22-250 vs 223 which one

[RNE228]

The 22-250 is a classic. It's parent case is nice too(250-3000).

[Fjold]

If you're serious about varminting a 22.250 is necessary. I let the kids shoot the 223's and use the 22.250 for all my shooting, especially on coyotes.

[thomashoward]

Coyotes = 22-250
range rats .223 they don't need much killing besides shooting a 250 all day gets tiring and burns a lot more powder. Your choice

[ricemanff]

I will probably end up getting a savage. I am not sure what model number yet. I am trying to decide if I want the accustock or a thumbhole stock. It is a varmit gun so I am going to try to keep it under 1K if possible with optics. It is something to hold me over between seasons and to do some varmit control. We have a skunk at the duck club that has been escorting us this season, so before the ducks lay eggs I would like to erradicate it.

[Wrangler John]

Wrangler John,

Thank you such a well presented and complete presentation. One of the best online articles I've read in a while from any source.

-NordicDave

You are welcome. I noticed that when we get older we develop an urge to share our experiences. When I was young we'd all gather around at the gun shop and spend hours that seemed like minutes jawing about guns and life. Now those days are gone, most shops being too busy, but then the Internet came along. Now the old guys and the youngsters can B.S. about this and that and maybe we both can learn something. It's all good.

[Wrangler John]

if you reload I would go with the 22-250 if not than .223 - also with the 22-250 I wouldn't limit yourself to the 1:9 twist, not sure if anyone makes them anymore anyway... if I remember correctly standard in 1:14 but many have been moving toward the 1:12 (Savage is anyway)

is there a specific rifle that you were looking at, I am pretty sure that Remington discontinued the BDL in 22-250 which irks me as I happen to like the BDLs, but the Savage BVSS sure does look nice

In California the mandated lead free bullet is going to change the standard twist to something faster. If one wants to use heavy weight powdered metal core jacketed bullets such as the Barnes 50 grain Varmint Grenade or Speer's 50 grain TNT Green bullets the twist for best accuracy will have to be a minimum of 1:10" with 1:9" better. Otherwise we are back to shooting 30, 36, 40 or 43 grain bullets. The Nosler 40 grain BT Lead Free is marked: "Best in 1:12" twist or faster." Barnes TSX flat base copper bullets in 45 and 50 grain weights will usually work in 1:14" twist, but the 53 and 55 grain bullets are marked for 1:12" as the slowest twist, and the 62 grain boat tail needs 1:9" or faster and the 70 grain boat tail 1:8"or faster. Considering the cost of these bullets they aren't desirable for volume loading, unless your press is connected to an ATM.

I have found that the lighter powdered metal core bullets shoot well in faster twists, for example the 26 grain .204" Varmint Grenade and 24 grain Hornady NTX shoot amazingly well in a 9" or 8.5" twist at 4,100 fps. Standard twists selected by the factories are a compromise, and often not spot on. That has been the problem with the .204 Ruger where many rifles with the 1:12" twist won't shoot some heavier bullets, such as the 39 grain weight, while others will.

The lead ammo ban is going to make it harder to pull a rifle off the shelf and have it work in some applications. This is the reason that I use both the Remington 700 and Savage actions and assemble my own rifles (besides its fun). Remington's new 783 Rifle is a Savage clone, more or less, uses a barrel nut that fits the Savage wrench, has a floating bolt head, and can have a barrel swapped out in minutes. Spin a faster twist barrel on any of these actions and you have a custom rifle tailored to your need. Check this site out for Remington 783 info and swap barrels.

http://northlandshooterssupply.com/

[Fjold]

Barnes has the 36 grain Varmint Grenades for slower twist rifles. The new savages come in a 1:9" twist so they can use the 50 grain lead free bullets.

[LynnJr]

Get a 22BR and throw all your other 22 centerfires in the fireplace.It doesn't get any better in 22 caliber.

[hermosabeach]

faster the bullet goes the faster the barrel is shot out...

Most of the times it is just the throat... a Smith can cut 1/2 off the end of the barrel, re cut the chamber, and re headspace....

22-250 is an awesome round if you reload....

add a 22 Mag bolt gun for critters inside of 100 yards and you have a great combo to explode some critter...

[SB1964]

22.250 for critters, easy decision. I shot a Savage model at the indoor 100 yard range, accurate as hell. 2 Rifles I want, Tikka .308 & a 22.250 for smaller critters.

[X-NewYawker]

If you're looking to blow them up, 22-250. But remember no lead in them bullets in CA!

[ricemanff]

Wrangler John, there are some gun shops that still like to tell stories and hear stories. I have a real job that I love and then I have a great part time job at a gun shop(when I am not hunting that is) You can stop in the shop anytime and we can talk hunting and shooting. I just like to hear from other guys about the rounds/calibers that they are using and what I am interested in. We still have till 2019 to get the lead out, till then I have some ammo to shoot.

[Wrangler John]

Wrangler John, there are some gun shops that still like to tell stories and hear stories. I have a real job that I love and then I have a great part time job at a gun shop(when I am not hunting that is) You can stop in the shop anytime and we can talk hunting and shooting. I just like to hear from other guys about the rounds/calibers that they are using and what I am interested in. We still have till 2019 to get the lead out, till then I have some ammo to shoot.

Glad to hear about your gun shop, I stopped in at one in Tracy that had time to do a little shooting of the breeze while I ordered a Cooper rifle, and the old Nosler Sportsman Store in Bend, Oregon where my friend used to spend a lot of time and money. Too bad it closed, switching exclusively to the online format.

If you hunt in the Condor Zone, mostly everywhere south of Monterey County, the lead ban has been in effect since 2007. Because the lead free bullets are so accurate I have no problems using them everywhere. Even the Barnes .257" 80 grain TTSX bullet in my .257 Roberts Ackley is mucho accurate, blows squirrels into mush and my wallet to shreds.

[Californio]

I have found the Hornady NTX 36gr Superperformance load at 4000fps+ in .223 Rem does very well out of a 1x9 26" barrel out to 450 yards without wind, in the hilly area I shoot, 450 yards is about the maximum range you will find, 250 yards is more the norm, don't have any wide open areas. As a combo Coyote/Pig rifle I use a 6.5 Creedmoor with the Factory GMX load. Squirrels less than 150 yards get the .17HMR, I am penurious.

[.300 Weatherby Mag]

The correct answer is the OP's question is to get both... The .22-250 comes out when the .223 won't cut it... The 50 grainers @ 4000FPS are pure evil coming out of my 22-250..

Get a 22BR and throw all your other 22 centerfires in the fireplace.It doesn't get any better in 22 caliber.

For pure accuracy maybe.. For outright speed 22-250AI & .220 Swift