22-250 suggestions

[Bofire]

  Tikka T3 lite stainless, I have 243 and 22-250, can't beat them.
Carl

[7mmfan]

I wouldn't say your splitting hairs ballisticly. There's a definet step up between the 22-250 and 223. There's just some caveats with the cartridge and most rifles to consider. For light, compact, low recoil, and long range the 22-250 will fit the bill, just when you look at them know that the 1 in 14" twist pretty much puts you at 55gr bullets and lighter. Mine sighted in at 200 yards means I hold high on the fur of coyote at 300 yards and put a little daylight between it's back and the cross hairs at 400 yards for solid hits. For hunting small game for the table you'll have to slow it way down. Even my basic load of 38gr of H380 will render a grouse or rabbit in edible unless you stick to head shots.

That's great info, thanks for that. I'll admit I'm pretty novice when it comes to the science of reloading, still learning all the intricasies.

[crabcreekhunter]

Have a tikka t3 lite stainless in 22-250 good shooter, replacent mags arent cheap!

[Yondering]

I wouldn't say your splitting hairs ballisticly. There's a definet step up between the 22-250 and 223. There's just some caveats with the cartridge and most rifles to consider. For light, compact, low recoil, and long range the 22-250 will fit the bill, just when you look at them know that the 1 in 14" twist pretty much puts you at 55gr bullets and lighter. Mine sighted in at 200 yards means I hold high on the fur of coyote at 300 yards and put a little daylight between it's back and the cross hairs at 400 yards for solid hits. For hunting small game for the table you'll have to slow it way down. Even my basic load of 38gr of H380 will render a grouse or rabbit in edible unless you stick to head shots.

Along with that, there's a lot to be said for a 223/5.56 for the uses stated in the OP. A 223 isn't really a "long range" cartridge, but with a faster twist and heavy bullets, can be more consistent at distance than a 22-250 restricted to light bullets by a slow twist.

You mention wanting to practice more without burning out your barrel; the 223 wins hands down there. Do you want to burn 23-28gr of powder per shot, or 35-40gr? The cost of brass is significant too, or just ammo cost if you don't load your own.

The 223 won't "pop" little varmints quite as hard as the 22-250, but you'll still get a lot of impressive cartwheels and pink mist, if that's what you're looking for. It'll also do fine on varmints of any size in this state, and is arguably a bit more versatile on larger stuff than the 22-250, just because of the twist rate and heavier bullet choices. If you do consider a 223, skip anything 1:9 twist or slower, go with 1:7 or 1:8; you won't give up anything with the light bullets, and gain versatility with the heavy stuff, win win.

[theleo]

Seems like the Ruger American has a 1 in 10" twist. It'd definitely be worth a look at as a general duty/long range rifle as you'd be looking at bullets up to 70gr, maybe 75gr, for shooting long distance.

[b23]

Seems like the Ruger American has a 1 in 10" twist. It'd definitely be worth a look at as a general duty/long range rifle as you'd be looking at bullets up to 70gr, maybe 75gr, for shooting long distance.

Depending on the specific bullet, a 1-10tw 22-250, even with 70 grainers, would be pretty marginal and is pretty doubtful it'd stabilize any of the high BC 75 grainers.  I don't think 1-10tw 223 would even stabilize the 70's.

I shoot 75gr VLD's out of a 1-9tw 22-6mm, which shoots considerably faster than a 22-250, and it's marginal at best.

[7mmfan]

You guys that are in the know, why are 22-250's barreled with 1:14 or 1:10 twist, while the lighter/slower .223 has the faster rate? Doesn't make sense to me but I'm not as knowledgeable either.

[Yondering]

You guys that are in the know, why are 22-250's barreled with 1:14 or 1:10 twist, while the lighter/slower .223 has the faster rate? Doesn't make sense to me but I'm not as knowledgeable either.

It's a good question. Unfortunately, the answer seems to be that "we've always done it that way". Traditionally the 22-250 was intended for varmint shooting with light high velocity bullets, before these longer heavy bullets were developed. A fast twist 22-250 would be nice to have; a guy could have one custom made pretty easily.

[JJB11B]

Look into .220 swift they generally have tighter twist barrels for running heavier slugs

[JDHasty]

Look into .220 swift they generally have tighter twist barrels for running heavier slugs

Really? 

I don't think so.  I have seen WAY more 22-250s with a faster than 1:14 than I have seen swifts.  And by that I may have seen a faster twist swift once, but I know I have seen five or six 22-250s.  The rate of twist was established back when MV was king and that is why both have a standard rate of twist of 1:14. 

From the American Rifleman:  Early on, the .223 Rem. was considered a varmint cartridge. Accordingly, most barrels had a slow rifling twist rate of one turn in 12 inches (1 in 12). This worked fine with most common bullets weighing 55 grains or less. As new bullets emerged for the .223 Rem., shooters found the 1 in 12 twist was lacking in its ability to stabilize heavier bullets for good accuracy. In turn, faster twisted barrels for the .223 Rem. became more popular.

[7mmfan]

I'm trying to think of a reason that I would need a heavier slug anyhow, and I can't really think of one. This is not a hunting rifle, but a target rifle and opportunistic varmint/grouse gun. A lighter slug is probably preferable anyway.

[JJB11B]

Look into .220 swift they generally have tighter twist barrels for running heavier slugs

Really? 

I don't think so.  I have seen WAY more 22-250s with a faster than 1:14 than I have seen swifts.  And but hat I may have seen a faster twist swift once, but I know I have seen five or six 22-250s.  The rate of twist was established back when MV was king and that is why both have a standard rate of twist of 1:14. 

From the American Rifleman:  Early on, the .223 Rem. was considered a varmint cartridge. Accordingly, most barrels had a slow rifling twist rate of one turn in 12 inches (1 in 12). This worked fine with most common bullets weighing 55 grains or less. As new bullets emerged for the .223 Rem., shooters found the 1 in 12 twist was lacking in its ability to stabilize heavier bullets for good accuracy. In turn, faster twisted barrels for the .223 Rem. became more popular.

look up 1/8 twist .220. varmint guys love them for shooting 75Gr. bullets

[JJB11B]

I'm trying to think of a reason that I would need a heavier slug anyhow, and I can't really think of one. This is not a hunting rifle, but a target rifle and opportunistic varmint/grouse gun. A lighter slug is probably preferable anyway.

a .220 with a heavy slug is a capable round to 800 yards for coyotes...

[7mmfan]

I never have, and probably never will have a need for anything beyond 400, maybe 450. Even for fun.

[JJB11B]

I would... If I was dead set on a .224 cal gun. I would either go a with a fast twist .220 or a fast twist .22-250 Ackley.... I see coyotes at 600yds all the time. Of course there are better guns to do it with but the OP said .224 cal.......