I just bought a .22-250. I have no idea why. I just did it.

Now, tell me what ammo to shoot, what weight bullets, etc., etc.

I will shoot mostly targets to get ready for big game season. What else do you use a .22-250 for??

Used a 1:14 77V and same twist in a 700V for woodchucks and crows. Ideal to about 350 yds. We burned out the barrels on those two.

Only factory load I used much was the 55 gr Power-lokt HP. Have a pile of component PLHPs in 55 and 50 gr. They are the most explosive bullets in those weights I've ever used. Rarely exit a woodchuck.

The cartridge handles from 50 gr to the 70 gr SMP Speer just about the same, accuracy wise. More flexible in terms of powders than the .243 IME - 3031 right through 4350 burn rates make small groups.

Used Dad's V-Master Mk5 to kill some deer out to a bit over 200 yds using 55s, 70gr, and the 63 gr Sierra. Could see no difference between those weights. There were virtually no controlled expansion type .224" bullets back then. Deer didn't care. But about as much blood trail as with a .243, ie., not much.

The .22-250 is possibly the ideal dedicated coyote round. Would have no hesitation using one for open country small deer hunting. Fun to shoot, don't think you'll regret it.

Faster twist .22-250s are more common lately. If you have one of those, might alter bullet selection some.

I've enjoyed using my 22-250 for a variety of things. It's deer legal here. I've used cup & core soft points, partitions, & Factory federal fusion. My favorite bullet is the 60gr Hornady SP. My least favorite is the Partition. Both are ridiculously accurate with a max load of H4350. I don't have my notes handy , but Average MV was 3650 out of a 26" 1-14 Rem 700.

I shoot very small groups with 52gr serria MK's and have killed thousands of PD dogs with them

quote:

Originally posted by p dog shooter:
I shoot very small groups with 52gr serria MK's and have killed thousands of PD dogs with them

This bullet posted by P dog is also part of my best load with Two 22/250's. I power mine with H380.
If you will shoot deer with it I recommend the Barnes TSX and TTSX, takes the 22/250 to another level on deer.
If you shoot cup and core try the new Bonded bullet by Nosler, 64 grains protected point.
Not a fan of the 70 grain Speers they just didn't hold together well for me.

I own three .22-250's, but rarely shoot them. If needing something in .22 caliber I choose the .222 or one of its derivatives (.221, .222 Magnum, .223) since any of them will give you virtually as much range as a .22-250 or a .220 Swift on small varmints. If I need to shoot further than a centerfire .22, then I go to something in the 6mm category. None of this is to say that there is anything wrong with the .22-250 (did I mention I own three of them?) Perhaps if hunting strictly for coyotes I might choose a .22-250 over a smaller .22 centerfire.

It does have a bit of an advantage when you step up to the game category. The plain old dirt-cheap Hornady 55 grain spire point will take prairie dogs and whitetails equally. It is a surprisingly deep-penetrating bullet. So, it is a good compromise for an all-around bullet for a .22-250. If loading specifically for deer, then a 60 grain Hornady Spire point would theoretically be even better. A 60 grain Nosler Partition would also do fine, as would a 64 grain Winchester, which WW represents as a game load in its factory ammunition. If you want to spend more money and work harder to come up with an accurate load, the monometals or bonded bullets will work fine (usually), but no better than cup-and-cores.

Gentlemen,
Thanks for the help in justifying what I just bought. When I get it, I will post pics. It is quite something.

We always used the Fed Prem 60-grain Partition load.

I will try a couple of factory loads first - 60gr Partition per Mr. Helm and see if
Barnes as one as well....

Thanks for the help. I have usually been over gunned and never paid attention to the little calibers....

Hard to beat it for coyotes. I shoot 50 grain ballistic tips in my coyote 22-250. Also use it on PDs, but barrel heating becomes an issue. Great cartridge.

I did shoot one deer with mine, but for some reason prefer my .243 on deer. The 22-250 with cast bullets is great for shooting jackrabbits at night.

A buddy has 22-250 with a long throat and a 1-7” custom barrel. Surprisingly, it shoots 55gr BT’s well under an inch. It's a real coyote slayer.

The "why" is never required when buying a gun. :-)

the faster 1-7 twist turns the 250 into a very nice antelope rifle.
it then becomes what the 224 valkerie is trying to be.


an off the shelf rifle won't probably have a 7 twist barrel and will generally like the lighter end of the bullet spectrum.
try some of those Winchester white box 45gr. bullets they have at wal-mart.

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Michalski:
The "why" is never required when buying a gun. :-)

I get that!!

IMO the .22-250 and .220 Swift deserve fast twist barrels and heavy bullets. We all know high BC bullets drift less in the wind, but in .224 the difference is much greater than bigger calibers. Heavy bullets have half the wind drift of 55 grain bullets.

That said, shooting your .22-250 for practice on big game is a great idea; I try and shoot ten rounds from my .223 at 100 yards every week. My goal is to put 100 percent within 5 inches of my point of aim (my standard for all my practice, whether it is long range practice prone or sitting or standing at closer ranges). After a bit of practice, it isn't too difficult.

Great predator caliber. Some have used it on deer and antelope. I shoot Hornady or Federal in my three. 55 grain, 50 grain, and 60 grain bullets that are either SPs, Partitions or Trophy Bondeds. Last time I used one was in Mexico on Coatimundis.

Red deer hind, .22-250, 60-grain Partition, about 25 yards:

I have a Tikka T-3 Lite in .22-250. I shoot factory Hornady Ammo and it shoots basically in the same hole. I don’t hunt deer with it, but it is my go to coyote gun. This caliber can be used for many purposes

35.5 gr of Varget under a 50gr Vmax, a laser in my Savage model 12

I Ackley Improved mine with a 10" twist barrel and whack coyotes as far as I can see them.

Just for the fun of it I loaded up some 69 grain SMKs and shot it our club's 1,000 yard match. Lot's of fun on a calm morning and no recoil.

I did an Ackley Imp. 40-degree shoulder with a 1/6 twist. It will stabilize the 80 G. Sierra, + it reaches way out there. With its speed the effects of gravity are negligible.

Coyotes coyotes coyotes! You have yourself a great coyote rifle and you have a lot of em in CO... Get yourself a few hand calls and enjoy the off season calling them in.

Any 50-55gr bullet, the 53gr V-Max might be ideal at 3700fps and go shoot em!

The Indians use it on Elk. I shoot Coyotes and Ground Hogs.I routinely pop rocks around 700 yards.I use 50 gr. Hornady V-Max

I bought a new Model 77 VT in 2005. First rifle I everhandloaded for. It really, really likes those 40round white box winchesters. I've loaded just about every Hornady bullet for it, and 50gr BTs. Got two boxes of Federal 60gr Partitions for 14.99 a box so had to pick them up. It stabilizes them and accuracy is acceptable. I'll probably take a doe with it this year. My only regret in the gun is that it's a 26" barrel, 11 pound monstrosity, so it doesn't see much field use. I wish they had offered the M77 Predator at the time. I would have gone more of a sporter route. But the tan laminate wood and matte grey stainless sold me.

quote:

Originally posted by dogcat:
I just bought a .22-250. I have no idea why. I just did it.

That's funny. I picked up a Savage FV 22-250 recently that I still need to go shoot. I plan on using it for practice/fun and varmints.

How about them pics?

i had a tc encore with a 27" MGM heavy factory barrel (it was 1 in 7 or 8" i forget) in 22-250 ai. it was my far range rifle, anything over 350 yards. i shot groundhogs, foxes, 'yotes and a whole bunch of other targets. i shot 3 or 4 deer with it, but they were 50 yards and less and they were all head shots. to shoot small game it was a 68gr hornady bthp, to shoot targets and deer it was a 80gr sierra matchking bthp.

it was boring accurate. didn't matter what powder or bullet, i was guaranteed 1/2" and under at 100 yards(10 shots/benched). i sold her and i got a 23" MGM heavy factory barrel in 500 linebaugh. its boring accurate too!!! i can do a 450gr lfn gc with a charge of hs-6 and it will 1"+/- at 100 yards(5 shots/benched).

With a 60 gr. Hornady, SP or HP the 22-250 is a damned impressive deer killer, Ive used it on both mule deer and Whitetail,including culling on some extensive cull hunts.

I know one lady rancher that shoots her elk every year off the haystack out her kitchen door, and she says she always gets and instant kill with the Hornadys I loaded for her with heart/lung shots at about 50 to 75 yards, and I don't doubt it, she still has a half box left..

Ive shot too many Mule deer with it to doubt its ability on animals under 200 lbs, every one was an instant kill, can't say the same for most other caliber!! Ive witnessed other using it..Everyone I know that has actually used it to any degree agrees, and that is a number of ranchers and ranchers kids. Most tell me its good to 300 yards..

I don't use it anymore as its biggest fault is blood shot meat, the price you pay for excess velocity..and I recommend only broadside shots off the shoulder..For this reason its not a deer caliber for everyone, the 30-06, 270 class of calibers is best for take what comes shots for sure..