The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Rifles Small Calibers .223 vs 22-250Go | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
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| One of Us |
I am thinking about a 22 caliber centerfire rifle for my truck to dispatch pests. Actually, it will be the wife's truck where we will mostly keep it. We have decided it should be the .223 or the 22-250 and are leaning to the 22-250 based on the advice of a local gunsmith. Because my wife will often be the shooter, we want to stay away from a 9 lb or so rifle if we can. I have been wanting an excuse to buy a Savage as I hear good things about them. At the gunstore today, we held Remingtons, Weatherbys, and Rugers and they were all a bit heavy. Then, my wife found a Remington model 7 and she really liked the way it felt. All the others were heavier and the stock a bit long. I am concerned that the light weight and short barrel of the model 7 might not be as accurate. Anyway, I would like to know if anyone has any thoughts about .223 vs 22-250 and any recommendation as to make and model would be appreciated. Thanks. | ||
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One of Us |
regardless of published velocity differences, the 223 isn't much in arrears to the 22-250....so little that in a prairie dog town there is very little difference.....I own both and by far prefer the .223 and as a matter of fact far prefer the (normally) 20" barrels attached to the .223. By far my most accurate varmint rifle is a M-70 in .223 Rem with a featherweight barrel.....so weight don't equal accuracy.....and most (if not all) of the .223 rifles I've owned were wonderfully accurate with a lightweight barrel of 20" For a truck gun the .223 is as good as it gets and for me the search would be over upon finding a Rem M-7 in 223 Rem..... A 22-250 will work as well but the (typically) longer barrels worn by the faster round are less handy as a truck gun. /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery." Winston Churchill | |||
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| One of Us |
I have a Remington Model Seven in 223 and it is a real sweetie. Even with the very light and short (18 1/2") barrel it gives me 3200 fps chronographed using the Hornady 50 grain V-Max and 27.5 grains of Varget. That load consistantly shoots 5/8" 3-shot groups at 100 yards and does a fine job on prairie dogs and rock chucks. Can't think of a better light weight varminter. | |||
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If you're talking about a knock around truck gun, where you're shooting target of opportunity,get the .223. Never mind the exotic rifling twist and such. As a rule, they are very accurate and ammo is relatively cheap. If you're talking about a dedicated varmint rifle, get the 22-250. Aim for the exit hole | |||
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| one of us |
While I much prefer the 22-250 to the 223, in this situation I cannot imagine a more well suited choice than the Remington model 7 in a 223. They are light, usually very accurate and for most varmint applications the 223 is a great choice. From a short barrel the 223 is going to be less offensive when it comes to muzzle blast. A short barrel will not hinder accuracy. I'd go with the model 7 and know you made a good choice. Mart "...I advise the gun. While this gives a moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprize, and independance to the mind. Games played with the ball and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun therefore be the constant companion of your walks." Thomas Jefferson | |||
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| One of Us |
If shots will be made from inside the pickup--the blast of the 22-250 will be most unpleasant. Even .223 blast from inside a pickup is severe. Cast bullets work well in this situation. | |||
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| One of Us |
The 223 would not be a bad choice for the Missis. I have a Howa and have no complaints to this day,had it for 5 years. I do take the 22-250 and the 223 to the dog towns just to keep from heating up the barrels to much. | |||
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 I would definitely recommend the CZ 527 American in .223 light hunter. I have two CZ Americans and dearly appreciate the style, weight, trigger and accuracy.  rogerOld age is a high price to pay for maturity!!! Some never pay and some pay and never reap the reward. Wisdom comes with age! Sometimes age comes alone.. | |||
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 Safari James USMC DRSS | |||
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You might want to look at a AR platform with a poly receiver to cut down the weight for her. Not the best receiver but a lighter one. Fit it with a 3x9 scope and she can adjust the stock for length of pull and be good. .223 caliber should fit a wide range of targets. | |||
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| one of us |
I have one 22-250 and 8 plus 223s unless one reloads the 223 is far more economic. I carry a 223 AR for my truck gun. | |||
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one of us |
Hands down I'd go with a .223 over the .22-250 for a truck gun for pests. I like the model 7 ok, and my son's .243 is quite accurate in spite of the thin short barrel, and light weight. I've used different guns over the years. The mini-14, AR15, even a model 600 in .308W. The main thing that will make it very handy is a short barrel, low magnification scope or dot sight and no sling or a detachable. On the ranch where long shots at coyotes were relatively common I used a .22-250 in Rem 788. It wasn't as handy but was accurate and deadly. I've also toted around a .257Roberts with 75gr. HP's, as well as a .25-06 with the same bullets. Consider distance and target first. Size of rifle and sights next. Last, caliber. | |||
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| One of Us |
223, 60gr hollow points for everything. Have used it on cull hunts for does out to 350 yards. Course I've been using the 223 for over 40 years. | |||
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I own two .22-250's (and have had others), but I practically never shoot them. The smaller .22 centerfires (of which the .223 is by far the most common) will do everything the .22-250 will with less expense and less muzzle blast. | |||
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| one of us |
Naw my 22-250 makes red mist out of P dogs a good 100 yards farther then my 223s do. The 223 kills them but the 22-250 mists them farther.  | |||
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There is something to say about these smaller caliber rifles. What a joy to shoot! Whichever rifle you go with, you'll be pleased. I've owned a few .223's, and I'm sure I'll own more even though I do not currently. .22-250 will be my next addition to the safe. My two current pest/varmint rifles are a Ruger m77 in .220 Swift and a Ruger Hawkeye in .204. I absolutely love the .204Ruger. The Model 7 is supposed to be a great rifle! I believe that was once offered in the .17 Rem Fireball (another one I'd love to own lol!) A lot of people don't like the heft or looks of the Savage rifles, all of the ones I have owned were shooters. "Let me start off with two words: Made in America" | |||
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| one of us |
When the PD's are out of range of the .223-class of rifles I go to a .243 or .244 with 70 grain Ballistic Tips at 3500 fps. Not so much mist as spectacular aerials. I've found the 6mm's much more dependable at extended yardages than even the largest of the .22's. | |||
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| One of Us |
I have two .22 cal. CF rifles with short barrels:. My .223/5.56mm AR has a 16 inch 1:7 barrel, and it is at or better than 1 MOA @ 100 yards. My .225 Win. has a 22 in barrel, and it is the most accurate rifle I own (5 bullets into < 0.25 MOA @ 100 yards). I'm open to being incorrect, but my theory — and I stress theory — is that the shorter the barrel, the fewer things that can go wrong. The price you pay for a short barrel, of course, is velocity. But if you aren't going to be shooting beyond 300 meters . . . My opinion is provisional and based only on my experience and what seems reasonable. I haven't tested my theory, or even researched it. So I'd be wide open to changing it and would welcome criticism. "In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are not." — Yogi Berra | |||
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Short, very rigid, barrels produce less "whip" than slender long barrels. That has been proven in long range bench rest for years. Having said that, the amount of "whip" in a 22 caliber weapon is significantly smaller than the larger bore guns. I can see the utility of the AR system but a bolt rifle will not throw brass all over the truck when it is fired. Bolt actions are typically more accurate than semi-autos - this is not to say that the semi-autos can't be made to shoot as well - just that the bolt action is typically better "out of the box". The difference in velocity between the 223 and 22-250 is a solid 400 fps - that is twice the difference between the 30-06 and 300 Win Mag. Shooting from a shorter barrel will lose some velocity but you can make up for that with the 22-250. As others have said - You are the one to decide which works best under your conditions and in your hands. Don't handicap yourself by following what any of us say. Get the rifle and caliber that fits you and your needs. Speer, Sierra, Lyman, Hornady, Hodgdon have reliable reloading data. You won't find it on so and so's web page. | |||
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I hunt deer on land owned by my son in law. I know what rifle all the people that hunt there use. Last several years the .223 has taken a lot of deer and they have all dropped on the spot or within a very short distance. I do have a 22-250 but it pretty much stays in the safe. It becomes a toss up between the 22-250 and the .243 and I opt for the .243. Certainly not a case of the 22-250 not doing the job, but if going .22 cal I'll opt for the .223--if it aint broke don't fix it. | |||
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we have learned exactly the same lessen! /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery." Winston Churchill | |||
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| one of us |
And muzzle blast. And sometimes rifle balance. Moving that explosion a few inches further from your face and ears and reducing its pressure by a few thousand PSI can make a world of difference, particularly if the few inches gets it outside of the truck or blind window. The reduced muzzle pressure afforded by the longer barrel tends to contribute to better accuracy, all things being equal. That's not to say that short barrels are inherently inaccurate, only that there are factors which somewhat offset their advantage in "stiffness" (which manifests itself in a bit more consistent muzzle harmonics.) | |||
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I would go .223. I have a remington 700 in .223 and it has a 16 inch barrel, timney trigger and a B and C Alaskan II Stock and a Weaver fixed 4 power scope. It is the handiest most fun rifle to carry and shoot. I think longer barrels are easier to shoot more accurately with iron sights because of the longer sight radius, but as stated on here already the shorter barrels whip less and have better harmonics. My 700 shoots better now with the 16 inch barrel than it did with the factory 24 inch barrel. Always learning. | |||
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| new member |
I just realized that this topic was almost a year old. oh well I like threads comparing stuff. Always learning. | |||
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| one of us |
I prefer the .223 I suppose, ammo and brass is a lot cheaper than 22-250 and the ballistics aren't that far apart as far as I'm concerned and I like the little actions. I like the 22-250 caliber but it doesn't fit in my gun cabinet,because if I need more gun than a 223 or 222 then I'll opt for my 6x45 or better yet a 250-3000, both are best in our windy snake river canyon. The 22-250 is just a .223 on steroids. it's more powerful, shoots further, and I suppose flatter if that's important..it also is normally a heavier and longer gun. It is however a very nice caliber. Ray Atkinson Atkinson Hunting Adventures 10 Ward Lane, Filer, Idaho, 83328 208-731-4120 rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com | |||
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My country gal's just a moonshiner's daughter, but I love her still. | |||
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| One of Us |
The last PD hunt I was on (Sandy, MT), I took 3 rifles. One was a Browning Mini-Medallion .223. The second was a Browning Medallion ( bigger,heavier) .22-250. The third was a Remington sleeved action, Schneider-barreled .257 Roberts. I killed PDs to a laser-ranged 550 yards with no sweat with the .223. It was very windy, so I tried the .22-250 at the same ranges. No appreciable difference at all. The .257 was "okay" and held the wind a little closer, but it heated up so fast out there lying in the sun and shooting a lot more powder per shot that I found it no advantage over the .223. So, I really like my Mini-Medallion, but unfortunately it is now being sold along with my other stuff by Frank Martinez. I thought it was the perfect PD gun and would never have voluntarily parted with it if I could still go out to shoot. When Frank posts it for sale here, one of you should snag it. The Mini-Medallion has a really short, sort of Mini-Mauser length action and mine is super-accurate out to at least 550 yds. I couldn't dream of a better varmint gun. | |||
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| One of Us |
I have a CZ-527 American .223 that is amazingly accurate, light and handy. I also have an old Savage 110 (made before the short action Model 10 came out) in .223 that was labeled "4x4." It has a 20-inch heavy barrel. The Savage is what usually rides up front in Prairie dog country, but the CZ is every bit as accurate. I usually shoot 40 gr V-Max or BTs out of the .223. I also have a Kimber Varmint .22-250, but it doesn't get shot as much - I usually break it out if the shots long long. | |||
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| one of us |
I have owned Remington Model 7's in 223, 243, several in 308, and one in 350 Rem Mag. I have also shot several others in 6mm, 7mm-08,and 308. ALL have been very accurate. My wife still uses the 223 Mod7 here on our place as her varmint rifle. A Mod 7 makes a great vehicle rifle, as well as a great carrying hunting rifle. DOUBLE RIFLE SHOOTERS SOCIETY | |||
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Get one of each! Why let your wife have all the fun? | |||
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Finally the thread gets around to a better choice. We used a .222 in Africa a few decades ago. It was a nice calibre for oribi and tommies. I think the folk that recommend this for a truck rifle are on target. If wanting more reach and versatility, then the 243Win is a great item, too. +-+-+-+-+-+-+ "A well-rounded hunting battery might include: 500 AccRel Nyati, 416 Rigby or 416 Ruger, 375Ruger or 338WM, 308 or 270, 243, 223" -- Conserving creation, hunting the harvest. | |||
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I think my next 224 caliber will be a 223, mostly because 222 are harder to find. I've had a 22-250 and loved it. Very accurate Rem 788. The one thing I didn't like was the recoil, not because it hurt but because it was just enough jump you couldn't keep the scope on what you were shooting at. Very hard to spot your own shots. with the 222-223 the jump is not enough to do this. Leo The only way to know if you can do a thing is to do it. | |||
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one of us |
I have both and love both. But, in the truck it would be a little 223. As usual just my $.02 Paul K | |||
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| One of Us |
I have both as well and when it is time to go shoot coyotes it seems the 223 get the nod most of the time. Best 5 shot, 100 yd,group I have ever shot in my life was a .080 with that 223; it is a Smith and Wesson (Howa) 1500 with a 22" heavy barrel. | |||
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Wow. , That's a good group. I hope you saved the target. My best group ever wad with my Savage Edge 223 . Its a schosh over .2" I saved that one. Phil Shoemaker : "I went to a .30-06 on a fine old Mauser action. That worked successfully for a few years until a wounded, vindictive brown bear taught me that precise bullet placement is not always possible in thick alders, at spitting distances and when time is measured in split seconds. Lucky to come out of that lesson alive, I decided to look for a more suitable rifle." | |||
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| One of Us |
yep I got it on the wall in the reloading room. I will try to get a picture posted. It was good day for sure. Usually it will shoot right a 1/2 inch if I do my part but this day it all came together. Had another group in the .3 range as well, that day Here they are   | |||
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| One of Us |
I have owned several of each and hunted extensively with each. I would prefer a 204 to either a 223 or 22-250, unless I thought I might want to pop an occasional meat deer. Then I would go with the 223. velocity is like a new car, always losing value. BC is like diamonds, holding value forever. | |||
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| One of Us |
CZ 527 American in .223 is lovely... | |||
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| One of Us |
I agree with the CZ-527 American. I love mine and it is wonderfully accurate while being about as handy as a .22 rifle. I also like the detachable mag for a truck gun. Some bemoan the "backwards" safety, but I rarely use the safety as I just load a round when I am ready to shoot. I don't trust safeties on a gun laying around in my truck. For heavier use in prairie dog towns, I use a heavy 20-inch barreled Savage in .223 and a Kimber Varmint in .22-250. | |||
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