223 versus 22-250

N

NHSHOOTER

New member
I of course want a new rifle, now I need to decide on a caliber. I know both listed calibers are fast and accurate, I would just like to hear what some of you think of both, pros and cons, I will be reloading for what ever one I choose. I mostly target shoot out to 300 yds but could possibly find 400 at the place I shoot. Also a possibility of a coyote or woodchuck on occasion. Also, anyone ever own or fire a Howa? There is a 22-250 Howa 1500 Varmint for sale not far from me, $375.00
 
Last edited:
22-250 is the superior round, IMHO, in a bolt gun. The trouble 22-250 has is most bolt guns are either 1:12 or 1:14 twist. IMHO, it would be best with a 1:8 or 1:9 twist for shooting 69-77 gr bullets.

Generally a 223 rifle has a faster twist, making it shoot heavier bullets better. Again, look for 1:7 - 1:9 twist.

If you will only shoot 45 - 55 gr bullets, either is fine.
 
At that range I will take my 223 over the 22-250 always. My 22-250 is accurate,but not as good as the 223. The 223 is cheaper to load and easier to find components for. At 300 yards is still cranking along with more than enough umpf to drop Yotes and dogs with ease. The big thing would be barrel life. The 223 will out last the 22-250 by a long shot. As for Howa----Awesome rifles. Little on the heavy side,but not to bad. My 223 is my go to rifle for tic tac toe at 100 yards with 9MMM shells. It's just a very fun rifle to shoot.
 
At over 200yrds if the wind is blowing the 223 is a whole nother game. The 22-250 is much better out to 3-400yrds and beyond especially if the wind is blowing.:eek:
 
I had this same choice to make several months ago. Similar rifle too, Weatherby S2, made by Howa.

The advice I got was to get the .223 by a long shot. Most of my shooting is out to 200 yards, but beyond that, the overall pros for the .223 make it the better choice. Ammo is much cheaper, and if you reload, you'll use half the powder. You'll also burn out a 22-250 barrel long before a .223 barrel.

It really comes down to how much you intend to shoot the rifle. If you're just going to sight it in and take it hunting a couple times a year, go for the 22-250. If you plan, like I did, to use the rifle at the range a lot, then the .223 is the better choice.
 
It's not a 22-250, but I've had a 220 for decades and I've used it on all sorts of small critters, on up to deer. I had no desire for a 223, but found a nice one on sale and bought it on impulse. Now I shoot it more than I do the 220. Now that I have both and have shot both a bazillion times, I find that I like that the 223 (with the faster twist) will shoot all sorts of bullet weights well, including the 60 gr Partition. And if I'm just going to blast a coyote, that tiny little Nosler 40 gr Ballistic Tip will zip along at near the speed of a 55 gr bullet in the 22-250 or 220. That little bullet just knocks em flat. Bottom line is that you just have more versatility with the 223, though I'll never sell the 220.
 
I have bolt guns in both calibers and load for both.
I prefer to shoot 55 gr bullets in both calibers, the 22-250 will move the 55's at 3600 fps while my 223 will move the 55's at 3300 fps.

I don't have a lot of trouble finding bullets to load but powder and primers is a little tougher to find.
The 22-250 takes large primers and I have other calibers that use them also, the 223 takes the small primers and that's the only caliber of rifle I own that uses them, so I don't have to ration them between other calibers.
This translates to me being able to shoot my 223 more then my 22-250.

Because of this and the 223 using less powder for slightly less speed I would keep my 223 over my 22-250.
Another plus for my 223 is it's more accurate then the 22-250.

Best Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntercustoms.com
 
At over 200yrds if the wind is blowing the 223 is a whole nother game. The 22-250 is much better out to 3-400yrds and beyond especially if the wind is blowing.- Jehu- All thigs considered- The 223 will fire a heavier bullet than the 22-250.* At 300 fps slower and shooting only 300 to 400 yards or less...... heavier bullet,223 hands down. Unless you can get a 22-250 with a btter twist rate. I can shoot a 55 gn out of my 22-250, On the other hand I can shoot a 75 gn out of my 223. Don't get me wrong the 22-250 is a fun rifle to shoot for sure,but is so limited with 55 gn bullets. 300 fps faster in wind is trumped by a heavier bullet in my book.
 
I had this exact problem last year for a purpose built predator rifle. Ammo availability and versatility gave the 223 a edge. I have a family member that deer hunts with his old bolt 223 and he has killed every deer he has pulled the trigger on. Now ammo manufactures are building deer and hog specific rounds for the 223. Hornady has several Superformance varmint rounds that are screamers. I shoot my Savage Predator rifle out to 400 yards without any issue. Its a tack driver. I made the right choice for my needs. My 223 would be a great do it all gun from predators to deer. It also would make a good survival rifle if you had to grab one rifle and go. Ammo availability and versatility gives the 223 the edge.
 
Your going to use 10 to 15gr more powder shooting the 22-250 vs 223 and no question 22-250 is faster.

I shot the 22-250 and 22-250AI for a number of years till I switched over to the 22Br and I'm shooting 223 with 1/14 twist barrel.

I shoot PD out to 300/400yds max with the 223 and out eastern Co we do have wind but if it's bad enough to effect the 223 it will also effect the 22-250.

I don't shoot target with 223 or 22Br their used varmint shooting but what you have to look at is yardage you want to shoot. I never did shoot 22-250 or 22-250AI under 300/400yds just lot of barrel wear for the short yardage.

If most of your shooting is 300/400yds I'd get the 22-250 be good coyote/woodchuck rifle also.
 
Flip a coin, heads 223, tails 22-250. But as you said.

I mostly target shoot out to 300 yds but could possibly find 400 at the place I shoot.
Click to expand...

The 22-250 has better accuracy at that range, but the 223 is more available and cheaper to shoot.

So flip that coin.
Jim

When in doubt I take out my Savage 243 Winchester.(LOL) With 50 grain bullets it will do 4,000 fps or with 95 grain or 105 grain bullets it will take deer. I still shoot my 223 more often than any other.
 
Last edited:
Several years ago I picked up a 700 in 223. It’s had a lot of mods since then and will shoot sub 1 moa’s all day as long as the winds not too bad.
I didn’t want t 22-250 due to the cost of components and if I need that much range I’ll take out my 6 mm Remington.
My choice would still be the 223.
 
Last edited:
Like Mr. "603country", I have two bolt .223's and a .220 swift. Both cartridges work fine for their intended purposes. The thing is: targets that are small to begin with, get even smaller beyond 250 yards, and, as a practical matter, you don't really give up that much range and performance with a .223 versus one of the larger .22 centerfires. I shoot my .223's much more than the swift, and I find myself shooting my two hornets even more.

Either a .223 or .22-250 will work for you and as jim said, you can flip a coin. However, my landing spot would be for the .223 for the reasons in the above posts.
 
Went to a gun show this morning and checked out a couple of 223's one was a new mossberg with bull barrel and syn stock in the 650.00 range. Have yet to make it over to check out the Howa in person but then again the Howa is 22-250 and after all the feedback I have gotten here I think I am leaning towards the 223. I will definitely keep you informed of my choice. Thanks for all the great feedback.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top