Bench Shooting - 22-250 or .223?

quikcolin

quikcolin

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Hey guys,

Looking to get a longer range rifle and I'm trying to decide on either a 22-250 or a .223.

I'm going to be bench shooting almost exclusively. I will never hunt with it, it will be used for punching paper and steel dongs. Our local range is 300 meters. Occasionally I can head up to a friends property in the Halliburton area where we can push 1000 yards (I won't be able to get out there often, so 100-200 and 300 meters will be 95% of it's use).

I understand the difference between the two, I just don't have any real world experience.

The .223 is cheaper to shoot, and to 300 yards seems to hold its own. I'm considering a 22.250 simply due to availability of that calibre in the rifle I'm interested in. Tikka T3X Stainless Varmint.

Should I wait for a .223 to become available... or pull the trigger on a 22-250?

Thanks.
 
Like everything in life it's a trade off. The 22-250 is faster and more powerful and has a better chance of getting to 1000 yards. I've had my 22-250 out to 700 but it was getting pretty difficult to formulate any kind of groups, cheap gun and scope mind you. The .223 is cheaper and very capable at 300 yards.
 
T-BO said:
Like everything in life it's a trade off. The 22-250 is faster and more powerful and has a better chance of getting to 1000 yards. I've had my 22-250 out to 700 but it was getting pretty difficult to formulate any kind of groups, cheap gun and scope mind you. The .223 is cheaper and very capable at 300 yards.
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That's what I'm thinking... the 223 is going to take care of me within majority of the rifles use. Far more ammo options as well. Thx for the reply
 
I would steer you to pick the rifle based on twist rate rather than the brass case in this instance. Find a rifle with a 1 in 8 or 1 in 9 twist to stabilize bullets up to 75 or 80 grains so you have the ballistic coefficient to get out there. Trying to throw a 55 grain bullet 1000 yards in any sort of wind is difficult. I believe most 22-250 have a 1 in 14 or 1 in 12 twist while quite a few 223 rifles can be had in a 1 in 9.
 
A fast twist 223 will reach out farther than the tikka varmint 22-250 with the slow twist, if you can find a 22-250 tikka with the 1-8 twist i would consider it but the 223 will last a long time and bench shooting is boring if your waiting for the barrel to cool all the time.
 
Markus said:
I would steer you to pick the rifle based on twist rate rather than the brass case in this instance. Find a rifle with a 1 in 8 or 1 in 9 twist to stabilize bullets up to 75 or 80 grains so you have the ballistic coefficient to get out there. Trying to throw a 55 grain bullet 1000 yards in any sort of wind is difficult. I believe most 22-250 have a 1 in 14 or 1 in 12 twist while quite a few 223 rifles can be had in a 1 in 9.
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EDIT, someone answered my question while I was typing. Thanks Cummis. So I'm looking for a fast twist rate on a .223. I'm not sure if the Tikka T3X Varmint Stainless is available in different twists? I could be wrong...
 
223 for sure! I had a bighorn tl3 223 rifle built with heavy varmint mtu barrel. 1-8” twist for a versatile twist rifle to shoot 50-80 grain bullets
 
barrel life comparison.
can’t remember the numbers but are the numbers
223. 4000 rounds

22-250. 1000 rounds

fast twist 223 can be quite accurate out to 500 yards or more.

the odd. duck shoots a 223 with 90 grain bullets out to 1000 in for class so it can be done
 
A fast (1:8) twist .223 Rem would be my bet. .22-250s rarely come in fast twist rates so even though the bullet leaves the barrel at a rate of knots, the light bullet and usually lower BC make it suffer as you get further out.

Whatever you choose, enjoy your shooting

Scrummy
 
Thank you so much, guys. Every time I post here I gain more and more knowledge. There is a lot to soak up, but really appreciate all the insight and advise!
 
Yeah a 223 8 twist will outperform a 250 12/14 twist at longer ranges. Been there done that! Try 80 SMK's (first choice) or 77 SMK's and if they work in your gun, you're set!
 
Cummins said:
A fast twist 223 will reach out farther than the tikka varmint 22-250 with the slow twist, if you can find a 22-250 tikka with the 1-8 twist i would consider it but the 223 will last a long time and bench shooting is boring if your waiting for the barrel to cool all the time.
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This is good advice. If its doable to build a custom 223 (or to simply add a new barrel). Seriously consider a 1 in 7 twist. You will easily stabilize target projectiles in the 70 to 80 grain range. 90 vlds will be doable at 1,000 yards. Go with a 28 inch or longer barrel to achieve and eztra 150 fps or so out of any given load.
 
Jefferson said:
barrel life comparison.
can’t remember the numbers but are the numbers
223. 4000 rounds

22-250. 1000 rounds

fast twist 223 can be quite accurate out to 500 yards or more.

the odd. duck shoots a 223 with 90 grain bullets out to 1000 in for class so it can be done
Click to expand...

Have just under 4k rounds out of my 223 Tikka barrel still shoots MOA with hand loads (never really shot any factory) rounds.
 
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