223 or 22-250 for yotes

[Chet43]

for Washington state which would you prefer a 223 or 22-250. will be hunting from timber to open area.

[b23]

I have and currently use both.  As to which one is "better" a lot of personal preference.  Naturally, due to its larger case capacity, the 22-250 is going to be more powerful and will extend your range a bit and shoot flatter.  That certainly doesn't mean the 223 is a bad choice just because it doesn't shoot as fast.  I've probably killed more coyotes with my 223's than nearly all my others, combined.  Also, as everyone knows, the 223 is probably the most economical centerfire you can shoot and if you are shooting factory ammo, you can always buy 223 stuff anywhere that sells ammo.  The 22-250 is very popular also so it's usually widely available as well.

I'm sure you'll hear some say how the 22-250 is a barrel burner and there is no argument the barrel on a 223 will last longer than one on a 22-250, BUT, that certainly doesn't mean the 22-250 will smoke the barrel in no time.  I'd be willing to bet a large some of money the vast majority of 22-250 owners will never get even close to using up their barrels. 

My current "go to" yote getter happens to be a Kelbly 22-250 that I had the barrel cut back to 18 inches and I shoot it suppressed.

[Tracker0721]

I’ve used both. Now I’m back to a 22-250 again as my truck rifle so if I see them up close to the other side of the fields I can take them but my calling rifle is a 222. The 223 has my longest kill of over 400 yards and the 22-250 is close at 375. Can’t go wrong with either of your calibers especially since most callers kill coyotes between 100-150 yards.

[ELKBURGER]

Sweet little set up. I picked up a Rem 700 22-250 varmint special that had the barrel shortened to 20". Still a tack driver. As for burning barrels up, Its likely that most .223 owners have it in a semi auto variant that has seen hotter barrels than your average bolt 22-250. It is hard to resist a little rapid fire fun when it presents itself.

[Bofire]

I prefer 22-250, shoots flatter kills very well.
Carl

[b23]

Chet43, if you're by chance looking for a 22-250 Cabela's has their Remington ADL Varmint 22-250 on sale right now for $399 and they generally shoot pretty well.

I've bought a few of these exact same models over the years, when they're on sale like this, to use as a donor action to build off of.  The stocks generally aren't worth much but I usually get around $100 for the barrels which makes for a pretty cheap Rem 700 action.

[lord grizzly]

if your wondering what will kill coyotes better theirs no difference. they both kill um.

[Special T]

I have always thought that since fur wasnt worth much a .223  and if i needed to reach out farther a 243 since you could actually hunt with it. 

[Bill W]

there's only about 400 fps difference between the two with a 55 grain bullet.  That's not enough to sneeze at.  There is some difference but not enough to select one caliber over the other.

[blackpowderhunter]

I have always thought that since fur wasnt worth much a .223  and if i needed to reach out farther a 243 since you could actually hunt with it. 

.243....and wouldn't you know... i have a great one for sale! 

[Cushman1]

223 all day long! If you want to shoot Yotes effectively past 350 yds buy a 243 win which can also be used for deer hunting with proper bullets.
If I lived in a state with 500 yd prairie dog shots then I might consider a 22-250.
The 223 is pelt friendly and it's a toss up between the 22-250 & 243 win on pelt damage.

[huntandjeep]

The correct answer is you need both 

[CAMPMEAT]

I have a 700 barreled action in 22-250 for sale.......

[b23]

The correct answer is you need both 

 

[HoofsandWings]

I prefer the 22-250. My rifle only hits the bullseye with handloads. I have yet to find a rifle that likes factory loads. And handloads are educational and fun.

[JakeLand]

223 all day long! If you want to shoot Yotes effectively past 350 yds buy a 243 win which can also be used for deer hunting with proper bullets.
If I lived in a state with 500 yd prairie dog shots then I might consider a 22-250.
The 223 is pelt friendly and it's a toss up between the 22-250 & 243 win on pelt damage.

a .243 does a heck of a exit hole where the .22-250 is way more fur friendly! Good eastern dogs are bringing a pretty penny when they’re prime , western dogs are worthless except helping out the fawns

[konradcountry]

Probably depends on which side of the state you are on.

I'd go 22-250 in Eastern Wa especially if you plan on taking shots at ground hogs.

Western Wa........tough to beat an AR. Fast follow up shots and cheap ammo.

Another option is 25-06 if you want something to shoot coyotes that is also legal for other game.

[captpschar]

223 all day long! If you want to shoot Yotes effectively past 350 yds buy a 243 win which can also be used for deer hunting with proper bullets.
If I lived in a state with 500 yd prairie dog shots then I might consider a 22-250.
The 223 is pelt friendly and it's a toss up between the 22-250 & 243 win on pelt damage.

a .243 does a heck of a exit hole where the .22-250 is way more fur friendly! Good eastern dogs are bringing a pretty penny when they’re prime , western dogs are worthless except helping out the fawns

A bit pricey, but I bet this would exit the same as it entered.  What do you think?

https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=526

[konradcountry]

223 all day long! If you want to shoot Yotes effectively past 350 yds buy a 243 win which can also be used for deer hunting with proper bullets.
If I lived in a state with 500 yd prairie dog shots then I might consider a 22-250.
The 223 is pelt friendly and it's a toss up between the 22-250 & 243 win on pelt damage.

a .243 does a heck of a exit hole where the .22-250 is way more fur friendly! Good eastern dogs are bringing a pretty penny when they’re prime , western dogs are worthless except helping out the fawns

A bit pricey, but I bet this would exit the same as it entered.  What do you think?

https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=526

Yea pretty spendy for shooting yotes and that is still a lot of force.

I would just get some reduced recoil soft points and roll the dice. Or take a shotgun for anything close.

[Chet43]

Thanks for all the info. Will be making a decision in the next month or 2.

[The Big Game Hunter]

Thanks for all the info. Will be making a decision in the next month or 2.

Maybe this will help you decide:
https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/22-250-vs-223-vs-204-ruger-vs-220-swift/

[AWS]

Like Tracker 721 my goto coyote hunting rifle is a 222 Rem, but most of my coyotes are called so ranges are usually under 200 yards and most are und 100.  I do have a 22-204 that is my open country pelt hunting gun.  I have a nice little custom Rem 722 in 22-250 that I use for control work when pelts are worthless.  Pelt hunting I can pass on a marginal shot, when doing control work every coyote needs to drop.

I won an AR in 20 Practical and will give it a try this coming fall but I'm not a big fan of the platform for predator hunting.  The 5.6x50R Mag and 5.6x52R(22 Sav. Highpower) have worked well on coyotes in my combo guns that I run when hunting the really thick stuff.