223 or 22-250

Canuck07

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So I have been reading some forums on the 223 vs 22-250 as I am going to get one for a varmint gun. I'm leaning towards the 22-250 and the only cons I have read is that the ammo is more expensive and it has more recoil. Is that it or is there some other cons out there on the 22-250?
 
Ammo availability, and can you hand load a 22-250? (Dont' think so..). There used to be a lot more surplus 223 (5.56) available than there is now, but you can still find 223 for $8/box (20). 22-250 is a flatter trajectory and more energy beyond 200 yards. I don't know about pelt damage, I was only researching for target shooting.

Quick search kicked up that it's all in the shot placement for pelt damage. I think if 22-250 is available to you easily, and your budget allows for it, grab one. If you feel you might be traveling with it or are concerned with finding ammo, 223 is your ticket.
 
You will wear out a 22-250 barrel faster than a 223, but that shouldn't be a practical concern if you are hunting with it and not shooting hundreds of rounds a week year round.
 
Ammo availability, and can you hand load a 22-250? (Dont' think so..).

yes you can reload 22-250....done it many times



it cost more to shoot but is much better at long range, look up the data for reloading, there is about double the powder in a 22-250 as a 223. much faster and flatter shooting which helps with errors in distance estimation.

Incorrect distance estimation is the number one cause of a missed shot.


shoot at 400 yards and you will really see the difference.
 
I do a lot of varmit hunting here in Ontario, I use a Win Model 70 .243 heavy barrel, my friend uses a CZ .22-250 and my brother has a Savage .223, all are good for varmint hunting and we reload all. I have shot them all and the felt recoil on all of them are minimal.

The bigger the caliber the larger the range of bullet sizes there are and the cost is relative as well, really depends on the type of varmint, the expected distances you will be shooting and how pin point you want to be.

Generally factory varmint ammo, like Hornady ballistic tipped, among others works great. If you really want to be precise reloading is the way to go, allows you to experiment with different size bullets and powders to find the combo that your gun likes the best.

You cant go wrong with any of them, they are all very well proven calibers.

Scott
 
It depends on what varmints you are shooting and what the average range is.
Either one would be fine and recoil is not really that much in the .22-250.

If you are new to shooting I would go for the .223, slightly cheaper, less muzzle blast and easily effective to 300 yards for a beginner.

Dan
 
So I have been reading some forums on the 223 vs 22-250 as I am going to get one for a varmint gun. I'm leaning towards the 22-250 and the only cons I have read is that the ammo is more expensive and it has more recoil. Is that it or is there some other cons out there on the 22-250?
Much louder if that may be a concern. I have had farmers question what the heck I was shooting on their farm with the short barreled .243. It's why I bought a .223.

May not matter in your case.
 
.22-250 not being widely available? Huh? Every gun store I've ever walked into, big and small, and every sporting goods store that sold ammo has sold .22-250. Along with .22LR, .30-06, .308, and 12 Gauge its the most common one I see, even in stores that only sell five calibres of ammunition. Kick is negligent on both, although you might start to feel that .22-250 a bit if you're wearing a T-shirt and shooting five boxes through it in a short period of time. If you're using a heavy rig or a bipod recoil shouldn't knock you off target too much, and .22-250 is DEFINITELY reloadable, just as reloadable as .223. Not sure why people think its not...?
 
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