22-250 vs 223

I didn't notice who had posted before me... but in reading the responses, it is clear to those who have actually shot these two cartridges in various platforms in the field, which of the responses was written by someone quoting a chart... not pointing it at anyone specific... don't get flinchy... unless you would care to own it.

OK, I understand. Just clarifying my intent in this post. I'm not sure what flinchy or own it means, and I really don't care to know.
 
Last edited:
And we have come to the point that most of the "hair splitting" forum arguments eventually reach.

There is no argument that the .22-250 gets more velocity from any given bullet weight than the .223 can manage. The .22-250 is superior ballistically.

Whether that matters to most coyote hunters is the issue, and what "matters" is often linked to a limited number of experiential data points, ballistic mythology, and rationalization of past decisions. Once we get to that point the discussion always begins to "split hairs" and, in the worst cases, devolve into ad hominem.

I Love my .22-250 and it has never failed me when used properly. My brother-in-law Loves his .223 and it has never failed him when used properly. In our hunts together, not once has the decision about "who takes this shot" ever come down to which caliber would be used to take it. THAT is my interpretation of the OP's question. Pick one and learn to use it properly. But there is no real life reason to even have this argument. (Just like LOTS of other hair splitting arguments on this site. How about the .270 vs the .280 for an example.)

I'm going coyote hunting as soon as deer seasons end.

I agree. Some want to take it to an almost scientific level, to show how much they "know", vs simply answer the OP's question.
 
So is the OP talking about building custom guns??? I don't think so...


hoytcanon, for the heck of it I check on available ammo at 4 different stores in my area today....45 gr and 55 gr ammo was all that was availiable in both 223 and 22-250. In this case the 22-250 comes out a head hands down regardless of twist.
 
hoytcanon, for the heck of it I check on available ammo at 4 different stores in my area today....45 gr and 55 gr ammo was all that was availiable in both 223 and 22-250. In this case the 22-250 comes out a head hands down regardless of twist.

I am only comparing reloaded ammo as that is what I do... and comparing the two .22/250's that I used to own to the six .223's that I still own... don't get me wrong... I like the .22/250 alot... never met a cartridge I didn't like... but for me and my purposes, the .223 is just a better fit.
 
and I'm also comparing reloaded ammo and how it smacks down coyotes.

Beyond 150 yards the 223 no matter what load I shoot does not snack coyotes down like a 22-250 does
 
I don't reload and I use a factory rifle. I have a .223, .22-250 and .243. The .22-250 comes with me almost every time for coyotes. Whether I'm sitting at my bait pile, Calling or running the hounds. All three guns are bolt guns M788, T3 and M700. I like all of them but I guess I think the .22-250 is the luckiest.

.223 - No recoil, See hits threw the scope with ease. Quietest of the bunch. Cheapest on ammo. Very accurate but I found I had the most runners (still killed them) Little entrance hole and exit for the most part
.22-250 Loud, Slight muzzle jump makes it not quite as easy to see hits threw the scope. Can be hard on pelts if extreme close range. Flat shooting cartridge that seems to drop coyotes on the spot with most boiler room hits.
.243 - Loudest of the 3. Most recoil/muzzle jump, Very hard on hides with most factory ammo. But my god you can drop them like the hammer of Thor. Good practice for deer season. I have shot a few yotes from the barn at about 450-500 yards with the .243 over the years.....
 
I've had all 3 chamberings over the years and handloaded for all. They all will do the job on critters without F-ing up pelts or jumping the muzzle much depending on the load and weight of the rifle. My current rifle, a Savage 10 PC in .223 is a dandy platform for varmints or deer sized critters when matching the bullet & velocity for the game.:)
 
Personally I only hunt what I would eat and yotes ain't on my the menu, lol.

If need be for predator control I'd use the .243.
 
NO
50gr bullet
223= 3300 fps
22-250=3900 fps
600 fps more in the 22-250
groundhog just vaporized, very devastating.
but, how dead you need to kill it.
barrel longevity is a concern in some case.

Put is this way,
there's always fights between 308-30/06, only 200 fps difference.
same thing 30-06 vs 300 mag. another 200 difference.
can you compare a 308 VS a 300 win mag: NO
its only 400 fps difference.
now imagine this 600 fps difference.....
 
Had a 22-250 never really got great velocity out of it. Took 10 grains ish more powder then 223 and only a bit faster. Sold it and my cz 223 shoots 40gr bullets over 3800fps. Thats good enough for me.
 
I also want the flattest trajectory that I can get.

A lot of the coyotes I shoot aren't hanging around waiting for me to dial in my scope so I can pop a pin hole thru them so they can run off forever before they drop.

Try a 204. Higher bc on those then the normal hunting .224" bullets.
Hornady 40gr in a 204 bc od .274. hornady 55gr in .224" .255. The 53gr vmax is .290
204 39gr blitzking .287. 224 55gr blitzkind .271
 
.223 - No recoil, See hits threw the scope with ease. Quietest of the bunch. Cheapest on ammo. Very accurate but I found I had the most runners (still killed them) Little entrance hole and exit for the most part
.22-250 Loud, Slight muzzle jump makes it not quite as easy to see hits threw the scope. Can be hard on pelts if extreme close range. Flat shooting cartridge that seems to drop coyotes on the spot with most boiler room hits.
.243 - Loudest of the 3. Most recoil/muzzle jump, Very hard on hides with most factory ammo. But my god you can drop them like the hammer of Thor. Good practice for deer season. I have shot a few yotes from the barn at about 450-500 yards with the .243 over the years.....

This sums it up. Stress that I rarely have exit with the 223 on coyotes - I load the 40 grain max . I'm using the 223
 
Back
Top Bottom