.22-250 vs. .223?

Question

I'm am going to get a new rifle soon for coyote hunting. I was wondering which would be better? Or any good brands? How much is the cost difference in ammo?

Answer 1

the 22-250 is a better performer but surprisingly not that much better. Check out some balistics tables and decide if that marginal difference in drop/weight is important. Don't worry about killing the coyote both will do it.

here are some tables
http://www.handgunsmag.com/ballistics/?url=%2Fballistics%2F22_250_remington.html&x=2&y=6
So if you zero at 200 shoot at the top of the back at 300 the coyote is dead using either.
If you use light bullets you can aim the exact same way with either gun and take coyotes out to 500 yards with basically the same velocity

The difference starts opening up with heavy bullets but if you are shooting v-max you will never know the difference.

Answer 2

The .223 is a common round, one of the most widely available centerfire cartridges, and one of the more versatile calibers. Loads range from a burning 30gr at over 4000 fps, all the way to the special 90gr at a sluggish 2600 fps. There are special subsonic loads available, military surplus steel-core rounds, tracers, incendiary rounds, and others unusual rounds available on the internet.

The .22-250 is a less common round, made more expensive by that fact, as well as the fact that there's more powder and brass, there's just more cartridge. Loads range from 35gr varmint grenades moving at 4200 fps all the way to 80gr match bullets sliding in at just under 3200 fps. The drawback to this much velocity is an increased barrel wear. The higher pressure behind the bullets will cause your barrel to become 'shot out' sooner than it would with the .223, but not as badly as a .220 Swift.

The .223 will be available in most bolt action designs, as well as the .22-250, but the .223 is also available in many semi-auto rifles as well. So unless you're in a situation where ammunition avalability isn't important, you're not going to be firing more than 2000 rounds in your rifle's life, and you need those extra 200 fps or so, the .223 is a much better choice. If, however, you are shooting for the higher velocity, the .22-250 is the answer.

Answer 3

The .22-250 vs. the .223? Get the .223 for ammo availability and cost. The .22-250 has more 'reach' but it is a dated caliber and neither one is suitable for anything other than vamint. Coyote is about the biggest critter I'd shoot with either. The .223 is just more economical to shoot.

Best.

H

Answer 4

Choose a .22-250. Why? It is superior for long range shooting due to increased velocity. If you choose to use heavier bullets, say in the 60 grain plus range, these will retain greater velocity than if fired from a .223 and will most importantly be less deflected by wind. Shooting coyotes is not an intense day of shooting. It is a lot of waiting for an opportunity to present itself after calling. So the cost of the 22-250 ammo with only 6 or less shots fired per day is of little consequence. If you are going to shoot prairie dogs or ground squirrels in a high volume shoot, you would be better off with the .223 due to ammo cost.
My choice would be a Remington 700 in 22-250 with a varmint barrel or the Remington Rangemaster see: http://www.remington.com. If you are so inclined, you could start reloading your own ammo to be able to afford to shoot more as it is cheaper to stuff the cases on a reusable basis rather than buy factory ammo. Good luck.

Answer 5

.223 is accurate out to 600 yards with the right gun, ammo and scope (6" groups). The cost of 22-250 ammo is significantly higher than that of the .223. My vote would be hands down for the .223.

Consider the Ruger Model 77 Hawkeye, Bushmaster, Remington model 700 or the Browning White Gold Medallion.

If it were me I'd go with the Ruger due to economics.

Answer 6

The .22-250 is based on the obsolete .250 Savage case, not the .270 (that would approximate the .220 Swift). Although the .22-250 is more expensive to shoot than the .223, it does have more punch and greater range - actually, unless I wanted to use the same rifle on smaller varmints also, I would choose the .243 for coyote, with a 75 or 80gr. bullet. Match-grade hollowpoints will minimise pelt damage, but regular soft-points will put them down faster.

Answer 7

I think this is the same person I recommended 22-250 to in a prev. quest.If out right target/fun shooting is a real issue the ammo cost might be an issue.How ever performance; the 22-250 all day.Essentially a 270 cartige neck down to a 22.Originally a wildcat shell that found it's way mainstream both in rifles and ammo manufacture.coyotes,havolina,bobcat killer.Most of your small bullet high power combos came afterwards.(tiny bullet-KINGKONG CHARGE)

Answer 8

Remington or Savage Brand in 22-250 caliber is a better choice.*

Answer 9

I like the .22-250 for the higher velocity, same bullet weight.
.223 is cheaper ammo.
Ruger 77V is heavy barrel and extremely accurate.

Answer 10

LESLIE, IT IS
'JAVALINA" VS "HAVOLINA"