what's the best powder for 22-250

[mikegaiz]

H-380 will also give you better barrel life. And you can use a powder dump which is faster.

 

[Sully2]

I started with Varget and will stay with Varget...does everything I expect and more.

 

[7 loader]

Ahmen! My powders too.

Guys. I have never tried to put up target pics or any other pics. This is strange.

 

[varmintH8R]

I see there is a lot of Varget showing up - I can't disagree. I get similar accuracy out of IMR4895 as well. Have a 1:12 twist and shoot 50gr blitzkings. I don't have a target to put up as proof, but this was a one shot group at a little over 200...

 

[Whitetailaddict]

I use 35 grains of varget as well in a tika t3 with a 1-14 twist. I used to use IMR 4064 but when I switched to varget, my groups tightened right up. After reading what everyone is using, I see that H380 seems to be a very popular powder as well, I will have to try that next.

 

[7 loader]

IMR 8208XBR. My Cheapass H&R 22-250 loves this with 50 gr nosler BT'sgun)

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

Imr4064

 

[ig25]

IMR 8208XBR. My Cheapass H&R 22-250 loves this with 50 gr nosler BT'sgun)

My rem 700 1x14 twist loves XBR with anything up front short of 60 and above.

 

[Skidro]

Has anyone tried IMR 4320?

 

[Cactus5479]

Each rifle will decide what it likes best. I am fortunate in that my Remington 700 Varmint likes a couple of powders. I tried 9 different powders and 6 different bullets, all 55 gr. The one it likes best is 34.3 gr IMR 3031, 55 gr Sierra BTSP, CCI 200 primers, and W-W cases, chronographing consistently at 3549 fps. WW 760 and IMR 4895 shot half inch groups also. If you are handloading, try different combinations. If shooting factory ammo (if you can afford it), try different manufacturers and bullet weights. Go with whatever shoots most accurately, regardless of the velocity.

Attached are 3 different targets shot over a 17 year period. They range from 0.186 in 1994, 0.200 in 2001, and 0.271 in 2011. I suspect the group increase is due to a mechanical problem - a loose nut behind the trigger with fading eyesight.

 

[Cactus5479]

Each rifle will decide what it likes best. I am fortunate in that my Remington 700 Varmint likes a couple of powders. I tried 9 different powders and 6 different bullets, all 55 gr. The one it likes best is 34.3 gr IMR 3031, 55 gr Sierra BTSP, CCI 200 primers, and W-W cases, chronographing consistently at 3549 fps. WW 760 and IMR 4895 shot half inch groups also. If you are handloading, try different combinations. If shooting factory ammo (if you can afford it), try different manufacturers and bullet weights. Go with whatever shoots most accurately, regardless of the velocity.

Attached are 3 different targets shot over a 17 year period. They range from 0.186 in 1994, 0.200 in 2001, and 0.271 in 2011. I suspect the group increase is due to a mechanical problem - a loose nut behind the trigger with fading eyesight.

 

[Trickymissfit]

Each rifle will decide what it likes best. I am fortunate in that my Remington 700 Varmint likes a couple of powders. I tried 9 different powders and 6 different bullets, all 55 gr. The one it likes best is 34.3 gr IMR 3031, 55 gr Sierra BTSP, CCI 200 primers, and W-W cases, chronographing consistently at 3549 fps. WW 760 and IMR 4895 shot half inch groups also. If you are handloading, try different combinations. If shooting factory ammo (if you can afford it), try different manufacturers and bullet weights. Go with whatever shoots most accurately, regardless of the velocity.

Attached are 3 different targets shot over a 17 year period. They range from 0.186 in 1994, 0.200 in 2001, and 0.271 in 2011. I suspect the group increase is due to a mechanical problem - a loose nut behind the trigger with fading eyesight.

My favorite load for the 22-250 (twelve twist barrels) is 35.5 grains of IMR 3031 under a Sierra #1365 bullet seated about .003" or less off the lands. I use a Federal primer for about 3550 fps. Shot groups in one gun are about .25" and the other two are around .30" or less. The quarter inch gun has shot a few groups down around .185" (five shot). Interestingly, AA2015BR is a very similar powder right down to granual size and shape, but didn't shoot nearly as well as the 3031. Ball powders didn't work all that well in my three rifles either. (mainly H380). This spring I'll be trying a couple new powders in the 22-250. AA2460 and H1000.
gary

 

[backwoods83]

Gary, I've tried some weird **** that worked, but H1000 in a 22-250? 22-250AI w/ 90grn bergers jammed .030" in a 30" barrel with Fed215Ms? That could could work with a highly compressed load, maybe?

40-50grn Imr3031, 8208xbr, RE10x, Alliant varmint Pro, 8208 and RE10 giving the highest velocities, 3031 not far behind with similar or slightly better groups.
52-60grn Varget, Imr4064, Imr4320, Imr4895, H4895, CFE223, RE15, H380. Imr4064 and H4895 give the highest velocity and accuracy combo. CFE223 gives the highest velocity of all but accuracy isn't quite as good but definently acceptable. H380 does very well under 55grn+ pills but is typically a compressed load and needs a pretty stout primer like a 215M or CCI250 to get the best results.
Of all the powders and bullets I have tried, if I had to pick one powder it would be Imr4064, with 3031 or H4895 as a second pick

26" 12 twist, and is a .2-.3 rifle with almost any combo.
40grn nbt 39grns of 8208xbr 4318fps, have touched 4400 but case life goes out the window, Re10x at 35.5grns sends the same pill out at 4283 and is very accurate, has shown .3-.4" 10 shot groups.
53grn Vmax 3x.xgrns (won't list as is a bit over max) H4895 gives 39xx fps and is a .25" load.
55grn nbt over 36.xgrns of 4064 gives 3826 and hovers between .15 and .25"

If you really want something stupid fast yet acceptably accurate, a 35grn NBT over 40grns of 8208xbr will break 4500fps, but expect nasty carnage on a groundhog or pdog, and don't expect to save any hides with it.

 

[Frank in the Laurels]

IMR 4064 nuff said!