223 rem or 22-250

[corbin9191]

I am about to buy a new rifle and I am hoping to get both of them, but What would you reccomend for the first one? 223 rem or the 22-250? and what are you favorite loads for these rifles? And what were your results (Velocity, grouping, ect.) thank you.

 

[jtoews80]

LOL, are you trying to make people argue?? :grin: I've had both and favor the 22-250. That having been said I never loaded for the 223 and would assume it to get alot more rounds per lb of powder than the 22-250. The 223 I had was very accurate with the proper bullet weight for rifling rate. My dad and I used to set out 20 ga hulls @ 100yds and hit the brass if we stood them up. The gun was an old o/u savage 24V 223/20Ga, man I don't miss the weight of that thing!! The 22-250 was a Sako, it was a fine rifle. Very accurate and easy to shoot. I think that basically the 22-250 is 200-450FPS faster for about 10-12grns(40%) more powder. However, I never loaded 223 ever tho I have the dies. I think I bought them on ebay a couple years ago for cheap. One thing about the 223 is when the US isn't involved in any conflicts the surplus ammo is cheap and FMJ's are easy on fur.
CC.

 

[JD338]

It would depend on what your shooting requirements are.
I prefer the 22-250 and use mine primarily for coyotes.
If you go with a 22-250, get a twist that is faster than 1:14 for 60 gr bullets.

JD338

 

[YoteSmoker]

Both have their place in short to long range shooting. If you're only going to shoot out to say 250-300 yards, the 223 will be all you ever need. Since you reload, the advantages of finding factory ammo are pretty much a moot point. However some pluses to the 223 is that it uses a lot less powder and is very capable at normal ranges such as a most shooting you'd encounter in the east to midwest. Brass is cheap and easy to come by. Recoil is minimal, making it easier to shoot and spot your hits.

The biggest advantage I see with the 250 is that you can reach out a lot further with higher velocity. However, this depends on the barrel twist rate and how big a bullet you can shoot to achieve much more distance. A lot of 22-250s will only shoot the 40-55 grain bullets well which puts you in the same class bullets as most 12 twist 223s. They also have a lot more recoil and burn a lot more powder. So there are pluses and minuses to both calibers. This caliber is top choice with many coyote hunters especially out west.

I think both cartridges are excellent but the intended use/range is the biggest deciding factor. Personally, I would go with the 223 first, spend some time making some quality loads for your application and enjoying the results before moving on to the 250. The idea of getting both is not a bad one but make sure you budget for quality glass and guns or do one before the other to not skimp on two rigs that are mediocre in comparison to what you could have. Just my thoughts for what they're worth.

If you intend to shoot varmints way out with little recoil but lighter bullets, take a look at the 204. It's a little bit of a compromise for the better of the two calibers you're considering in my opinion.

 

[normo]

It is really going to depend on what you are looking to do.
I like .223, and have been shooting and reloading for it in a T/C Contender for years.
Just today picked up a used (new to me) AR-15 with a second upper, so it has carbine and rifle length barrels, one's an H-Bar so it gets to be the new varmit gun.
And no added reloading expense, it just shoots more of the same ammo only faster..... :twisted:

 

[buckfever]

I have both But if I would have got a 22 250 first I wouldn't have a 223 the 223 is cheaper to load for though.

 

[corbin9191]

I will be using this rifle mostly for shooting woodchucks and some long range shooting. It doesnt need to have alot of energy at long distances just as long as it will hit a wookchuck and take it down.

 

[YoteSmoker]

Some other things to consider besides calibers...

Will you be shooting off portable bench or set up on bipod/sticks?

Will you be walking and shooting some and half the time free handed?

What does long range mean to you? If 500+ something like 6br or 6x47 6.5x284 etc w/ long high bc bullets in a custom fast twist barrel may be necessary.

If you want exploding effect, the bullet design will be equally as important as the rifle you use to send it there. Some top ones I can think of in this dept are Sierra Blitzkings, Hornady V-max, Hornady SXSP, Speer TNT and B-Tips. The B-Tips maybe being the least explosive of this list.

 

[corbin9191]

Well I have pretty much chosen the caliber it will be the 223 because I found the stevens model 200 for a good price. I will mainly be shooting off a bipod and some off the bench. The range should be up to 500 yards and sometimes over. The bullet that I am looking at is the barnes varmit grenade also for the explosive effect.

 

[Powerstroke]

The Stevens .223 appears to have a 1:9 twist barrel which is good. The 60gr B-tip would probably be an excellent choice.

I have both the .223 & 22-250 and as JD stated used for a couple different purposes. If I know I'll be shooting under 200yds I'll take the .223. Calling yotes and open county over 250+ The 22-250 will shine.

I'd imagine brass right now for the 22-250 would be a little easier to find.??

 

[Ridge_Runner]

well not sure what your looking for but I can tell you this, the farthest recorded kill I can find on the net was with a 223 at 1,115 yards, if you can't get an 8 or 9 twist 22-250 the 223 will have more range, and even with light bullets the fast twist helps out alot with terminal performance.
I have both and if I need to make a LR shot with a 22 cal, the fast twist 223 will get the nod every time.
RR

 

[corbin9191]

well not sure what your looking for but I can tell you this, the farthest recorded kill I can find on the net was with a 223 at 1,115 yards, if you can't get an 8 or 9 twist 22-250 the 223 will have more range, and even with light bullets the fast twist helps out alot with terminal performance.
I have both and if I need to make a LR shot with a 22 cal, the fast twist 223 will get the nod every time.
RR

Here are the specifications on the rifles.
Stevens Model 200 - Short Action
Caliber 223 REM, 22-250 REM, 243 WIN, 7MM-08 REM, 308 WIN
Overall Length 41.75"
Barrel Length 22"
Weight 6.5 lbs
Magazine Capacity 4 rounds
Stock Gray synthetic with positive checkering, dual pillar bedding
Sights No sights. Drilled and tapped for scope mounts
Rifling Rate of Twist
1 in 9" (223 REM)
1 in 9.25" (243 WIN)
1 in 9.5" (7MM-08 REM)
1 in 10" (308 WIN)
1 in 12" (22-250 REM)
Features Standard trigger, blued barreled action, free-floating and button-rifled barrel, top loading internal box magazine, and swivel studs.
Suggested Retail $346.00
But I found the rifle for $270.00

 

[FOTIS]

I am about to buy a new rifle and I am hoping to get both of them, but What would you recommend for the first one? 223 rem or the 22-250? and what are you favorite loads for these rifles? And what were your results (Velocity, grouping, ect.) thank you.

the best varmint gun I EVER had was.......


(and I have had just about
all of them...from 17 rem to 22 hornet to 223 WSSM and just about everything in between)

was a Ruger #1B 223 Ackley Improved.

I got groups of .3" max and with 50 gr BT I got 3500 fps + and 4040 fps with 40 gr BT with less than 30 gr of H335.....

Now...who can dispute that performance/efficiency level.....?????????????

 

[corbin9191]

I am about to buy a new rifle and I am hoping to get both of them, but What would you recommend for the first one? 223 rem or the 22-250? and what are you favorite loads for these rifles? And what were your results (Velocity, grouping, ect.) thank you.

the best varmint gun I EVER had was.......


(and I have had just about
all of them...from 17 rem to 22 hornet to 223 WSSM and just about everything in between)

was a Ruger #1B 223 Ackley Improved.

I got groups of .3" max and with 50 gr BT I got 3500 fps + and 4040 fps with 40 gr BT with less than 30 gr of H335.....

Now...who can dispute that performance/efficiency level.....?????????????

Now you cant complain about that one :lol: