Max Bullet Weight for 22-250 with 14" Twist Rate

I am planning to work up loads for my 22-250 and wondering what the max bullet weight I can stabilize in a 14" twist barrel? Shilen's site indicates 55 gr is max but was hoping I could get 69 to stabilize. Thoughts?

I highly doubt it and if you can itll be at unsafe pressures. My 220 swift 1-14" wont go above 55gr ballistic tips

Need 1-9 at least for 69's

No chance a 69 gr bullet is going to stabilize. I'd expect that the Sierra 63 gr SMP will be the best heavy bullet you can use. Maybe that Winchester load with the 64 gr bullet could work. I hear that some people can use it in a 22-250.

I tried the 60 gr Partition. It was close to stabilizing. Same with the Nosler 64 gr BSB. The Sierra 65 gr GK was so bad that I'm not sure I could hit a truck at 100 yards.

Bullet length has more to do with it than weight. Might very well be able to stabilize a Speer 70gr bullet that is flat point and very rounded tipped. It will not be very good for BC though. Tue 60gr partition is another that is not long for the weight as are Winchester 64gr and Sierra 65gr bullets.

All those have a flat base and not very sharp point in common which makes for a lower BC but can be stabilized with slower twist barrels.

The Sierra 63 semi-pointed stabilizes nicely in a 14" twist and was may favorite doe culling bullet back in the day. The 64 Winchester needs to be loaded to top velocity to stabilize, and it doesn't hurt to push the 63 Sierra hard too.

Although I've not tried heavier bullets than these, I doubt you'll have much luck exceeding 63-64 grs.

Thanks everyone. The load will be for varmints so sounds like a 55 gr is the only way to go.

I've got some Sierra Game Kings, both spire point boattail and hollow point boattail we can trade, if you need them.

When I was running those bullet in a 1:14" twist I believe I was at 36.5 gr of Varget. And that yielded 3780 fps MV with a 24" barrel.

Regarding 55 gr bullets, for years I shot coyotes and pigs with the 55 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip. Worked like a champ on coyotes, but was less effective on pigs. I have switched to the Sierra 55 gr Gameking, with the expectation that it's a bit tougher.

If you are just shooting coyotes, the Nosler 40 gr Ballistic Tip is, in my experience, an amazingly effective bullet.

And that Sierra 63 gr bullet has been effective on pigs. I've only seen it used on pigs under 100 pounds, but it put them down quickly. I had some loaded up, but really had no intention of hunting with them, but got invited on a pig hunt. A buddy, also going on the hunt, had no rifle, so I loaned him the 220 Swift and those 63 gr rounds. I watched him pop the first hog, which was running in high gear. The bullet hit him in the shoulder, and the hog dug a trench with his chin.

55gr vmax have always been my favorite

+1. It's not weight, but bullet length. The longer the bullet, the more twist needed.

Tim, use this Berger twist rate calculator, and it will tell you what you can use. Keep the stability factor above 1.4, and you're good.

http://www.bergerbullets.com/twist-rate-calculator/

I haven't found a bullet over 55 grain that my 1:12 26 inch barrel will stabilize. I have found a few 55's, but it really likes them in the mid 40's.

Like the others, I agree that the Sierra 63 grain semi-pointed bullet is your best bet. My 1:14 xr-100 will stabilize them without difficulty.

Use a target bullet if it's a dedicated varmint gun

I have tried the 64 gr. in my gun and groups open up to about 1 1/4" where the 55 gr. typically stay around 1/2 to 3/4".

Thanks Chad. Per the Berger calculator, even the 40 gr are not very stable? I must be missing something.

The rifle itself will tell you.