22-250AI vs 223AI ?

The first one was a Smith & Wesson (Howa 1500) and had a 1:12 twist. The next was a Remington, also a 1:12.

The Stevens factory barrel has a 1:9 twist. I was concerned how the Balistic Tips would survive the trip down the bore, however they do just fine. :)

Ted
 
Had a Rem Model 700 Stainless w/24" stainless King 1:14 w/Rem 700 laminate mtn stock chambered in 223 AI... am having it rechambered to 22-250 AI as we speak!

While the 223AI a neat little round, it can't do what a 22-250 can (without walking on the throttle), and 22-250 AI is an entirely different animal.

If I lived in prairie dog country, I would keep the 223 AI no problem. However, my main purpose for that rifle is a walking predator rifle, and my primary quarry is coyotes (with a very good possiblity at wolves), and this is where the 22-250AI brings a lot more to the table.

The ability to push a 52gr TSX @ 3900+ fps and 55gr bullets at 3800+ fps is something the 223AI can't do (also 40gr at 4200+ fps).

Varmints and high volume shooting - 223 AI

Predators - 22-250AI

And why the AI? Case life is great, and not trimming brass (that alone is worth it!!!!!).

280_ACKLEY
 
I've got a 223AI as well. It has all the virtues and faults already mentioned.

28.5 grains of H335 pushes a 50 grain bullet at 3650 fps, and it averages at or under a half-inch for 5 shots at 100 yards. Closer to 3/8" actually with 50 grain V-Maxes. I've shot groups well under an inch at 300 yards with it.

It is built on a short action M700, and has a Pac-Nor 24" #3 Pac-Nor super match barrel.

It is cheap to feed, and you can shoot lots without heating the barrel.

The down side? It is fussy to feed from the magazine. It feeds okay if you are very careful in the positioning of rounds in the mag, with the base slightly higher than the nose. But I'll say it again...it is fussy.

If I wanted a rifle for mostly playing it or the standard 223 are great. My fireforming load consists of 55 grain Hornady SP bulk bullets and a surplus powder from Higgonson. You can buy 1000 prepped brass from Canuck223 on this board for $85 or so. It works out to around 22 cents a shot.

However, for a fur rifle it won't touch a swift or 22-250AI. The down sides to those of course is that for play you spend a lot more time waiting for the barrel to cool than you do shooting it.
 
the 6mm's trump the 22's for long range performance, especially on bigger stuff like mr wolfie. if even a light 6mm recoils too much for ya, might be time to check what color underwear you wear. :D for a walking predator rig, something just has to be light and accurate enough to make hits out to 300 yards feasable, usually a guy can call em in much closer to that.

for a flat out 'shoot em where ya see em' rig, something like a 6mm AI or a 25-06 with 80 grain bullets is probably the way to go

im not sure what the point of my post was :p
 
todbartell said:
the 6mm's trump the 22's for long range performance, especially on bigger stuff like mr wolfie. if even a light 6mm recoils too much for ya, might be time to check what color underwear you wear. :D for a walking predator rig, something just has to be light and accurate enough to make hits out to 300 yards feasable, usually a guy can call em in much closer to that.

for a flat out 'shoot em where ya see em' rig, something like a 6mm AI or a 25-06 with 80 grain bullets is probably the way to go

im not sure what the point of my post was :p
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Me neither, as I've whacked yotes past the 550yd line with a 22-250.....how many dogs have you killed with the 6mm?:D

Honestly, I have to agree with ya... but budgetary constraints see me using the same .224 tube instead of handing over an extry $600 to Gaillard for a new stainless 6mm tube. Were I finding myself with extra cash and nothing to do, a 6 Rem AI or 6-284 would be at the smith getting twisted up as we speak.... dare to dream... dare to dream!!!!

Honestly though, there are no flies on the 22-250 / 22-250 AI... I've done in nearly 200 yotes and a few wolves with one, and it was a hammer!

280_ACKLEY
 
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ElmerFudd said:
No trimming at all required? Or just once after fire forming?

How often do you need to trim for 223 Remington anyways? (don't have one yet)

Good information guys! :D


Fudd
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To be honest, I never really bought into the 'less trimming required' bit. I load for several calibers, and none stretch to the point where they need trimming for several loadings. The Hornet, for example, has a reputation for stretching. But - when loaded within reasonable pressures and neck-only sizing, I've gotten 10+ loads out of brass. The brass itself fails before it stretches to the point where it requires trimming.
 
Let's not forget guys, that providing the ammo fits the chamber, it doesn't stretch much at all when being fired. It's the expander ball in the resizing die that stretches it.

I use the Redding neck sizer die with ti ni bushings in my 223AI (0.245" for my particular rifle and WW brass), it doesn't even use an expander ball. Let's just say stretching is not an issue. As the case shortens slightly when fireforming, I never have to trim those cases.

I also have a body die for it in case the base starts to get a bit tight, but a 38/357 carbide sizing die with the depriming pin/expander ball removed accomplishes the same thing.
 
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I'm leaning toward the 22-250AI, but certainly not because its better than the 223AI. I already have a 22-250 on the way, so I want to be able to take advantage of the same size bolt face.

The 223AI sounds like a winner, so maybe eventually I'll rechamber my 223 to become a 223AI. :D
 
todbartell said:
for a walking predator rig, something just has to be light and accurate enough to make hits out to 300 yards feasable, usually a guy can call em in much closer to that.
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My idea of a "walking varminter" is a lightweight rifle that will lay the smack down from 6ft to 600yds on coyotes. I hunt predominately by calling, but often in large fields and cutblocks (you've been with me), and shoot them where I see 'em.

Truthfully, when I am targeting strictly wolves I leave the 22's at home and pack my 280AI w/ 140gr TSX @ 3167fps, as it seems a better choice for long range wolves and raking shots at a fleeing pack.

I've yet to try a TSX in the 22cal, and am looking forward to seeing how they perform. A 53gr TSX seems like it'll be good medicine for wolf.

280_ACKLEY
 
280_ACKLEY said:
Me neither, as I've whacked yotes past the 550yd line with a 22-250.....how many dogs have you killed with the 6mm?:D
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dont need to stab a hobo with a knife to find out what will happen, dont need to shoot a yote with a 6mm to know what it'll do ;)
 
here's my opinion, and it's worth exactly what you'll pay for it:D

Go with the standard 22-250...it's 120% of the 223AI, no fireforming and you know it'll feed.........and it's 90% of the 22-250 AI...again...no fireforming....

and as for the powder consumption argument...if you can't afford the powder to run a 22-250 over a 223AI...you can't afford the gas to go out hunting anyways...and what you save on powder for your hunting loads you'll use up on bullets and powder fireforming brass......I sold every 223AI I ever built and have no idea what I'll do with the reamer...:D
 
Rembo said:
here's my opinion, and it's worth exactly what you'll pay for it:D

Go with the standard 22-250...it's 120% of the 223AI, no fireforming and you know it'll feed.........and it's 90% of the 22-250 AI...again...no fireforming....

and as for the powder consumption argument...if you can't afford the powder to run a 22-250 over a 223AI...you can't afford the gas to go out hunting anyways...and what you save on powder for your hunting loads you'll use up on bullets and powder fireforming brass......I sold every 223AI I ever built and have no idea what I'll do with the reamer...:D
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I think the biggest reason behind ANY of the wildcats is just to be different then the rest. All the other saving powder stuff, or bla bla is just an excuse.
If a 22 LR won't cut it, get a 223. Still not enough... 22-250. More yet... 243... and so on and so on. But then again... what fun would that be, just goin to walmart and buyin a box of shells??
 
I just go directly from my 700 Classic in 222 for stuff up to 250 yards, to my 220 Swift for the far out and bigger varmints. I have shot a few yotes and a wolf with my HB 6mm, but it is a beast to lug around at 13#. Sure is deadly though with the 70 grain Ballistic Tip and 47N [Higginson] powder. Just over 3700 fps, and flat as a laser beam. Eagleye.
 
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