boomer68
Handloader
- Oct 23, 2006
- 856
- 56
What powders are folks using with 50-55gr bullets? Seems Varget is popular along with H4895.
22-250
- Thread starter boomer68
- Start date
hunter24605
Handloader
- Apr 30, 2016
- 2,426
- 3,780
I started and finished with Big Game and the 55 BT varmint. That was when Varget was unavailable, or I would have worked with it. But given what Big Game is capable of, I don't really see a need to switch. Plus I have several pounds of it for the 7-08's. If I were looking to go down in bullet weight, then I think I would look to others than BG.
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salmonchaser
Handloader
- Dec 13, 2013
- 4,729
- 4,164
I’ve used several powders over the last 50 years in mine. She seems to like Varget pretty well.
- Thread starter
- #4
boomer68
Handloader
- Oct 23, 2006
- 856
- 56
I have heard Big Game is good with the 22-250 but haven’t tried it yet. Will have to look into.
- Nov 4, 2004
- 24,529
- 6,985
Varget was my go to power in the 22-250
JD338
JD338
filmjunkie4ever
Handloader
- May 4, 2011
- 1,722
- 654
Varget for me but H380 is my Dads favorite .22-250 powder.
RL338
Handloader
- Mar 23, 2017
- 2,901
- 4,626
My daughter’s Ruger compact 18” barrel favors BL-C2 with 55gr bullets.
Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
- 17,556
- 4,951
Quite a few years ago Dad had a 22-250, a Remington 700 varminter. It was flinging bullets sideways through the target and grouping terribly with his handloads. He was shooting some 55 grain Ballistic Tips at modest velocity... I forget what powder he was using.
I got him to move to a shorter, lighter bullet and switch to a near max charge of H 380. Suddenly that rifle was shooting itty-bitty groups! He pretty much wiped out a couple of prairie dog towns and a whole lot of sage rats with it.
I've yet to take it out for a shooting session since it came to live here. Guy
filmjunkie4ever
Handloader
- May 4, 2011
- 1,722
- 654
My Ruger M77 Hawkeye .22-250 belonged to my best childhood friend. He died at 29 from cancer. His wife gave me the gun after the funeral.Quite a few years ago Dad had a 22-250, a Remington 700 varminter. It was flinging bullets sideways through the target and grouping terribly with his handloads. He was shooting some 55 grain Ballistic Tips at modest velocity... I forget what powder he was using.
I got him to move to a shorter, lighter bullet and switch to a near max charge of H 380. Suddenly that rifle was shooting itty-bitty groups! He pretty much wiped out a couple of prairie dog towns and a whole lot of sage rats with it.
Guy
It is a nice truck gun, 22” lightweight contour and the standard 1-14” twist. It absolutely loves the 55 grain Sierra Gameking on top of 35 grains of Varget. It also shoots the 55 grain Hornady VMAX well but not as good.
In 2018, I killed this cougar with it on a ranch near Mitchell. That day it was loaded up with the Rem-UMC 45 grain HP factory loads. Did the trick.
- Nov 4, 2004
- 24,529
- 6,985
That's a nice cat Dale, congratulations.
JD338
JD338
filmjunkie4ever
Handloader
- May 4, 2011
- 1,722
- 654
Thanks! I had his skull bleached, euro mount style. It’s in my gun room.
Aussie Wanderer
Beginner
- May 5, 2022
- 109
- 187
Varner was our go to, but we also used benchmark from memory. Seems the 223 is more popular here in Australia than the 22.250 which is weird given how capable the latter is.
Over many years, yes I m old ! , I ve seen many powders from H4895 to 4350 burn rates do the trick.
Probably the more popular ones are H380, Varget and 4895 and 4064 varieties.
If you already have something in this burn rate area, give it a try. A couple 3 shot groups and you ll soon know whether to venture to others! Good Luck.
(Remember that 22-250 is quite overbore so I d suggest 3 shot groups and good cooling time between each group)
Probably the more popular ones are H380, Varget and 4895 and 4064 varieties.
If you already have something in this burn rate area, give it a try. A couple 3 shot groups and you ll soon know whether to venture to others! Good Luck.
(Remember that 22-250 is quite overbore so I d suggest 3 shot groups and good cooling time between each group)
- Nov 4, 2004
- 24,529
- 6,985
clearwater
Handloader
- Feb 5, 2005
- 401
- 141
Grandad's then wildcat loads used surplus 4895. His favorite for 300 yard prairie dogs, 400 yard antelope.
I had luck with IMR4350 and h380.
I had luck with IMR4350 and h380.
i guess my (technically dad's) 264wm was overkill for those p-dogs then
.salmonchaser
Handloader
- Dec 13, 2013
- 4,729
- 4,164
My dad also liked the 264 Wm for Pdogs and other varmits. Thought it perfectly adequate for everything up to grizzly. Shot one grizzly with the 264. Always said he shouldn’t have started that fight.
clearwater
Handloader
- Feb 5, 2005
- 401
- 141
Mine started with a surplus 30-06 and surplus ammo for those pdogs. Musta had strong shoulders. Also must be why he moved to 22 caliber.
