Toning down the 22-250

Michael H

Michael H

New member
I just bought a Browning BLR open sights for a fast pointing walking gun. I am familiar with the damage that this caliber can bring forth on fur damage.
Questions:
Will the lightest weight bullet say ballistic tips do less damage than a heavier weight soft nose bullet? Due to the instant fragmentation that I hear and read about with ballistic tips.
Can I decrease the powder charge behind a lighter or heavier bullet and still get the accuracy of the 22-250 is capable of?
I don't have the next county shots that are common in the western outdoors. My shots with my 223 are under a 100yds.
I'm on new ground here and don't want to spend time messing up a bunch of fur trying to settle on a good starting point. I know every kill that I make even with my toned down 223 is not a guarantee of pencil size exit holes.
Has any one else here adjusted his 22-250 load for this reason? I'm not interested in lookin at smokin holes when I walk out to fetch him.
 
Michael H,
If head shots are an option, you won't have to worry about the fur. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif Hit 'em and hit 'em hard! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

However, if body shots is all that you get, then a light loaded light weight bullet should do the trick. Hunters using the Rem. .17 have good success with simular speeds and bullet weights. I wouldn't recommend going below any reloading manual's suggested minimum loads.

Good hunting, Bowhunter57
 
I will try and help untill some avid coyote hunters chime in.

Sticking with 50-52 grain, 3700-3800 fps, 22-250 ammo which most find the most accurate. Based on 10-15 # woodchucks ( G-Hogs)of which I have shot many and not Coyotes. But it should still give you an idea.

The Horandy 50 grain V-Max at approx. 3800 fps. Just blows the crap out of them.........I mean "ugly" most the time. Head,shoulder,chest, differant ranges, it don't seem to matter. From 100 yards to surprizingly just over 400 yards the carnage is normally ugly........very ugly from a "fur" standpoint. Yes, these critters are 1/2 to 1/3 the size but you get the idea and your talk'in "100 yards".

I would surely look into a hollow point from what I have seen. A in-expensive consistant shooting plenty of "coyote moa accuracy" would be the Remington UMC (I think?) 50 grain hollow point. I had less carnage with these, they are cheap, although not the most accurate in my gun they were boaringly consistant in my rifle & twist (about 1 moa) had nice round 5 shot groups and carried moa well out to 300 yards.

For the approx. $9 bucks and change a box, give them a try. I am sure someone will chime in with a fur friendly load for you to.
 
Thanx, bowhunter and bill for your comments. If you notice I posted this thread well in the wee hours when most people are asleep. If this reply brings it back to the top maybe others will see it also.
 
Micheal H, I had real good luck with a 55gr Hornady SPSX at around 3300 fps last winter. When it did exit was only a hole nickel sized. Tried some 50gr SPSX and ended up with a few splashes. Loaded some 50gr Rem PLHP this spring to try and save the hides on some nusiance beaver we shot. 3200fps did a real good job. Have some loaded now at 3800fps but won't be able to get out to try them for a couple more weeks. Hope to shoot a few coyotes with both loads to see if I want to use one or if I stay with the 55gr SPSX.
 
I've had good results with the Sierra Blitz king 40gr. Also had good luck with the 55gr BlitzKing. Both at top 22-250 speeds.

If you want to save the fur DO NOT shoot them in the head. Fur buyers want the whole hide, not just the body.
 
I shoot 55 grain Speer sp at 2,600 for a calling load. Have shot numerous coyotes, bobcats and coons with minimal pelt damage. The bullet normally broadside shots but exit holes are small. If calling where shots will exceed 100 yrds I shoot 50 Hornady SX. Never had an exit on coyote. Stay away from the neck and shoulder.

In my rifle the slow load is dead on at 100 yrds and the fast load is 1.5" high.
 
I had the same results as Cfcore.

Hot loads at 1.75 " high @ 100 and downloads dead.

I used Imr 4198 but you have to tune it as shots may go left or right ...... up or down but somewhere, you may find the above combo.

For starters, get a Speer manual with the "FMJ" loads .... it will feature 4227 or 4198 for a safe place to begin tinkering.

Also, on the "net" there is a guy who works extensively with Blue Dot in .223 and .22-250.

PM me if you are having trouble finding him.

Best Luck

Three 44s
 
cfore
I just sent you a PM trying to get your attention. Sometimes that little flag by our names goes unnoticed.
Thanx
 
Quote:
Will the lightest weight bullet say ballistic tips do less damage than a heavier weight soft nose bullet?



That depends on many factors. The bullet construction, speed of the bullet on impact and what the bullet impacts are all variables that can change the way a bullet reacts.


Quote:
Can I decrease the powder charge behind a lighter or heavier bullet and still get the accuracy of the 22-250 is capable of?



The caliber has nothing to do with accuracy, but to answer your question. Yes indeed. Often times you can find excellent accuracy with reduced loads.

I am using the 55 gr. Sierra Game King (1365 IIRC) on coyotes and it has done very well. It is a well constructed bullet that doesn't usually "blow up". I am using it in my 223 and my 22-250. I am at max in my 223 and near starting load in my 22-250.

Take your favorite polymer tipped varmint bullet and slow it down below 3000 fps and see what it does in soft wood or wet books compared to the same bullet at 3300 and greater. Try it and I think you will find that the polymer tipped varmint bullets will often do quite well when slowed down.

Also, if Three 44s doesn't get back to you on the reduced Blue Dot loads, PM me and I think I can point you to it.

Jim
 
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