Varget + V-max Bad mix?! Load results

[bluedog250]

I have been talking to folks and searching books and thought I would be able to get a good load with this mix, The only powder I loaded was Varget, I did try two different bullets, Heres how she went!

REMINGTON 700 VLS 22-250 1-14 barrel twist

Powder charge.........Bullet. wgt. Mgf.......Group size

#1...32 Grains Varget..55 Grain WIN. PSP..... 1 9/16"
#2...33 Grains Varget..55 Grain WIN. PSP..... 1 3/16"
#3...34 Grains Varget..55 Grain WIN. PSP..... 1 4/16"
#4...35 Grains Varget..55 Grain WIN. PSP..... 1 1/16

#5...34 Grains Varget..55 Grain V-MAX......... 2 11/16"
#6...35 Grains Varget..55 Grain V-MAX......... 3 5/16"

I am very unhappy with all these as I'm sure you know by now! The V-max just blew me away, I had no idea they would shoot that bad. Now what? Should I try a lighter bullet and hope for better stabilization? Should the 55 grains perform better at a higher velosity? My loading book shows 35 Grains of Varget as max load for 55 grain bullets. I did not load until I started seeing pressure signs, I stopped at book max. Maybe a powder change? This gets expensive for us poor folk!
Much more of this and I'm thinking HART barrel, Jewell trigger...ETC! But I would really rather find a good load for it! KINDA ;D

[okcoyote]

hey bluedog 250..................

i am sure there are those who know a lot more than i do when it comes to reloading......but i did a fair amout of when i was younger... u have tried two bullets and one powder.. before i spent the money a new barrel and trigger i would try first looking at the crown, then i would look at different bullets and then a different powder, or vice versa, u might also try free floating the barrel.. i shoot savages now,, but all the remington 700's usually got the float job. after that i would think barrel. what i usually done was put it on the trading block before i spent very much time or money......but that is just me. good luck

okcoyote

[Bobcat]

Hey BD,

V-Max are very accurate bullets. If you want to use them don't give up.......

Since you have the Varget, keep playing with it. It is a good powder and will generally produce good accuracy as well.

You may want to invest in a few more loading manuals as well. One warning with Varget-it gets hot very quickly! Be sure to work up slowly........

Here is a load my 22-250 shoots .5" groups with using 55 gr. pills.....your mileage may vary:

55 gr. #1365 Sierra SPBT
Varget-36.0gr. (36.5 max)
3600 fps.
235yd. zero=1.5”@100yd. +/- 2”
275yd. point blank
3.5”@300, 8”@350, 14”@400, 22”@450, 31.5”@500

If you want to try other powders, here are a few good options for your bullets: H-380-(39.5 grs. is a good load for me), R-15, W-748, IMR-4064, and H-414.

[1st cav sgt ret]

What Bobcat said,It has been my experance that Varget is a good powder however as Bobcat said it peaks very quick.In my 6.5 swede 42gr willshoot all day 43 will stick the bolt,blow primers and be very overpressure!!!

[okcoyote]

hey bobcat.......................

have u any experience with the barnes varminnator
( or something like that) hollwopoints. do u have any pet loads with 50 pills. alot of new powders out there since i quit reloading. been wanting to start back. i reckon i could invest in new reloading manuals......

thanx...okcoyote

[Bobcat]

okcoyote,

I have never used the Barnes varmint bullets.....just don't fire my rocket. I do plan on loading some of the new Barnes TSX 53 gr. Triple Shocks.

This is what I am shooting in my 22-250 for 50 gr. bullets:

50 gr. Nosler BT's
39.0 grs. H-380
Win Brass
WLR Primer
Group: .526"

Here is a link to a thread in the Rifles forum you might take a peek at: txpredatorposse.proboards19.com/index.cgi?board=rifle&action=display&thread=1074460071

[Ksmirk]

Varminators are ok but I would stick with V-Max or BlitzKings, more accurate bullets. I loaded over 500 for p-dogs last year and well for the splater factor they ain't all that, for song dogs I like the Sierra soft points in 22-250. I have heard that many people do not recomend the varminators for anything bigger than chucks. I must admit that the varminators will blow up but I would stick with the more accurate bullets over the cost savings, I'm still working on getting rid of those loads. Might try some of the Reloader 10X powder, I have found that it produces better groups than the varget in my 223 and 22-250, $17.50 hey it might suprise you.

Kirk

[yotbuster]

bluedog 250 Try sierra 50gr. blitzkings with 36.4 grs. varget powder. I get the 1/2 groups sense i came down off of max. loads. Should be about 3800 fps. Shoot him in the ribs and stay off his shoulders and it will be fur friendly........

[bluedog250]

I got it to settle down a little but not enough yet, I dropped another grain of powder..36 grains Varget, 55 grain V-MAX, took it hard into the lands, It shoots about 1 1/2" now, Maybe a litle more playing will get me some where but I think I will also try some other bullets and see what i can get out of them, I have a couple of good suggestions from you guys and I will sure try them, I just wish they would make sample packs of bullets so I didn't have to spend so much on a box of bullets just to see if they will work!!! That and I have to drive a hour to get any!

[Bobcat]

Have you had any loads shoot under an inch? I am thinkg it may be time to check your scope, base, and rings as well.

Try the 36.5 grs. of Varget in 6 rounds with the 55 gr. V-Max and shoot two very slow 3-shot groups with at least 1 minute between rounds.

Bob

[Joe]

And leave the bolt open during the minute between shots

[bluedog250]

With the V-max bullets I have not had one close to under and inch, I had also made a few loads with winchester 55grain PSP's, A soft nose bullet and if it were not for one flyer in each five shot group two of them would have grouped at 5/8", It would have been the 33 and 35 grain load listed in the original post. Is there a cheap RELAIBLE trigger on the market to up grade to? I would like to get a lighter trigger and have messed with this one some but hate to take it down any farther due to safety reasons.

[Ksmirk]

I would try one thing before you scrap the V-Max bullets, I find the if I start at the lowest listing and load 5 of each in 1/2 grain increments I tend to find the one that shoots best, then after that try to play with the seating depth's. It might take a day or 2 but hey it's good to be outdoors. I have found that the fastest bullet ain't always the most accurate. Don't give up to quick on those V-Max cause they are some of the more accurate bullets out there, plus they do real cool things to small vermin! You might check those rings and bases while your at it, things happen.

Good luck
Kirk

[venatic]

I had a similar problem with my .223 and when I took it to have the trigger smoothed and lightened the gunsmith found that one of my scope base screws was bottoming out just as it was getting tight but after a few shoots it would move just enough to give me flyers.I would take my scope off and reinstall just to take it out of the equation.

[bluedog250]

I will try the scope thing just for giggles if nothing else, But as soon as I start shooting those darn hollow points it all comes right back and shoots real nice groups, The last time I shot groups with them my best two 3 shot groups were .409" and .318" I know the gun will shoot as soon as I find the load it likes or at least that's what I'm hoping!
Don't stop giving me suggestions! I'm open to try anything that might work and thanks again guys!