22-250 vs 223
- Thread starter KMAX
- Start date
ndking1126
New member
The .22-250's advantages are speed and flatter trajectory. At 200 yards and less, practically speaking you will see little to no differences between the two.
Either one will get the job done easily if the person pulling the trigger does everything right.
Either one will get the job done easily if the person pulling the trigger does everything right.
Sweet Shooter
New member
Personally I can't see much past 200 yards and I'm having a hard time slowing down the .223, which I think is way overpowered as a small game (rabbit/hare size) hunting rifle, if you're trying to eat your game afterwards. And yes for running costs you can't beat it.
Full house loads are impressive in both the .223 and 22-250. Great varminters but not much use for the cook pot unless you're looking to shoot antelope or white tail... or perhaps a bit bigger game.
-SS-
Full house loads are impressive in both the .223 and 22-250. Great varminters but not much use for the cook pot unless you're looking to shoot antelope or white tail... or perhaps a bit bigger game.
-SS-
200 yds 7 cookpot
200 yds is my farthest target at the range. Rabbits are .22lr targets out to about 100 yds. I am looking for something capable for fox and coyote, not that I really hunt them. .223 is capable enough for whitetail here, but I have a .270 that I really like and am very good with. Looks like .223 is favored here. Thanks for the info all.
200 yds is my farthest target at the range. Rabbits are .22lr targets out to about 100 yds. I am looking for something capable for fox and coyote, not that I really hunt them. .223 is capable enough for whitetail here, but I have a .270 that I really like and am very good with. Looks like .223 is favored here. Thanks for the info all.
First let me say, "I'm not a hunter!", now having said that, let me ask a question. Is it legal to hunt deer with a 223, or a 22-250? IIRC, some states require minimum of 23 cal for medium size game (Deer) and 25 cal. for big game (Elk).
If I were to live between 100 yds. and 200 yds. on paper, I would be looking around for something smaller. Maybe an old 222Rem, 22 Hornet, or even a 22LR.
If I were to live between 100 yds. and 200 yds. on paper, I would be looking around for something smaller. Maybe an old 222Rem, 22 Hornet, or even a 22LR.
Where I am it is legal to hunt deer with .223 or .22-250. I certainly would not go after elk with one. My choice of 223 or 22-250 is because if I have to I can run down to Walmart on Sunday morning and get ammo. Not so with many other calibers. I haven't seen a 22 Hornet in years and 222 is not readily available to me on a moments notice.
Clifford L. Hughes
New member
KMAX:
When I hunted prairie dogs in Arizona I used both the 223 and the 22-250. I shot with the 223 early in the morning until the wind started blowing and drifting my bullets, at witch time I shot the 22-250 until around noon when the wind blew so hard that neither caliber would hit dogs at 300 yards.
Semper Fi.
Gunnery sergeant
Clifford L. Hughes
USMC Retired
When I hunted prairie dogs in Arizona I used both the 223 and the 22-250. I shot with the 223 early in the morning until the wind started blowing and drifting my bullets, at witch time I shot the 22-250 until around noon when the wind blew so hard that neither caliber would hit dogs at 300 yards.
Semper Fi.
Gunnery sergeant
Clifford L. Hughes
USMC Retired
Sweet Shooter
New member
It's been a little while since this discussion came up. This thread just morphed into it. Don't break the law, but—anyone with any real world experience will know that a .223 will nail a moose to the floor with a solid head shot. There isn't any game it will not take. it will take African lion, polar bear anything. They are all just flesh and bone. Don't try to shoot anything bigger than a coyote in the boiler room, it will not work quick enough. But good, well placed head shots—anything.
Watch how quick this thread gets closed.
-SS-
Watch how quick this thread gets closed.
-SS-
There is what can be done and what should be done. I do like to take head shots when I can but I wouldn't want to have to rely on them as my only option.
Now, back to the OPs question. I am partial to the 22-250 but inside of 200 yards on paper and varmints, the 223 is plenty. As already stated, it also has the advantage of longer barrel life, less heat, and cheaper ammo, especially if you don't reload.
Sweet Shooter
New member
@SRH78
My point is, there isn't anything inside of 200 yards that it couldn't do. Whether the circumstances permit (absence of charging African lion) or whether the rifleman is up to the task is an entirely different matter.
-SS-
Yes, and then there is what must be done.
My point is, there isn't anything inside of 200 yards that it couldn't do. Whether the circumstances permit (absence of charging African lion) or whether the rifleman is up to the task is an entirely different matter.
-SS-
Shane Tuttle
Staff
This thread isn't here to discuss the capabilities/incapabilities of .223/.22-250 on elk, African game, or any other big animal. The OP was specific on his questions and provided information on what he intends to use on larger game. Let's stick to the topic at hand.
KMAX,
At 200yds, I'd stick with .223. You'll find ammo galore for it from your local gun shops to online stores. Accuracy difference is just the same as .22-250 at that distance for the purposes you state.
KMAX,
At 200yds, I'd stick with .223. You'll find ammo galore for it from your local gun shops to online stores. Accuracy difference is just the same as .22-250 at that distance for the purposes you state.
KMAX,
I was in a similar situation about 1 year ago when deciding between the .223 and .22-250 in a Remington 700. I also shoot paper targets between 100-200 yards but I bought the .22-250 for the following reasons:
1) I reload and all my rifle calibers use large rifle primers
2) Seems like everyone I know has a .223
3) More velocity
4) My research at the time points to the .22-250 as the preferred varmint cartridge to reach out further and touch the critters more accurately.
Good luck with your search and let us know what you decide on.
I was in a similar situation about 1 year ago when deciding between the .223 and .22-250 in a Remington 700. I also shoot paper targets between 100-200 yards but I bought the .22-250 for the following reasons:
1) I reload and all my rifle calibers use large rifle primers
2) Seems like everyone I know has a .223
3) More velocity
4) My research at the time points to the .22-250 as the preferred varmint cartridge to reach out further and touch the critters more accurately.
Good luck with your search and let us know what you decide on.
MOshooter65202
New member
I have both 223 and 22-250
For punching paper at 200 yards I would opt for a 223,less recoil longer barrel life and factory ammo everywhere for the 223.
For punching paper at 200 yards I would opt for a 223,less recoil longer barrel life and factory ammo everywhere for the 223.
phil mcwilliam
New member
.223 will suit you for shooting paper/varmits at 200 yards.The .223 is also a bit quieter than the 22-250. I prefer the 22-250 cause I tend to shoot at varmits a little further out than 200 yards. I also come across hogs/goats when varmit shooting & the 22-250 does better on mid sized game than the .223 in my experience. The 22-250 will wear out barrels quicker than a .223, but nothing much to worry about. I did end up replacing the barrel on my Sako 22-250 but the original barrel lasted 25 years.