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Ruger American 22-250

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4K views 8 replies 6 participants last post by  Hellbilly 
#1 ·
Last year I purchased a Ruger American chambered in 22-250. This rifle was very accurate right out of the box. I was shooting Federal 55gr ammo. After acquiring enough brass I have begun to handload for it. About a month back I had the opportunity to start to stretch her legs a bit out to 400 yards. Keep in mind I have NEVER shot beyond 175 yards before that day. It was definitely a learning curve for me that I keep learning about. I noticed at that range I wasn't able to see my bullet hit due to the muzzle rise. I started tossing around the idea of threading the barrel and putting a brake on. I took the rifle to a local gunsmith. This rifle had been there for a month getting the work done. My obsession with this caliber grew more and more each day while waiting for it to return. I finally got around to working up 53 and 55gr Hornady Vmax handloads using various charges of Varget powder. While she was away I ordered a Mueller Eraticator 8.5-25x50 scope, and Caldwell XLA pivoting bipod. Yesterday I got the call that my rifle was done. As soon as it got home I mounted the scope and boresighted it in. I adjusted the trigger down to 3 lbs but plan on either modifying the spring or putting a 1.5 Timney in it. Today I was able to take it out and start zeroing it in at 100yds. I was able to get it on paper and hold a 1" group using factory loads. Due to time restraints of other plans I had for the day I wasn't able to see how well my handloads preformed. One problem I did have is I have never shot a rifle with a brake on it before. Mind you there is no recoil to a 22-250 to begin with and even less with a brake on it. But let me tell you this thing is LOUD!!!! I couldn't help but blink when I squeezed the trigger. That is something I will without a doubt have to work on. Once I finally got done for the day I attached my bipod and decided it was time for that plain plastic stock to get a fresh coat of paint.

I have never painted a gun before and have to admit I was a bit nervous going into this project. I began to strip down every last bit of oil on the outside of the rifle. I taped up every nook and cranny that wasn't supposed to be painted. The scope adjustments and lenses were covered in automotive tape along with the other parts not to be painted. I removed the scope rings and hung the scope up to get an even coat on the underside and on top of the receiver using my lightest coat. Once that was done I reattached the scope to the rifle and gave it a nice coat together, using a hairdryer to speed up the process of drying a bit. Out in my backyard I found some tall grass and a small branch from a pine tree with the needles still attached. I'd cover the rifle with some blades of grass or the branch and spray my second lightest coating followed immediately by the darker and final color. All in all I am very pleased with the outcome of the paint. Now I can't wait to get back out on the range either tomorrow or next weekend and start dialing in my handloads.
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#6 ·
No Prarie dogs but plenty of groundhogs and other varmint.

When I got this rifle I was actually in the market for a new scope for my 30-30 I only had a $300 budget for optics. I came across this rifle with the Redfield scope for about $600. I went ahead and got it and tried to convince my wife I only bought the scope and the rifle came free with it. She didn't buy that story :-( but I got me my new varmint gun. Id been wanting another 22-250 after my own stupidity sold the Savage I had.
 
#3 ·
Looks great! As far as the noise goes, any rifle with a brake is going to be much louder, and noise is actually a big factor in flinching so it can be a problem. I actually wear orthopedic fitted ear plugs and ear muffs when I soot at the range. The firing line at the range I shoot is covered, and the sound under that roof is really loud. I find that the double protection really works. I can still hear range commands, but that sharp blast is covered.
 
#7 ·
This weekend I'm gonna double up the hearing protection with plugs and my muffs. I'm hoping the more I shoot it the more it "evens" out with me. All my grouping was high left. I can't blame anything but myself on that. I figure when I'd blink I must have been pulling the rifle.
 
#8 ·
The 22-250 is an awesome round. I love it. I have wanted one for the longest time and finally got one this year. I went with the remington 783, which i might add is the best model remington has made since the original 700. I have both the 7mm mag and 22-250. I've got less than $350 in mine and its a tack driver. One of the best rifles there are for under $400. And i might add I'm no amateur with firearms. I bought traded and sold over 60 guns last year. I now own two .223, an sks, mosin, two .308, 7mm, 22-250, .270, 30-30, along with a few shotguns and several handguns. You may want to consider getting a shooting sled to help keep the gun steady. I finally had to get one. Keeps your arm from getting blown off.
 
#9 ·
You may want to consider getting a shooting sled to help keep the gun steady. I finally had to get one. Keeps your arm from getting blown off.
I had one of those cheap plastic Caldwell sleds. Part of the problem for me getting some of my firearms sighting in was it would twist while shooting throwing the follow up shot off. I got a went out and got a Caldwell leadsled. This thing is worth the investment for anyone who has any firearm they need to sight in. It holds the firearm secure. I was able to get my 22-250 on paper in no time.

I had another weekend with limited time at the range so I was happy to get it on paper. I need to make a few final adjustments to my scope but I wanted to see what my hand loads would do out of this thing. The load I found that grouped well is 31.7gr Varget, CCI lr primer, and 53gr Hornady vmax bullet. It's on the low side of the table. The book has it at 3300 fps. If I ever get the money I need to invest in a chronograph but for now I have to assume the book is "close"
 
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