22-250 with a 1-8 twist 26-inch barrel

If you own a .22-250 Remington with a 1:8 twist rate and a 26-inch barrel, the faster twist rate and longer barrel length allow you to stabilize heavier bullets than would be suitable for slower twist rates. Here’s how to determine the optimal bullet weight for this setup:

Bullet Selection Criteria

1. Twist Rate: A 1:8 twist rate is fast and can stabilize heavier bullets.
2. Caliber: .22-250 Remington (.224 caliber).
3. Barrel Length: A 26-inch barrel can achieve high velocities and provides more complete powder burn.
4. Bullet Type: Considering both monolithic and lead core bullets.

Optimal Bullet Weights

For a 1:8 twist rate, you can use heavier bullets, typically in the range of 69 to 90 grains. These heavier bullets are better suited for long-range shooting due to their higher ballistic coefficients.

Example Calculation for an 80-Grain Bullet

Using the Miller Stability Formula

Let’s assume an 80-grain lead core bullet with an approximate length of 1.05 inches and a muzzle velocity of 3200 fps.

1. Parameters:
   • Caliber (D): 0.224 inches
   • Twist Rate (t): 8 inches (1 turn in 8 inches)
   • Velocity (v): 3200 fps
   • Bullet Length (L): 1.05 inches
   • Bullet Mass (m): 80 grains
2. Calculating Stability Factor (S):

S=30×(80)2×3200(8)2×1.05×(1+(1.05)2(0.224)2)S = \frac{30 \times (80)^2 \times 3200}{(8)^2 \times 1.05 \times (1 + \frac{(1.05)^2}{(0.224)^2})}S=(8)2×1.05×(1+(0.224)2(1.05)2​)30×(80)2×3200​

Let’s calculate this step-by-step.

Step-by-Step Calculation

L=1.050.224=4.69L = \frac{1.05}{0.224} = 4.69L=0.2241.05​=4.69

S=30×6400×320064×1.05×(1+4.692)S = \frac{30 \times 6400 \times 3200}{64 \times 1.05 \times (1 + 4.69^2)}S=64×1.05×(1+4.692)30×6400×3200​

S=61440000067.2×(1+21.99)S = \frac{614400000}{67.2 \times (1 + 21.99)}S=67.2×(1+21.99)614400000​

S=61440000067.2×22.99S = \frac{614400000}{67.2 \times 22.99}S=67.2×22.99614400000​

S=6144000001545.73S = \frac{614400000}{1545.73}S=1545.73614400000​

$S=397.48$

Finally:

S=6144000001545.73=1.97S = \frac{614400000}{1545.73} = 1.97S=1545.73614400000​=1.97

With a stability factor (S) of approximately 1.97, this bullet is within the stable range (1.3 to 2.0), indicating it will be stable.

Recommended Bullets

Based on the criteria and calculations, the following bullets should be well-suited for a .22-250 Remington with a 1:8 twist rate and a 26-inch barrel:

Lead Core Bullets

• Sierra MatchKing 80 grain: Known for its excellent accuracy and consistency in long-range shooting.
• Hornady ELD Match 75 grain: High BC and designed for precision shooting.
• Nosler RDF 70 grain: High ballistic coefficients, providing excellent accuracy for long-range shooting.

Monolithic Bullets

• Barnes TSX 70 grain: Solid copper with excellent penetration and weight retention, suitable for hunting.
• Nosler E-Tip 70 grain: Lead-free, offering good accuracy and terminal performance.

Conclusion

For a .22-250 Remington with a 1:8 twist rate and a 26-inch barrel, bullets in the 69-80 grain range are typically well-suited. Heavier bullets (such as 75-80 grains) are particularly effective for long-range shooting, while lighter bullets can still perform well for varmint hunting and target shooting. Both lead core and monolithic bullets can be effective, depending on your specific needs, such as hunting regulations (lead-free requirements) or specific performance preferences (accuracy versus terminal performance).

Always test different bullets at the range to ensure they perform well with your specific firearm setup. At 360arms, we can help you select the right ammunition for your needs, ensuring the best performance and accuracy for your shooting activities.