22-250 Load Suggestions

[L Rivard]

Ground squirrel shooting is about ten weeks away and I find myself embarrassingly short on small rifle primers. I do have enough large rifle primers to see me through the season if I break out the old .22-250. Problem is here in the peoples republic of california (no caps intentional) we have to use lead free bullets. I have settled on Hornady 35 gr NTX. Would like a reduced load for the .22-250 yielding about 3000 to 3200 fps. Any experience out there?

[Bill K]

Have not worked up a load for my 22-250 yet, for same reasons you are looking, but I am using the Nosler 32 grain lead free in my 224 cal.
I will be checking and probably be working a load up with Trail boss, which works very well in reduced loads for dozen's of cartridges. Bill K

[L Rivard]

Thanks Bill, just happen to have some Trail Boss on hand, will start on that today.

[SEM]

if you would like I can scan and email to you some data on BlueDot reduced loads I use it and HS-7 AA 5744 and others H4198 works well also but BlueDot is my favorite

[L Rivard]

SEM, by all means, send me the info on Blue Dot loads. Thank you.

[squirrel_slayer]

H4895 has a section dedicated to reduced loads in several cartridges. Being that your wanting 3000+ ft/sec loads I don't think trail boss, blue dot, 5744 ect. are going to get you there. (I could be wrong)

You can use the "60% rule" ie. look up a max load and multiply it by .6 and work up from there till your desired velocity.

https://hodgdon.com/wp-content/uploa...ifle-loads.pdf

[SEM]

Originally Posted by L Rivard

SEM, by all means, send me the info on Blue Dot loads. Thank you.

send me your email address in a PM

[Dean2]

Far and away the easiest method to accomplish 3000 FPS with a 35 grain bullet will be to use 4895. Starting load is 34 grains for 4100 fps. At 24 grains you should be very close to your 3000 fps goal and you should get great barrel life. Personally, I would just go to a rimfire like the 17 HMR at 2600 fps and not worry about all the work to load a couple of thousand rounds for a Rat Safari. Winchester, CCI and Federal all make lead free 17 HMR.

[L Rivard]

Thanks to all for the help, several promising avenues to pursue. You guys rock.

[TinMan]

A few years ago, guys had issues using Blue Dot in 223 Rem, so be careful. Those loads were too high pressure for the size of the cartridge. A guy I worked with had a Ruger M77 in 223, and he tried them and blew up the rifle. Fortunately, he did not get injured seriously.