223 versus 22-250
- Thread starter NHSHOOTER
- Start date
I have both. The .223 a Savage, the .22-250 a remington. Both bolt rifles. The .223 is what I mainly use as a practice/target rifle as it's cheaper to shoot/load and the barrel lasts longer. The .22-250 is my go-to varmint rifle, granted there isn't any prairie dogs around here so no high volume shooting. That way I don't burn my barrel out target shooting and I have the hot rod performance when out hunting.... So IMO get both! Lol.
Honestly the .223 will suit most peoples varmint rifle needs without breaking the bank. It's very well balanced... If I had to choose I would go with the .223.
Honestly the .223 will suit most peoples varmint rifle needs without breaking the bank. It's very well balanced... If I had to choose I would go with the .223.
Been there
New member
I would go for the Howa over the Mossberg & in .223. Stick to 55gr bullets.
trg42wraglefragle
New member
I would also take the Howa over the Mossberg.
And if you are looking at buying new Savage makes very good rifles, as well as the typical Remington.
I'd go for 223 also, and try out the new 53gr Vmax bullets. I like 22-250 but it needs a tighter twist than most factory rifles to really come into its own.
204 Ruger could be another consideration, I believe they are ok for coyote, and reloading for them in NZ is much the same as 223, but you will get a flatter shooting round, with slightly less noise and less recoil. But there still isn't noting wrong with 223.
And if you are looking at buying new Savage makes very good rifles, as well as the typical Remington.
I'd go for 223 also, and try out the new 53gr Vmax bullets. I like 22-250 but it needs a tighter twist than most factory rifles to really come into its own.
204 Ruger could be another consideration, I believe they are ok for coyote, and reloading for them in NZ is much the same as 223, but you will get a flatter shooting round, with slightly less noise and less recoil. But there still isn't noting wrong with 223.
Interesting you are leaning towards the 223....
I'm not trying to convince you of anything here, but the Howa is considered to be a good rifle. Unless damaged, $375 is a great price. I believe you will be putting out well over $600 to get a comparable 223.
223 is a fine round, but let's not confuse it with 5.56 NATO. Most 223 bolt guns would have a chamber that would occasionally be a bad fit to 5.56 ammo. Also, typical 5.56 ammo is not that accurate. I would like to see a 223 or 22-250 under .75" with proper reloads at 100 yards. Also 223 is ~$15 a box. 22-250 is about $25 per box, so not a lot of difference here. If I would have matched brads and bullets, I'm betting less than $3 a box difference.
Next, think optics. We always fall in love rifles and calibers, but in general optics make or break the fun factor. A good scope is what will make this work. If you were going to spend $250 on a scope, add the extra & $225 and see how nice a proper $425 scope will feel. Look in the store and order online for an even better deal.
Performance wise, the 22-250 is slightly better. 223 is still good enough though.
YMMV
If you pass on the Howa, you might want to check out a rifle in .243 Winchester. With 100 grain bullets, perfect for deer / hogs. With 55 / 85 grain bullets, varmints get vaporized. Research the .223 vs. .243 data.
And, in this current era, .223 ammo can be difficult to locate. .243 Win is still readily available on most dealers shelves. The late Jack O'Connor had nothing but praise for the .243 for up to deer sized game and said it basically replaced the old .250-3000 round. High power and mild recoil.
I just picked up a Remington 700 SPS Youth in .243 Win for my son for this X-Mass. I topped it off with a Nikon 3-9X50 scope. It's a sweet set up, and I can't wait to see his face when he opens it and sights it in. He doesn't know it yet, but we are going on a hog hunting trip down south in the spring.
And, in this current era, .223 ammo can be difficult to locate. .243 Win is still readily available on most dealers shelves. The late Jack O'Connor had nothing but praise for the .243 for up to deer sized game and said it basically replaced the old .250-3000 round. High power and mild recoil.
I just picked up a Remington 700 SPS Youth in .243 Win for my son for this X-Mass. I topped it off with a Nikon 3-9X50 scope. It's a sweet set up, and I can't wait to see his face when he opens it and sights it in. He doesn't know it yet, but we are going on a hog hunting trip down south in the spring.
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Hunter Customs
New member
I would look seriously at another rifle besides the Mossberg.
I would save my money and buy a higher end Savage rifle, I believe you will be much happier in the long run.
I have a Savage bolt gun in 223 with a 1in9 twist and accu trigger, the rifle shoots 5/16 inch groups at 100 yards with my 55 gr bullet handloads.
The Howa sounds like a good buy but I would want to know how many rounds has been shot through the rifle.
However I would still prefer a 223 over the 22-250.
Best Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntercustoms.com
I would save my money and buy a higher end Savage rifle, I believe you will be much happier in the long run.
I have a Savage bolt gun in 223 with a 1in9 twist and accu trigger, the rifle shoots 5/16 inch groups at 100 yards with my 55 gr bullet handloads.
The Howa sounds like a good buy but I would want to know how many rounds has been shot through the rifle.
However I would still prefer a 223 over the 22-250.
Best Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntercustoms.com
I have now re-barreled three 22-250s with barrels twisted 1-9"
The standard is 1-14.
Those I have done have gotten very good reviews from my customers who want to use heavier bullets. It's too fast a twist for the lightly jacketed "Blitz" and "SX" bullets, but for shooting 68 to 77 grain bullets at long range they work GREAT.
Personally, I think the factories should offer a faster twist in their 22-250s
The standard is 1-14.
Those I have done have gotten very good reviews from my customers who want to use heavier bullets. It's too fast a twist for the lightly jacketed "Blitz" and "SX" bullets, but for shooting 68 to 77 grain bullets at long range they work GREAT.
Personally, I think the factories should offer a faster twist in their 22-250s
You all make excellent points and Nathan, I have to say that you are right on point about the scope, you can have a very accurate rifle with a low power or not so good scope and that rifle will never perform to its fullest extent, only because the bullet will go where the shooter puts it. I have yet to go look at the Howa, if its still available I may go tomorrow after work, 1 question, can you tell by looking at the rifling for wear?
You really can't tell well by looking as honest shot out wear is done by powder attacking the throat. On a benchrest rifle, you might lop .25" from both ends, rechamber and recrown to a great varmint gun. not worth it IMO.
IMO, there are 3 ways to check a barrel you are worried about:
1) run a tight jag and patch down it. Ideally, you would clean it first. Any serious damage you can feel, or see at the crown. Typically bores in modern guns with modern ammo, are hard to damage, IMO. I also look hard at the overall wear and handling marks. It is hard for me to imagine someone treating the exterior with care and then ramming a steel rod up and down the bore to the point of damage...
2) you could shoot it. If you can shoot it or see a test target you trust, you can get a good idea about what you are buying. I would bring quality 22-250 ammo in a 45-50gr weight with a flat base bullet.
3) a barrel maker or barrel fitting gunsmith often has a borescope. They will scope a barrel for a relatively small fee. It allows them to see quite a bit, but I'm not sure it could be related well to group size. You can see throat damage I believe.
If you guess wrong, a new barrel can be put on from a couple of hundred to a match barrel at about $600.
IMO, there are 3 ways to check a barrel you are worried about:
1) run a tight jag and patch down it. Ideally, you would clean it first. Any serious damage you can feel, or see at the crown. Typically bores in modern guns with modern ammo, are hard to damage, IMO. I also look hard at the overall wear and handling marks. It is hard for me to imagine someone treating the exterior with care and then ramming a steel rod up and down the bore to the point of damage...
2) you could shoot it. If you can shoot it or see a test target you trust, you can get a good idea about what you are buying. I would bring quality 22-250 ammo in a 45-50gr weight with a flat base bullet.
3) a barrel maker or barrel fitting gunsmith often has a borescope. They will scope a barrel for a relatively small fee. It allows them to see quite a bit, but I'm not sure it could be related well to group size. You can see throat damage I believe.
If you guess wrong, a new barrel can be put on from a couple of hundred to a match barrel at about $600.
If you are still looking, get the Howa---I've had two Weatherby Vanguards [ Howa ] the .300 Short Mag was unbelievably accurate and a beautiful 30-06 that was also a shooter--- very well made rifles--- attached a couple photos for Ozzieman, my present and final 06 with a 3-9x40 Prostaff w/range finder reticle, another real good shooter---a little much for Groundhogs and Coyotes, but you know what they say, practice, practice, practice---------- John
4runnerman
New member
Still trying on the photos---sorry Ozzieman but it will not let me upload the photos again on this thread due to I attached them to the thread on scoping a Howa 1500 awhile back---thought you would like the shots because it's the same rifle you have---
Just go and rename them something else and walla
Just go and rename them something else and walla
Been there
New member
You can't get better value for money than the Vortex Diamondback, with its' bright & clear optics & good build quality.
At the monent, the 4-12 is available for the same price as the 3-9x40, both with BDC reticule for $199. You will need to spend a lot more to better it.
I would not hesitate to buy the 4-12 for a .22-250
At the monent, the 4-12 is available for the same price as the 3-9x40, both with BDC reticule for $199. You will need to spend a lot more to better it.
I would not hesitate to buy the 4-12 for a .22-250
I have both calibers in Rem 700's...with a 55 grain bullet I get 3,400 FPS in the .223 Rem (28.0 grains AA2460)...and 3,750 FPS in the .22-250 (35 grains of AA2520). The difference...22% more muzzle energy, 10% more muzzle veloity, & the .22-250 uses 25% more powder. At ranges past 200 yards the difference in velocity drops considerably.