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Q:
What is a better cartridge a .223 or .22-250? (for coyotes/long range target shooting)
Question by lovetohunt. Uploaded on November 23, 2009
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Answers (16)
There both great for coyote, but the 22-250 will be better for longer range shooting.
The muzzle velocity of the .22-250 is about 400fps faster than the .223, so it would be the better choice for really long range (300 yds+) shooting. But that comes with increased recoil and muzzle blast. I once had a .22-250 that took the fun out varmint hunting, and I traded it in on a .222 Rem. I was not sorry. Availability of ammo might be a factor also.
I have rifles for both cartridges, and both will anchor a coyote and both will deliver praiseworthy accuracy in a decently crafted rifle but, as already noted, the .22-250 will reach out a bit further. If you're building a custom rifle or rebarreling an old favorite, the bolt face measurement will help direct your choice. If you're buying a new rifle, the configuration might matter to you. If you're considering a heavy-barreled varminter, you may as well derive maximum benefit by choosing the .22-250. If you intend to purchase a trim, lightweight sporterweight as your varmint rifle, the .223 will serve you admirably. A heavy-barreled .223 will provide praiseworthy accuracy as well but, in my opinion, if you're going to carry that much weight, you may as well optimize the distance at which you can tag your target by opting for the .22-250.
The problem I had with my heavyweight .22-250 was that it was much too slow to swing into action for unexpected shooting opportunities that would arise while I was walking to my sniper roost. The .222 Rem. was limited, but the trade-off was more shooting at the shorter ranges.
I'll take the .22/250 if the shooting is guaranteed to be long. If you are looking for a light and handy rifle the .223 would be my choice. Ed nailed it.
I have a heavy barrel .22-250, field weight barrel .22-.250 Ackley Improved and a .223 regular barreled selection of varmint guns. If I'm hiking and stalking to different set-ups, I prefer the lighter weight guns. For shooting prarie dogs, rock chucks, and coyotes while traveling by ATV I'll use the heavier gun due to it's long range and accuracy ability. If I were going to just have one of them, my choice would have to be the .22-.250. The accuracy and dynamics of reloading make it far superior to the .223 for an all-around varmint rifle.
Great answers guys. . . my other half has a .223 that I despise (the recoil is ridiculous) so now I have an excuse for finally getting that 22/250. If y'all hear screaming it's his checkbook! he he he!
squirrelgirl
With the 22-250, if you can see it, you can hit it!
55 grain pill out of the 223 spits out at 3250 feet per second as for the 22-250 you can crank it out at 3800 fps!
I've shot more deer with my 22-250 than all my rifles put together!
the 22-250 is better for long range.
Lets see
223 = 3250 feet per second
22-250 = 3850 feet per second
Well'DAAAAAAAAAAA!
Just had to do it! LOL!
22-250 gets my vote... but my go 2 varmit(and deer for that matter) is a 220 swift. 4,050 fps there for you Mr clay :)
Not that either has any "real" recoil, but less recoil is good for spotting your own misses. Ask any varminter. The .223 has that little advantage as well as maybe a tendency to be more accurate. It won't blow up the dog as bad either, but will kill it just as well at any reasonable range. .223 is generally cheaper, factory, and even if you reload. The only advantage to the .22-250 is high velocity and flatter, easier long range shooting.
I'd take the .223 personally. It's barrel doesn't heat up as fast so you can shoot more before you have to stop and let your barrel cool down. In terms of terminal performance I've never seen much difference between the two cartridges (shooting coyotes to 600 yds with both cartridges). The .223 uses almost half the powder of a .22-250. The .22-250 will shoot flatter but if you're shooting long range the right way that shouldn't matter. I had a .223 and a .22-250 Remington 700 VSF and I stripped the action off the .22-250 and had a custom .308 made and kept the .223, It did everything I needed it to and I didn't see the need for two varmint rifles. But that's just my opinion.
A .22-250 is a better round, with a proper round sighted in at 100yrds, it will be approximately 1/2 inch low at 25yrds and maybe 3/4 inch high at 200. With a good rifle you should be able to hit a quarter consistently at 100yrds. Though I have a custom Brown and Brown .223 falling block that will do that.
With that said, I have taken a coyote at a 90 degree full run at 180 yrds with a 22-250. It is important to note the lead (no hold over) was about a foot in front of the nose and the round hit her above the kidneys in the spinal cord. It would be difficult at best to do that with a .223.
The proof is at www.arizonahunting.net/predators2.htm FYI: the poster got the caliber wrong, it was a 22-250 Savage. Though it was 12 years ago when I first started to study predators, that I went out with Patrick Feldt for a morning.
Their both great but i think the 223.is better
Post an Answer
I have rifles for both cartridges, and both will anchor a coyote and both will deliver praiseworthy accuracy in a decently crafted rifle but, as already noted, the .22-250 will reach out a bit further. If you're building a custom rifle or rebarreling an old favorite, the bolt face measurement will help direct your choice. If you're buying a new rifle, the configuration might matter to you. If you're considering a heavy-barreled varminter, you may as well derive maximum benefit by choosing the .22-250. If you intend to purchase a trim, lightweight sporterweight as your varmint rifle, the .223 will serve you admirably. A heavy-barreled .223 will provide praiseworthy accuracy as well but, in my opinion, if you're going to carry that much weight, you may as well optimize the distance at which you can tag your target by opting for the .22-250.
I'll take the .22/250 if the shooting is guaranteed to be long. If you are looking for a light and handy rifle the .223 would be my choice. Ed nailed it.
I have a heavy barrel .22-250, field weight barrel .22-.250 Ackley Improved and a .223 regular barreled selection of varmint guns. If I'm hiking and stalking to different set-ups, I prefer the lighter weight guns. For shooting prarie dogs, rock chucks, and coyotes while traveling by ATV I'll use the heavier gun due to it's long range and accuracy ability. If I were going to just have one of them, my choice would have to be the .22-.250. The accuracy and dynamics of reloading make it far superior to the .223 for an all-around varmint rifle.
There both great for coyote, but the 22-250 will be better for longer range shooting.
The muzzle velocity of the .22-250 is about 400fps faster than the .223, so it would be the better choice for really long range (300 yds+) shooting. But that comes with increased recoil and muzzle blast. I once had a .22-250 that took the fun out varmint hunting, and I traded it in on a .222 Rem. I was not sorry. Availability of ammo might be a factor also.
The problem I had with my heavyweight .22-250 was that it was much too slow to swing into action for unexpected shooting opportunities that would arise while I was walking to my sniper roost. The .222 Rem. was limited, but the trade-off was more shooting at the shorter ranges.
Great answers guys. . . my other half has a .223 that I despise (the recoil is ridiculous) so now I have an excuse for finally getting that 22/250. If y'all hear screaming it's his checkbook! he he he!
squirrelgirl
With the 22-250, if you can see it, you can hit it!
55 grain pill out of the 223 spits out at 3250 feet per second as for the 22-250 you can crank it out at 3800 fps!
I've shot more deer with my 22-250 than all my rifles put together!
22-250 gets my vote... but my go 2 varmit(and deer for that matter) is a 220 swift. 4,050 fps there for you Mr clay :)
Their both great but i think the 223.is better
the 22-250 is better for long range.
Just had to do it! LOL!
Not that either has any "real" recoil, but less recoil is good for spotting your own misses. Ask any varminter. The .223 has that little advantage as well as maybe a tendency to be more accurate. It won't blow up the dog as bad either, but will kill it just as well at any reasonable range. .223 is generally cheaper, factory, and even if you reload. The only advantage to the .22-250 is high velocity and flatter, easier long range shooting.
I'd take the .223 personally. It's barrel doesn't heat up as fast so you can shoot more before you have to stop and let your barrel cool down. In terms of terminal performance I've never seen much difference between the two cartridges (shooting coyotes to 600 yds with both cartridges). The .223 uses almost half the powder of a .22-250. The .22-250 will shoot flatter but if you're shooting long range the right way that shouldn't matter. I had a .223 and a .22-250 Remington 700 VSF and I stripped the action off the .22-250 and had a custom .308 made and kept the .223, It did everything I needed it to and I didn't see the need for two varmint rifles. But that's just my opinion.
Lets see
223 = 3250 feet per second
22-250 = 3850 feet per second
Well'DAAAAAAAAAAA!
A .22-250 is a better round, with a proper round sighted in at 100yrds, it will be approximately 1/2 inch low at 25yrds and maybe 3/4 inch high at 200. With a good rifle you should be able to hit a quarter consistently at 100yrds. Though I have a custom Brown and Brown .223 falling block that will do that.
With that said, I have taken a coyote at a 90 degree full run at 180 yrds with a 22-250. It is important to note the lead (no hold over) was about a foot in front of the nose and the round hit her above the kidneys in the spinal cord. It would be difficult at best to do that with a .223.
The proof is at www.arizonahunting.net/predators2.htm FYI: the poster got the caliber wrong, it was a 22-250 Savage. Though it was 12 years ago when I first started to study predators, that I went out with Patrick Feldt for a morning.
Post an Answer