22-250 ?

[Alan R McDaniel Jr]

Looking at the specs I see that the back of the neck next to the shoulder is 2 1/1000s larger in diameter than the front of the neck. Why is this and how does the neck hold the bullet straight?

The reason i ask is that I have offered to help a friend reload for his 22-250 but neither of us have dies. I was thinking that I could neck size using one of the various 22 cal dies that I have but it doesn't look like that's going to be an option.

I have a 222 Rem Improved size die. Does anyone know or have the specs on that round. I'm going to google it and see what comes up.

I know the best thing to do is spring for the dies but.............

He also has a 257 Wby Mag. I have never loaded any Wby round. Is there anything special I should know or is it just the same as "normal" rounds? The fellow that was doing his reloading told him he could only get two loadings per case. He asked me why this was and I told him I'd never heard such a thing. I have 30-06 cases that have been loaded many times more than that. Does that make any sense to any of you Wby loaders?

Thanks in advance for the replies.

Alan

[Sidekick]

I don't know if this is the reason or not but I know the 22-250 is a standardized wildcat. Maybe the strange dimension difference goes back to it's early days. My load books say that early chambers marked "Varminter" may differ greatly in their dimensions. Perhaps it has something to do with necking down the 250 Savage case.

[southtexas]

Alan:

Never noticed that before. Flipping thru the Hornady manual, I note that a few other cartridges are like that and most aren't. Can't answer your question as to why. But I can say that I have been reloading the 22-250 for over 40 years, and have treated it just like all the others without a problem. As to using a 222IMP die, I doubt that it will work because the shoulder of the larger 22-250 case will likely hit the inside of the die before the neck is resized. But I guess it's worth a try.

Let us know how it works!

Wonder why the 257WM reloader could only get 2 loadings. If it was because the primer pockets were loose, he was loading it too hot!

[Alan R McDaniel Jr]

Yep, case is too big to fit in the die. Would probably work on a neck only size die but dies are cheaper than a box of ammo right now so my friend is going to get some and we're in business. He was loading 66.4 gr 4350 with a 100 gr Sierra. That's .4 gr over max in my Lyman book. I'll check primer pockets to see if they are loose.

Thanks,

Alan

[southtexas]

A quick check of some loading manuals shows the following max loads for the 257WM, IMR4350 and 100gr bullets:

Hornady: 58.5gr
Sierra: 66.4 gr
Speer: 64gr
Hodgdon: 61gr
Nosler: 64gr

so his load looks to be pretty warm, particularly if the rifle doesn't have the long Weatherby throat.

Another reason that he may get only 2 loads is if he is only neck sizing, after a couple of warmish loads, the brass might need to be full length sized. even if it's not warm enough to stretch the primer pockets.

One other thought: 4350 is a little fast for the 257WM. Might get equal or better velocities with a slower powder. Just FWIW...

[Alan R McDaniel Jr]

I'm going to suggest that he look at some other loads and perhaps H4831SC. I have had excellent results with H4831SC in my 308 Norma Mag (the only belted Cartridge I shoot) and I know several others who get great groups and plenty of oomph! in their 7mm Mags with that powder. We'll see what he wants. I am not a fan of Max loads at all, even if they are good shooters. No particular reason, that's just me. I only shoot deer and hogs and I have only found a few that bullets will bounce off of at moderate velocities from moderate loads.

What I'm doing for him is basically a refresher course. He has a press and dies and all that stuff. It's been a while since he loaded and isn't really into it like I am. (my wife would say that not many people are, but I know better!!!) He will be loading for his two rifles and that's it.

I will check to see how much free bore he has to the extent that I can and will probably just seat to the OAL of his Loaded Cartridges.

Thanks for the advice and responses.

Alan

[SeniorCoot]

Dies at gun show-- $25 me I'd get some--i use H380-38 gr/55gr V-Max for my 22-250--just loaded 1,500 for this weeks trip to SD--

[Sidekick]

I use the same load. Very accurate and brass lasts and lasts....

[nodakker]

SeniorCoot--It's supposed to start raining again Tuesday, so you should have enough ammo for your prairie dog trip.

Alan--I would spring for the correct dies for your buddy's .22-250, or better yet have him spring for them. I can't answer your question about the neck size bigger at the base though. On the .257Wby, I'm guessing that with his hot loads in a belted catridge he's getting stretch marks right above the belt. I made that mistake back in the day with a .300Win, and ended up with a case separation and a trip to the gunsmith to get the wreckage removed from my rifle. I got off lucky, with no permanent damage to the rifle.

[Alan R McDaniel Jr]

He's going pick up some dies and I'll get him started. I know he is going to be lusting after my RCBS 1500 scale and dispenser, but that's too bad! We all have to start at ground level.

Alan

[SeniorCoot]

I'm still there- scale came from friend's wife ater he died 20 yrs ago- ditto RCBS Press. some of my dies are ancient--still pumping out the ammo--makes winter and rainy days go faster.