22-250 vs 220 swift vs 22-250 Ackley for large varmits, deer

[wboggs]

It has been many years since I used a fast .22 and I would like to get up to date with these calibers using a fast twist and heavy bullets.
Plan to use the rifle for coyotes, bobcats, occasional deer. Shots will be out to about 400-500 yds. on the coyotes, bobcats and 200 or so for the deer. There will also be some close ones at less than 100.
Would appreciate some feed back from those who use these rifles all the time.
Thanks
Bill

 

[Clod-NC]

Hi Bill
Go and check "ballisticstudies Bill;it's a NewZealand based site that studies all the hunting rounds on the market,but on the hunting side of things.The guy who launched the site is Nathan Foster,it should answer some of your questions. Merry Xmas Bill.

 

[bheadboy]

for the varmits i dont think you can beat teh 22-250 but when you include deer, then i think the 22-250AI is the answer.

the 220 is a great on but for all it is worth the heavier bullets in the AI will equal/exceed the 220 and brass is better

mho

Bob

 

[wboggs]

Clod-NC
Thanks for the site. I will look it up.
I note you live in New Caledonia. My Dad was in the 2nd Marines in WWII and fought extensively in the Pacific so I am somewhat familiar with the area. He slways spoke highly of the Australian people. They treated him like a son when his unit rotated there after one of the terrible landings, 30+% casualties and sometimes 20% on the first two waves. One of these days I am going to take a trip to the Islands, Australia, New Zealand. I hear New Zeland is once of the most beautiful areas on earth.
Anyway, thanks again for your input.
Merry Christmas to you also.
Bill

 

[rcparker1]

I have a 22/243 that I shoot 75gr amax bullets through at 3500fps. The gun is used almost exactly as you have described. I've taken deer with no problems. Some may say a 22,75 grain amax will not do the job but I've killed seer well over 250 yards dead where they stand. The only thing it doesn't do well is hogs. Im trying Swift 75 gr Sirocco's to see how they do. Good luck.

 

[Nomad47]

All three mentioned are great cartridges. I would like to add that the fastest factory 22 caliber is the 223 WSSM.

 

[K22]

I've used the 22 250 extensively for varmints and predators. It's an outstanding long range caliber for this purpose especially with reloaded ammunication tailored to a specific rifle. I highly recommend it for this purpose. The following comments are based on long range shooting (beyond 300 yards) at varmints:

For long range shooting you'll need to be able to achieve at least 1/2 moa accuracy so I recommend that you consider the following equipment:

1. A rifle equipped with a varmint weight barrel, 26" in length with a high quality stock containing an aluminum bedding block. The top of the line Remington Varmint rifle is an example.

2. Equally important is a high quality of scope with sufficient magnification. The Leupold 6x20 VX3 with target turrets is an example.

3. Shots at 500 yards on varmints are difficult so your field shooting system is important. A bipod shot in the prone will work in the hands of a very skilled rifleman. A potable field benchrest would be better. You will also need a range finder.

4. Last but not least, you'll need to validate the ballistics of your set up by shooting at various distances out to max range you intend to take a hunting shot. Don't rely soley on ballistics charts, these very often do not reflect the accurate capability of a given rifle/scope/ammo set up.

This is an expensive set up but long range shooting demands the highest quality equipment that you can afford. You can get by with a lot more economical setup if you can be satisfied with shots under 300 yards.

I've never used the 22 250 for deer since I'm concerned about it's inadequatcy for the white tails in my area which tend to run over 150 lbs. If you want a more versitile caliber for both varmints and deer, I'd consider the 243.

 

[rcparker1]

PPC

The problem I've had with hog is that when shooting the 75 gr amax at larger hogs (150 ld+) im not getting enough penetration. I've killed a lot of hogs with it, it just takes a very good shot or a second shot sometimes. We have large deer and it will blow a hole the size of a golf ball through them. Hogs are just tooto dense. 300 ultra mag or .50 beowulf is my go to hog gun if I know that's what im hunting

 

[wboggs]

I appreciate your comments re: equipment and set up. I hunt the same S.C. plantation year after year and have accurate range markers set up over the various fields and some times use a call for the coyotes, cats. The rifle will be accurate with a good scope. The thing I do a little different is to use a Summit tree stand which has been modified with a front rest on the bar. With a little practice it is like shooting from a bench but I have the height and visibility from 20-30 ft. I must say that it has improved my ability to see and shoot long distances by a quantum degree. It is mobile and can be transported where scouting indicates the most likely area is. The major problem is wind which make the pine tree sway.
I enjoy the comments, keep them coming.
Bill

 

[tiny68]

I have helped gut more than a dozen whitetails shot with a 22-250. These hyper-velocity rounds (+3600 fps) are very different with the tissue damage. I called it the "Jello effect". If you have cleaned a deer that took a heart/lung shot with a 22-250 you understand. You have a hard time telling when one organ stops and the next begins because in a 6-8" radius it all looks like pink jello. The bullets never exit and 100% of the bullet's energy is deposited into the tissue of the deer. The same shot with a 223 traveling at 3200 fps is not the same effect.

Shot placement more critical with the 22s. You can gut shoot a deer with a 300 WM and it is still going to bleed out but you might track is a good ways. The deer I have witness many shots with the 22-250 and the deer dropped in their tracks... I know because I was holding the ....... spotting scope ;D ;D

Again if you are confident in your shot I have no problems recommending a 22-250 for whitetails for a 200 yds shot.

Luck, Tim

 

[wboggs]

I am most interested in your experience with the different bullets. The ones you use and have seen used.
Thanks
Bill

 

[Larryh128]

IF your rifle will stabilize them, the Barnes 62gr TSX is the way to go. You need a 9 twist or faster to stabilize them. My 10 twist 22-250AI puts them canted about 20 degrees at 100 yds. They also make a 52 gr TSX that will stabilize in slower twist rifles & I'm sure that it will do the job also. I haven't shot any deer YET with the 52's BUT dozens have hit the ground from the 62's in my AR. Awesome bullet.

 

[wboggs]

I was leaning toward a 1:8 so I could shoot the heavier bullets. Glad to hear you like Barnes TSX. They have worked for me in other calibers.

 

[rcparker1]

If you want to do some research on the computer there are some articles that have been written about the 224tth. It is a 22/6mm that got a lot of press several years ago. It was made with a 1in 8 barrel for heavy bullets.

 

[bheadboy]

Bill, velocity is not the problem with the 224, many will give lotts of zoom, the problem is the bullets, if you push the right projectile with a reasonable velocity it works fine --

going to an overbore like th 22/243 or even the 22/6mm only taxed the bullet worse,

given the avialbilty of barnes tsx and the like the velocity range is less than these give for the best bullet function.

much less the overbore bbl life loss, and muzzle blast etc.



Bob

 

[WyleWD]

JMHO, but with the proper bullet and exceptional shot placement disipline any of the 3 will work pretty well for what you're asking for.

However, depending upon how often you throw deer or hogs into the mix, I agree with the other poster that said that a 243 (or 6mm Rem.) is a better choice. WD

 

[JohnHenry]

Bill, May want to contact Walt Berger(bergerltd@aol.com) to see if any of their heavier 22 cal. bullets may meet you needs. I seem to remember Berger indicating that their 70 gr. VLD was their best 22 cal. choice for deer. The 70 VLD requires a 1 in 9" or faster twist.

 

[Nutjob]

Have been very pleased with the performance of the barnes 55 ttsx on small deer to 450 yards out of my standard 22-250 using IMR8208xbr. The barrel is a 24" 1 in 8.6 twist Brux. I have a soft spot for the .220 swift and if I anticipated using only bullets <65 grains it would be a top choice. But I think the 22-250 ackley with a 1 in 8 twist might be your most versatile option. You should be able to run a 55 near 4000 fps and a 75 at 3450 and with plenty of room in the magazine box of a short action.

 

[areaone]

22 250 1/8 TWIST. I have a 22 250 (2) anf a 22 250 AI. stay woth the 22 250 for ease of shooting and loading. 60 gr Nosler partition to 80 gr A MAx all wil lget a deer DEAD.

 

[22XC Guy]

I built 22XC: A Modern 220 Swift, The Varmint Hunter, October-December 2009 Issue #72. I shoot a variety of bullets out of a Krieger 1:8 twist, 29.250" barrel. Sierra's 69 & 80, A-Max 75's, and JLK 80's.. There all above, chronographed at 3300 - 3500+ depending how much I lean on it.

For the .22-250/AI or .220 Swift/Rocket, I wouldn't rule none of them out either, but I wouldn't hesitate loading for a speed record either..

Steve