22-250 rifles: some opinions please

[rjm158]

I am considering the purchase of a 22-250 rifle and have narrowed it down to two: a Tikka T-3 sporter and a Marlin XS-7 bull barrel. I have tried to consider the merits of the two barrel configurations, associated weight differences, and overall handling characteristics until my eyes crossed from the strain of thinking.

The Tikka is, of course, substantially higher priced but I own 11 of them in other calibers and have been tremendously pleased with them. I have owned and shot one XL-7 in 25-06 and it shot extremely well and I have an XS-7 in 243 that I haven't fired yet. All reviews of the XL/XS series have indicated they are definitely shooters. Both are 1:14 twists. I know there are others out there but these are my final candidates.

So, what I'm asking for is some insight from other shooters as to which overall design you would pick based on your experiences, and why.

Thanks in advance.

Ron

 

[Elkman]

My thought is that if you own 11 of one brand, then you are extremely pleased with their performance. If there is not a concrete reason to change brands, then I would get the one I am the most familiar with. I own a slightly smaller number of Remington 700's.

If it an't broke, don't fix it

 

[DrMike]

My thought is that if you own 11 of one brand, then you are extremely pleased with their performance. If there is not a concrete reason to change brands, then I would get the one I am the most familiar with. I own a slightly smaller number of Remington 700's.

If it an't broke, don't fix it

Good advice, that. Reasonable and sound logic.

 

[Horsethief]

I had a Marlin XL-7 270 Win and it was one of the most accurate rifles I shot. It cost much less than others I considered, so the accuracy-cost factor was top notch. Is there a particular feature or comparable items on the rifles you are considering that separates one rifle from the other?

 

[JD338]

My thought is that if you own 11 of one brand, then you are extremely pleased with their performance. If there is not a concrete reason to change brands, then I would get the one I am the most familiar with. I own a slightly smaller number of Remington 700's.

If it an't broke, don't fix it

I agree with Bill.

FWIW, if you want to shoot longer/heavier bullets, consider a rifle with a twist that is faster than a 1:14.
My 700 VLS shoots 50 gr BT's lights out. It took some work to get the 55 gr BT to soot. The 60 gr PT wont stabilize but the new 64 gr BSB, which is about the same length as the 50 gr BT shoots very well.
Remember its the length of the bullet, not the weight.

JD338

 

[Guest]

I'm with JD on this, in terms of thinking of twist rate. Seems like a 1:12 twist might be the best choice for a .223cal rifle. Of course, some of the depends entirely on what you intend to do with the rifle. If it's for some target shooting out to 300-400yds, and some small varmint shooting (prairie dogs and the like) a 14 twist may be very workable, as you won't need the heavier weights to tackle coyotes and such. You have a 243Win for those, at least. I'd probably still opt for a 12 twist, as it's not nearly as fatal to overstabilize a bullet as it is to understabilize it, in terms of accuracy.

As to what to buy, owning 11 Tikkas speaks volumes. I'm a variety kind of guy, but when the crap hits the fan, and I need to make clutch shots at any distance, I'll take one of my Mark Vs over anything else in my safe. Perhaps Tikka just "fits" you the best, as my 'bees fit me?

 

[rjm158]

I have looked at the 1:8 twist Savages but they are out of my price range. As I said, I'm a big fan of the Tikka's but I'm also willing to look into something different and am trying to make the best informed decision I can.

The Marlin is readily available locally, the Tikka would have to be ordered or involve a road trip. Of the prices I found yesterday the Tikka would be about $225 dollars more for the rifle, total price. I would be willing to pay the higher amount if all or most of the factors indicated it was the best option.

Ron

 

[ScreaminEagle]

A guy on accurateshooter has a Tikka varmint in 22-250 for sale right now. $760

 

[Razorbacker]

A guy on accurateshooter has a Tikka varmint in 22-250 for sale right now. $760

I'm a big fan of the used rack at an LGS and I've found some hidden gems there over the years. But from everything I've read the .22-250 can be a barrel burner, so I'd be very cautious buying a used one without thorough, hands on, inspection.

 

[257 Ackley]

Tikka makes a T3 with an 8 twist varmint barrel. The problem you run into with the Tikka is the length of the magazine, at least in the .223 caliber. You will have to single load the heavy for caliber bullets (60 grain and up) because the magazine has a block in the rear to load standard length cartridges. This block may not be in the magazine for a 22-250 since it is based on a different length cartridge. CDI Precision Gunworks in Florida now sells DBM for the Tikka rifles that use AI magazines and will let you shoot cartridges as long as 2.50. I load 77 grain SMK at 2.442 in my .223 for this rifle, so it works perfectly. I'm not sure how that length would be for a 22-250.

A 14 twist barrel will not work for any bullets over 55 grains (except the 64 grain Nosler bonded that JD338 mentioned) in my experience. If you want to shoot past 300 yards with the 22-250, you will be better served to wait until you can afford the Savage or look for a Tikka with an 8 twist barrel. The wind really starts playing havoc on light bullets once you get out past the 250-300 yard range.

 

[wildgene]

...I'd run some numbers before I got too wound up on barrel twist/ bullet weight, "velocity has a quality of it's own"...

...@ .223 velocities the benefits of a longer, higher BC bullet are going to show up rather quickly, @ .22-250 velocities, maybe not quite so soon...

...using a 200yd "zero"/ 10mph 3:00 wind/ near max MV's...(yds./ drop/ drift)

50gr.SBK/ MV 3800
200/ 0.0/3.1// 400/12.9/13.6// 600/49.3/34.7// 800/125.9/72.3// 1K/277.9/134.2
69gr.SMK/ MV3200
200/ 0.0/3.1// 400/17.5/13.2// 600/63.3/32.4// 800/150.8/63.2// 1K/301.7/108.9

...nuthin's set in stone, I'd do some comparisons, see what you get...

...far as the rifle, I consider the cost of the Tikka Sportster worth the extra $$$, yer definitely getting yer money's worth...

...for what it's worth, I shoot 40/50gr. bullets out of a .223, even on a "mildly breezy" day, 300yds. is a "chip shot", 400 is just starting to stretch, 500 is possible, & even 600 is in the realm of possibilities...

 

[Guy Miner]

Sell those doggone Tikka rifles and go Remington! :grin:

This group from Dad's factory built Rem 700 .22-250 is typical:

 

[nvbroncrider]

You could look for a Ruger M77 MK II V/T they are very accurate and a nice rifle.

 

[Hegland]

Hard to go wrong with something you already have eleven of! I've never owned either of those so I'm not much help.

For what it's worth, I load a friend's factory 700 which does the same thing Guy shows above. Seems to be a pretty low-maintenance cartridge.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[FOTIS]

Tikka.....

 

[Oldtrader3]

Iwould match your other rifles with a Tikka 1:8 twist .22-250.