Talk me into / out of a 22-250 SAAMI

[bobnob]

Have a Howa Stainless donor kicking around. Thinking of screwing a 1-7 Hardy stainless bbl onto it and seriously contemplating 22-250 SAAMI because I have brass and dies in abundance. It would also feed from the Howa standard internal mag easily.

The 22 Apollo Creedmore hasn’t really kicked off here and to be honest I’m not sure I’m wanting quite that much case capacity anyway. About 44g of capacity would do it all for me. 22 Dasher would be about spot on too but then I’d be in for brass, dies, fire forming, new bottom metal + mags blah blah.

So let me have it... any downside to the idea?

 

[Lineman]

Only practical downside that I can see, is that .22-250 brass likes to grow about as bad as anything I’ve loaded for. Neck sizing has been outbid the question on the ones I’ve had/seen.

 

[dakotagun]

I like the SAAMI 22-250 in a fast twist. I also like the 222 and 243 very much, and they're not so cool these days.

Shoot what you want. I've realized that no new cartridge is going to be a game changer for me, though I still like to dabble in different stuff from time to time.

 

[Dude270]

I have had a couple fast twist 22-250s. They work but have their issues, biggest issue to me is case stretch as lineman said.

I never saw much velocity gain over the 223 AI with leverevolution or 8208. It's a little speedier, but not much.

If you don't want to go to a 22 creed I'd think hard about a 6mm creedmoor or 243. But in the end, make what you like, they all work

 

[dznnf7]

Emotion aside, which is hard since no one on this site NEEDS a new rifle, the decision could be financial: Is cheap SAAMI brass and "free" dies lower cost than new dies, pricey but great Creed brass? Over the life of the barrel. Performance is the same and only the trim vs. trash & spend decision on the 22-250 brass remains as a variable. Personally I'd go CM because it's what I want, and custom rifles are all about what we want - they make no sense whatsoever in financial terms.

 

[Big Stick]

I have a 7" 22-250 SALAMI. MUCH prefer a 223 for Utility,the 223 AI even better yet and the 224 Speedmire for Dastardly Deeds,if forced to suffer a .473" boltface .224" bore.

The .224" 88 ELD steals .243" 105/108 Thunder,with it's better BC,lower cost and lesser recoil. That being said...when in doubt the 6BR,is never a poor choice.

Weighing mechanical attributes,HOWA default COAL for me,would have me thinking 7-08/1-8" and a 180 ELD Smooch Throat. Just got an Email the other day from Preferred Barrels,stating my Howage Pre-Fit shouldn't be that far out and it is indeed 7-08 SALAMI and 8".

Now if it's .224" or Bust,I'd go 224 Speedmire 1000 times over.......................

 

[tnv]

For utility and economy, I opt straight .223. Most shots around here are under 300 yards. I have a fast twist .22-250 and I just don't see much velocity benefit over a .223AI.

If you already have the components and dies, run one until the barrel is done and then decide on your next move.

 

[bobnob]

Ok many thanks Gents. Food for thought.

I’m intrigued by the notion of a Howage. I have a herd of Howa / Vanguards... might be a good option down the track.

 

[Big Stick]

The abilityto headspace brass alone,is enough to warrant the jump IMHO.

Hopefully said spout,lands here soon................