.22-250 vs. .223

[Hykin_C]

Just wondering what you guys think is a superior round. My use will be for coyote hunting and paper punching. I also do not see myself shooting at anything (live) past 400-500 yards but want that capability to be able to shoot at least to 600 yards for target shooting ect... I realize that the .22-250 will have abit of a flatter trajectory but may not buck the wind as good as the .223 would? Another consideration would be the availabily of the .223 and more information/research done on the .223. I also realize that if I ask 10 people ill get 10 different answers, but I would just like to get the oppinions of many people and then make my decision based upon their experiences and time spent shooting the rounds. Let me know what you guys think! thanks

Hykin,C

 

[Lineman711]

Re: .22-250 vs. .223

Superior? .22-250 hands down. Not sure where you got the notion that it won't buck the wind as good as a .223, but I can't see how that's possible.

.22-250 ammo is incredibly easy to find, you just don't have the military surplus as you would in the .223, which unless you're really putting the rounds down range, I couldn't see as a problem.

Both cartridges are easy to load for, .223 might have a slight edge in this category.

I have a rifle chambered in both. A M70 .223 that will shoot decent out to 300, cheap Tasco scope. M77V in .22-250 that shoots wonderful, half MOA easy at 100, 12x Leupold Target.

That being said, my .223 is used probably at least 20x more than my .22-250, go figure.

 

[steve123]

Re: .22-250 vs. .223

Hykin_C,

Depends on these factors.

22-250 has less barrel life,2000-2500 rounds and worse if you let the barrel get hot.It shoots flatter and blows in the wind less than 223 of course.It's a good choice for a custom rifle with a faster twist barrel for 75-90 grain bullets and compared to quite a few other cartridges has better ballistics for long range with low recoil.I read somewhere her on the Hide that Savage or Remington were going to offer a 9 twist for 2010 in one of their bolt guns.You would have to reload for the 22-250 with heavy bullets.

223 has great barrel life and is cheap to shoot.To be affective at 600 yards it needs a fast twist too.If you do a high volume of shooting then that might be the way to go for you.

Steve

 

[treebasher]

Re: .22-250 vs. .223

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: lineman711</div><div class="ubbcode-body">That being said, my .223 is used probably at least 20x more than my .22-250, go figure.</div></div>

Nuff' said.

 

[brdeano]

Re: .22-250 vs. .223

My 1-8" twist 22-250 would run the 75Amax's at 3300+. A 223 couldn't touch it. That said, my first 1-8" 223AI retired 3 of my 22-250's.

 

[7mmRM]

Re: .22-250 vs. .223

Of the 2, I would pick a 223 over a 22/250 every time. I have had a bundle of 22/250s over the years. Sold 'em all off and replaced them with fast twist 223s and 223AIs.

Velocity-

The 22/250 will outrun a 223 when both are shooting similar bullets. The case capacity advantage of the '250 is substantial.

Accuracy-
Both are capable of incredible accuracy. IMO, the 223 takes the win here. Ive yet to see a well built 22/250 beat out a well built 223 for shooting groups. Longer strings of accurate fire also belong to the 223.

Rifles-
If going the factory route, twist rates are fairly limited in the 22/250. Most being 1/12 or 1/14. That limits the shooter to 55grn bullets.

Factory 1/9 tiwst 223s are quite common. Giving the shooter a good bit more versatility. 40gnrs up to 75grn bullets.

BBLs will last much longer with a 223.

Even with a custom rifle, sporting any twist rate you desire, I would still pick a 223 over a 22/250.

Ammo-
There is no match grade ammo for the 22/250 that I know of. Plenty of options for 223.

The cost of reloading for the 223 is a bit less as well.

If you want the best of both worlds, spring for a custom build, fast twist 223AI!

 

[TEAMSENDIT]

Re: .22-250 vs. .223

I have both and would highly recommend the 223ai fast twist. you can push the 75's between 300-3100 easy which makes it an easy 600yd rifle also it burns less powder than 22-250. you also can shoot standard 223 ammo out of it and in most cases quite well. all things the same just make sure you dont' want to go past 600 because my 22-250ai is a lazer to 1000yds pushing 80vld at 3350 and the 223 and 223ai is a dud in comparison. so if you are staying under 600 go with the 223 or my preference 223ai.

 

[Evilaviator]

Re: .22-250 vs. .223

.223AI

 

[SingleShot85]

Re: .22-250 vs. .223

I always weigh in on the fast twist 22-250's

Remy 1 in 7" twist pushing 80gr Amax at an easy 3200fps

Here are the reasons I like my 250 better than the 223 or 223ai

1. 473 bolt face, I can change to barrel to 243, 260, 7mm-08, 308.......

2. reloading is moot since you have to with the 223ai but... w/o fire forming

3. OAL was never an issue that had to be accounted for.

4. pretty sure I can push a 90gr vld 3200fps, if i were so inclined

 

[Cegorach]

Re: .22-250 vs. .223

After reading this the .223 AI sounds very interesting, a future investigation perhaps…

 

[Downzero]

Re: .22-250 vs. .223

22-250 is the way to go if you can get a faster twist rifle, perhaps with a custom chamber.

.223 is cheap for brass and we all know most people are pushing damn near dangerous pressures with it. .223 will do the job, but as others have stated, it doesn't have the performance that 22-250 will have at any range.

Might as well through .220 Swift in the mix as well.....and .204 Ruger.

 

[dinosdeuce]

Re: .22-250 vs. .223

I'll chime in with my opinion. It's all in the twist. Don't let barrel life sway your decision. The number very too much to base your decision on that factor.

I have both, my .223's (5 ea) see all the use. I haven't shot my 22-250 for over a year. I shoot to 600yds at steel, a half IPSC, all the time. My load is 69gr Nosler HPBT in a 24" AR. The reason I shoot the .223 is the cost. 23.5grs vs 38gs of powder per squeeze. Military suplus brass is cheaper. By the way my 22-250 is becoming a .260 in the next 4 months.

Now there is no question the 22-250 will out perform the .223 out past 600yds, but you stated you would like to go to at least 600yds. From 100 to 400 I think it is a wash, especially since that is where you indicated you will do most of your shooting.

Goodluck with your decision.

 

[AUJohn]

Re: .22-250 vs. .223

"It's all in the twist. Don't let barrel life sway your decision. The number very too much to base your decision on that factor."

A .22-250 WILL have a MUCH shorter accurate life than a .223.
Some might last longer than others but if you can find a .223 barrel that went "off" as fast as a .22-250 then there are other factors at work.

 

[Hykin_C]

Re: .22-250 vs. .223

WOW! Thanks for all the posts guys....really appreciate it, I have taken all your comments into account, but I think I will go with the .223. Reasons being that I do not reload at the moment, thus I will have more options for match quality ammo ect.. with the .223. The rifle will indeed be factory and not custom. I was thinking a Weatherby vanguard Predator. I know that eventually I will pick up a .22-250 as well, because as I like to say, you can never have enough guns haha

. Anyways thanks for all your imput. Take care!

Hykin,C

 

[Witch_Doctor]

Re: .22-250 vs. .223

Not that familar with the 22/250, but my father wanted one for Christmas, so I got him a Howa Thumbhole Varminter Supreme, nice gun. Bull Barrel, free floated, the action is similar to a long action Remy and has an adjustable trigger that was set at a crisp 3#. We spent the other day breaking in the barrel with 40 rounds of 45 grainers burning 4000 fps. We weren't shooting for accuracy per se, but you always shoot for accuracy. That rifle was making one ragged hole at 100 yards and 200 yards. I was very impressed with it.