There is a new dimension in shooting the 22-250. First of all you can of course more than duplicate .223 performance. That's not new. If you want an ecconomic, accurate load you can now achieve this with IMR7383. 52gr. plus bullets , magnum primers and a case full of 7383(about 34gr.). We are talking .223 velocities and errosive characteristics with a powder that only costs $24.00 for 7 lbs.Buy 28lbs. and the hazmat is paid for by vendor. If you want to go shoot those bigger cats and dogs you can go with a full load of say 4064.best of both worlds ,right? roger

Gatehouse: I standardized on the .223 because most of the factory offerings now utilize the 1/9 twist for the heavier bullets. I like the 69 gr Sierra Match Kings, but use 55 solid base Noslers for varmints. If you need to get beyond 300 yards, I prefer something with more bullet weight and bc than those bullets typically used in the .22-250. I would love to try a .260 in heavy varmint configuration, but so far the .223 and .308 chamberings will have to do.

I have both .223 and 22-250 rifles, I almost never shoot the 22-250. The 22-250 I only use if I know I need to shoot past 300yds.


Clark, 40 rd barrel life in a 22-250? Get real!

Gates

I doubt very much your going to be burning that barrel up on marmots up there in Pemberton. If you are like me you have calling cats and dogs in mind. I'm leaning towards a 22 250 myself for that very reason and have even considered a 243. Wolves can get a couple 100lbs and you never know what kind of kitty is going to come stolling in. Yotes out past 400 sounds fun too.

If it's for practicing on paper than the 223 is a no brainer.

I'd go 223 for the reasons above, long barrel life and cheap ammo. If you're just punching paper and small critters, a 223 is plenty. A coyote past 300 yards would be the only place where I'd feel hesitant using my 223, a faster 22-250 with a heavier bullet would have more splash.

I'd go 223.

The 223 if just more fun to reload and shoot than the 22-250. Sure, there is 300 fps more velocity in the 22-250, but the efficiency and variety of the 223 is missing.

Hands-down, .223!!!! ammo cost and availability is the main reason and i feel that if you want more power and distance that stepping up in caliber(243, 6mm, 25-06) is more practical than just pushing the bullet faster. thats just one mans opinion.

Guys:

This comparision between the 223 and the 22-250, isn't even a comparison. What is the 223? A freakin super round or something?

Everyone talks about barrel life,powder usage,cheap this and cheap that, but they never talk about the wind!!! In the wind, the SUPERIOR 22-250 puts the 223 away in a hurry, no contest. And for the guys who say shoot a larger caliber, etc. now you have to contend with the additional recoil, which takes you off target, therefore you don't get to see your hits. This is such a basic POINT, I can't believe it is overlooked.

To do the job right, a rifleman needs a 223 and also a 22-250, or a 220 Swift.

Good Luck

Jerry

Jerry:



Assuming same bullet, 300 fps more velocity with a .22-250 we are talking about a whopping 15 yard difference at 400 yards. In other words, the wind drift of the .22-250 at 400 yards is the same as the .224 at 385.



At 700 yards the .22-250 drifts the same as the .223 at 665 yards, a whopping 35 yard difference.



I shoot every week at ranges to 700 yards and beyond, and noticed that my .308 Win drifted the same at 615 as my RUMs did at 700. I then looked on a ballistics program and confirmed my suspicion.



If you are really concerned about wind drift, take a big case like a .220, screw on a fast twist barrel, and shoot heavy bullets. Now you're talking about chopping the wind drift by a considerable degree. At 700 yards, a 55 grain Nosler BT at 4000 fps drifts 50% more than a 75 grain AMax at 3200 - that is huge. The heavy bullet is also much less affected by changes in temperature.



I love velocity, but it is a bit overhyped. Bullet BC is the bigger advantage, and in the .22s, you get it with a heavy bullet.

Jerry,
I agree with you 100% on this one. It's kind of like comparing a VW to a Ferrari. Shooting a .223 is like doing a fat chick, it's OK as long your friends don't see you! Jim

Jerry:



I will take the 15 yards as well, but it isn't like night and day. I suspect the majority of shooters would agree.



On the other hand, a .223 with heavy bullets will outperform a .22-250 with lightweight bullets all day long. A 75 grain AMax launched at 2600 has the same wind drift as a 55 grain Nosler BT at 4400 at 700 yards. At 300 yards, the 55 grain at 3500 has the same wind drift as the AMax at 2600. No comparison. Why everyone like light bullets at warp speed is beyond me.

Jim:

You are my kind of guy, except for the fat chichks,LOL. I don't care if the guys see or not,!!!!!!

AZ Writer, man are you stretching it! 700 yards?? Thats a bit far for any 22. Of course if you are shooting 500 or 600 yard across the course targets, and you are shooting a 223 in the prone position with LDG bullets, and you can dope the wind and drop etc, it will work. In the field however, it is a differnt story. At 400 yards on a coyote or prairie dog town, 15 yards is a bunch! And in my opinion, there is NO comparision between the 2 cartridges. Besides any writer can cook up a story, EH?

Jerry

i agree. i lean more toward bc than velocity. a 55 gr bullet at 500 yds. is close to max. step up to a higher bc bullet with a fast twist and you can double that number. i cant, but i have seen some that can. it inspired me to build a 22-243 with a 1;8 28 in. barrel a couple years ago. gun is done but ran out of money to accessorize. hopefully this winter that will change.

I rebarrelled my rem788 a few years ago with a douglas premium with a 1-9" twist chambered in 22-250. It eats those 69 grain bullets up. Still need to try the A-max (though maybe not enough twist) and the 70 gr berger VLDs. I don't think I'd use anything lighter: high BC and the rifle is a tack driver with them (between .2 and .3).

I'll take the .22-250 over the .223 any day!