When it comes to fast, accurate, flat-shooting varmint cartridges, the .22-250 Remington stands in rare company. Capable of pushing 55-grain bullets past 3,700 fps from a 24-inch barrel, it is a legitimate 500-yard ground squirrel and coyote cartridge that rewards precision reloading with sub-MOA performance. For Oregon hunters working the high desert from April through June, or calling coyotes across the open basins of Harney and Lake counties, a well-built .22-250 handload is a genuine edge over factory ammo.

This guide covers brass selection, primer choice, the best powders for different bullet weights, and recommended starting and maximum loads for common .22-250 projectiles. Always cross-reference any load data with a current reloading manual such as Hornady, Nosler, or Lyman and work up carefully from starting loads.

Case Preparation

The .22-250 is a semi-rimmed bottleneck case based on the .250-3000 Savage. Commercially available brass from Remington, Hornady, Lapua, and Nosler is all serviceable, but Lapua brass is the clear choice for precision reloaders due to its uniform wall thickness and consistent primer pocket dimensions. For high-volume varmint shooting, Remington and Hornady brass are entirely adequate and significantly cheaper.

Standard case prep applies:

• Full-length resize for semi-auto and bolt guns that are not dedicated to a single rifle; neck-size only for bolt guns you are optimizing for accuracy
• Trim to 1.910 inches (SAAMI max is 1.920 inches) after each firing if the case has grown
• Uniform primer pockets with a pocket uniformer tool, especially on new brass
• Deburr and chamfer the case mouth after trimming to ensure consistent bullet seating
• Clean primer pockets before repriming — fouled pockets cause inconsistent primer seating depth

Primer Selection

The .22-250 uses a small rifle primer. For varmint applications, the CCI 400 and Federal 205 are reliable workhorse primers. For precision work, the CCI 450 Magnum Small Rifle primer is popular among benchrest shooters and precision varmint hunters using faster powders, as it provides a hotter ignition that improves consistency across temperature swings. Stick with one primer brand and lot within a loading session for best ES and SD results.

Powder Selection by Bullet Weight

Powder choice in the .22-250 varies significantly based on bullet weight. The case is large relative to its bore diameter, which makes burn rate selection critical for achieving peak velocity without pressure problems.

40-45 Grain Varmint Bullets

Light, frangible bullets for maximum velocity and explosive terminal performance on ground squirrels and prairie dogs respond best to faster powders. H380 and Varget are versatile choices, but IMR 4064 and Benchmark shine here. A 40-grain Nosler Ballistic Tip over 36.5 grains of Varget produces approximately 3,850 fps with excellent accuracy in most .22-250 rifles — work up from 34.0 grains.

50-55 Grain Bullets (The Sweet Spot)

This is the most popular bullet weight range for the .22-250, and for good reason. The 55-grain bullet delivers the ideal balance of velocity, BC, and wind resistance for shots out to 400-plus yards on coyotes and distant varmints.

• H380 — The classic .22-250 powder. 36.5 grains under a 55-grain Hornady V-MAX produces around 3,680 fps. Start at 34.0 gr.
• IMR 4320 — Excellent consistency and clean burning. 36.0 grains with a 55-grain bullet, starting at 33.5 gr.
• Varget — Temperature-stable and accurate. A go-to choice for hunters who see wide temperature swings between dawn and afternoon summer sessions. 34.5 grains max with 55-grain bullets; start at 32.5 gr.
• Reloader 15 — Slightly slower than Varget, produces excellent accuracy with 55-grain cup-and-core bullets. 36.0 grains max, start at 33.5 gr.

60-69 Grain Bullets for Extended Range

Heavier bullets trade velocity for higher ballistic coefficient, making them better performers past 400 yards in wind. The 60-grain Hornady V-MAX and 69-grain Sierra MatchKing work well for long-range coyote hunters. These require slower powders and may not stabilize in all barrel twist rates — the .22-250 is typically rifled at 1:12 or 1:14, which marginally stabilizes bullets up to 60 grains but may not handle 69-grain bullets reliably. Confirm your barrel's twist rate before experimenting with heavier projectiles. For 60-grain bullets, H4350 at 34.0 grains (start at 31.5) gives consistent accuracy.

Bullet Seating Depth

Seating depth has an outsized effect on .22-250 accuracy. Begin at 0.020 inches off the lands and work from there. Use a comparator tool and measure carefully. Some rifles shoot best close to the lands; others prefer a longer jump. Keep a load log — note CBTO (cartridge base to ogive) measurements and group sizes at each depth. The .22-250 responds quickly and predictably to seating depth changes, making this one of the most productive accuracy tuning steps available.

Practical Performance Expectations

A properly loaded .22-250 in a quality bolt-action rifle such as a Savage Model 12, Tikka T3x Varmint, or Ruger American Predator should deliver half-MOA or better groups at 100 yards consistently. At 300 yards, a 55-grain Hornady V-MAX at 3,680 fps hits with around 900 ft-lbs of energy — more than adequate for coyotes and devastatingly effective on ground squirrels. Wind drift at 400 yards on a 10 mph full-value crosswind runs about 8 inches, which requires either a wind call or knowing your drift tables cold.

The .22-250 is not a beginner cartridge in the reloading sense — it requires careful attention to maximum pressures because case head separation and primer cratering can appear quickly when pushing loads near maximum. Work up methodically, watch for pressure signs on the primer face, and measure case head expansion if chasing maximum velocity. Treated with respect, it rewards you with one of the finest varmint and predator loads ever developed.