Howa 22-250 grief

K9 Stalker

K9 Stalker

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Ok, when do you give up? Here is a new experience for me, and its leaving me scratching my head and thinking .....

I currently have two Howa 22-250's and I'm working up loads for a buddies.

In my rifles, both love 55gr V-max over Varget (one @35.1 and the other @ 36.6) The 35.1 is .018 off the lands the other is .028 off the lands. Both are 1/2 MOA rifles with their loads.

Here is where the grief is with this third Howa (besides the outrageous expense shooting so much) Mike wanted me to work up loads with powder he is already using in other loads. So i went with H380, H4350, and Benchmark with nothing I felt was acceptable

Bullet = Hornady 55gr V-max

H380 - worked from min to .2 over listed max and had best group at 1.650" @100yrds with 40.8g - Bullet seating .015 to .070 - a lot of flyers until I was at .035. From there I bumped up & reduced charge by .1 for .5 +/- Best Group 1.650" However, every change made a significant increase in groups.

H4350 - Very similar results - Best group = 1.870"

Benchmark - Nothing better than 2" group

So, here is the weird part.

Started with Varget. Took a pet load of 35.1 and tried seating range from .010 to .070. That didn't take but a few test shots to see it liked the .025 to .035 range.
I started at 34.0 and worked up. From 35.5 to 37.0 and any depth seating from .025 to .035 there is absolutely no visible sign of change in the group (very consistent 1.450") with nearly any combination. The Point of impact moved around with the different charges ( generally lower with a higher load moving counter clockwise) But the group configuration was always the same. Very triangular with no vertical or horizontal stringing.

So for pleasing curiosity, I backed up and shot another series of test loads at 250 yrds. Holy crap, a sling shot would have been more consistent. Everything opened up to >3" to 8" groups

Unfortunately my chrony is dead and needs to be replaced so I can't see what is happening with speed.

BTW - I did the break-in on the barrel myself exactly like I did my rifles.

So when does a guy accept failure or blame the barrel and order a new one?
 
Have checked the bedding and/or if the barrel is free floated? How about the rings and mounts? Are they torqued correctly? Last but not least, what about the action screws? Are they torqued correctly? That is where I would start.
 
My 22-250s have been finicky but never shot that bad with any load. If the action screws are tight, I would consider trying another bullet brand/weight. If it still shoots bad I would give up.
 
You are a blessed man. At least it's not making cute little key shaped holes!! Seems to be the latest fad.

Most Howas shoot pretty dang good. You'll get it figured out.
 
Sounds like you got a lemon Howas usually shoot good,have u tried factory ammo in it? I would try a different bullet like a nosler 55grain, if it still won't shoot I would take it to a smith and have him look at the crown, it maybe a bedding issue, does it have the hogue stock?
 
EJR - It has a pillared thumbhole stock.
As for factory ammo, used cheap stuff for break-in and didn't really care about the pattern at that point. Yesterday I shot 5 each of Hornady 50gr and 55gr V-Max factory loads. The 55's were pretty bad which was shocking to me. They are very good in both of my 250's. But the 50gr shown more promise. it was right at 1" group @ 100yrds

Does anyone know which powder they use in the Hornady Varmint Express 50gr V-max?
 
I see you have only used Hornady bullets.I would try a few other brands of bullets maybe something with a slightly thicker jacket. If 52gr/53gr Sierra’s or 52gr Berger won’t shoot either then there is a serious problem somewhere.
 
I had a Howa Varmiter in 22-250 and mine shot like what you are describing. I finally gave up and sent it packing. I loved the feel and quality of the gun but it just would not shoot.
 
Originally Posted By: venaticI see you have only used Hornady bullets.I would try a few other brands of bullets maybe something with a slightly thicker jacket. If 52gr/53gr Sierra’s or 52gr Berger won’t shoot either then there is a serious problem somewhere.

I have not had a Howa but have had some other brands of 22-250's and all have shot the Sierra 52 Gr Match Kings under 5/8" MOA. Over the years I have had many .224" caliber rifles and have not had one that would not shoot the 52 GR. Sierras into small groups. Heck my RRA PP in .223 Rem. will shoot this bullet under 1/2" MOA.

H380 is usually a good powder for the 22-250, I like IMR 4064 and Vit. N140 for the 22-250 I have now. Both the IMR 4064 and N140 with the Sierra 52 Gr. MK. will shoot under a .375" 5 shot group.

I know that working up a load can get pricey very quickly, but some times you do find the right combo that just tickles you pink.

Could you put another scope on it that you know for sure is OK?

Even some of the best brands of scopes let a lemon slip by every now and then.

DAB
 
You might want to try a couple of the flatbase bullets. I have a barrel here that I picked up, couldn't get anything to shoot until 52gr Speer Varminters and Rem 55gr SP's go figure.
 
I had the same experience with a friend's .22-250. No matter how much I played with the length the results were horrible. My many years reloading I had good luck putting the bullet near the lands.

Wasn't till someone on here mentioned to me that his .22-250 would not shoot well unless he used the reloading book length.

So, out of desperation I tried 2.350 and groups shrunk from 2" to less than 3/4". Ever since I've had no love for the .22-250.
 
This is the only pain in the arse Howa I have ever worked with. Dropped down to a 50gr V-max and kept increasing the jump. Anyways, I'm getting closer. The preliminary 100yrd test was fantastic. At 250yrds, it was coming apart much more than I would like to see, but I'm getting close.....I Hope
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looks better a friend of mine that has been reloading for over 30 years went through this with a 22-250 this spring and his will only shoot the 52 gr sierra match kings it loves them 50&55 gr it just would not group good had him pulling his hair out good luck hope you get her tuned in
 
I have had better luck with flat base bullets in my .22-250s. My Savage likes the 55 grain sp with cannelure. Not only do they shoot well, they are cheap in bulk. I buy the 250 count value pack or get them from Midsouth as Varmint Nightmares for about $41/500.
 
I omitted to mention it, on the cardboard, the top group was factory 50gr V-max Varmit and the bottom next to the notation was the handload
 
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