.22-250 Rem. - 40gr V-Max seating depth tests with AR-Comp

It's time to get the .22-250 Remington series started back up with some seating depth tests of the 40gr Hornady V-MAX.
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[@S1lv3r4do]

Having shot benchrest for years, I'd like to offer you a few observations. 1. As you already noted, you're rest was backwards and as you already noted the front rest wasn't locked down. Both will cause shot to shot variations. Front rest needs to be rock solid, that's why it weights a ton. 2. Remove the sling lug. It contributes nothing and can only hurt your groups. Adding a bag rider as someone else suggested is a good idea but not a necessity 3. Start using a forward stop. Before every shot make sure the rifle is pushed forward until it is in contact with the stop. 4. Since you're hunting rifle doesn't have a flat bottom forearm, install a level on your scope to ensure that the scope is directly oved the bore before every shot. canting produced wide shots. 5. If you're "fighting the rear bag" it's beacause you're setup isn't solid. After every shot, when you push the rifle back into battery the scope retical should settle on your point of aim. If not the setup isn't fight and you are putting pressure on the rifle which will result in poor groups. Remember, accuracy and precision depends on every part of the "system" which is comprised of the rifle (and all it's parts), optic, rest, ammo and you the shooter. A deficiency in any of the above, produces shot to shot variations.

[@SamJM]

He's back! IDC what you're reloading, I like having your channel on in the background while I'm loading my own ;)

[@brandonparrett2436]

Ditto that bro

[@xnorcal831x]

Your saying I dony need to rewatch old video hoping for a new one

[@derbsmcbergs]

amen brudda

[@iflystuff1]

Subsonic Grendel.......Petition of one lol

[@seantierney3]

I would like to see 25 shot videos. more focus on a single variable, easier for you to produce, and your brother might get the gun back before the barrel is all shot out.

[@OldPackMule]

Hornady found when you start pushing those high velocities on those vmax bullets with the flexible tip the BC changes. Hence their ELD Match. You may find much better accuracy with a typical AR type bullet, 55grn spear point boat tail. Even with the canalure.

[@brettr6895]

Heck yeah, another 22-250 vid! One of my favorite cartridges!

[@vomitingwithungodlyaccurac3218]

Wild video! I really enjoy joining you on these adventures with calibers I don’t shoot yet. Thanks for your hard work!

[@BoltActionReloading]

I am very interested to see what you work up for this project. Looks like there is certainly some potential there.

[@alexdumitrescu1326]

Since the last 22-250 video I have my own Remington 700 in this caliber classic model (wooden stock an thin barrel) and I'm in love with it. You kind of give me the barrel burner virus, and thank you for doing that.

[@rider547]

Thanks for the video Johnny. I agree with one of the other comments concerning too many changes introduced at once resulting in confusion of what the results were. I do enjoy your videos! Keep up the good work!

[@American.Adventure1776]

Nothing better than a new JRB video and some reloading!

[@nk-dw2hm]

Just built up a 22-250 and excited to see your development videos!

[@briansouth9325]

Yes! I really needed this!

[@trigerfingers1911]

Look forward to next Sunday night. Will be good to see more videos from you.

[@articjackal]

All right. More videos, thats what we need!

[@DummyRound]

I love those days leaving the range when we have more questions than we began with. Thanks for sharing, Mr.Bench! 👊🇺🇸👍

[@J9_j3]

couldn't be happier to hear that regularity is going to be back on the menu. i need more Johnny in my week.

[@LaGuns-yo9be]

Always enjoy your content. Keep it up.

[@Copenhayden]

Yes yes yes. Been asking for, and waiting, a long time for this. My body is ready.

[@brandonparrett2436]

Sweet dude I appreciate the weekly video idea

[@glenngardner950]

Thanks for all the info and honesty.

[@derbsmcbergs]

Always enjoy your down to earth approach. Thx for the video. I don't even load 22-250 but who knows one day I might haha.

[@codybarnes8793]

JRB is back I’m so happy. 22-250 what a fun caliber. I usually use 50 grain bullets. And it’s hard with those 40-50 grain Bullets to do a whole lot with seating depth. Interesting results.

[@justinvandee2008]

10 thou jump change is pretty big change at one time in seat depth. Be interesting to see if even the smallest groups get better with fine tune depth and SD gets lower. Cheers

[@robgoose8126]

That's a huge change.

[@waynemayle865]

I haven't shot my 22-250 in two years but I loaded 55 an 60 gr. Bullets same for my swift an 225 win. Kind of stuck with the 243 an 6mm rem. These days. Missed your shooting vids keep them coming .

[@appalachianamerican7171]

Great, enjoyed it man. Regular guy stuff, glad I'm not the only one these things happen too.

[@MrJeronlewis]

Looks like you found the node. Good stuff.

[@ronweaver9377]

Great video!!!!

[@wyomingweekendwarriorw3]

One thing I’ve noticed watching your videos is I could call all your flyers on all your guns, that front sling stud will always mess up a good group. I enjoy watching your content. It’s amazing how much of a difference a little load work can make a gun go from grouping like crap to being a sub half moa rifle. Keep up the good work

[@sfoutdoors8917]

Love the 22-250 series! Please do more! Just in time for predator hunting season!

[@CRHalliday]

Have you thought of shooting from an Uncle Bud’s Bulls bag? Definitely not your typical benchrest set up, but very stable and repeatable over many sessions. Keep up the solid work. I can only imagine the time that goes into these videos! Thanks!

[@hoffmiermp]

This caliber brings back so many memories of vaporizing woodchucks and snapping turtles as a kid back in upstate NY.

[@nt_wicked_bunch2717]

Well imagine that. I was just watching some jrb creed/H4350 vids when 💥 a notification from jrb.

[@benjaminnevins5211]

What a great round.

[@texpatriot8462]

The OCD in me is obsessed with the sticker on your powder dropper. Scope solution- convince your brother to invest in a Vortex. That gun deserves something better than a Tasco.

[@rmbettac]

Yes 🙌 I love fast .22’s and this is a cool project.

[@WilliamCChapin]

Yeah - I should get back on 22-250 too! Hey…there’s a 788 chambered in 22-250 here locally…

[@RatelLaw]

Thank you for sharing.

[@PlinkingJohn]

I imagine what would be the barrel life of this rifle, by shooting that fast with a stainless steel barrel. Your videos are my absolute favorite dude!

[@ridgerunneroutdoors2423]

Glad to see u back bro and dang glad yur doing 22-250 thank you i would stick with the 50 vmax i use imr 8208 xbr mine shoots it great with 50 vmax or barnes 53tsx and some hornady 62grn spbt i got from grafs the 62gr bullets also shoot great out of my 1-14 222 remington with h4895 thank you fer doing this 22-250 series

[@1tacomame]

Nothing like a Rem 788. Own all calibers except 44 mag and own 2 carbines. 243 carbine and 308. carbine. I'm a 788 addict. Great video!

[@8626John]

Thank you!

[@ewetho]

Take the good groups retry this in 0.003” seating depth intervals… so 2 groups shorter and 2 longer… for 25 total… yes barrel heat is a muther in my 22-250 too

[@jamespugh]

Good points big e

[@kengilcrest8670]

I would like to see you play around with the Weaver scope. I have two of those that I bought really cheap years ago. I used one of them for some VERY serious airgun shooting with a pre-charged pnumatic air rifle that cost around $1500 however, when I tried to shoot it outdoors I couldn't find the crosshairs. FWIW: I also had a .223 in a Remington 788 and once shot a 10 shot, 1/4" group using the Hornady 55 grain SX bullet but factory loaded from Black Hills: those rifles shoot. I would like to see you shoot some heavy bullets. I have a .223 AI with a brand new barrel sitting here waiting to play with. I intend to shoot 77 gr SMK bullets with it. I am thinking that the 77 gr bullets of of that 26" Criterion barrel should easily shoot to the velocity of a .223, 55 grain AR bullet.

[@donbenson5292]

Love those 788s

[@jepkratz]

22-250 - interesting, informative, entertaining - as always, but how are the chickens doing? JRB Outdoors for the win!

[@homersaypian3798]

I had a Remington 700 in .308 win with a Shilen barrel that shot like that. I just about gave up on it and took it to a smith to look it over before I sold it. He told me everything looked right but the muzzle crown could be better. It looked fine to me but I was like “if you think that’ll make a difference.” Man did it ever, it went from 3/4” to 3” groups down to .7” consistently with the same load. I was able to tune the load and get it to sub 1/2” groups and left it alone for a couple of deer season until I was offered a trade I couldn’t refuse.

[@danieldunham9978]

Im a firm believer in glass bedding a gun that is acting like that.

[@JH-ii4xi]

I have an all original 788 22-250 with a 1-14” twist and have been working up some loads (with limited components) I am shooting Lapua Brass, CCI BR-2 Primers, my powders are 10x (33 grains) and W748 (748 being the best with 35.8 grains) and Speer 55 grain controlled expansion bullets (because thats all I find/get). My overall cartridge length is 2.31 and I am 20 thousandths off the lands. I am getting consistent 1/2” groups with all 5 shoots touching at 100 yards. I have found my gun likes charges on the hotter side. I am new to reloading and want to try more but components are still tough to come by in my neck of the woods. So I will hunt with this load until availability of components improve. I am not sure if this info will be useful for others or not but posting just in case. Keep them in the 10 ring and GOD Bless

[@ReturnViewersGuide]

Good stuff, this has me looking at my rests again with a lot more critical eye. For 250 I mainly load the Speer 52gr hp it's an old school varmint bullet but it's still around for a reason, I wonder how they would do in your brother's 250? Lol thanks for another 250 video 👍

[@jamespugh]

Who Johnny reloading took u awhile get back to this series on 22-250 . Definitely like to see more on this gun. Watch this while layed up in hospital. From Saturday came in from work on Sunday with dehydration in low BP in kidney not doing well . Work crazy heat had meds in me did know cause dehydration issues while around heat.

[@stevekiemele995]

Sinclair makes a 3” fore end adapter that attaches to a pic rail. You can attach a pic rail to a sling stud - thereby getting a fore end to fit in a 3” benchrest bag without permanent stock modifications. Very stable for load development. Make sure that the pic rail is long enough for the adapter.

[@Kyks2244]

small digital clock on the shooting table facing cameras could give you estimates on cooldowns between strings

[@richardk6695]

Love watching your videos well I cast

[@Fredmullegun]

Put Remington 788 in title LOL. I love this rifle. Content on it is thin but cult-like.

[@seapierce]

Don't worry about the vmax at 4200. I've got a savage with 1:12 twist chambered for 22-250 AI running them at 4420 and keeping groups under .5 MOA

[@Copenhayden]

Agreed. I run a 50gr vmax right around 4100 in a 1-12 with the same accuracy as you with no issues.

[@indydurtdigger2867]

I know your cold weather tests with H380 didn't go so well but it's worth a try in 22-250. I bought out the reloading supplies from a local shop when they got out of the reloading side of things. Among the truck load of powder was several pounds of it. Best powder I've ever tried in that cartridge hands down. I just reserve it for warm weather and dig something else out for the cold months.

[@ewetho]

That powder fought me but so did the gun I was shooting so many top guys shot H380 so by no means say I talked you out of it… lol but went back to N133, N540, 3031, and went to RL16 for heavies in new barrel for my bolt gun…

[@upnorthreloading2214]

Marvelous! Before you beat yourself up too much, just remember you shot 8 strings of 5 shots and all were less than 1.5". That's better than a lot of people, and moreso since you made a video about it and posted it on youtube, "warts and all".

[@jeremymcauliff8485]

.22-250 is one of my favorites! 69 grain Sierra TMK bullets fly nice out of my Ruger American Predator. Getting 3173 fps with excellent accuracy.

[@sykoslim8851]

If only I could find primers I could be reloading too

[@IWatchedWhat]

The 40gr vmax is still good at 4400fps out of my 220 swift. I was wondering about the rest last night on twitch, but thought you had it under control 🤔 guess I was wrong. See you on twitch. FZ

[@number40Fan]

Nothing is going to save a 22-250 barrel. But, I will say that 55 gr. Blitzking with 37 gr RE-15 has been doing well for over 2k rounds in a Savage Axis. Started out at .6" groups and has slowly opened up to 1" groups during that time. Good enough for coyote and prairie dogs. Could probably bring the groups back down with some OAL tuning.

[@waddell7354]

Load suggestion The 36 grain varmint granade with either h335, ramshot tac, or varget That little bullet is intriguing me

[@rotasaustralis]

I think things are reasonably good with the rifle Johnny. I realize you've got 0.010" increments between each group but, I think we can ignore that as a real effect. I've never been a big believer that seating depth does much of anything, at least not from a statistical point of view. Anyhow, your group size stats are as follows. Avg = 0.91" SD =0.27" +/-1SD = 0.64" to 1.19" +/-2SD = 0.37" to 1.46" You fired a total of 40 shots so, the confidence interval is descent & +/-2SD represents approximately 95% of the group sizes that load will probably ever shoot & well within acceptable repeatability expectations. All in all, I think the rifle is quite a bit better than average & nothing to be disappointed about.

[@NSghostoif5]

Sorry I miss your streams as im always working

[@emasbury]

Johnny, it's not the round of ammo that is giving you the different shots, it is the rifle itself. In the early 2000's I had a Browning BAR Stalker, semi auto rifle chambered in .300 win. mag. Once zeroed in the first 3 shots at 100 yards you could cover them with a quarter, and the 4th shot was any bodies guess, it could be high and to the right 6 inches or low and to the left 6 inches. Let the rifle cool completely down and bam, first 3 shots you could cover with a quarter and the 4th shot, well see above. Myself and a couple gun smiths up here in Alaska came to the determination that it was, the heat generated in the shooting that caused the weird results and the barrel was warping. Don't know the real reason why but I no longer own the rifle and my Sako will shoot all day with no change in impact point.

[@fredjones6975]

agree with the comment regarding the ten thou deltas...probably walking by nodes. recommend trying 3 thou increments

[@ssgtdan480]

Hey JRB. You got a Honorable mention from KB32

[@Scuba11000]

Those 40 V max do fine at 4530 Ft/sec out of my 223 WSSM so I don't think its the bullet that is giving you problems.

[@mysweetshadow747]

Fwiw, I've been using handloads in my .22-250 with Hornady 50g VMAX in front of 37g of Varget with 5 shot groups in 1/2". Might be a good starting point for heavier bullets in the cartridge. The twist rates in commercially available rifles for 22-250 don't seem to be conducive to much heavier bullets than that

[@keithprice4807]

I find that the 52 & 55 grain bullets work best for my gun.

[@jamesstratton4488]

All but 1 shot were above the X axis, and most were right of the Y axis. It’s OK to adjust your scope.

[@richardvanc3298]

watching some of your testing with your a.r. 15 , I noticed sometimes you use a suppresser in combination with the magneto speed chrony ,, Have you ever removed these two devices and rechecked point of impact and group size , On some of my guns with lite weight barrels the groups will spread sometimes with the can on versa it being off ,,, Enjoy watching your vids ,,keep it up

[@OddBallPerformance]

Those plastic tips start to flex and deform at extremely high velocities which may account for the inconsistency you are seeing. Like you said, if you shot large groups of each OAL the results would likely be almost identical across the board.

[@mikegrendel9126]

I set my stop watch for 3 minutes between each shot,for my pencil barrel model 7 260. Anything less than 3 minutes and after the 3rd shot poi changes . Chuck the Tasco

[@paulharveu526]

Good, if mildy frustrating video. I often end up with the same deal, wondering if that random good group is really a good load or luck, and try same load and get different results.

[@Jerry-dk8se]

Those were some confusing results. But it seems like there were a lot of variables introduced into the testing, and that could have affected the results?

[@JamesPettinato]

Had trouble with winchester brass in 30=06

[@Milspecpoptart]

What do you think about lightweight(123-125gr) fast loadings for 7.62x54r? I've loaded some x39 hollowpoint pulled bullets for the mosin before but never chased it for accuracy. Should be creeping up on 3000fps but i have no idea without a chrono. Seems like an effective combo.

[@ddubd3771]

Every Sunday video will be sweet, keep an eye out for the plastic tip left in target if there’s a vmax issue.

[@johnblood3731]

you should have a temp gun and a solar fan to cool the barrel. that way all shots would be fired from same temp barrel.

[@shaneboyle9982]

Good vid when are u on twitch

[@wesstewart9264]

The guy on Hankins tv blueprinted, and rebarreled a 22-250 Remington 700 VLS( varment laminated stock I think). And proceeded to shoot a.020 in group ( 3 or 5 not sure). Magic of TV, or possible??

[@donbenson5292]

When you get a bullet for varmint shooting the 22 cal bullets, all seem to shoot as good if not better than match bullets.

[@davidcameron7628]

I believe I mentioned in the comments last video loading magazine its never going to shoot under .75 inch.If you load for single shot hand feed the 788 becomes a tack driver.Mine still has its original barrel ,floated ,bedded action trigger set to 1.5#.Scoped with a Nikon.Load 50 gr Baltimore loaded just off the grooves.After 3 shots 4&5 always went towards 2oclock until I floated the barrel eliminating the Remington bump over the swing swivel.

[@ewetho]

Weird mine does??? As it is a 22-250 anything over 1/2” is not okay! Mine will shoot Berger’s, Hornady 68s, and Nosler’s 77s under 1/2” from the magazine… it has to!!!

[@charlescarter634]

Great channel…….what’s your thoughts on the 25-06.? I own an older ruger no.1 I think I bought in ‘92 in a 25-05 26” barrel

[@cammleford3757]

Got the final comments, my brass is fire formed sized and neck sized to shoot those groups at 300 yds. plus a Leupold 24x scope, good luck and try an Ackley 22-250 to dial it in real tight.

[@jerrysnyder9388]

Great video, What rear bag are you using? Thanks

[@jdrollason]

Weird groups. Must have been the absence of the Lab Radar... affecting the bench harmonics.

[@preacherbiggin]

Just out of curiosity... what happened to the chamber chiiler/bore fan "thingy" you use to use?

[@swamper2fly]

He said in one of his live pod cast that it was falling apart so he gave up on it. I bought one after seeing him use it and it does the job as intended but the battery box did fall off on mine too. A rubber band fixed that. They are 3d printed so I'm sure one could tweak the design and make them a bit better.

[@dondavis2546]

Have you ever tried changing your powder or the amount of power you useThat can help a lot I've got a sweet load worked up for mineThat's less than the Max Is IMR 4350 think

[@fyisense9312]

Those groups can be deceiving because of case volume, and though you are now using very good brass I would still check those flyer's case volume against the tight group volumes. You could also sort by velocities. If 3965 fps is the optimum velocity for your barrel then all that shoot that speed should land close.

[@garyr.4626]

To me, if you put aside group sizes, the most promising result from a hunting point of view is the lack in point of impact shift between COAL as well as barrel heat. Sure, pinpoint accuracy is important when eliminating vermin from a distance, but so isn’t the ability for a barrel to stay on point after getting hot. All in all, if you laid all those groups on top of each other, that isn’t too bad for prarie dogs and coyotes

[@corinowalk2972]

When you get your own .22-250 if you can get a fast twist barrel. I would love to see what a 69gr smk can do at a faster speed. Or even some of the heavy for caliber bullets will do.

[@usa5865]

I want to see a series on repeatable reloads. You seem to have the same problem i, and many others have. Shoot it once and it's great, duplicate it and the next time it falls apart. It drives me crazy 🤪

[@NSghostoif5]

Is it the annealing that causes that got same issue sometimes

[@TheREALLibertyOrDeath]

I boycotted Winchester brass from my bench years ago

[@dondavis2546]

Try a 55gr Projectile I load that in mind and I like it quite well

[@cammleford3757]

40 gr v max great in a 223 with Benchmark too.

[@dwaynewood8156]

Now John take your best groups and go in 3tenths increments on both sides and see where your best groups are and take the longest one

[@benjaminnevins5211]

Now I'm curious, did you give up on the chamber cooler completely?

[@thompsonjerry3412]

Pretty good shooting for a cluster fuck.