22.250 VS 223
- Thread starter YORKSHIREHWM
- Start date
I bet your walls are all magnolia
Merlyn
Well-Known Member
In a way you are right - They are actually cream all over the house. I live alone with my labrador. I am 84 and been shooting since I was 7 way back in 1946. Ladies skirt lengths go up and down. Mens hair gets longer and shorter. Rifles go in and out of favour in the same way. But a rifle is still just a metal tube with a handle. 22 magnums then 22.250 was all the rage a while a go - Couldn't shoot a fox without one according to the shooting press. .222 came and went. .223 has stayed fairly popular. Then the .270 and now its the Creedmore that you must have in your gunsafe. I've had a .22 - now replaced by a .17. I've got a 22/250 and a .243. Rabbits are now in short supply so I only use the .243 most of the time. With a Pard DS35-70 mounted it's good for day and night and I've shot every deer bar a sika with it. (We don't get them around here). Why would I want anything else? Also there is no problem with the ammo at any gunshop. (I'm afraid most gunshops would close if everyone was like me though). My shotguns are much the same.I bet your walls are all magnolia
Smellydog
Well-Known Member
Oooh, oh that's different then, yeah, go for itYou need to read between the lines SD, the OP wants a shiny new rifle and we’re here to justify it for him.
I’m sitting here looking at my own (cream…) walls
You are absolutely right about the 243. Had three, liked them all. All you would ever need and a great range of light fast or heavyish if needed. 105 grains had a decent thump.
If it’s not broke don’t try to fix it as they say.
But if the OP goes down the 22 route he leaves a nice gap in the safe for a 243 or a quarter bore etc.
Where is your empathy man?
Merlyn
Well-Known Member
Sorry JockStalk, my empathy is in for servicing, been there a long time, must give them a ring sometime.I’m sitting here looking at my own (cream…) walls
You are absolutely right about the 243. Had three, liked them all. All you would ever need and a great range of light fast or heavyish if needed. 105 grains had a decent thump.
If it’s not broke don’t try to fix it as they say.
But if the OP goes down the 22 route he leaves a nice gap in the safe for a 243 or a quarter bore etc.
Where is your empathy man?
Len the dog
Well-Known Member
Skogsmannen
Well-Known Member
You need to read between the lines SD, the OP wants a shiny new rifle and we’re here to justify it for him.
i work with the OP - reckon you're bang on the money there
Len the dog
Well-Known Member
I’m on the border between N. Yorks and Co. Durham if he wants to come out with me and try a 22-250.
victormeldrew
Well-Known Member
Another "best calibre" debate and these are such good fun - long may they continue.
However, it really comes down to personal choice/opinion as either of the calibres mentioned by the OP will do the job perfectly well (as will any CF .22).
Certainly the .22-250 has more energy & is flatter shooting, so as has been said, if shooting at longer ranges this may be a consideration.
For what it's worth, I use a .223 which I'm very happy with. It's very nice to shoot & if set slightly high at 100yds, it's good out to 200 yds without adjustment (I don't personally shoot this far at night). I became familiar with the .223 years ago when dabbling (low key) in F Class target. I then began using it for crows/foxes etc.
Had I been looking for a varmint rifle, without the previous introduction to .223, I would probably have opted for a .22-250 as it has more of a reputation.
I've not fired a .22-250, but a friend has used one for years and he is very happy with it.
We have both shot Roe (north of the border) without any problem.
The OP is prepared to invest in a new rifle, scope etc which is a fair investment, so possibly any difference in cost of ammo or reloading components won't be much of a consideration.
As Fox Tales has said it would be worth trying both to see what suits best.
However, it really comes down to personal choice/opinion as either of the calibres mentioned by the OP will do the job perfectly well (as will any CF .22).
Certainly the .22-250 has more energy & is flatter shooting, so as has been said, if shooting at longer ranges this may be a consideration.
For what it's worth, I use a .223 which I'm very happy with. It's very nice to shoot & if set slightly high at 100yds, it's good out to 200 yds without adjustment (I don't personally shoot this far at night). I became familiar with the .223 years ago when dabbling (low key) in F Class target. I then began using it for crows/foxes etc.
Had I been looking for a varmint rifle, without the previous introduction to .223, I would probably have opted for a .22-250 as it has more of a reputation.
I've not fired a .22-250, but a friend has used one for years and he is very happy with it.
We have both shot Roe (north of the border) without any problem.
The OP is prepared to invest in a new rifle, scope etc which is a fair investment, so possibly any difference in cost of ammo or reloading components won't be much of a consideration.
As Fox Tales has said it would be worth trying both to see what suits best.
Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
If you want real speed and flat shooting just go with one of the 22-243 Wildcats such as the Max or the Middlestead.
They push 50ish grain bullets at 3900 fps plus sort of velocities.
I used a 22 Max in the 90s. It was point and shoot on crows right put to 350 odd yards. And if you hit them right head wings and legs would all go in different directions amidst a puff of feathers.
They push 50ish grain bullets at 3900 fps plus sort of velocities.
I used a 22 Max in the 90s. It was point and shoot on crows right put to 350 odd yards. And if you hit them right head wings and legs would all go in different directions amidst a puff of feathers.
BigFrank
Well-Known Member
I have both…22-250 Sako 75 1:14 twist, 52gr bullets for daylight foxing…great fun, very flat and accurate out to distance. CZ .223 1:9 twist, 20” barrel with NV scope..excellent gun…rarely shoot over 150yds. I also have a .243 for stalking…great calibre. If I was only allowed 1 gun…it would be the .223…for a variety of reasons..low recoil, cheap to reload and availability of components. Please note that 22-250 is available in different twist rates. 1:14 will stabilise most 50 to 55gr bullets…but NOT 53gr V Max..it’s too long! If you want to shoot bullets over 55gr, typically longer…get a faster twist rate than 1:14. It’s more to do with bullet length than weight.
yes..24” for 22-250 to allow complete powder burn. 20” is fine for .223, much less powder…typically 21.7gr N130 for 50gr V Max.
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Kind offer , the OP hasn't been on site since Wednesday .
the prowler
Well-Known Member
You still get unburnt powder in 223 with 20" barrel
Polar Lynx
Well-Known Member
Having both (223 and 22-250) many years now and would say the main difference is distance. With 22-250 you would reach farther than 223. But with distance comes magnifiction i.e. needing a premium scope i.e. money.
223 more handy all over especially when skiing. 22-250 best daytime and over wide fields.
Also, 22-250 needs a moderator when shooting near where people live. On the heavy side, the 22/250, so used mainly from high seats.
Would not be without any of them, however.
223 more handy all over especially when skiing. 22-250 best daytime and over wide fields.
Also, 22-250 needs a moderator when shooting near where people live. On the heavy side, the 22/250, so used mainly from high seats.
Would not be without any of them, however.
BigFrank
Well-Known Member
Marginally. I didn’t say there was complete powder burn in .223 20”. I said it was fine…it being more of an issue with 22-250. The answer depends completely on the burn rate of the powder you're using. For a given barrel length, you can optimize performance (within reason) by using a powder with an appropriate burn rate for that barrel length. Expect around 40fps for every 1” over 20”.
tim@tcs
Well-Known Member
Quarter bore? A nice 25-06 pleaseI’m sitting here looking at my own (cream…) walls
You are absolutely right about the 243. Had three, liked them all. All you would ever need and a great range of light fast or heavyish if needed. 105 grains had a decent thump.
If it’s not broke don’t try to fix it as they say.
But if the OP goes down the 22 route he leaves a nice gap in the safe for a 243 or a quarter bore etc.
Where is your empathy man?
YORKSHIREHWM
Member
Thanks for the replys. Going with a .223 will update once i hopefully get my new successful variation through !
Im calling B.S. .Your comment on powder burn is a moot point.
In real terms the amount of unburnt powder in a 20" 22-250 is negligible . In fact my load using N140 achieves 99.6% powder burn , so in real terms a none issue. Here's the GRT results for 36 grains of N140 under a 50 grain Vmax. At 36.2 grains , 100% burn rate is achieved . 36 to 36.2 grains seems to be a sweet spot for many and N140 a common powder choice .
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