savage 223 or 22-250

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bmtoon

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Age old question, looking for first varmint rifle and need help in choosing have been reading a lot on both and am leaning to the 223 because of cheaper ammo but like the comments on the 22-250 as far as a bit more powerful round. Is there really that much difference?
 
I have a Savage and a CZ in .223 and believe it will handle most shots. If you reload a 22-250 may be the way to go. Some factory(win white box) ammo is crap. Shoots 2 1/2"-3 1/2" groups but the both rifles shoot 1/3" groups all the time with reloads. Cheers Roscoe
 
in terms of varmint hunting, you want a flat shooting, fast bullet with a long point-blank range. Of your two choices, the 22-250 is much better. Another round to consider is the 204 Ruger. Light bullets, loose twist and very fast are what make a varmint rifle exceptional.
 
you may also want to consider barrel life. The 22-250 is an awsome cartridge but very hard on barrels , I have seen them start to go south after as little as 1200 rounds. The 204 is one of my favorites ( I like the way gophers explode) but is also a little hard on barrels. 223 is a good choice , long barrel life, cheap to reload or buy ammo, works very well on gophers and coyotes with the right bullet. accually my next rifle I want to build will be a 223 for the reasons I just listed
 
Thanks, I do reload for other guns and will probably reload this at some time. Have been looking at some prices and looks very easy to get 223 but 22-250 is not as easy to get and a little pricier. THe more I look at this the 223 looks better and almost as good. I do not anticipate shooting past 3-400 yds and from what I have been reading the 223 will work just fine with less hassle at least for the first gun. can always get the 22-250 later if feel the need.
 
[Believe me the 22-250 is no hassle, yes the brass stretches when stoked to the max and the primer pockets stretch but when you dial in a 560 yard shot and the only thing that gets you is the wind that is a nice felling and yes I did get the badger on the second and the third shot. I have shot further with the gun but those shots are memorable. I have watched thousands of 204 rounds go downrange and yes the ballistics are better than the 250 but when it comes down to actual real life shooting the 250 out shines the 204 and with that said the 223 being lesser it just doesn't stand up to the 250 comparing apples to apples. This is why my shooting partners have switched to 243's for prairie doggin. My partner always ribbed me about the cost of the 250 to shoot but now the last laugh is on me as the are spending more and in the end it is no fun to miss and what ever gun you decide on shoot it lots and miss small

Edge
 
I had a .22-250. I now have a .223. Just the cost of ammo and being able to watch the bullet impact make the .223 worth having. I find it has alot less kick also. I'll let you know how it does on Yote's after this weekend.
 
Up to 350 metres there not much difference between the 2, after that it is 250 territory but 350 metres is pretty far, owning both i cant justified the 250 as coyotes and gophers just cant resist the 223, a 36 gr grenade at 3850 from the 223 is WOW... JP.
 
22.250 would be my recommendation. Fast flat shooter with better range than .223.
As for barrel burning that was mentioned above---if you don't load max. loads all the time you have no worries, 5000+ rounds easily.
 
I was in the same spot as you.
After much snooping and asking a whole pile of questions...reading my reloading manuals..and getting some great input from the Long Distance and Bench Shooters..(( Thankx Mystic and Obtunded )).I opted for the Tikka 223....1 in 8 twist Hvy Bbl Stainless. I started with the 69 gr Lapuas for the initial go round, had my fun...got my one ragged hole 5 shot group @ 100 yds..and now, I've just got some of the preliminary loads done and tested for the 80 grain A-Maxes....so far, 3/4" @ 200 yds. I can't wait for our club to finish the 400 yd range!!

IMHO....I'd go with the 223. Brass is every where's, 25 grains of powder and that's about it. You got several manufacturers making that caliber in a faster twist to accommodate the bigger heavier bullets. NO RECOIL whatsoever. Great for youngsters getting into the sport too. best of luck in what ever you decide.
 
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