.22-250 vs .223

[jrebel]

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.

So your telling me I need to buy my neighbors a few goats😂😂😂.   We have whacked a few at 500+ over the years and the 6.5 or 300 win mag are the gun of choice for that.   Brings me to the point that 6.5 with the right bullet could be an excellent tote gun for all ranges. 

[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.

Stop confusing people with real world hunting.

 

[HighlandLofts]

Go 22-250 and don't look back. Why be under powered.

[Rainier10]

Whacked this guy at 210 yards from my deck. Had to break out the 22-250 improved. .223 and regular 22-250 were only good to 200 is what I was told.

[Dan-o]

22-250 Improved..........   For when 4,000 fps just isn't enough!

I like the way you think, sir!

[JimmyHoffa]

Go .22-250, then you can save the brass for the .250 Savage you'll get later on down the road.

[bearhunter99]

Whacked this guy at 210 yards from my deck. Had to break out the 22-250 improved. .223 and regular 22-250 were only good to 200 is what I was told.

That's a big yote! 

[konradcountry]

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

Ammo price is in the discussion because most people will practice more with 223.

The rifle weight also matters because a varmint 22-250 will have at least a 24" barrel. In fact the 700 has a 26" barrel and weighs 8.75 lbs.

So can easily be one pound difference compared to an off the shelf AR.

If you are talking a moderate budget then I don't think you can beat an AR for coyote hunting. You give up speed compared to a 22-250 but you gain fast follow up shots.

If comparing bolt vs bolt then that is a better case for 22-250. But I still don't think it makes sense for everyone.

Maybe the OP could specify.

[Bob33]

Whacked this guy at 210 yards from my deck. Had to break out the 22-250 improved. .223 and regular 22-250 were only good to 200 is what I was told.

Nice work. 

[Dan-o]

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

Ammo price is in the discussion because most people will practice more with 223.

The rifle weight also matters because a varmint 22-250 will have at least a 24" barrel. In fact the 700 has a 26" barrel and weighs 8.75 lbs.

So can easily be one pound difference compared to an off the shelf AR.

If you are talking a moderate budget then I don't think you can beat an AR for coyote hunting. You give up speed compared to a 22-250 but you gain fast follow up shots.

If comparing bolt vs bolt then that is a better case for 22-250. But I still don't think it makes sense for everyone.

Maybe the OP could specify.

I actually agree with you, and appreciate that you post facts and provide a good analysis.

But come on man.........  4,000 fps.   I can't resist 4,000 fps.

I have several ARs in 223, and they make fine yote guns....   But they don't 4,000 fps.
I know it's not rational, but.............. I can't imagine what a varmint grenade at 4,000 would do.

[bearhunter99]

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

Ammo price is in the discussion because most people will practice more with 223.

The rifle weight also matters because a varmint 22-250 will have at least a 24" barrel. In fact the 700 has a 26" barrel and weighs 8.75 lbs.

So can easily be one pound difference compared to an off the shelf AR.

If you are talking a moderate budget then I don't think you can beat an AR for coyote hunting. You give up speed compared to a 22-250 but you gain fast follow up shots.

If comparing bolt vs bolt then that is a better case for 22-250. But I still don't think it makes sense for everyone.

Maybe the OP could specify.

I actually agree with you, and appreciate that you post facts and provide a good analysis.

But come on man.........  4,000 fps.   I can't resist 4,000 fps.

I have several ARs in 223, and they make fine yote guns....   But they don't 4,000 fps.
I know it's not rational, but.............. I can't imagine what a varmint grenade at 4,000 would do.

I should have taken a picture of the small yote I shot at about 80 yards with a 36 gr grenade.  It wasn't pretty.....  Forgot to mention I sent it out of a 220 Swift..

[konradcountry]

I actually agree with you, and appreciate that you post facts and provide a good analysis.

But come on man.........  4,000 fps.   I can't resist 4,000 fps.

I have several ARs in 223, and they make fine yote guns....   But they don't 4,000 fps.
I know it's not rational, but.............. I can't imagine what a varmint grenade at 4,000 would do.

Ha hey pal nothing wrong with liking a gun for the fun factor.

I shoot a 7.5" Blackout at an indoor range. 

[Rainier10]

22-250 Improved..........   For when 4,000 fps just isn't enough!

I like the way you think, sir!

When you care to send the very best. 

And it absolutely, positively has to get there right now.

[birdshooter1189]

22-250 has more noise and recoil.  For target shooting I prefer a .223.  I have a CZ 527 american in .223.  I love the gun.  I've used it for rock chucks, montana prairie dogs, racoons, coyotes, and crows.  I've shot a couple of other people's 22-250's.

50 grain v-max at about 3200 fps.  I shot a coyote a couple days ago in eastern WA at about 150 yds.  Dropped it in his tracks, didn't feel like I was lacking anything by shooting a .223.  A 22-250 could have made the same shot with the same result.  Both calibers are nice.  I don't think there is a wrong answer between a .223 and 22-250.  Maybe get both eventually.

[wadu1]

Dan-o post,
But come on man.........  4,000 fps.   I can't resist 4,000 fps.

I have several ARs in 223, and they make fine yote guns....   But they don't 4,000 fps.
I know it's not rational, but.............. I can't imagine what a varmint grenade at 4,000 would do.

I went out to the loading bench to check. The Barnes manual for the 22-250 says with the 36gr Varmint Grenade you can push 40gr of RL15 it out to 4417 FPS. I don't normally load my 22-250 that fast, my normal load is 38gr of H380 at 3800 FPS, that's close to the .223 loads I make. I've got both under 300 yards .223 over 300 yards then it's the 22-250.