Posted by denny mcdaniels on May 28, 2018 in Reloading Components, Rifle Cartridge Reloading
I find this reduced load in the 22-250 Remington fun to shoot because the rifle report is greatly reduced making it easier on your ears and the felt recoil is appears virtually eliminated. Other benefits are longer barrel life, which is perfect for me when plinking. I want to shoot more while punching wholes in a target it is nice to have an alternative that is easy on barrel life. Brass will also last longer as well since ammunition produced using Trail Boss powder reduces pressure by almost half when compared to traditional loads.
What you end up with is a round that performs like a 22 Winchester Magnum to some degree. On average a 22 Mag will shoot a 40 grain bullet at 1,900 fps. My practice load is 9.5 grains of Trail Boss behind a 55-grain bullet. With a chronograph set up 10 feet from the muzzle I recorded an average velocity of 1,855 fps with a spread of 52. I have not tried a heavier charge yet to see if I can reduce the spread. Reluctant to do so because the method I use to zero at 100 yards will be voided. Overall this load produces a ¾ inch group on good days. Hodgdon Reloading Data lists a starting load of 9.1 grains that is advertised at 1,664 fps and generates 17,200 PSI. Maximum is 13.0 grains to obtain 1,984 fps at 26,600 PSI.
Without adjusting your sights you can expect a point of impact nearly 4 inches lower than what your standard 55 grain bullet fired at normal velocities associated with the 22-250. I do not resight for the slower velocity. My goal is to shoot holes in a target and save my ammo for serious target shooting and varmint hunting. Besides I am picky how my rifle is sighted and once I have it the way I want it changing it is a option. Instead I compensate for the faster drop and at the same time practice hold over on longer shots. In my case I practice what a shot would be like at 300 yards while using a 100 yard range. On my scope using the next hash mark down from the crosshairs provides me with a 100 yard zero. Using the same hold with my normal powder charge (34.0 grains of Varget) is what I would use at 300 yards.
Components used: Winchester brass, Hornady # 2266 55 grain SP, Federal #210 large rifle primers, 9.5 grains of Trail Boss
Article by Denny McDaniels of www.duckcreeksportinggoods.com/staging2