder for everything.  Why would you reload to start with if you didn't want to experiment with other listed powders.  Nobody saves money reloading - you do it for fun and relaxation, and satisfaction.  Maybe if you shoot skeet you can save a few bucks, but on bottle neck cartridges, the sum of all the componants and equipment, not to mention an inventory of bullets and powders, makes it very unlikely that many of us actually save money in the grand picture.  Sure I can reload for half the price - if I don't factor in the cost of equipment and inventory. 

I actually enjoy reloading more than shooting.

[DalesCarpentry]

I am getting into it to save some money and produce ammo for my rifle that will shoot very tight groups. I know I will have to load a lot of ammo for it to pay off but it will pay for it's self some day. Hey if any of you have any 22-250 brass that you do not load for anymore and would like to sell a 100 or so cheap. Give me a call at 724-217-4825 or PM me or email me at DALESCARPENTRY@AOL.COM thanks for the responses and take care Dale

[mjbgalt]

you don't need a fancy tool. seat them at 2.35" to 2.40" or so and see if it touches rifling. color the bullet with a black permanent marker and see if it has rifling marks all around it when you eject it.

if not that's fine, start there. my remingtons have had longer throats.

i am betting that between 35.5 and 37.5 (max) you will find a tight group with the recipe i gave you. worked in 2 rifles this year in .22-250.

[Graybeard]

For mine I started and ended with H380. I use both 50 and 55 grain bullets in it. It is the classic powder for the round as has been said. It's never a bad choice and might just be the best tho others in that burn range might work in your rifle. Yours is the same as what I have and nothing shoots much better than the Hornady Custom ammo using that same bullet you bought. I had a partial box of Remington ammo that beat it out slightly but it was over ten years old and I'm not sure current production would do the same and that Hornady stuff sure is accurate.

So are my reloads for it.

[Czech_too]

No fun using the same powder for everything.  Why would you reload to start with if you didn't want to experiment with other listed powders.  Nobody saves money reloading - you do it for fun and relaxation, and satisfaction.  Maybe if you shoot skeet you can save a few bucks, but on bottle neck cartridges, the sum of all the componants and equipment, not to mention an inventory of bullets and powders, makes it very unlikely that many of us actually save money in the grand picture.  Sure I can reload for half the price - if I don't factor in the cost of equipment and inventory. 

I actually enjoy reloading more than shooting.

I basiclly agree with what you say, BUT back in the day when I did just that, I had more discretionary income than I do now.  Components and equipment haven't gotten any cheaper.  If you can still get the satisfaction of 'rolling your own' and keep the costs down to some degree I say go for it.

If the OP'er is going to eventually load for the 6.5x55, then I would go with Varget.

[Lloyd Smale]

another thing i like about 380 and 414 for the 22250 is when i go out west to actually hunt with one i like to take along about 500 rounds of ammo and really dont need a powder like varget or 4064 that need to be weighted and trickled. I can punch out 500 rounds on a 550 using the measure it a couple hours.