223 or 22-250

[takbok]

I love a fast .22, so 22-250 would be my choice.

I have a 220 which is very similar to the 22-250.

I'm not sure I'd get rid of the 243 though.

 

[Len the dog]

For foxing the most popular bullet is the ballistic tip, such as Vmax or Blitzking. These highly fragmenting projectiles are designed in such a way that they work best at the highest velocities, hence why the additional speed of the 22-250 creates such a dramatic effect on the target.

 

[Edinburgh Rifles]

A lot of people bang on about the comparative noise (pun intended) between 223 & 22-250. Stand 30yds away from the rifle and the difference in decibels between the two is for all intents and purposes, zero.
Everyone is fixated by the perceived noise from this calibre or that, your head is inches away from it so will detect a difference but move just a couple of metres away and the SPL of the two will be the same.

Reviews and Tests – Edinburgh Rifles

Observations

• Unmoderated shots from .308, .270, .25-06 and 6mmBR all registered within less than 2dB of each other, an average peak of between 165-166.9 dB, despite a powder charge range of 30-60gr

 

[scotch_egg]

Reviews and Tests – Edinburgh Rifles

Observations

• Unmoderated shots from .308, .270, .25-06 and 6mmBR all registered within less than 2dB of each other, an average peak of between 165-166.9 dB, despite a powder charge range of 30-60gr

It would be great if you could do this again with a current range of silencers

 

[Edinburgh Rifles]

It would be great if you could do this again with a current range of silencers

Watch this space
Currently in discussion to take on the import of another brand

 

[Pedro]

In use, there's not really that much difference in those two .22 centrefire calibres. The .223 is accurate, fast and some say "civilised". It's the biggest seller. You'll always be able to find factory ammo. The .22-250 is faster, accurate of course and hits hard. They say it wears out barrels quicker. Which I'm sure it does, but unless you are stuffing a mountain of ammo through it, that really won't be an issue.

Frankly, they both do the job excellently with really subtle differences and whichever you choose, it'll be fine. I'd spend more time thinking about which rifle suits me, then decide if it's offered in both calibres. Or if buying second hand, I'd always go for the better rifle, whichever calibre.

 

[Bowland blades]

I am getting rid of my 243 and need a foxing/ small deer calibre as well as a larger species deer calibre .

For this thread though I am looking for the fixing/small deer calibre. If the 223 could be moderated better than the 22-250:this might affect my decision as noise can be an issue but not a deal breaker.

I fancy a 22-250 because of I was under the impression that it’s better in the wind than the 223 and it has a slightly further reach.

What would be your choice?

honestly if your thinking 22-250 you really should stick with the 243 . it can go down to 55 grain bullets and you do not have to send them super fast if you dont want to . the 70 grain nosler BT as a standard load is a brilliant fox round from the 243 , its ability to expand correctly at very long range from said 243 is stella ! The only reason to go 22-250 instead is that downloads better and runs nice at 22 hornet speeds with a 40 grain bullet . at 300 yards the 243 and 22-250 are very , very close to each other with 55 grain
223 ? Yes around half the powder fill of the 243 with a good moderator trying to outrun wind with speed is a fools errand , to battle the wind you need high BC bullets not more speed .!
BTW if we loose lead for foxes a 243 or 22-250 are good choices with copper> Copper really needs to be driven fast as possible , impact speed needs to be high ( currently finding difficulties with expansion with my 223 in copper even inside 200 yards on small deer ) might be able to fix this with different brands but trust me 243 or 22-250 will not trouble you within 300 plus if your shooting copper . Foxes will sometimes get up from a 243 lead 100 grain class bullets even a short range because the std deer bullets haven't the size of ribcage side on so they pencil through etc . Within only a short run though.

 

[samdk]

I don’t care what anyone says about noise the .223 is quieter. I burns 10gr less powder on average. Put the data in a ballistics app and out to 300 there really isn’t enough to call between either calibre. I’m fact with a 53gr V-max going 3300fps from a 20” .223 and a 53gr v-max through a 20” 22-250 there is 1” of drop between them at 300 yards.

Les recoil, less noise, less powder. The fox won’t notice.

My father has the 22-250 and I have the .223 both Tikka T3’s in PSE stocks. Great workhorses.

“drop” is t the only metric, the 22-250 will have a 300-400 fps advantage over the 223 so energy on target and wind will be greatly improved over the 223.

 

[scotch_egg]

“drop” is t the only metric, the 22-250 will have a 300-400 fps advantage over the 223 so energy on target and wind will be greatly improved over the 223.

This is very true. I just don’t see a fox needing the extra energy. Unless of course you’re foxes are wearing body armour

 

[Polar Lynx]

I use 223 for night foxes i.e. short distances (<120 m) Using the 22-250 for day shooting and longer distances (>230 m). The 223 = 50 gr V-Max and the 22-250: 55 gr Norma Oryx as roe is also shot. Both effective in but in slightly different leagues for me.

 

[Camdig]

I regularly jump between 243 and 223 for foxing, right now like above 243 with 58g superformance is hard to beat although it can have a decent bang off it on a calm night, 223 is my favourite Roe buck rifle it's lovely for woodland stalking

 

[DavidT23]

.222 is the way

 

[JockStalk]

Existing 243 will do what you need, but I get that it’s not what you want

I’d lean towards 22-250, but faced with same choice I went 220 swift. Speed kills and 4000+ fps is very dead indeed.

5 rounds, 100m 40gr vmax at 4200fps

 

[norma 308]

I have both but for specific jobs
22/250 heavy barrel semi custom with NV foxs foxs shot 100’s with it in 20 + years
.223 light weight steyr mannlicher
Used for small deer very pleased with its performance on the super tough muntjac and on the nit so tough cwd
I like to keep my night work to 200 yards or under same with the day stuff both very adequate calibres for this and I will stretch the 25o if I have to and have birds at wood .
Mate uses a 243 with equal success it’s as devastating on foxs as the two previous rounds so you take what u fancy they all do a great job !

 

[wildfowler.250]

.222 is the way

You just can’t go wrong with the .222


Otherwise if we’re being boring, they’ll all work fine..

 

[kenbro]

.22.250 for sure, faster,harder hitting and in a 1-9” twist it opens doors for copper if needed. I’m on my third .22.250 now after shooting the first one out (browning) and the second one a (tikka 595) which I re barrelled with a 26” 1-8” sassen. It shoves the 53 gen vmax out at 3680 fps. Shot more stuff with this cal than any other rifle I have. I do have a .223 ar15 for banging around on the bike and in the buggy and it’s ok to but the .22.250 beats it on speed and hitting power with the same bullet.

22-250…ideal for fox and would do for all UK deer if legal.
Ken.

 

[kenbro]

I use 223 for night foxes i.e. short distances (<120 m) Using the 22-250 for day shooting and longer distances (>230 m). The 223 = 50 gr V-Max and the 22-250: 55 gr Norma Oryx as roe is also shot. Both effective in but in slightly different leagues for me.

Have you tried Hornady’s 35 Grain (Non lead) NTX factory ammo in your 223.
Not fired over chronograph but box states 4000 fps.
Ken.

 

[Heym SR20]

There really is not a lot of difference between the 243 with lighter bullets and the 22-250. If most of your foxing is on open and windy ground stick with the 243 and drop to a lighter bullet. It will serve as backup for big deer. Cost of ammo for 243 and 22-250 is about the same.

223 is a fantastic little round. And if you do your bit good for any fox or smaller deer. Depending on barrel twist and bullet its more or less affected by wind (most 22-250’s have a slower twist so can’t high BC bullets). 223 possibly let down by case capacity so cannot get well over 3,000 fps with high BC bullets.

223 is a lot lot cheaper to run. Ammo is about 60% cost of bigger cartridges.

Same can be said for .222.

Beauty of 223 is it can be had in both very light little walk around rifles as well as heavy barreled varminters.

The 22 Creedmoor seems to have all the best bits in the one cartridge. Ammo cost and availability though in UK may be a challenge.

Have a watch of video below and you will be even more confused.

 

[Sakoodin1]

22-250…ideal for fox and would do for all UK deer if legal.
Ken.

It’s legal for the deer I shootgreat calibre for sure

 

[Domer]

Weight won’t be an issue for this combo as I’ll be walking to a spot then waiting up. I’m still torn as I do shoot over some open ground a bit but I’m still thinking that with a big enough mod I could silence the 223 more effectively than a 22-250