.223 or .22-250

[jraney]

with both shooting the same 60gr bullet what would you all choose for long range? anything past 250yds. i have a feeling it will be the 250 but would still like to hear oppinions and reasons. oh yeah mainly just targets but coyotes also.

thanks
jraney

 

[justinp61]

I went with a 22-250 and love it. Mine is a Savage FVSS with a 1-12 twist, if I had it to do over again I'd get the 1-9 barrel so I could shoot heavier bullets. The last two ground hogs I've killed were 377 and 416 yards using Sierra 1365 55 grain bullets.

 

[Lapua40X]

Based on all the stats I've read, with all things being equal, using a 55 grain soft point as an example, the .22-.250 should produce more muzzle energy, a higher muzzle velocity, flatter trajectory and thirty percent more energy at 200 yards. It will probably be a little tougher on barrels but not enough to be concerned with. So I'd go with the .22-.250

 

[jraney]

well i have both , and i deer hunt with the 250 here in oklahoma any .22 cal that shoots a 55gr or larger soft or hollow point is legal. so i am covered with both but i hunt on a pipe line ride-of-way that is close to 300yds long from where i sit. i was just wanting to get some other oppinions.

thanks
jraney

 

[bheadboy]

+1 on 22-250

varmit the Sierra 55 blitzking, deer the heavier 60+gr bullets.

Bob

 

[benchracer]

If you go with the 22-250, pay close attention to twist. Most factory rifles have a 1/14 twist. The 14 twist tends not to work particularly well with most of the plastic tipped bullets above about 52 grains. I got tired of not being able to shoot bullets like the 55g SBK and 53g VMAX well or at all from what I consider to be an obsolete twist rate.

I rebarreled to a 12 twist and am much happier. With a 12 twist, I can shoot all of the latest varmint bullets and have the flexibility to step up to the 60g Partition or the 64g Nosler Bonded if I feel the need. Next time, I plan to to with a 22-250AI and an 8 twist.

Really, in either a .223 or a 22-250, I think an 8 twist is the way to go. If you go to the trouble of installing an aftermarket barrel, you may as well step up to the 22-250 AI, IMO.

 

[K22]

Beyond 250 yards, no contest - the 22 250 for hunting. Totally agree with other posters about the twist - I would opt for a 12" twist.

For strictly target shooting - I'd go for the 223, less wear and tear on barrel, cheaper to reload. I also would opt for one of the faster twists say 9 or 8 for target shooting to shoot the heavier bullets.

 

[wapiti25]

The 22-250 will have a shorter barrel life, if you can shoot at mild pressures that will help. The 223 is aw-some with a 9 twist or tighter and will have a much longer barrel life. The faster twist will help with 60 gr and heavier bullets. I have a 12 tw and it is only so-so with 60's but shoots better with 55's at 300.

 

[roadkill61]

I have shot hundreds of coyotes with a 22-250 and 60gr sierra HP,s. Very accuurate and deadly out of 14 twist remingtons. Yes barrel life is shorter(over a 223) but we have allways gotten at least 3000 useable rounds. At that point we have had a lot of fun and new barrels just are not that expensive.

 

[22BRGUY]

Guess which one I'd suggest.

 

[DennisH]

Both are great choices.

My most accurate tightest group to date with any rifle was shot with my 22-250, 12 twist, 52 grain Berger match bullets. It's hard to beat.

The 223 9 twist is a very close 2nd, 55 grain V-Max.

 

[DogBuster]

223 with a 53 gr V max........

Savage or Tikka......or Pac Nor

;D

 

[th82457]

As stated previously, for the heavier bullets go with a fast twist barrel in either caliber. If using for deer and re-barreling a gun - it might make sense to look at a 6mm-.250. Should be easier on the barrel life, very accurate and a little more pop on deer size game. You would still want to run a 1:9 or 1:8 twist on the 6mm. Just my two cents.

 

[skeetlee]

neither!!! a 22BR kicks both there butts hands down!!!! If you want to do it right, go with a BR. lee

 

[johnmyers]

neither!!! a 22BR kicks both there butts hands down!!!! If you want to do it right, go with a BR. lee

I'll agree with this, more accurate than either one and give up very little speed from the 22-250 with better bbl life.

 

[lpreddick]

was waiting for the 22 br to appear. yes. accuracy beyond either the .223 or .22-.250. my 14 tw kreiger will shoot the 60 begers ringht at 3600 fps and drops ghogs instantly. this is a warm load but the lapua brass can take quite a pounding before primer pockets get loose. use the .223 for short shots.

 

[stinnett1981]

neither!!! a 22BR kicks both there butts hands down!!!! If you want to do it right, go with a BR. lee

I'll agree with this, more accurate than either one and give up very little speed from the 22-250 with better bbl life.

I agree to. I would like a 22 dasher. Faster than a 22-250 and still better barrel life. Read about voldocs 22 dasher on the bulletin page. That rifle is wicked!

 

[jscandale]

Neither. If you want .22-250 performance from any platform (bolt gun & AR) with inherent accuracy, the .220 Thunderbolt is real performer worthy of your time to ask about it.
http://www.keystoneaccuracy.com/220thunderbolt.html

JS

 

[lpreddick]

oops, we're off subject. quickly, the 22 dasher and my former 22 brx and ? thunderbolt are barrel burners as is the 22-250 if shot hot and a lot.

 

[CatShooter]

I'll agree with this, more accurate than either one and give up very little speed from the 22-250 with better bbl life.

I agree to. I would like a 22 dasher. Faster than a 22-250 and still better barrel life. Read about voldocs 22 dasher on the bulletin page. That rifle is wicked!

You can't have "faster" AND "more barrel" life at the same time...

... that falls under the "Free lunch" category, of which we all know about.

You can have one or the other, but not both.