I have had both. Considering you have a hornet I'd take a jump to the 22-250. The .223 is more practical in every aspect but I do really enjoy and trust my 22-250. I've hit many coyote at under 250yds in the boiler room with the .223 and had them run 10 to 100 yards. With the 22-250 I've only had a few runners go less than 25yds. The extra punch is very noticable. I've never got to hunt p.dogs but watching your hits isn't to easy with the 22-250.
what to buy 223 rem or 22-250
- Thread starter iceman2
- Start date
You state that you reload, want low noise, you want to punch paper and shoot coyotes then it is very hard to beat a 204 Ruger and 35gr Bergers. But if you don't want the ideal round for what you are telling us then buy a 22-250. You can always load a 22-250 down to 223 performance but you can never load a 223 up to equal a 22-250. I sold my 223 and now have 3 204s and 2 22-250s and probably will never own another 223.
A 22-250 with 50 and 55gr bullets and a 12 twist, won't run with a 223 rem with a 7 twist and 90gr bullets or even 80gr vld, with 22 250 you wouldn,t even get on paper F class shooting at 7,8,900 meters. the 223 does very good at those ranges
22-250 with 50gr at 3500 fps
Max Point blank range is 303 yds when zeroed at 262 yds.
Range
yds Path
in ComeUp
clicks Velocity
fps Energy
ft/lbs Momentum
lb ft/s ToF
sec Windage
in Windage
clicks Optimal
Game Wgt
Muzzle -1.5 Infinity 3500 1360 25.00 0.000 0.0 NaN 161
100 3.4 -13 2991 993 21.36 0.093 1.3 5 100
200 4.4 -8 2535 713 18.11 0.202 5.4 10 61
300 0.0 0 2125 501 15.18 0.331 13.0 17 36
400 -12.3 12 1755 342 12.54 0.487 25.3 24 20
500 -36.0 28 1436 229 10.26 0.676 43.6 33 11
600 -76.8 49 1189 157 8.49 0.907 69.1 44 6
700 -142.2 78 1032 118 7.37 1.180 101.9 56 4
800 -240.3 115 936 97 6.68 1.486 140.8 67 3
900 -378.0 160 865 83 6.18 1.820 184.5 78 2
1000 -562.3 215 807 72 5.76 2.180 232.7 89 2
rem 223 with 90gr bergers at 2830 fps
Range
yds Path
in ComeUp
clicks Velocity
fps Energy
ft/lbs Momentum
lb ft/s ToF
sec Windage
in Windage
clicks Optimal
Game Wgt
Muzzle -1.5 Infinity 2830 1600 36.39 0.000 0.0 NaN 275
100 4.1 -16 2665 1419 34.26 0.109 0.6 2 230
200 4.8 -9 2506 1255 32.22 0.225 2.4 4 191
300 0.0 0 2353 1107 30.26 0.349 5.4 7 158
400 -11.1 11 2207 973 28.37 0.481 10.0 10 131
500 -29.4 22 2064 851 26.54 0.621 16.1 12 107
600 -55.8 36 1927 742 24.78 0.772 23.9 15 87
700 -91.6 50 1796 645 23.10 0.933 33.6 18 70
800 -138.2 66 1672 559 21.50 1.106 45.4 22 57
900 -197.3 84 1555 483 19.99 1.292 59.5 25 46
1000 -270.8 103 1445 417 18.58 1.493 76.1 29 37
22-250 with 50gr at 3500 fps
Max Point blank range is 303 yds when zeroed at 262 yds.
Range
yds Path
in ComeUp
clicks Velocity
fps Energy
ft/lbs Momentum
lb ft/s ToF
sec Windage
in Windage
clicks Optimal
Game Wgt
Muzzle -1.5 Infinity 3500 1360 25.00 0.000 0.0 NaN 161
100 3.4 -13 2991 993 21.36 0.093 1.3 5 100
200 4.4 -8 2535 713 18.11 0.202 5.4 10 61
300 0.0 0 2125 501 15.18 0.331 13.0 17 36
400 -12.3 12 1755 342 12.54 0.487 25.3 24 20
500 -36.0 28 1436 229 10.26 0.676 43.6 33 11
600 -76.8 49 1189 157 8.49 0.907 69.1 44 6
700 -142.2 78 1032 118 7.37 1.180 101.9 56 4
800 -240.3 115 936 97 6.68 1.486 140.8 67 3
900 -378.0 160 865 83 6.18 1.820 184.5 78 2
1000 -562.3 215 807 72 5.76 2.180 232.7 89 2
rem 223 with 90gr bergers at 2830 fps
Range
yds Path
in ComeUp
clicks Velocity
fps Energy
ft/lbs Momentum
lb ft/s ToF
sec Windage
in Windage
clicks Optimal
Game Wgt
Muzzle -1.5 Infinity 2830 1600 36.39 0.000 0.0 NaN 275
100 4.1 -16 2665 1419 34.26 0.109 0.6 2 230
200 4.8 -9 2506 1255 32.22 0.225 2.4 4 191
300 0.0 0 2353 1107 30.26 0.349 5.4 7 158
400 -11.1 11 2207 973 28.37 0.481 10.0 10 131
500 -29.4 22 2064 851 26.54 0.621 16.1 12 107
600 -55.8 36 1927 742 24.78 0.772 23.9 15 87
700 -91.6 50 1796 645 23.10 0.933 33.6 18 70
800 -138.2 66 1672 559 21.50 1.106 45.4 22 57
900 -197.3 84 1555 483 19.99 1.292 59.5 25 46
1000 -270.8 103 1445 417 18.58 1.493 76.1 29 37
Talking to a diehard convert, switched to tikka t3 .204 and has dropped 76 critters in a row( no misses), badgers, coyotes, porcupines, gophers (few) a farmer in the southern prairies where all the shots are long farthers 326 yards measured. he will never return to 223 or 22-250. something to consider from someone who is actually dispatching badgers and with head shots. It didn't do the cow in though (head shot) so needed a bigger gun. I think he's using a 40gr,
Jordan Smith
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Calgary, AB
I'm getting 3800fps out of my .22-250 with 55gr bullets...
Jordan Smith
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Calgary, AB
It's scary accurate. I'm not exaggerating at all when I say that 1/2-1" groups at 200 yards is the norm with this load. I use 50-55gr bullets with equal results, but right now I'm using 52gr Speer HP's. I've also seen good things from 50gr VMax bullets. Fed210 primer, WW brass, and a max load of TAC (work up in your rifle). The gun is a Savage 12 with 26" heavy barrel. This load is hell on coyotes and gophers 
I had awesome luck with my Sako 85 Grey Wolf in 22-250 with those Speer 52gr HP's using IMR3031 powder from my 22" barrel I was getting 3700fps all targets @ 100 yards where 1 shot holes and 200 yards was consistently 3/4" - 1 1/4" groups but over the last few months groups these loads have opened up to over 2" - 2 1/2" @ 200 yards.
My favorite accuracy load so far has for years been 36grs IMR4064 any LR primer/brass/55gr bullet isn't the fastest load 3600fps from the 22" barrel and 3660fps from my old 26" barreled Ruger Tang safety but it is so accurate.
I was at the club yesterday with the Sako and the results again where terrible with the 52's but the 55gr IMR4064 loads were true to form.
Thanks for sharing your load I'm going to keep my eyes open for some Tac would like to modernize my loads and gain another 100fps if possible...
About hunting coyotes when I head over to the in-laws in Alberta or into Northern BC where the shots can be long I am now starting to take my old 22" barreled Voere long action (made in Germany) rifle that was a 243 until I rechambered it to 6mm-284 loaded with 70gr Ballistic Tips @ 3600fps.
The difference in killing performance between the 223 and the 22-250 is basically the difference between the 22-250 compared to the 6mm-284 it drops them so much harder a longer distance it is awesome to see.
My favorite accuracy load so far has for years been 36grs IMR4064 any LR primer/brass/55gr bullet isn't the fastest load 3600fps from the 22" barrel and 3660fps from my old 26" barreled Ruger Tang safety but it is so accurate.
I was at the club yesterday with the Sako and the results again where terrible with the 52's but the 55gr IMR4064 loads were true to form.
Thanks for sharing your load I'm going to keep my eyes open for some Tac would like to modernize my loads and gain another 100fps if possible...
About hunting coyotes when I head over to the in-laws in Alberta or into Northern BC where the shots can be long I am now starting to take my old 22" barreled Voere long action (made in Germany) rifle that was a 243 until I rechambered it to 6mm-284 loaded with 70gr Ballistic Tips @ 3600fps.
The difference in killing performance between the 223 and the 22-250 is basically the difference between the 22-250 compared to the 6mm-284 it drops them so much harder a longer distance it is awesome to see.
Why is the .223 missing from the list in your sig line?
Have HAD both!!!! READ!!!
Northman999
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Yukon
When I went looking at this same .223 vs .22-250 scenario there were three major factors that affected my decision.
First factor was availability of ammo - Up here in the north, we regularly get long dry spells where there is simply no commercial .223 available at all. At the time when I was shopping for a predator rifle, there was no .223 available, and there had not been for about six months. .222 rem and 22-250 is always around however.
Second factor was price - Commercial .223 and .22-250 sells for the same price up here, so there is no savings with either caliber, assuming both are available.
Advice from other predator hunters - I chatted with a couple of local experienced predator hunters who told me that .223 is fine for coyotes, but when you start going out for both coyotes and wolves, you'd better have a .22-250 if you plan on shooting anything past 200 yards. I've rarely seen a wolf inside of 200 yards.
So, in case it isn't obvious by now, I went with 22-250. Way better commercial availability of ammo where I live, same cost as .223, and a better wolf killer (from what locals have told me).
First factor was availability of ammo - Up here in the north, we regularly get long dry spells where there is simply no commercial .223 available at all. At the time when I was shopping for a predator rifle, there was no .223 available, and there had not been for about six months. .222 rem and 22-250 is always around however.
Second factor was price - Commercial .223 and .22-250 sells for the same price up here, so there is no savings with either caliber, assuming both are available.
Advice from other predator hunters - I chatted with a couple of local experienced predator hunters who told me that .223 is fine for coyotes, but when you start going out for both coyotes and wolves, you'd better have a .22-250 if you plan on shooting anything past 200 yards. I've rarely seen a wolf inside of 200 yards.
So, in case it isn't obvious by now, I went with 22-250. Way better commercial availability of ammo where I live, same cost as .223, and a better wolf killer (from what locals have told me).
Jordan Smith
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Calgary, AB
I had awesome luck with my Sako 85 Grey Wolf in 22-250 with those Speer 52gr HP's using IMR3031 powder from my 22" barrel I was getting 3700fps all targets @ 100 yards where 1 shot holes and 200 yards was consistently 3/4" - 1 1/4" groups but over the last few months groups these loads have opened up to over 2" - 2 1/2" @ 200 yards.
My favorite accuracy load so far has for years been 36grs IMR4064 any LR primer/brass/55gr bullet isn't the fastest load 3600fps from the 22" barrel and 3660fps from my old 26" barreled Ruger Tang safety but it is so accurate.
I was at the club yesterday with the Sako and the results again where terrible with the 52's but the 55gr IMR4064 loads were true to form.
Thanks for sharing your load I'm going to keep my eyes open for some Tac would like to modernize my loads and gain another 100fps if possible...
About hunting coyotes when I head over to the in-laws in Alberta or into Northern BC where the shots can be long I am now starting to take my old 22" barreled Voere long action (made in Germany) rifle that was a 243 until I rechambered it to 6mm-284 loaded with 70gr Ballistic Tips @ 3600fps.
The difference in killing performance between the 223 and the 22-250 is basically the difference between the 22-250 compared to the 6mm-284 it drops them so much harder a longer distance it is awesome to see.
Right on. I usually get closer 3850fps, but I prefer to be conservative rather than exaggerate, so I call it 3800fps.
When range gets long (past 400 yards) I pull out the .25-06. That gets their attention right quick! The farthest I've tried it on coyote is 942 yards, and the coyote dropped in its tracks. Yup, still works out at 1/2 mile.
When range gets long (past 400 yards) I pull out the .25-06. That gets their attention right quick! The farthest I've tried it on coyote is 942 yards, and the coyote dropped in its tracks. Yup, still works out at 1/2 mile.
But everyone keeps telling me how the 25 cal bullets are no good for long ranges
. I have two 223's, skipped the 22-250 and use my 25-06AI for reaching way out there which is most of the time in this area.I don't know what it is but I feel the 223 cartridge is such an anemic round for hunting that I just don't use them very much they end up sitting in the safe unused most of the time...
The last 223 I bought was my Robinson Arms XCR-L earlier this year then a few months later I bought a 6.8 SPC conversion kit and since then the 223 barrel has sat unused to much of a pain to switch barrels and re-zero the scope especially when I am stepping down in performance.
Wolverine phoned me today my spare upper receiver/components/small parts kit for my XCR-L that I ordered back in June are finally here so I should be seeing them early next week when I have it together/zeroed with a 4-12X40 AO LR scope I guess I will be shooting a 223 a lot again...
Ahhh just think a non-restricted predator rifle loaded with 10 round 223 LAR 15 mags think I may start liking the 223 a bit more now...
The last 223 I bought was my Robinson Arms XCR-L earlier this year then a few months later I bought a 6.8 SPC conversion kit and since then the 223 barrel has sat unused to much of a pain to switch barrels and re-zero the scope especially when I am stepping down in performance.
Wolverine phoned me today my spare upper receiver/components/small parts kit for my XCR-L that I ordered back in June are finally here so I should be seeing them early next week when I have it together/zeroed with a 4-12X40 AO LR scope I guess I will be shooting a 223 a lot again...
Ahhh just think a non-restricted predator rifle loaded with 10 round 223 LAR 15 mags think I may start liking the 223 a bit more now...
BC Bigbore
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- BC's Peace Country
Nice choice iceman A Rem 700 ADL Synthetic .223 is my go-to coyote rifle on the farm. The Winchester white box 45gr HP works so well my dies and .223 components are gathering dust
A Rem 700 ADL Synthetic .223 is my go-to coyote rifle on the farm. The Winchester white box 45gr HP works so well my dies and .223 components are gathering dust
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Get BOTH the .223 and .22-250. You already have that .22 Hornet for very quiet shooting when the situation requires one....
My .223 is used for gophers and groundhogs, and maybe the odd evening when I stay out longer for an errant coyote (hardly ever). Cheaper powder volume is a plus over the .22-250 that has a marginal increase in volume vs. more powder burned.
I also have a .22-250 M700 sporter barrel Remington that is my walking around coyote gun, just for that purpose. Dedicated bullet load and cartridge for the moments when I have to reach out a little farther with confidence. No second guessing here.
I use the Hornady 50 gr. VMax bullet for BOTH loads! Same Win WC735 Bulk Surplus powder for both cartridges. Life is simple!
Peace be to journey!
Cheers:
Barney
My .223 is used for gophers and groundhogs, and maybe the odd evening when I stay out longer for an errant coyote (hardly ever). Cheaper powder volume is a plus over the .22-250 that has a marginal increase in volume vs. more powder burned.
I also have a .22-250 M700 sporter barrel Remington that is my walking around coyote gun, just for that purpose. Dedicated bullet load and cartridge for the moments when I have to reach out a little farther with confidence. No second guessing here.
I use the Hornady 50 gr. VMax bullet for BOTH loads! Same Win WC735 Bulk Surplus powder for both cartridges. Life is simple!
Peace be to journey!
Cheers:
Barney
I have never shot a coyote. I have shot kangaroos that weighed around 100 pounds. I used a 223 with 55 gr Hornady soft points. Range was around 100 yards. Fist sized exit holes.
I think the 223 with fast twist gives you more options. At longer ranges you really want 75 gr bullets for accuracy.
22-250 burns out barells quickly if you do much shooting. i brned out 3 in about 1000 rounds each. They were AI, so a bit hotter.
I think the 223 with fast twist gives you more options. At longer ranges you really want 75 gr bullets for accuracy.
22-250 burns out barells quickly if you do much shooting. i brned out 3 in about 1000 rounds each. They were AI, so a bit hotter.
Jordan Smith
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Calgary, AB
But everyone keeps telling me how the 25 cal bullets are no good for long ranges
Well, that coyote and I would beg to differ
I can also think of a few hundred 4L milk jugs and a few gongs that would also argue that .257" bullets work just fine out to 850 yards- even in the wind.The 100gr SMK or 115gr Berger VLD work plenty good enough for me at long range. I would take a good operator with a .25-06 over a mediocre operator with a .338 Lapua any day.
