22-250 Problems

[JRiddle]

I've been reloading for 20  years, so I'm not a newbie at it, but have just started loading for my 22-250 Handi-Rifle.  I worked up two different loads both using 50gn Hornady v-max.  First load using 36.5gns of Win748, which according to my Hornady#7 manual, should be in the 3750fps range.(I don't have a chrono)  The other I loaded with 36gns of RL-15, which according to manual should be around 3750fps.  The max loads listed are 0.5gns more than what I loaded...37gns and 36.5gns respectively, which would yield about 3800fps(according to book).  Problem is that both are making keyholes at 100yds.  I've shot factory loads from Remington, 55gnSP that they advertise at 3680fps, and shot Winchester, 45gnJHP advertised at 4000fps...both have shot very well, especially the Wins.  So tell me what I'm doing wrong...The fact that I've shot them heavier and slower with the Rems without keyholes is what puzzles me.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[DANNY-L]

I don't know but could the bullet be coming apart at that speed causing the bullet to become unbalanced.

[Graybeard]

Not likely. That's the bullet I use in my .22-250 and it's designed to run even faster.

I have no suggestions for you on key holing. It should not happen with your reloads if factory ammo isn't doing it. I've owned a grand total of one gun that key holed the bullets and it had grossly defective rifling requiring a replacement gun. Not much of an experience base for me to be of help.

[georgeinohio]

 it may be your rifle simply does not like that bullet .

 are these the first loads you tried with that bullet ?   are there any pressure signs  ?

 if these are your initial loads  you forgot one of the cardinal rules ,..  start low and work up
 

[JRiddle]

It is the first time I've tried the 50gn v-max in that rifle.  I somewhat abbreviated the story...I actually had loaded 4 different loads, 5 rounds of each with the Win748 (35, 35.5, 36, and 36.5 grains) they all keyholed.  Same type setup with the RL-15 loads, 4 different loads in half grain increments up to 36 grains, they all keyholed too.  Shot some more factory ammo after trying my loads, they shot like a laserbeam.  Maybe I should try a different bullet, that seems strange, but I can't think of anything better.   Oh and BTW, I never saw any signs of pressure...I had thought about trying to speed them up a bit, but I hate getting into that red-line column in my loading manual. 

[Graybeard]

If the gun goes BANG and the bullets exit the barrel those are both excellent signs of pressure. There are NO reliable signs of when pressure is excess vs OK other than when the gun explodes on firing.

Unless you just got a bad batch of bullets I must admit I'm stumped. I've shot thousands of them in a variety of rifles and never had one key hole.

[sidewinder319]

I would check the twist rate of the barrel. It sounds as if your loads are over stableized. The barrel most likely should be around 1-14. It could be the factory shipped a faster twist. The .22 CF rifles can be very sensitive to bullet placement in the throat of the chamber. Have you slugged the bore?   

[redneckly33]

My thoughts, Sidewinder.  I think the twist is to slow for the round he is using.  Maybe I'm confused.  I still believe it has something to do with the twist rate of the Barrel.  I have heard of the Bullet disintergrating.  Might try to drop back on the Load a see what happens.

[JRiddle]

When I said I saw 'no signs of pressure' I should have said 'no signs of excess pressure'.  I know there is nothing I can do to assess this that would be considered accurate or reliable.  My observations were simply that I had to flattened or blown out primers, and the empties were not hard to extract from the chamber.  I have loaded many of these bullets (out of the same box) for my .223s without any problem.  I assumed the barrel was a 1:14" which I think is the H&R standard, but have not checked the barrel to  confirm that, I will do that when I get a chance.  Thanks to all you folks for trying to help me out with this.  It really puzzles me, I've shot hundred of guns and reloaded thousands of rounds, and this is the first keyhole I've ever encountered.

[Bigeasy]

If the rifle shoots factory loads with both heavier and lighter bullet weights accurately, and you are not making some gross mistake in the reloading of the cartridge, then I would say its those particular bullets, for what ever reason.  You could try loading a little slower, and see what happens, but I would just switch bullet brands, and try again.  The good performance with the factory stuff indicates the rifle is not the problem.  Some guns prefer a certian bullet weight for best accuracy, but a tumbling bullet is way out of the norm, and the difference between a slightly faster or slower twist rate from standard would not account for this.  One last thought - I guess t is possible you have a rough spot in your bore that may be damaging the thin jacket of the bullet you are using, causing it to destabilize, that did not have the same effect on the slightly heavier jacketed factory ammo, but that's a reach..
 
Larry

[Larry L]

If you have another 22 caliber rifle I'd suggest trying those bullets in it and see what happens. The base of the bullets may be deformed beyond what you might be able to see with just normal vision. Another thing, I believe the factory ammo that the rifle shoots is not a boattail design. Boattail bullets are more subject to upset than a square base bullet. The crown must be perfect or boattails have a tendency to keyhole. Another "if you wanna try it" is to buy a box of Hornady factory ammo in that bullet. They're loaded to 3800'ps which is in the ballpark of what you're loading. Otherwise, the first thing I'd do is run a ball crowning tool on the barrel to make 100% sure about that.

[Steve P]

My first thoughts were OAL and jump to lands, and primer selection.   Long jump to lands could have bullet destabilized entering rifling. Too cool primer may not be allowing powder burn to reach peak pressure fast enough.

OAL and throat erosion play big part in finicky 22-250 and bullet with short bearing surface. This is one case where speed doesn't kill, lack of does. I am guessing you need hotter primer and time working back up toward max loads. Most 22-250s I've owned liked hotter loads best. None liked moderate.

Just some more things to consider.

Steve 

[huntducks]

I know zero about handi rifles I don't know who even makes them, but a 1-14 twist is real slow and should stablize 50gr bullets lighter, if your twist is that try lighter bullets.
 
I have 3> 22-250 2 have 1-10 twist and the 3rd has a 1-11 they shoot with great accuracy most bullets from 34 to 60grs
with Nosler 50BT and MS 34gr bullets
 
All 3 really like H-380 and 414 powder with FC 215GM primers.

[petemi]

Bill, if ya wanna come up here, I'll let you shoot some keyholes yourself with my Handi 22-50 and 55 gr. VMAXs at about 3600..  I just got it and I'm pretty sure it's 1 in 14.  It also shoots shotgun paterns with 52 gr. Hornady HPBTs.  I'll check it tonight to verify the twist.

hunducks,  if it is 1 in 14 I'm going to take your advice and go lighter and perhaps a little faster.  I really hate the thought of having to shoot lighter bullets.

Pete

[jhalcott]

Are you crimping these bullets? You MAY be damaging them if you are over crimping them.

[petemi]

No crimp on mine.

Pete

[charles p]

Not all bullets of the same weight/caliber are the same length.  A different ogive and/or base can make one manufacturer's bullet slightly longer.  Somehow that boattail v-max is too long for your rifle's twist rate.

[huntducks]

Pete
 
I don't know what your loading for game or paper, but i'll tell you I have had outstanding luck with the Mid South 34gr bullet i'm pushing it out at 4000 fps and when it hits them little fur ball they explode.
 
Being retired and having lots of time lots of bullets and lots of powder I enjoy going to the range just shooting small groups don't really cut it any more with guns that are dialed in but shooting a design can be fun this was from Tue. @ 100yds 22-250 Nosler 50gr BT
 
 

[ratdog]

i have had bullets come apart went to a better grade bullet solved problem .my 223 handi keyholes bad with 62 grn bullets 55's shoot real good.i would try a different bullet my handy shoots the winchester white box into a 1'' or better group at 100 yards and think they are a little hot had flat primers. my 204 ruger handy will out shoot my 22-250 easy.

[tnpaul12]

Try a different gun in a 22-250. You just may find the gun is finnkey.

[Ready_Aim_Fire!]

the reason the 62 gr. bullets don't work real reliably in the handi rifle is their rate of twist is to fast. 1 in 9, the 62 grainers like the 1 in 7 at least that has been my exsperience

[petemi]

I checked with H&R.  .22-250 Handi rifles were never made in 1 in 9 twist.  They're all 1 in 14.  The older .223s were 1 in 12 and the new ones are 1 in 9.  I sent my .22-250 back to H&R at Remington and they replaced the barrel under warranty and target tested it.  It should be back today fixed.  JRiddle, I recommend you contact H&R and do the same.

the reason the 62 gr. bullets don't work real reliably in the handi rifle is their rate of twist is to FAST. 1 in 9, the 62 grainers like the 1 in 7 at least that has been my experience

1 in 9 is slower than 1 in seven.  Heavier bullets like a fast twist, that's why they shoot well in the 1 in 7.

Pete