Hello I just joined and looking for a good varmint 22-250 rifle. What does everyone recommend?
Best 22-250 rifle
- Thread starter Nathan cosgrove
- Start date
That's a very open ended question. Short answer is ... Depends on your budget. Remington, savage, browning and Howa all build fairly reasonably priced models. Kimber, Tikka, Cooper etc and many customs are considerably pricier. All will shoot moa or better. Again just depends on your wallet. As a first gun for varmints, it's tough for price to beat any of the first ones I mentioned. Doubt youll notice a huge difference in accuracy but the higher priced models in the lot will have better quality stocks, barrels and finer built guns in general. Custom built guns will be the exception as consistent accuracy will be a standard. Not just good 3 shot groups but great 5-10 shot groups common from very good barrels and Smith work.
Regardless of which rifle you settle on if you plan on doing a lot of sustained shooting (PD's, ground squirrels) then reconsider the caliber and think about a 223. In my experience by 1500 - 2000 rounds the 22/250 is starting to give up its accuracy whereas my 223's usually go 5000 - 6000 rounds before they start noticeably deteriorating. If you are chasing coyotes then the 22/250 is a good choice.
drover
Great point. The 223 will do anything the 22-250 will do on varmints at ranges roughly 20-25% closer. I've used a 223 on critters to 500 yards very effectively. Results won't be as explosive at longer ranges with a 223 as with a 22-250 but keep the bullets light and frangible and they'll give good results.
joshb
Gold $$ Contributor
Tikka. Tikka and oh, Tikka! LOTS of shooting? 223. Little shooting? 22-250. Just call Eurooptic and see what they have. They have a heck of a Tikka sale going on. Can't do much better for a factory gun. Next bet, is to watch the sale board here. There is a nice short mag there, right now! Good luck!
One of my latest purchases was a 22-250AI. My reasoning for purchasing a rifle in AI was simple, you can fire form brass by using standard 22-250 ammo and the standard ammo is incredibly accurate. I reload so the formed AI cases allows me to increase velocity another 5-7 percent.
I decided on a cooper rifle for a few reasons; they are known for being incredibly accurate and they offer some magnificent walnut stocks, they are known for their stocks.
Your pay significantly more for a cooper than your typical off the shelf rifle. Mine was approximately $2,400.
Buy once cry once. The rifle eats any ammunition I put in it and still performs. The advantage with a custom rifle or almost custom such as a cooper is the understanding that the maker stands behind his product and excellence is expected.
I decided on a cooper rifle for a few reasons; they are known for being incredibly accurate and they offer some magnificent walnut stocks, they are known for their stocks.
Your pay significantly more for a cooper than your typical off the shelf rifle. Mine was approximately $2,400.
Buy once cry once. The rifle eats any ammunition I put in it and still performs. The advantage with a custom rifle or almost custom such as a cooper is the understanding that the maker stands behind his product and excellence is expected.
I knew I forgot one. Ruger MK series. Heard good things.
JohnHenry
Gold $$ Contributor
If you have a Cabelas near you, may want to consider a Sako A7 Varmint. Cabelas has them on clearance for $840. Bought one in 223 and it has proven to be an honest 0.7 moa rifle. Have had no feeding, extraction, or ejection issues. Has a Bell and Carlson stock and bore scoping of the barrel indicated one of the best looking factory barrels I have seen.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/SAKO-A-VARMINT-RIFLES/1672794.uts?searchPath=/browse.cmd?categoryId=734095080&CQ_search=a7&CQ_st=b
http://www.cabelas.com/product/SAKO-A-VARMINT-RIFLES/1672794.uts?searchPath=/browse.cmd?categoryId=734095080&CQ_search=a7&CQ_st=b
I have a Savage 11 Trophy Predator with a Vortex 6-24x50 mounted on it. Shooting 55gr. Sierra Spitzers with cci mag. Primers and 37.5gr of H380. Shooting 3/8" ragged hole groups. It's not a custom rifle but doesnt cost what a custom rifle costs either ( I think I paid $625 or so for the rifle less $75 rebate and I sold the 3-9x40 for $100 then added the scope +$299 and 30mm rings +$39 for a total of $788 for a great groundhog / coyote rig that shoots great.
long40shot
Gold $$ Contributor
Years ago i bought my 22-250, it's a vssf. Sadly they don't make that model any longer. But i have purchased a different caliber in the VLS model. I would take a hard look at a Remington 700 VLS in 22-250.
rmr
Gold $$ Contributor
I would surf the boards, (this one on particular) and look for used custom rifles. often they can be had for good prices and will almost always significantly outperform any factory offering for a minimal price premium. the last two rifles I purchased here were superb shooters for the price. the only downside is that you will have to be on this board every day for 2-6months before you find what you are looking for. that can be dangerous, as chances are something else will follow you home. 
Pretty sure the guy didn't ask about a .223.
If you're using the 22-250 for varmint hunting and you're going to be stationary, look at the Savage Model 12s. Those guns are very accurate out of the box. They're also kinda heavy, so you can make some good shots sitting on a bench, bags, etc. They're also reasonably priced, and you can change the barrel very easily down the road.
http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/?type_check[]=Centerfire&caliber_check[]=22-250 REM&page=4
http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/?type_check[]=Centerfire&caliber_check[]=22-250 REM&page=4
If your on a budget to some extent the Thompson Center Venture is a great choice.
I own one chambered in 22-250 and its extremely accurate.
They have a moa guarantee. Mine shoots three shot .5 100 yard groups all day long with my hand loads. Its a nicely built rifle for the price imho.
I happened on a lgs going out of business and picked one up for $320. NIB
http://tcarms.com/firearms/bolt-action-rifles/venture/venture-blued
If your budget will allow more then your options become a lot more exspansive.
I own one chambered in 22-250 and its extremely accurate.
They have a moa guarantee. Mine shoots three shot .5 100 yard groups all day long with my hand loads. Its a nicely built rifle for the price imho.
I happened on a lgs going out of business and picked one up for $320. NIB
http://tcarms.com/firearms/bolt-action-rifles/venture/venture-blued
If your budget will allow more then your options become a lot more exspansive.
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So am I but since he was a first time poster with no information as to the use of the rifle or what he intended to shoot with it I chose to share my experience with him so that he may have some additional information. I was encouraging the OP to consider the intended use of the rifle and that he may possibly want to consider another cartridge dependent on what the use may be.
What was your contribution?
drover
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Obviously you didn't read any further down the post because the next comment after I called you out was my contribution to his question. So far you're 0-2 so you might as well give up at this point. Have a nice day.
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