223 vs 22-250

[GlennGTR1]

I am looking to purchase a reasonably light walking varmint and predator rifle. The two cartridges I am interested in are the 223 Rem and 22-250, Coyotes and cougar will also be on the list of things I will hunt with this rifle. It seems like almost every factory rifle in 22-250 comes with a one in fourteen twist and that 223 is either a one in twelve or one in nine twist. 223 factory guns are set up more to stabilize heaver bullets and the 22-250 looks to have the velocity and power advantage. I know shot placement is critical in any hunting situation. Which of these two cartridges would you choose knowing that a cougar could be a potential target? Which makes more sense as a all season kicking around in the hills kind of rifle? Whats barrel life like on the 223 and 22-250? Just narrowed it down and looking for a second opinion.

 

[Terry]

Wow, I wouldn't hunt a Cougar with either.

Savage makes 22-250's with 1:9 twist. I have 6,000 round through a .223, my max on my 22-250 was about 2,500.
Both are more rounds that I would shoot hunting Coyote.

For a carry gun weight is a big factor.

Terry

 

[killahog]

Either Caliber will take a cougar however I would be very carfule if your shooting above dogs as the lion would probably not be in the best of moods if he comes out of the tree alive. It sounds to me like you might want to consider stepping up a caliber at least to a 6mm. I have killed over a hundred of coyotes with a 6mm remington and of the very few that took a second shot they were shot on the run and placement was less than perfect on the first shot. On a side note the 223 will put big cats lights out you just have to hit them right. My grandpa only carried one gun for hunting black bear and it was a 22 long rifle it worked wonders.

 

[1holeaddict]

I second the notion that i wouldnt be chasing lions with either caliber. I favor the 223 over the 22-250. Savage makes a nice walking varmint rifle. If i wanted a small caliber varmint gun but also would like to put a lion down i would step up a caliber to 6mm. A 243win would suit your needs just fine as a mountain gun and there are a ton of guns to choose from. As far as barrel life if your just using it as a kick around the hills gun it will last for generations to come unless your shooting hundreds of predators a year.

 

[alf]

Of the two, 22-250.

Barnes TSX's are a game changer in either for cats.

 

[K22]

I have both and hunted with them for years. In my experience, the 22 250 is far superior if you plan on shooting beyond approximately 250 yards at coyote sized varmints / predators. The 223 is quite adequate for these size animals at 250 yards and under.

The Tikka T3 Lite in made in 8" twist in 223. I have the 243 model and it's an outstanding rifle for the money.

If you really plan to hunt cougars I would consider a 243 in lieu of the cartrigdes you mentioned. The 243 will handle the smaller critters you plan to hunt and given you more killing powder for the larger size predators i.e. cougars.

Great walking around rifles I'd consider: Browning X Bolt Composite Stalker, Tikka T3 Lite, Remington Model 7.

 

[Yote59]

Of two mentioned....22-250 any day.

 

[A_Gamehog]

Coyotes and cougar will also be on the list of things I will hunt with this rifle

Many questions for you?

Will you be shooting Ground Squirrels or Prairie Dogs also? (.223 is the answer)

Will you be deer hunting also? (308 is the answer)

Will you want to save the pelts? (.223 is it )

I have shot lions with 22 shorts in the ear one shot kills. Body shots require a larger rifle.

I use my 308 with 130 Speer flat based HP @ 3,000+ fps on Coyotes and larger Varmints. Nosler 125's are also good. 400 yard loads easily.

The 22-250 is Overrated to me I have had 2, the 1-14 is limited to 52's the 1-12 is limited to 65's they heat up quick in a dogtown and kick so the killshot is missed. The energy @ 400 yards is minimal. Wind drift is detrimental.

I only like Savage rifles as it's easy to rebarrel without a gunsmith $$ The standard .223 bolt savage is 1-9 shoots and shoots the 34-75 range bullets.

The .223 using a 62 Grain Barnes TTSX with a light crimp will kill any critter smaller than deer in north America with a well placed shot.

22-250 barrel life is 2,000 to 3,000 with light loads. less with hot loads and shot from a hot barrel (accurate)

.223 barrel life is 5,000 and higher, with lots of accuracy past 5,000 shots.

If all you are going to shoot is varmints, and want the most accurate in all conditions, then a 243/6mm using a 70 grain load can't be beat.
Not a "high volume" PD gun but good BC on bullets and fast.

 

[Trapper243]

If you plan on shooting lions you are seriously undergunned with a 223 or 22-250. Unless they are trapped or you are taking head shots at treed cats, and even then I would go bigger, with repects to the dogs on the ground. A 243 or other 6mm would be a better choice.

 

[soldierofchrist]

Either one will work, if you plan on shooting lions with a 22 Caliber I would opt for a rifle that has a 1 in 9" twist and shoot some of the heavier constructed bullets like the Nosler Partitions or Barnes TSX. If you are using dogs for Lions I would suggest using a really quick handling gun like a carbine length lever rifle with the ability to get a quick follow up shot. Some bolt rifles will cause dogs to get injured if the first shot doesn't go where it was intended.

 

[HMH]

I would go 22-250, not only for the reasons mentioned above but the 223 is going to have every democrat coast to coast going after it and prices on 223 components are sold out everywhere with whatever is left being completely unreasonable. I would also look at the 243 it is more versatile for what you want to do.

 

[Larryh128]

Both are good calibers & you won't go wrong with either one. As Alf stated, Barnes TSX or TTSX bullets are enough for deer. A kitty won't like them a bit. 52gr to 62 gr are available so twist isn't a big issue. I can tell you that a 62 gr will totally penetrate a 200# deer including going thru a shoulder. A 100# cat isn't going to know what hit him.

 

[shooter65]

22-250. great cartridge.

 

[broncomike]

I would go 22-250, not only for the reasons mentioned above but the 223 is going to have every democrat coast to coast going after it and prices on 223 components are sold out everywhere with whatever is left being completely unreasonable. I would also look at the 243 it is more versatile for what you want to do.

What he said.^

 

[kelbro]

I know it wasn't an option that you presented but I would go .243.

 

[JayCutright]

I haven't hunted cats, we are just getting enough bobcats to hear about people seeing one every now and then and cougars, well, every once in a while some nut comes to town with a story about one being found.
I say this so you will know that I don't have any experience at killing a cat... except the domestic kind that occasionally comes to the call or walks out in front of my truck.

I'm replying because I noticed several people tried to persuade you to the 243 but no one mentioned the 6BR, it'll do anything the 243 Win will do up to 108gr bullets.

 

[DanS]

22-250 is plenty big for either.

 

[remy3424]

I would be with kelbro on the 243 Win/6mm Rem and lean toward 243 for the availabilty of ammo if you aren't loading your own. Anywhere selling ammo will have 243, local hardware or farm supply to mass merchanise stores. Very versatilel...80 grains work well or step-up to 100 for bigger stuff, down to 55-58 grains to make a mess out of prairie dogs. I use a 243 on coyotes and not knowing much about mountain lions except I know I don't want to be close to an anger injuried one, I would not take a gun smaller than what I would bring to a coyote hunt.

 

[Juma]

I have both and hunted with them for years. In my experience, the 22 250 is far superior if you plan on shooting beyond approximately 250 yards at coyote sized varmints / predators. The 223 is quite adequate for these size animals at 250 yards and under.

The Tikka T3 Lite in made in 8" twist in 223. I have the 243 model and it's an outstanding rifle for the money.

If you really plan to hunt cougars I would consider a 243 in lieu of the cartrigdes you mentioned. The 243 will handle the smaller critters you plan to hunt and given you more killing powder for the larger size predators i.e. cougars.

Great walking around rifles I'd consider: Browning X Bolt Composite Stalker, Tikka T3 Lite, Remington Model 7.

Ooh this man knows his rifles. Got Tikka and Browning but not Remmie.

 

[mshelton]

Same, not one of your listed options but the 6br will fill all your needs and perform a little better than the 22-250 or that other chambering and offer more versatility.