New Range Work - UPDATED

[CatskillCrawler]

Worked on some new loads with my 22-250 and 257Roberts yesterday. Had two loads ready for each but winds picked up and my partner got bored so I stopped after one each.

Encore 22-250 with Buckmasters 4.5-14x40
55gr VMAX and IMR-4064 with Win Brass and CCI200 primers
34.0gr - 3449fps ave
34.5gr - 3546
35.0gr - 3584
35.5gr - 3632
36.0gr - no vel captured

These are typical groups from this barrel. Nothing outstanding but serviceable. The yellow 10 ring is 1" in diameter. These groups range from .7 - 1.1" except the center which was my starting load and I made a scope adjustment because I forgot my fouling fodder rounds.

Win M70 FWT 257Roberts with ZA5 2-10x40
75gr VMAX and Varget with Rem Brass and Rem 9 1/2 primers
40.0gr - 2850 fps ave
40.5gr - 2915
41.0gr - 2993
41.5gr - 3012
42.0gr - 3099

I'm looking for a coyote load for this new, to me, rifle. Not too concerned about velocity so I tried the Varget based upon recommendation from the Lyman manual. I wasn't too thrilled with the results but also know that most of the uglies here were due to me. So far my initial loads through this rifle have been very similar to these here ranging from 1.2 - 2.0". I'm sure I can tweak something a bit tighter but I usually throw a bunch of different bullets and powders through a barrel before I start to fiddle. I did shoot the starting load of the 85gr NBT and they were right at 1" so maybe they will impress me more.

This was the first usage of the Minox scope. I was impressed with the visual performance of the scope. I did notice the mushiness that some have observed with the turrets. When clicking in any direction the detents are very crisp and noticeable, confident. When you switch directions it seems that you have to turn through about 2-3 clicks worth of rotational movement before you hit the first detent which is very noticeable in feel and sound. From then on your adjustments are again, crisp and noticeable.

 

[DrMike]

The 22-250 loads are very promising. The 257 does need some work to allow bragging. However, you do appear to be moving in the right direction. It's a pity that your range partner got bored. I will enjoy seeing the remainder of your loads. Good report on the Minox scope, as well.

 

[JD338]

CatskillCrawler

Have you considered the 100 gr BT for the 257 Bob? Great duel purpose bullet.
Try working up to 45.0 grs IMR 4350. This load shoots well under MOA in my M700 Classic.

JD338

 

[CatskillCrawler]

The 22-250 loads are very promising. The 257 does need some work to allow bragging. However, you do appear to be moving in the right direction. It's a pity that your range partner got bored. I will enjoy seeing the remainder of your loads. Good report on the Minox scope, as well.

The 22-250 shoots lighter bullets best. It is a 1in12 twist but it won't shoot 60gr NPs well at all. I have excellent loads with 50gr Vmax and 52gr Speer HP. It shoots the Win factory 45gr JHP better than anything. :? I just wanted to try the 55gr VMax through it. Surprisingly, I haven't tried any NBTs through her. That will be my next project. I don't know why I abuse myself as I doubt I will ever switch away from the Speer 52gr for a hunting load but ya never know. :wink:

Have you considered the 100 gr BT for the 257 Bob? Great duel purpose bullet.
Try working up to 45.0 grs IMR 4350. This load shoots well under MOA in my M700 Classic

I have tried 100gr NPs and IMR-4350 with it but results were ruined from a loose scope. I fixed the scope issue but only had a IMR-4064 load left. It shot decent, 1.25", but there's obviously work left to do here. Both NP loads had great velocity. I would prefer to find a good load using the 110grNAB, 115gr NP or 120gr NP for deer.

Honestly, I'm not a fan of the BT in .243, 25-06, and .270 for deer based upon some ugliness and lost deer we've experienced. I like the larger, .308 +, versions of the BT but I'm not ready to try the 100gr version in this cartridge for deer right now. I know there's been more deer than I've ever seen that have been taken with soft point 100gr bullets from a 257R so I'm sure it won't take too much cajoling to get me to try. For now though I'm going to work with these stouter bullets.

 

[JD338]

FWIW,

The 100 gr BT with 45.0 grs IMR 4350 and the 110 gr AB with 48.0 grs RL 22 shoot to the same POI at 100 yds in my rifle.
This gives me a coyote load and a deer load but both of these loads work well on deer and coyotes. Thats versatility!

JD338

 

[CatskillCrawler]

The 100 gr BT with 45.0 grs IMR 4350 and the 110 gr AB with 48.0 grs RL 22 shoot to the same POI at 100 yds in my rifle.
This gives me a coyote load and a deer load but both of these loads work well on deer and coyotes. Thats versatility!

That would be an ideal situation! Hopefully I can find a similar relationship.

I'd like to wring out these 85gr BTs this week. Too windy today for the range.

I want to try the 75gr VMAX with more velocity so I'm loading up some IMR-4064 and -4350 tonight. Should add another 3-400fps for this bullet.

 

[CatskillCrawler]

I shot some 85gr NBTs over Varget off the porch today and results were better than with the VMAX. I want to try both of these bullets over some IMR-4350 next. Velocity from the Varget was on the low end, as expected, but what surprised me was my ES and SD numbers were higher than any other cartridge I've tried Varget with.

I will shoot the two charges on the right again with a node in the middle to try and repeat these results. I was happier with this combo after the poor VMAX results. Center group only has 4 shots and was my start load. I proceeded from lower left clockwise after the starting charge.

 

[FOTIS]

Not too bad man!

 

[SJB358]

My TC is a 1-12 rifle as well. I would give RL15 a try in the rifle before you totally give up on it CC

I am using CCIBR2's, WW cases and seating the bullets just short enough to clear the removable magazine. Scotty

 

[CatskillCrawler]

I NEED to find a local dealer of Alliant. I cannot find any Reloader powder anywhere. I've never paid HAZMAT shipping charges and don't plan on it. One store did say they would order me 8lb jugs but that would be the smallest they would go. Hard to order up 8lbs of a powder you've never tried before.

I may need to make another 3 hr(one way) trip to Hamburg, Pa. Can't remember if they(Cabelas) stocked Reloader on their shelves. Heck, price of gas and time vs HAZMAT charges. Hmmm.........

 

[rjm158]

CC, I believe most, if not all, Cabela's will stock the Reloader powder series. You might give them a call first just to be sure.

I realize it's a long drive, but while you're there you get to look at all the cool stuff. With the Haz-Mat fees all you get is to look at numbers on a piece of paper.

Just my opinion and worth exactly what you paid for it. :roll:

Ron

 

[CatskillCrawler]

My TC is a 1-12 rifle as well. I would give RL15 a try in the rifle before you totally give up on it CC. I am using CCIBR2's, WW cases and seating the bullets just short enough to clear the removable magazine. Scotty

I have some 53gr TSXs I want to try before I revisit the 60gr NPs. The Encore provides a slight twist to my basic reloading tendencies/thoughts. I'm still trying to increase my understanding when it comes to loading for break-actions. I've also picked up three additional deer capable rifles since I was considering using the 22-250 as a back-up deer rifle.

I would be more than satisfied with the results you've got out of that Vanguard.

 

[SJB358]

I NEED to find a local dealer of Alliant. I cannot find any Reloader powder anywhere. I've never paid HAZMAT shipping charges and don't plan on it. One store did say they would order me 8lb jugs but that would be the smallest they would go. Hard to order up 8lbs of a powder you've never tried before.

I may need to make another 3 hr(one way) trip to Hamburg, Pa. Can't remember if they(Cabelas) stocked Reloader on their shelves. Heck, price of gas and time vs HAZMAT charges. Hmmm.........

Can you not get into Albany? Seems like there are some local gun stores that stock Alliant powder.

I would be flat lost without my Alliants. They are slowly taking over..

 

[SJB358]

I would be more than satisfied with the results you've got out of that Vanguard.

Whoa, that aint no Vanguard........ Its a cheaper yet TC Venture!!!!! I love it. It is just about the perfect knock around rifle and it shoots!

 

[CatskillCrawler]

I would be more than satisfied with the results you've got out of that Vanguard.

Whoa, that aint no Vanguard........ Its a cheaper yet TC Venture!!!!! I love it. It is just about the perfect knock around rifle and it shoots!

My mistake. I got my V's mixed up. My friend has a Venture in .243 and it shoots great. I've called his gun a Vanguard a few times too. /shrug I know what I meant! :mrgreen: He uses it for extreme coyote hunting in the high Catskills. It is a perfect knock around rifle.

 

[FOTIS]

My 22-250 loved H4895 with the BT's

 

[SJB358]

I would be more than satisfied with the results you've got out of that Vanguard.

Whoa, that aint no Vanguard........ Its a cheaper yet TC Venture!!!!! I love it. It is just about the perfect knock around rifle and it shoots!

My mistake. I got my V's mixed up. My friend has a Venture in .243 and it shoots great. I've called his gun a Vanguard a few times too. /shrug I know what I meant! :mrgreen: He uses it for extreme coyote hunting in the high Catskills. It is a perfect knock around rifle.

That is exactly why I bought this rifle. The 1-12" twist, detachable box mag and its durability. I wanted a little Winchester, but they are putting 1-14's on their rifles and I knew I would never be able to get 60's to shoot in that rifle.

 

[CatskillCrawler]

I finished the 55VMax loads today and re-verified my hunting load using Speer HP loads. I just bought an 8lb jug of Varget and wanted to ensure my hunting load was still good with this new lot # of Varget.


The 55gr VMax shot pretty good with both Varget and IMR-4064. Not as good as past results with the 50gr VMAX but definitely usable.

55gr VMAX and 34.0 - 36.0gr Varget

I've been using 35.0gr Varget with the 52gr Speer HP for a few years as my coyote load. I went +/- with two .3gr increments to see if this new lot of Varget changed anything. I started in the center and moved to the top left and proceeded clockwise from there with a scope adjust on the last(lower left) load. Based upon what I have here and previous field results on coyotes, I'm going to stay with this bullet/charge combo. When I was loading these I noticed that I loaded a defective bullet in my starting load. The tip of the bullet was unraveling like an ice cream sugar cone from the tip. I decided to not pull it and see how it would shoot. The results are self-explanatory.

Speer 52gr HP and 34.3 - 35.6gr Varget

I just ordered 100 rds of 50gr BTs. I'll work them up this summer to see if they will outperform the Speer HPs. Now it's time to shoot some dogs. :twisted:

 

[Elkman]

They look really good to me. I see a hit on most of the coyotes I have ever seen, your good to go. !!!

 

[DrMike]

We should shortly be seeing pictures of coyotes that have been dropped with that rifle.