.22-250 vs .223

[Rob]

I have whacked 3 pronghorn with a 22.250 at between 200 and 300 yards.  They did not even go one step.  One I actually thought that I missed one clean as it was completely gone from my sights after I pulled the trigger.  Turns out it had flipped over on it's back with all 4 legs sticking straight up to the sky!  Not too bad for a tiny little bullet.  I think I was shooting 55 grain v-max.

[overthefalls]

https://www.rokslide.com/forums/threads/223-for-bear-deer-elk-and-moose.130488/

This thread will be of great interest to you.

[konradcountry]

I'm voting 223.

Of course 22-250 has better specs for longer ranges.

But at those long ranges you have to dope anyways and the 22-250 needs a longer barrel.

I think you will practice more with 223.

Set the zero to 250 and you have a very flat shooting gun.

[Dan-o]

Gotta go 22-250.

It way outclasses the 223.

The 223 only wins in being cheap to shoot.....   but staying home is even cheaper.

[bearpaw]

I think your choice boils down to one question: Would you rather have a rifle that is cheaper to shoot or one that is better at longer ranges? Answer that question to yourself and then go buy a rifle! 

[konradcountry]

Gotta go 22-250.

It way outclasses the 223.

The 223 only wins in being cheap to shoot.....   but staying home is even cheaper.

Way outclasses? It's pretty much a tie to 300.

The 223 also wins on weight. You have to lug around a full sized 22-250 to get those velocities.

I could see a 22-250 in Eastern Wa for groundhog but I think just about anyone is better off with an AR for coyote.

[b23]

That graph doesn't show how or what they're comparing but if you take a box of factory Hornady 223 55gr Vmax and compare it to box of Hornady 22-250 55gr Vmax ammo it's definitely not a tie at 300.  With both being zeroed at 100 yards the 223 drops 11.1 and the 22-250 drops 7.8  At 200 they're relatively even but the further you get past that the more the extra horsepower shines.

I have both and like both a lot I'd hate to only be able to have one or the other.  For me it would come down to what I truly planned to use it for.  If it were a dedicated varmint/predator gun only the decision would be easy and I'd go 22-250 but if it was going to be a varmint/predator/fun all around shooting gun then I would likely go 223.  And as we gun folk like to say, when in doubt, get both. 

[The Big Game Hunter]

You can read a detailed comparison of both cartridges (along with the .204 Ruger and .220 Swift) below.
https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/22-250-vs-223-vs-204-ruger-vs-220-swift/

[konradcountry]

That graph doesn't show how or what they're comparing but if you take a box of factory Hornady 223 55gr Vmax and compare it to box of Hornady 22-250 55gr Vmax ammo it's definitely not a tie at 300.  With both being zeroed at 100 yards the 223 drops 11.1 and the 22-250 drops 7.8  At 200 they're relatively even but the further you get past that the more the extra horsepower shines.

100 is too close of a zero for 223.

Zero at 250 and your 300 drop is only 3.7. At 100 that puts you only 2.5 high.

So you can hit a coyote sized target out to 300 without doping.

And as we gun folk like to say, when in doubt, get both.

I'm in the man of 3 guns camp.

Too many calibers leads to less time in the field.

[huntingfool7]

Gotta go 22-250.

It way outclasses the 223.

The 223 only wins in being cheap to shoot.....   but staying home is even cheaper.

Way outclasses? It's pretty much a tie to 300.

The 223 also wins on weight. You have to lug around a full sized 22-250 to get those velocities.

I could see a 22-250 in Eastern Wa for groundhog but I think just about anyone is better off with an AR for coyote.

"It's pretty much a tie to 300". 

OP asked for recommendations out to 500.  If he said 300, most posts would understandably swing heavy to 223.  Posting up the handicap doesn't make the 223 the equal of the 22-250. 

So from what I gather from this post and some research the .22-250 is a faster round and better for long range. Will the .223 do decent out to 400 or 500 yards? How is the accuracy of the .223?

[jrebel]

most yote hunters are not taking shots over 200-300 yards.   Yeah, you will hear of the guy that whacks one occasionally at 500 or greater, but that is a small target that does not like to stand still for very long.  Not to mention, most people are calling these dogs in and like to shoot them up close and personal.  That is why some yote hunters carry a shotgun and a rifle to their stands. 

[buckfvr]

I am fortunate in that 500 yards away my neighbor has sheep and goats so naturally I get random opportunity out to >600 yards.  I do not call here as I do not want them more educated than they think they are.  I have several 300+ kills and 3 500+ in less than the last year.  The rifle thats been handiest on those occasions has been my heavy 6.5.  I have not missed any, not risking shots unless the yote has become stationary.  Of the 500+yard dogs, one was sitting in the edge of the trees watching the sheep and both others stopped to hunch up for their last dump.   

This being what it is, my heavy .243 is on duty until further notice and it is even more capable than my 6.5cm.  22-250 over 223 all day every day, Ive owned both.

[konradcountry]

"It's pretty much a tie to 300". 

OP asked for recommendations out to 500.  If he said 300, most posts would understandably swing heavy to 223.  Posting up the handicap doesn't make the 223 the equal of the 22-250. 

I know what he said.

Out to 500 means doping the wind.

So you are already doing calculations and your horizontal is going to be a bigger issue.

It's not simply a matter of specs. I vote 223 for practical application. Feel free to disagree.

[Buzz2401]

The price of ammo shouldn't be in the discussion because for quality ammo they are almost identical in price.  Yes you can buy cheap fmj 223 ammo but if your hunting then you are probably gonna buy premium ammo.  And rifle weight doesn't mean much either since you are literally talking less then 1/2lb difference in actual rifle weight between the two.  I just find its a lot of pros for the 22-250 compared to only a couple miniscule pros for the 223

[Cougartail]

most yote hunters are not taking shots over 200-300 yards.   Yeah, you will hear of the guy that whacks one occasionally at 500 or greater, but that is a small target that does not like to stand still for very long.  Not to mention, most people are calling these dogs in and like to shoot them up close and personal.  That is why some yote hunters carry a shotgun and a rifle to their stands.

Stop confusing people with real world hunting.