Winchester .22-250 Remington Super-X 64gr PP Ammo

The effective range of this ammunition typically extends to about 400 yards for varmint hunting, though this can vary based on the shooter's skill and environmental conditions. The high initial velocity of 3500 fps helps maintain a flat trajectory, which is beneficial for accuracy at longer distances. However, beyond 400 yards, factors like wind drift and bullet drop become more significant, potentially affecting accuracy and terminal performance. For ethical hunting, it's crucial to know your personal effective range, which may be less than the maximum potential of the cartridge.

While the .22-250 Remington cartridge has sufficient velocity and energy for deer at shorter ranges, the 64gr bullet may not be ideal for ethical deer hunting in most jurisdictions. Many states require a minimum caliber or bullet weight for deer hunting that this load doesn't meet. The relatively light bullet might not provide adequate penetration on larger game, potentially leading to wounded animals. This ammunition is primarily designed for varmint and predator hunting, where its rapid expansion characteristics are more appropriate. For deer hunting, it's generally recommended to use larger calibers with heavier bullets to ensure quick, ethical kills.

The 64gr bullet offers a good balance between velocity and downrange energy compared to lighter bullets in the .22-250 Remington. Lighter bullets, such as 50gr or 55gr, will typically have higher initial velocities but may lose energy more quickly at longer ranges. The 64gr bullet, with its higher ballistic coefficient (BC) of .251, tends to retain velocity and energy better, potentially improving long-range performance and terminal effect. Additionally, the slightly heavier bullet may be less affected by crosswinds, which can be advantageous when shooting at longer distances or in open areas where wind is a factor.

In a quality rifle with a well-maintained barrel, this ammunition is capable of sub-MOA (Minute of Angle) accuracy, which translates to groups under 1 inch at 100 yards. Winchester's quality control and consistent loading practices contribute to this potential accuracy. However, actual performance can vary depending on several factors, including the specific firearm, environmental conditions, and the shooter's skill. Some rifles may shoot this ammunition exceptionally well, while others might perform better with different loads. It's always recommended to test several loads to find what works best in your particular firearm.

The Power-Point bullet design significantly influences terminal performance through its controlled expansion mechanism. The exposed lead tip initiates rapid expansion upon impact, creating a larger wound channel than non-expanding bullets. This design feature is crucial for efficient energy transfer to the target, which is particularly important for varmint and predator hunting where quick, ethical kills are desired. The bullet's jacket is notched to promote uniform expansion, helping it mushroom reliably even at longer ranges where velocity has decreased. While the Power-Point may not expand as explosively as some varmint-specific bullets, it offers a balance between expansion and penetration. This makes it versatile for various game sizes within its intended use range, from prairie dogs to coyotes. However, it's worth noting that performance can vary depending on impact velocity and the target's body mass.

The recoil of the Winchester .22-250 Remington Super-X 64gr PP is generally moderate compared to other loads in this caliber. The .22-250 Remington is known for its relatively mild recoil, which contributes to its popularity among varmint hunters. This particular 64gr load produces slightly more felt recoil than lighter bullet options (like 50gr or 55gr) due to its increased mass, but the difference is often negligible to most shooters. The high velocity of 3500 fps does contribute to recoil energy, but the light bullet weight keeps it manageable. In a typical rifle weighing around 8-9 pounds, you might expect about 10-12 ft-lbs of recoil energy, which is considerably less than larger calibers used for big game. Factors like rifle weight, stock design, and shooting technique can all influence perceived recoil. Many shooters find that the recoil of this load allows for quick follow-up shots and extended shooting sessions without fatigue.

For the 64gr bullet in the .22-250 Remington, a twist rate of 1:14" (one full rotation in 14 inches) is typically sufficient for optimal stabilization and accuracy. This is a common twist rate found in many .22-250 Remington rifles and provides a good balance for a wide range of bullet weights used in this caliber. However, some modern rifles are manufactured with faster twist rates like 1:12" or even 1:10", which can also work well with 64gr bullets and may provide improved stability, especially in adverse weather conditions or at long ranges. Faster twist rates like these also allow for the use of even heavier bullets, up to 75 or 80 grains, which some hunters prefer for larger predators. It's important to note that while the twist rate is crucial for accuracy, other factors such as barrel quality, ammunition consistency, and shooter technique also play significant roles in achieving optimal accuracy.

The 64gr bullet generally performs better in crosswinds compared to lighter bullets commonly used in the .22-250 Remington, such as 50gr or 55gr options. This improved performance is primarily due to its higher ballistic coefficient (BC) of .251, which indicates better aerodynamic efficiency. A higher BC means the bullet is better at resisting air drag and wind deflection. In practical terms, this translates to less wind drift at longer ranges. For example, in a 10 mph crosswind at 300 yards, a 64gr bullet might drift about 2-3 inches less than a 55gr bullet with a lower BC. This can be a significant advantage when hunting in open areas where wind is a factor, or when shooting at longer ranges where wind effects are amplified. However, it's important to note that while the 64gr bullet is less affected by wind than lighter options, proper wind reading and compensation skills are still crucial for accurate shooting, especially at extended ranges.

For the Winchester .22-250 Remington Super-X 64gr PP load, the expected velocity loss at 100 yards is typically around 200-250 fps from its initial muzzle velocity of 3500 fps. This means at 100 yards, the bullet is likely traveling at approximately 3250-3300 fps. This relatively small velocity loss is one of the key advantages of the .22-250 Remington cartridge, contributing to its flat trajectory and long-range performance. The high initial velocity and moderate bullet weight help maintain speed downrange. Factors affecting velocity loss include atmospheric conditions (temperature, humidity, and altitude), barrel length, and individual firearm characteristics. For instance, higher altitudes or colder temperatures might result in slightly less velocity loss, while warmer temperatures or lower altitudes could increase it. It's worth noting that while the velocity loss at 100 yards is minimal, it accelerates at greater distances due to increasing air resistance. Hunters and shooters should consider this progressive velocity loss when calculating holdovers or adjusting scopes for longer-range shots.

 The Winchester .22-250 Remington Super-X 64gr PP ammunition is indeed suitable for prairie dog hunting, although it has both advantages and potential drawbacks in this application. The high velocity of 3500 fps provides a very flat trajectory, which is beneficial when shooting at various ranges in prairie dog towns without needing to adjust holdover significantly. The 64gr bullet weight offers good wind bucking capability, which can be advantageous in the often windy conditions of prairie dog habitat. Additionally, the Power-Point bullet design ensures rapid expansion upon impact, creating decisive terminal performance even on small targets like prairie dogs.