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Which would you choose?

1 .222

2. 22-250

3. 6.5 PRC

thanks,

Mike


Michael Podwika... DRSS bigbores and hunting www.pvt.co.za " MAKE THE SHOT " 450#2 Famars
 
Posts: 6767 | Location: Wyoming, Pa. USA | Registered: 17 April 2003Reply With Quote
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If those were my only ones to choose from I would take the 22-250 first and the 222 second.

Not much of a choice really as they all are for some thing different I feel.

Big Grin Al


Garden View Apiaries where the view is as sweet as the honey.
 
Posts: 505 | Location: Michigan, U.S.A. | Registered: 04 December 2001Reply With Quote
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My list would go 220 Swift for distance.

243 to buck winds over 10 MPH.
7MM-08 for winds over 20MPH and bigger varmints like white tail deer.


Big Grin Al


Garden View Apiaries where the view is as sweet as the honey.
 
Posts: 505 | Location: Michigan, U.S.A. | Registered: 04 December 2001Reply With Quote
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I would pick the 22-250.

Unless.

But what 22-250 is kind of the question.

What varmints?

What rifle is it? How is it set up?

My 223 is a 700 Varmint in a Magpul stock with a 30mm 6-24x56 on it. I think it weighs 11 pounds. Pretty nice rifle for shooting a lot of prairie dogs, or sitting in a coyote stand.
 
Posts: 7763 | Location: Das heimat! | Registered: 10 October 2012Reply With Quote
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22-250

Unless you want to reconsider then the 223
 
Posts: 19310 | Location: wis | Registered: 21 April 2001Reply With Quote
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Not much in choices there. Is this based on what you would like, but can’t make a decision?


Shoot Safe,
Mike

NRA Endowment Member
www.Marionroad.com
www.mausercentral.net
 
Posts: 934 | Location: Middle Georgia | Registered: 06 February 2011Reply With Quote
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204 Ruger as it is the flattest bullet to 500 yds and has less drop than all listed. I have had them all over yrs, but the 220 swift has lost out. Check the charts over on Accurateshooting.com
 
Posts: 965 | Location: Texas | Registered: 19 May 2004Reply With Quote
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Which "varmints"? And under what circumstances?

If prairie dogs or ground squirrels, then the .222 is BY FAR the best choice of the three. A .22-250 just gets you more muzzle blast and enough recoil to move your scope off of the target so that you can't see the result of your shot. A .22-250's barrel will also heat up much faster when shooting colony varmints.

I speak from experience. I go prairie dog hunting usually twice a year. I own every .22 caliber centerfire up through .22-250 (have three of those), plus varmint configured rifles in .243 and 6mm. Long ago I learned to leave the bigger guns at home in preference to my .20 Vartarg and .221 Fireball. Low recoil, low report, slow to heat the barrel, more economical, and much more fun. Prairie dogs 300 yards and more away are in just as much danger as if I were shooting a 6.5-284 Norma benchrest rifle. Even at greater distances the larger cartridges hold little advantage.

If coyotes, then maybe the .22-250 is a very slightly better choice (but a .222 will kill them just as dead.)

I can't think of a circumstance in which a 6.5 cartridge of any type would be better than either of the other two, unless your "varmints" are either porcine or humanoid in nature.
 
Posts: 13214 | Location: Henly, TX, USA | Registered: 04 April 2001Reply With Quote
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coyotes and foxes...


Mike


Michael Podwika... DRSS bigbores and hunting www.pvt.co.za " MAKE THE SHOT " 450#2 Famars
 
Posts: 6767 | Location: Wyoming, Pa. USA | Registered: 17 April 2003Reply With Quote
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Thanks fellas. I shoot a 222 for ground hogs in Pa but am stepping up to coyotes.
Wanted some input and well accepted...

Mike


Michael Podwika... DRSS bigbores and hunting www.pvt.co.za " MAKE THE SHOT " 450#2 Famars
 
Posts: 6767 | Location: Wyoming, Pa. USA | Registered: 17 April 2003Reply With Quote
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22-250
and
222
No brainer there!



Don't limit your challenges . . .
Challenge your limits


 
Posts: 4223 | Location: TN USA | Registered: 17 March 2002Reply With Quote
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I've done foxes and coyotes with .223 Contender handgun (don't own any rifles). My .22-250 XP-100s have not, but are good to 500 yds. on groundhogs and rockchucks.


Larry Rogers
 
Posts: 246 | Location: eastern WV | Registered: 01 December 2011Reply With Quote
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Large varmints where you only shoot a couple times 22-250. Even on large varmints and especially when you'll be getting lots of shots .222 or .204 Ruger which wasn't listed. So .222 all the way. BTW .222 works great on deer.
 
Posts: 3796 | Location: san angelo tx | Registered: 18 November 2009Reply With Quote
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The rig is set up a 22/250 with a model 700 adl platform with a 2.5 to 10 leupold 30mm tube and 50mm objective lens. German 4 illuminated dot.

Mike


Michael Podwika... DRSS bigbores and hunting www.pvt.co.za " MAKE THE SHOT " 450#2 Famars
 
Posts: 6767 | Location: Wyoming, Pa. USA | Registered: 17 April 2003Reply With Quote
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close quarters gun is my Benelli 3.5 in auto.

Mike


Michael Podwika... DRSS bigbores and hunting www.pvt.co.za " MAKE THE SHOT " 450#2 Famars
 
Posts: 6767 | Location: Wyoming, Pa. USA | Registered: 17 April 2003Reply With Quote
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Mike, a 22-250 is what you need.
 
Posts: 20075 | Location: Very NW NJ up in the Mountains | Registered: 14 June 2009Reply With Quote
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hands down 22-250 for coyote out of those choices
222 for fox
 
Posts: 1012 | Location: Imperial, NE | Registered: 05 January 2013Reply With Quote
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the 250 can be down loaded to be a 223.err 222.
whatever.
but the 222 ain't gonna upload to be a 22-250.
 
Posts: 4962 | Location: soda springs,id | Registered: 02 April 2008Reply With Quote
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Can't upload my .222 to a 22-250, guess that makes it useless. That makes a bunch of guns useless. Let's see, my 30-06 can't be uploaded to the .300 mags so it's out. Guess I'll have to replace all my guns.
 
Posts: 3796 | Location: san angelo tx | Registered: 18 November 2009Reply With Quote
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see shoulda bought that 300RUM.
then you could have them all and would only need one rifle.
there ya go wastin money again.
 
Posts: 4962 | Location: soda springs,id | Registered: 02 April 2008Reply With Quote
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I'm with Les, .204 is my go to rifle for any varmints right now. I have both 222 and 22-250 but the .204 is the one thats in the truck.

God Bless, Louis
 
Posts: 1368 | Location: Mountains of North Carolina | Registered: 14 January 2008Reply With Quote
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I have a couple of 222, Sako L-46s, Rem 600 and a 6x45 Sako custom L-461...For coyotes, Javalina, pigs, badgers, fox and anything up to a 100 to 150 I almost always go with the .222, sometimes the 6x45, but mostly use the 6x45 on Antelope and deer on occasion, and the kids and grandkids all shot deer with both..I love the 222 and its always with me...


Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120

rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com
 
Posts: 41758 | Location: Twin Falls, Idaho | Registered: 04 June 2000Reply With Quote
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Ray, all those totally useless guns (they can't be loaded to 22-250) they are just wasting space and in your way. Nice guy that I am, I'd help you out of that dilemma.
 
Posts: 3796 | Location: san angelo tx | Registered: 18 November 2009Reply With Quote
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222 Rem loaded way slow for fox. 17 HMR might be better.

20 Practical (just like a 204 Ruger but built on a 223 case) for coyotes.

I've shot 22-250's and 243's for years but the pelts take it hard!

The 20 cal is just fun to shoot and we just got back from an 8 coyote trip last weekend with our 20's. Fun!

My 2 cents for free,
Zeke
 
Posts: 2269 | Registered: 27 October 2011Reply With Quote
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Are you going to sell the hides? If so stick to the .22 centerfire with bullets that don't blow large holes in the hides. If not the any riles/cartridges previously mentioned. However if you're calling, think AR-15 because you will be getting multiple animals coming in to you. I still take a 12 ga. semi auto along with the AR. Just my opinion.


Swift, Silent, & Friendly
 
Posts: 426 | Location: Nevada | Registered: 14 July 2003Reply With Quote
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Wow, you all must be shooting 300 to 1000 yards. I think any of the 6's are better out to 300 yards. That would be the 6-PPC, the 6-BR, or the 6-PRC. In a semi-auto platform the 6mm-ARC looks like a real winner. The weight of the 6mm pill over the .22 gives a distinct advantage should their be any kind of wind.
 
Posts: 251 | Location: florida | Registered: 20 April 2012Reply With Quote
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The 222 will handle any coyote under 250 yards. The 22/250 will add 200 yards or so in range. And the 22/250 will add enough recoil to loose sight of your target.
I’ve used both on coyotes, a lot. Where I hunt, shots can be pretty long, so of those two I’d take the 22/250, but it’s a tough decision.


NRA Patron member
 
Posts: 2628 | Location: Minnesota | Registered: 08 December 2006Reply With Quote
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If you plan to save the hides. Use a 40gr in the .22 cals. They won't blow exit holes. Almost never exit side body shots.

IF you're calling them. A good shooting little .17 cal works great too as long as you don't stretch the range. Don't shoot til you bark and get 'em stopped within 100yards. Be ready to fire when you bark.

Once they stop, you've got about 5 seconds to get the job done before they either come on in, or swap ends and get the hell out of there.

You need to expect quite a bit of damage with a .22 centerfire on fox. A 55gr WILL exit most body shots on coyotes and make a mess to sew up, worse when bones are hit.

If you just want to kill them, use anything.
Watch the background for where your bullets will end up. That's another reason to use 40gr like the v'max. When they hit anything, they blow up.

George


"Gun Control is NOT about Guns'
"It's about Control!!"
Join the NRA today!"

LM: NRA, DAV,

George L. Dwight
 
Posts: 5935 | Location: Pueblo, CO | Registered: 31 January 2006Reply With Quote
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22-250 for me. I have three of them. Big Grin
 
Posts: 18517 | Registered: 04 April 2005Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by retreever:
Thanks fellas. I shoot a 222 for ground hogs in Pa but am stepping up to coyotes.
Wanted some input and well accepted...
Mike

No body has mentioned the 6mm PPC. They all seem to be talking about shooting that varmint that's way far away in the next county. The 6PPC is the most accurate cartridge ever developed out to 300 yds, will carry a 70 bullet nicely, is not a barrel burner, uses not too much powder, and is easy on the brass. If I handle my brass properly I can reload a cartridge 10 to 12 times.
 
Posts: 251 | Location: florida | Registered: 20 April 2012Reply With Quote
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For prairie dogs I use 17hmr or 20 practical. For totes 6x45. Your taste my vary
 
Posts: 340 | Location: Texas | Registered: 29 January 2009Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by retreever:
coyotes and foxes...


Calling for fur? If so, then .17 Mach IV/ Fireball or .17 Remington. Or the .20 caliber centerfire guns.

Anything else and you'll be sewing.


Damn right its loaded, it makes a lousy club. -JW
 
Posts: 397 | Location: Central Highlands of Wyoming | Registered: 02 January 2004Reply With Quote
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How far do you want to shoot them?

My regular coyote guns are a 22.250 AI pushing a 36 grain Barnes VG at 4,600 fps. It liquifies coyotes inside of 400 yards.

I also have a 50 grain VG load at 4,000 fps that kills them, DRT out to 600 yards or so.

But when the distance goes up and the winds pick up, I break out the 6.5x284 with the 142 grain bullets.



Frank



"I don't know what there is about buffalo that frightens me so.....He looks like he hates you personally. He looks like you owe him money."
- Robert Ruark, Horn of the Hunter, 1953

NRA Life, SAF Life, CRPA Life, DRSS lite

 
Posts: 12501 | Location: Kentucky, USA | Registered: 30 December 2002Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by retreever:
Thanks fellas. I shoot a 222 for ground hogs in Pa but am stepping up to coyotes.
Wanted some input and well accepted...


I've killed wolverine and wolves with the 222/50gr Hornady SP,, Mike


I tend to use more than enough gun
 
Posts: 1407 | Location: lake iliamna alaska | Registered: 10 February 2005Reply With Quote
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In Big Wonderful Windy Wyoming you might want to opt for the 6.5, just in case you need to deal with 80MPH winds. Wink
 
Posts: 10112 | Location: Tooele, Ut | Registered: 27 September 2001Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by carpetman1:
Large varmints where you only shoot a couple times 22-250. Even on large varmints and especially when you'll be getting lots of shots .222 or .204 Ruger which wasn't listed. So .222 all the way. BTW .222 works great on deer.


When we do have a long gun season here, .24 cal is the minimum allowed for deer.
 
Posts: 15802 | Location: Iowa | Registered: 10 April 2007Reply With Quote
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I realize this is an older thread,

But

What did you end up buying?


I am one gun away from being happy
 
Posts: 900 | Location: NW OH | Registered: 19 January 2003Reply With Quote
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For yotes I prefer my 243 hits them a bit harder when they are further out.

Handles the wind a bit better too.
 
Posts: 19310 | Location: wis | Registered: 21 April 2001Reply With Quote
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It's hard to beat a 22-250 + if you want to gild the lily then open the chamber to an AI w/ 40 deg.shoulder.


Never mistake motion for action.
 
Posts: 17357 | Location: Austin, Texas | Registered: 11 March 2013Reply With Quote
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My choice is the 222 REM and the 6mm REM. They cover most all my varmint and light deer hunting.


Shoot Safe,
Mike

NRA Endowment Member
www.Marionroad.com
www.mausercentral.net
 
Posts: 934 | Location: Middle Georgia | Registered: 06 February 2011Reply With Quote
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