New Bolt Gun .223 vs 22-250

[Donny1]

I am new to bolt action rifles and using scopes. I recently got a RAR .22WMR and I'm loving it. I know it's not the most accurate round at 100 yards but it's giving me 1" groups and I'm learning a ton about bench shooting and technique. I've been doing some pest control on ground squirrels and rabbits at friends property and it is far superior to the .22lr in trajectory and the lead free (CCI Copper) .22lr seems to be terrible past 50 yards.

I'm enjoying it so much that I would like to reach out a bit more. I have been reading about varmint cartridges and the 22-250 seems to be quite impressive but I'm wondering for my needs if it's not really necessary.

I'm over 50 and hunting is really something fairly new so I'm learning as I go. I don't think I will ever get to the point of hunting deer or larger type game but where I'm shooting pests there are coyotes and small wild pigs and that is likely the largest I would consider with this rifle. Definitely not ready to step up to something like a .308.

After reading the pro's and cons I'm thinking the 22-250 is a bit out of my league. It seems to be more of a specialty round and although it's a nice performer the .223 seems more than adequate considering I would likely be shooting under 200 yards. Also I am purchasing some reloading equipment soon (already load 12ga for trap) and will be doing some .223 for my AR along with some pistol calibers. I figure it would be easier to just add in some more precision loads for a .223 bolt gun rather that setting up for yet another caliber like the 22-250. I've also read the .223 is much easier on barrels.

So within the variables I talked about is the 22-250 overkill? From what I am understanding the 22-250 has advantages at much further distances but not so much out to 200 yards.

[ChuckDizzle]

.223 all the way. It's a super versatile affordable cartridge.

[Donny1]

.223 all the way. It's a super versatile affordable cartridge.

It also helps that I have a few thousand once fired cases.

[JackEllis]

I try to be practical (yeah I know, stick-in-the-mud) so when it comes to varmints, a .22LR and .223 get the job done. Bet part about the .223 is, brass is free because I just pick up other people's.

I thought about acquiring a .22-250 but range brass in that caliber is hard to find and the cases are expensive. It uses more powder. From the perspective of a landowner (if you're shooting on someone else's property), it's flat trajectory means more sprinkler pipe and livestock are within easy range. I do know someone who shoots squirrels with a .22-250...at half a mile...but he used to be on the Army rifle team.

I'd go with a .223 unless money isn't a constraint and even then I'd probably go with a .223.

BTW I have two .223s. One is a Howa 1500 with a heavy barrel and the other is a Tikka T3 Lite. Both shoot very nicely but the Howa is a bit less expensive to acquire.

[plumbum]

Between the two, the .223 seems like the better choice: cheaper yet effective for your needs. The .22-250 is an awesome round, but really only useful for reaching out on game at 500 yards or so. You can load .223 for some skinny Columbian blacktail deer, I know a few people who do.

[bridgeport]

Donny, you dont even need to go as powerful as .223 for critters the size you are talking. .17 Hornet is a super cool little cartridge which is well suited to squirrel and rabbit at distances out to 300 yards, and it is relatively quiet with almost no recoil so you can see your hits through the optic and not have to worry about it being too noisy. CZ makes a nice rifle, the 527, chambered in .17 Hornady hornet, and it is a winner. One of the nice things about the small bullets .17, and .20 is that they give up all their energy on target, which is considered an ideal attribute for small varmint hunting. Just food for thought.

[baih777]

Go 223.
Brass is cheap.
You can reload 50 or 52 grain bullets. There are a fast load.

Just make sure you get a 1/9 twist or 1/8 twist.

[Calif Hunter]

The .223 is your best bet. I love prairie dog shooting and have a .204 Ruger and a .22-250, but I shoot the .223 more than anything else. The .223 is plenty and with the copper bullets we have to use in CA, will work on small pigs. Just get one with at least a 1 in 9" twist so it can shoot the copper bullets well. I have an older Savage 110 (before they offered the short action version on the Model 10, 16 etc models. It has a heavy barrel, 1 in 9" twist and still shoots a half inch or less with loads it likes after hundreds or even thousands of rounds. I also have a CZ 527 American in .223 for walking around shooting but it has the 1 in 12" twist. I believe the newer ones have a 1 in 9" - the heavier Varmint models do, for sure. The 1 in 9" Savage will not stabilize bullets longer than the 69 gr Sierra Matchking.

[elk hunter]

From what you posted IMHO the .223/5.56 would work just fine.

[RNE228]

223 will work fine. Newer cartridge than the 22-250.

That said, it is fun to load and shoot the classics...

[XVIga_Rob]

[Kokopelli]

Under 200 yards? The 223 gets the nod. Cheaper, longer barrel life and ammo is plentiful. Don’t get me wrong. 22-250 owners that I know absolutely love them. But a bolt action 223 has minimal recoil and is easy to reload economically. 223 is fine for varmints and coyotes at the range you shoot.

Good luck. Have fun. Stay safe.

[deckhandmike]

[Mojaveman]

The .223. Go to just about any range or shooting area and your going to find brass. In addition to hunting varmint it would also make a good general purpose round in a survival scenario. You can buy it anywhere and there's plenty of reloading supplies available for it. Barrel life is also longer with a .223

[damon1272]

I have both. Love the 22-250 but for practicality I would go 223. It will do everything you need. The down side of the 22-250 is that traditionally the barrels are slow twist for bullets 55 gun and under. That being said it is a awesome round. The other thing is with a 22-250 you need a brake to not get scope blackout. 223 is not a problem seeing your hits.