suggestion(s) for powder charge of Varget in .250 Savage

[bemidji_shooter]

I'm currently working up a new load for my .250 Savage. I'm using W-W cases, Remington 91/2 primers and Nosler 100 gr BT. I see the Hodgdon manual recommends up to 35.2 gr with a Hornady bullet. I've loaded cases at 33.5, 34, 34.5 and 35 gr of Varget and showing no signs of pressure in the brass with fairly good accuracy with all those loads. Should I continue up to 35.2 gr or beyond checking for signs of pressure and watching for accuracy fall off? :?:

 

[Guest]

I'd go to 35.2, if that's the listed max with the Hornady bullet, but no further. Bear in mind that you're shooting a BT, which generally has more bearing surface than the secant-ogive, Hornady bullets have. Remember, too, that you'll only gain maybe 40-50fps, and if you have accuracy now, why tempt fate? Just shoot the 35gr (or 35.2gr) load and be done with it, as long as it's accurate.

 

[DrMike]

Cartridge : .250 Savage
Bullet : .257, 100, Nosler BalTip 25100
Useable Case Capaci: 38.913 grain H2O = 2.527 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.515 inch = 63.88 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder : Hodgdon VARGET

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-20.0 79 27.52 2309 1184 28480 6832 87.4 1.403
-18.0 81 28.21 2364 1241 30267 7056 88.6 1.369
-16.0 83 28.90 2418 1299 32163 7275 89.8 1.336
-14.0 85 29.58 2473 1358 34174 7490 90.9 1.303
-12.0 87 30.27 2528 1419 36310 7700 91.9 1.272
-10.0 89 30.96 2582 1481 38579 7904 92.9 1.238
-08.0 91 31.65 2637 1544 40978 8101 93.8 1.204
-06.0 93 32.34 2692 1609 43506 8292 94.7 1.171
-04.0 95 33.02 2746 1675 46181 8474 95.5 1.139 ! Near Maximum !
-02.0 97 33.71 2801 1742 49023 8648 96.3 1.109 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 99 34.40 2855 1810 52044 8814 96.9 1.079 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 101 35.09 2910 1880 55257 8969 97.5 1.051 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 103 35.78 2964 1951 58676 9115 98.1 1.023 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 105 36.46 3018 2023 62317 9250 98.6 0.996 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 107 37.15 3072 2096 66198 9374 99.0 0.971 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 109 37.84 3126 2170 70339 9486 99.3 0.946 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 99 34.40 2985 1979 61102 8799 99.8 1.007 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 99 34.40 2687 1604 43175 8448 90.6 1.172

 

[6mm Remington]

I bet Clover Leaf will come along and provide some good data for you pretty soon. He has been shooting the sweet 250 Savage for a long time!

 

[Oldtrader3]

Is your .250 Savage a lever, like a Model 99 Savage, or is it a bolt action? The reason I ask is that I had a Win Model 70 for a number of years chambered for the .250 Savage and with a stronger bolt action, you can increase loads with the 100 grain BT up to about 2900 fps. If you have a lever action, you need to keep the loads down to those mentioned.

 

[bemidji_shooter]

My rifle is a BLR 81 bought new as a .22-250 in the late 1980's. I had master metal smith, Ron Lampert rebarrel with a 22 inch Douglas premium. At 35 grains, the cartridge(s) still extract easily and as stated before little or no change in brass dimension.

 

[Oldtrader3]

The BLR's are a little stronger than the Model 99's. It sounds as though you have a good load already. If your extraction is easy and accuracy is good, you are all set.

 

[cloverleaf]

Hey-
Dubyman has probably given you good advice. There are much more experienced reloaders here then me. I based my loads on Dads old Lyman Mannual circa 1964 or so. I have checked them against newer manuals and am comfortable that they are safe. If you are getting good extraction and no cratering of primers or other signs of excessive pressure I'd say you are set.
All that said, my loads look like this:

100 Gr BT over 35 Gr. of 4064 CCI 200 large rifle primers This one is really smoking along from my rifle at just over 3000 fps (note: my chrono time was limited to a couple shots a load=could be in error) Shoots an inch or just over but with that kind of velocity its my hunting load.

100 Gr BT over 38 Gr. of 4350 CCI 200 Large rifle primers. No idea what velocity Im actually getting but the book says 2080 just like factory. This is my most accurate load 100 gr. consistiently. Sub inch 3 shot groups fairly regularly. I tried 40 grains but my groups went to 2-3 inches.

Have a box or two of 85Gr. CT's over 41 Gr. of 4350. They shot well should have been quicker.

My other load is 40 Gr of 4350 under a 75 Gr V-Max. again a 200 CCI Large rifle primer. This one is a little frustrating as it can go for a sub 1/2 in group and occasionally the elusive cloverleaf.

Between the v-max load and the 2 100 Gr. loads I feel like I have anything short of an elk covered within the ranges I can shoot decent (300 or less). Oh that 38 Gr. Load worked equally well with the 100 Gr Partition. I still have a few loads but the BT has done me so well when the partitions were gone I did nt buy any more. Hope that helps.

PS Just recently, some one else posted here re: a load for the 110 Gr AB. That looks really interesting, but honestly I'd again go woth a BT in that weight. Once you have a BT puunch through and antelope at 264 yards ffter breaking the near side leg you dont worry about penetration. CL

 

[SJB358]

My rifle is a BLR 81 bought new as a .22-250 in the late 1980's. I had master metal smith, Ron Lampert rebarrel with a 22 inch Douglas premium. At 35 grains, the cartridge(s) still extract easily and as stated before little or no change in brass dimension.

Yeah, I would say you are good with strength, the BLR's are tanks for lock up. I would just find out where you get the most accuracy and go hunting. That does sound like an awesome rifle though. Never thought of swapping a 22-250 barrel for a .25 cal barrel on one. That would be a sweet deer rig! Show us some groups.