.223 compared to .22-250

[Wanttohuntmore]

I hope 5200 fps was a typo  , my 22-250 ackley comes nowhere near that speed.  I shoot both, 22-250, 223 in an AR, a 243, and a 2506.  Today, where I knew the distance was out there, I packed the 2506.  But to tell the truth, I wouldn't have felt that handicapped with my AR in 223 as well.  Between the 2 cartridges you mentioned, I would stick with the 223 if coyote hunting was less than 50% of it's main purpose.  If it's a yote gun, and fur isn't a concern, get a 243 or 2506, or what I'm eyeing now, a 22/250 ackley, with 1/7" twist......  Or a 6.5x284win....

[shaneman153D]

Well I told myself that I wasn't going to chime in here but my fingers seem to have a mind of their own!!! Basically it boils down to what type of terrain you will be using you gun for. First off let me say that the areas I hunt can give me shot opportunities further than I am capable of shooting. My experience using a .223 has not been very satisfactory for me on anything over 200 to 250 yds. My .204 seems to be on step up from a .223 under my hunting conditions using a 32 gr Vmax. Now my   on a 22-250, it will do just about anything you need to do except now you are into a bolt gun. My current favorite coyote gun is a .243 bolt just because it knocks the dogs down and they stay down. I am currently building a .20 tac AR that is made to shoot 40 gr bullets which is very close to a 22-250 in terms of velocity and energy. My next build will be a .243 WSSM with Mike from DTech. While you don't have the magazine capacity of the .223 and .204 you probably don't need more than 5 or 6 rounds in a magazine at any given time anyway. The .243 WSSM will be more expensive to shoot given the cost of the brass and expensive magazines unless you know how to modify the magazines to accommodate the fat cartridges. You will definitely need a brass deflector so you won't lose any of the brass. Also some of the heavier 6mm bullets are too long to fit in the magazine. These are some of the issues of shooting the WSSM cartridges but may be of no importance to you. I would definitely look into a .243 WSSM as it has more versatility. The 6 x 45 is a very stable accurate cartridge also (.223 necked up to 6mm) but somewhat lacking in velocity but is very popular also.  

I know max OAL can be a problem for commercially loaded heavy bullets, and a problem for heavy bullets in the 25WSSM but I think you're good on the .243.

And big10, P-mags can be pretty easily modded, and are way cheaper and better than the Oly mags.  Mike mods his with Pmag followers IIRC.  The 20 rounder will hold 7 and the 30 will hod 11.  There's a guy on predatormasters that will do it for you, can't remember his name though.

Did you already order it?  I told myself when I shoot this one out I'm going to send it to him for a shilen barrel and the D-Tech touch.

I'm well on my way just in load development.   

[Intruder]

No question, 22-250 is ballisticly superior.... to the tune of about 400 fps on average.  It shoots about 40% more powder and as such can flat scoot a bullet down range... and accurately.  On coyote sized game the 223 tends to start maxing out around 250ish IMO.  All things equal 22-250 is vastly superior. 

The real difference is cost of shooting them.  Currently I'm able to buy 223 ammo for about 45-50 cents a shot.  If you're not reloading the 22-250 is gonna cost ya bout a buck and a quarter a shot. 

One of the main reason I got a 223 was for all around versatility.  I plink with it, shot squirrels, and yotes.  It is really my main "practice" gun for developing shooting skills.  As such I end up shooting hundreds of shots a year.  A lot harder to justify that when your shots cost 70+ cents more a piece   

[sako223]

I hope 5200 fps was a typo  , my 22-250 ackley comes nowhere near that speed.

Well over 5100
http://www.accuratereloading.com/22250ai.html

Here is the 223 AI
http://www.accuratereloading.com/223ackley.html