Just need help deciding between .223 & 22-250

[djonathang]

Hello All,

I posted this as a follow-up in another section, but sometimes things get lost in the string, so here it is as a main topic.

I'm going to purchase a varminting rifle. I will either select a Remington or Savage. I have a choice between a .223 and 22-250. I will be reloading the chosen caliber.

I have an understanding (not sure if it is correct), that the 22-250 will give me an additional 50 yards of reasonable accuracy.

Is there anything that will help me decide other than distance?

DG

[hivel37]

.223 is slightly cheaper to reload, if price matters.

Sooner or later you'll have to have both anyway.

[djonathang]

Hivel37,

There are some things we just don't talk about. Bad manners.

DG

[Sevens]

If it were me and I wanted the better varmint rifle for distance and accuracy shooting, I'd go with the .22-250. If it were me and I wanted to find oodles of cheap brass, I'd go with the .223.

Bullets are the same and the difference in powder charge isn't enough to sway me one way or the other.

Your better choice for performance will be the .22-250.

[Oberg]

I have both and for performance I choose the 22-250 everytime. I use the 223 for plinking... I've basically replaced my 22 LR with my ar-15.

[BigV]

I have both and for performance I choose the 22-250 everytime. I use the 223 for plinking... I've basically replaced my 22 LR with my ar-15.

I shoot and reload both and would choose the 22-250 every time as well. I use the same bullet (Hornady .224 55gr v-max) in both, but the 22-250 shoots further and flatter than the 223. If your shots will typically be in the 100 to 200 yard range then go for the .223. If you want to reach out and touch them at 300 yards, the 22-250 is the best bet.

[Scorch]

I kind of agree with the others here:
For shots out to 300-350 yds, 223. Beyond 300 yds and out to 450 yds, 22-250. The 223 will cost you about $.30 per round to reload, the 22-250 will cost about $.40 per round to reload. I own both, I shoot my 223 more than my 22-250, but I love them both.

I would never replace my 22LR with a 223, it's too much fun and it's a lot cheaper to shoot than either of the others. I shoot hundreds of 22LR every month, I shoot about 100-200 223 rounds every month, I shoot 50-100 rounds of 22-250 per month.

[schmeky]

I'm jumping in here since I considering the same. I lean towards the 22-250. I have a good friend trying to get me into distance shooting with a rifle and he loves his .204 Ruger.

My question is, how much difference is there in recoil between the .223 and the 22-250?

[Crosshair]

I have a 22-250. Much more versatile of the two. I load mine with that really slow (and CHEAP) H870 surplus powder. My brass hardly needs to be neck sized and lasts forever. It will still push a 55 grain bullet to 2800 fps with a magnum primer. Perfect for shorter range varminting and for range work. Plan on trying it with cast boolits soon.

[CPTMurdoc30]

This kind of depends on what type of varmint hunting you are doing. Are you sitting on a dog town shooting 200 to 300 rounds in a day? If so the little bit of extra distance is not going to do you any good.

If you are taking longer shoots and and fewer shoots the 22-250 will out shine anything but a 220 Swift.

If you are coyote hunting then the 22-250 is a better choice. If you are going for high volume shooting the 223 will outshine the 22-250.

Recoil is only slightly more with the 22-250 than the 223. If you are wanting maximum splat factor then the 22-250 really offers more than the 223.

Accuracy in both is really good. Most factory varmint rifles will hold 1/2" 5 shot 100 yard groups with good handloads. Remington has in my view been putting some rather poor excuses of Remington Quality out now I really dislike the SPS rifles with their injection molded stocks that are hollow and creat more noise for the shooter.

I would look to Savage for a 22-250 or an upper end remington (VSSF, VLS) in either 223 or 22-250.

The savage offers a better trigger in my mind and the option to switch barrels that you can do your self. If you got a 22-250 you could switch to just about any cartridge with a .473" head diameter offering you a 6br 308 ect. If you get a 223 in a savage you can change the barrel out for a 204ruger and some others as well like the 6x45mm.

Me if I were to go out and buy a new varmint rifle I would get the Savage 12LRPV in 22-250. This is a single shot which was good for me. If I wanted a repeater I would go with the 12 Varmint Low Profile.

[Oberg]

22-250 kicks slightly more but is not really enough to notice. I have a few handloads that kick less then some of my .223 handloads. but I also have some hot rounds that kicks a little more. but not enough to make you flinch. I also use the same bullet in both 223 and 22-250 (40 gr V-Max) and you can really tell the 22-250 outshines the 223 at 300 + yards. but if you want close range work (inside 250 - 300 yards) I'd go 223 as that way you can shoot more for the same $

[rwilson452]

I have used both a Remington 700 VLS and a Savage 12BVSS in 22-250. recoil is not an issue. I think my Bushmaster AR15 ORC has more felt recoil.

[DR. Furlicker]

I go for the .223 because it is a NATO round and there should always be a good supply of brass.
Reloading the 22-250 is not that much more expensive but getting that initial supply of brass will be.

[ClassicSWC]

Perfomance wise, if you reload, you can make the .22-250 into a .223,but you'll never make the .223 into a .22-250. You'll get more than 50yds over the .223 as well.

Unless you are carrying ammo by the 5 gal. bucket into a prarie dog town, go with the .22-250. I have one in a 788. Just awesome.

[CPTMurdoc30]

Originally Posted by ClassicSWC

but you'll never make the .223 into a .22-250.

Are you sure about that. I have one load that is not a max pushing a 50gr V-max to 3700 FPS in my 223. No signs of pressure at all. Might not be a 22-250 but it sure is close to it.

[joneb]

One thing I like about the .223 Rem. are the faster twist barrels, which can allow the lowly .223 to out perform the .22-250 at longer ranges.

[djonathang]

Thanks all for the input. Just wanted to let you know of my decision. This morning I'll be placing an order for a Model 12 Varminter Low Profile Left Hand in 22-250. I think (read hope) this will be my last rifle for some time.

I now have:

Browning BPS 12Ga - Waterfowl and Upland
Savage Model 12 22-250 - Varminting and exciting range work. Just nice to reach out there.
Browning A-Bolt Stalker 270 - For food
Marlin 39A - Relaxed plinking while the 270 cools off.

Thanks for all your help.

Cheers,

DG

[Crosshair]

I think (read hope) this will be my last rifle for some time.

HAHAHA, that's funny. I'll be checking back next week to see what else you have bought.