A bit of a no brainer if your reloading your ammo, all the attractions of a .222 such as milder recoil, less velocity for rabbits etc can be accommodated by simply tweaking your loads, when you want something with a good bit more steam to reach out to those distant foxes a full fat 22.250 load is very difficult to beat and ar as accuracy is concerned capable guys will get clover leaf groupings with most good rifles in either caliber.
.222 or .22-250?
- Thread starter wildfowler.250
- Start date
With a 1" high @ 100 the two graphs show the drop, 22-250 on the top 222 below.
'roughly' 225M for a +/-1" with the .22-250 and 165M for the 222
So if you can consistently hit a 2" gong both rifles are fine between 30 and 160 to 170M but the 22-250 will hit the gong between 25 and 230M (technically that is called 'as flat as a witches tit)
I have a 22-250, I have shot rabbits with it, they turned into soup, it blows holes in foxes (inside 120M) and I imagine it would do the same to deer (I haven't shot one with the 22-250). It's LOUD and it's heavy. I am attracted to a .222 for all the reasons outlined, however, all my rifles use the same case size, primers are the same, shell holders etc and I just love that when reloading I just change the FL and seating dies. I bought a 17HMR to shoot the bunnies and a (recently) a 22LR which has become my goto rifle as a couple of my permissions are around farm yards and the 17 is too loud (and still punches holes in the tin sheds after drilling through a pigeon).
Maybe I too should change the 250 for a 222 or 223 as I tend not to shoot at animals past 150M anyway ......
sir-slots-alot
Well-Known Member
To be honest, the 222 has big following on this site , or at least a very vocal group of enthusiasts.
But the truth is , out of the three main dominant 22 CF's ( i.e 222 - 223 + 22.250 ) the old treble is by FAR the least popular over here too.
The 222s closest neighbour - the 223, has almost killed new sales of the 222 in many places , as it is better ballistically and more importantly has a far wider selection of rifles - ammo - barrel twist rates ect which the treble cant match. The 222 is still an excellent calibre and I don't think any fox would know that difference in them.
Earlier on this this thread - a velocity of 3600fps was quoted for the 22.250 firing a 50 g bullet. This is of course massively downloaded for the 22.250 .
The reality is , there are factory ammo that shoot a 50 grn Vmax at 4000fps - and from my own experience I ran my 22.250 at speeds over 3900 fps without pressure signs from a 20 inch barrel.
Many years ago , My shooting buddy and I , would kill between 300 and 400 fox per year ( these were shot mostly with 223 and 22.250 )
Performance wise , I would guess that the 22.250 gives an additional 700 to 800 fps over a 222 with a 50 grn pill.
The extra velocity equates to LESS drop and LESS wind drift in the field,. This makes hitting the kill zone easier in field conditions , when the wind is blowing and there is no time to range find the distance between you and your quarry. The 22.250 also hits noticeably harder than either the 222 or 223 and this can mean less runners. For the record the bullet fired from a 22.250 carries more energy and 120Yrds - than the 222 does at the muzzle.
The downside is of course the 22.250 will cost more to feed and barrel life is shorter. .. but is this an issue as a fox / deer rifle ??? . A 22.250 barrel may last over 2000 rounds before accuracy starts to suffer in any noticeable way. . So that a lot of vermin / hunting. The extra noise is a non starter for me - mods are that good these days that you would be difficult to tell which CF your firing from a hundred yrds away.
Anyway , surprisingly , I am in the 22.250 camp
Alan
You said that you want a change in rifle more so than a change in caliber?
So what is it you are after in a rifle as that might shape your choice? ie same platform as an existing rifle you own? more target oriented/ prone use/ heavy? light hill rig? day and night shooting? woodland pointy thing? truck pointy thing?
You get the idea. If the purpose is clear that might help you with your caliber question?
So what is it you are after in a rifle as that might shape your choice? ie same platform as an existing rifle you own? more target oriented/ prone use/ heavy? light hill rig? day and night shooting? woodland pointy thing? truck pointy thing?
You get the idea. If the purpose is clear that might help you with your caliber question?
booradley
Well-Known Member
I made the statement about .222 popularity based on comments I’ve read in periodicals where the author says the .222 is popular on your side of the pond. Your explanation makes total sense. Thanks.To be honest, the 222 has big following on this site , or at least a very vocal group of enthusiasts.
But the truth is , out of the three main dominant 22 CF's ( i.e 222 - 223 + 22.250 ) the old treble is by FAR the least popular over here too.
The 222s closest neighbour - the 223, has almost killed new sales of the 222 in many places , as it is better ballistically and more importantly has a far wider selection of rifles - ammo - barrel twist rates ect which the treble cant match. The 222 is still an excellent calibre and I don't think any fox would know that difference in them.
Earlier on this this thread - a velocity of 3600fps was quoted for the 22.250 firing a 50 g bullet. This is of course massively downloaded for the 22.250 .
The reality is , there are factory ammo that shoot a 50 grn Vmax at 4000fps - and from my own experience I ran my 22.250 at speeds over 3900 fps without pressure signs from a 20 inch barrel.
Many years ago , My shooting buddy and I , would kill between 300 and 400 fox per year ( these were shot mostly with 223 and 22.250 )
Performance wise , I would guess that the 22.250 gives an additional 700 to 800 fps over a 222 with a 50 grn pill.
The extra velocity equates to LESS drop and LESS wind drift in the field,. This makes hitting the kill zone easier in field conditions , when the wind is blowing and there is no time to range find the distance between you and your quarry. The 22.250 also hits noticeably harder than either the 222 or 223 and this can mean less runners. For the record the bullet fired from a 22.250 carries more energy and 120Yrds - than the 222 does at the muzzle.
The downside is of course the 22.250 will cost more to feed and barrel life is shorter. .. but is this an issue as a fox / deer rifle ??? . A 22.250 barrel may last over 2000 rounds before accuracy starts to suffer in any noticeable way. . So that a lot of vermin / hunting. The extra noise is a non starter for me - mods are that good these days that you would be difficult to tell which CF your firing from a hundred yrds away.
Anyway , surprisingly , I am in the 22.250 camp
Alan
sharkbait
Well-Known Member
Use a .223 myself never had any dealings with the other two caliber so can't comment!
Always love it when people say I'm after a .222 then someone says why not get a .22 250 then someone else says why bother with a .22 250 get yourself a .243 then down the line the op goes and buys a 50. Cal saying them f ing fox are for it now
Always love it when people say I'm after a .222 then someone says why not get a .22 250 then someone else says why bother with a .22 250 get yourself a .243 then down the line the op goes and buys a 50. Cal saying them f ing fox are for it now
It's a consequence of the firearms licensing process. When people are having to give one slot up to take up another and trying to cover many bases with one rifle we have these dancing-on-the-head-of-a-pin discussions about every nuance of a particular cartridge.
In an ideal world and one in which everyone knows the value of a good .222 or a .22-250, you'd just be able to buy whichever one you felt you needed at the time without having to seek authorisation or give up one of your existing rifles and keep them all in reserve should circumstances change, like many of us do with scopes.
But the law of the land is the reality we have to live with and when many people are likely to have to stick with the choice they make for up to five years the magnifying glass comes out and we have a forensic discussion.
Or they try and future-proof their purchase by going up a calibre notch in the hope of covering unforeseen bases. It's not ideal but it's the way it is and it at least makes for interesting discussions.
In an ideal world and one in which everyone knows the value of a good .222 or a .22-250, you'd just be able to buy whichever one you felt you needed at the time without having to seek authorisation or give up one of your existing rifles and keep them all in reserve should circumstances change, like many of us do with scopes.
But the law of the land is the reality we have to live with and when many people are likely to have to stick with the choice they make for up to five years the magnifying glass comes out and we have a forensic discussion.
Or they try and future-proof their purchase by going up a calibre notch in the hope of covering unforeseen bases. It's not ideal but it's the way it is and it at least makes for interesting discussions.
macfarlane
Well-Known Member
It's difficult picking a calibre for everything, in this case it's a different rifle the opps after not really a different calibre, I shot a 22/250 for 15 years doing foxys and roe deer, now shoot a 223 but that's mainly because I shoot at ranges and didn't fancy burning a 22/250 barrel out. If I was only shooting 20 odd rounds a year I'd just whack everything with the 270.
Neddle
Well-Known Member
I shot a 222 for 10yrs at foxes, only had one runner in all that time and that was my fault, at the time local laws restricted us to 222 as being the largest permissable calibre for fox control. I've owned and shot foxes with every fox legal calibre from 17hornet up to 220swift and can tell you the 222 is as good as any, mild report, soft recoil and capable of taking foxes consistently out to 250 yds if you do your bit.
Few seem to appreciate that.
My BSA Hunter feeds very sweetly with a 7x57, perhaps second to the 222 on gods list.
The Interarms MK10 in 308 isn't as smooth but then the cartridge is comparatively short, perhaps 30 years ago I should have had it rechamberef for 30/06, if the barrel was thick enough.
enfieldspares
Well-Known Member
Yes. As you say directly above. I've always liked long cartridges if the rifle has a long action. That's why other than shooting the SLR I've never actually personally used a rifle in ,308W as I've always owned rifles that were based on the Mauser 98. Mostly Parker Hale but the odd BRNO ZKK too. And I think you right about all these German ABCx57mm cartridges too. Far more efficient than the American ABCx63mm cartridges. The truth is that the .30-03 that was the predecessor of the .30-06 was only the length it was because the then available American powders were not as efficient as the German powders.
I have wanted to get A 222 for a number of years mainly because I’ve heard that theres less recoil and less noise . Recently had a good range session with a 223 which I loved shooting and due to the availability would probably go for that if I purchased a dedicated fox rifle with the chance of a muntjac here and there. BUT I have a 243 and if I,m honest then the noise really isn’t an issue with the limited amount of rounds that I shoot in the field and there is zero chance of a runner when shooting fox /small deer species like there can be with the less potent ..22 or .17 centrefire and if I want to shoot rabbits then I’ll break out the 22 lr, which is the only rifle I need for rabbiting. I get that people want to experiment with other calibers but if we’re being honest then we can get by with only a few. apologies for being boring.
hedge hunter
Well-Known Member
Iv shot foxs with a 22.250.neck and shoulder gone but still had enough steam too run adrenalin gives them a strong will too live.
Another vote for .222. I have a .222 BSA Hunter from 1954 and it shoots beautifully at 300 yards with 55gr factory ammo with a 24 inch barrel despite substantial pitting. The recoil is barely noticeable as it is an 8lb rifle so, although I haven't tried 60gr bullets yet, I am confident it would behave just as nicely with them.
204 better than both of them low recoil fast mines running 3853fps and foxes hate it instant kills and roe deer legal with 50g in scotland if you can get the heads but 39g blitzkings are almost one hole groups from a tikka t3 varmint cant recomend this calliber enughf had 222 nice gun had 243 with 55g nice but 204 is better all round as a fox gun with night vision
Sonicdmb73
Well-Known Member
Who does a 50+ grain 20 cal bullet that’s designed to deform in a predictable manner.
I ask as I have a 20 Tac with a 9” twist barrel and would be interested in what bullet would be legal.
Similar threads
