223 or 22/250
- Thread starter bryn
- Start date
Sauer90
Well-Known Member
It works a treat, never had a problem with precision using the 243 and 55 grain fodder - very nice fox round.
sir-slots-alot
Well-Known Member
I have both the 223 and 22.250 in my cabinet.
Both are fantastic cals and are very capable long range vermin and fox calibres.
If fast and flat are the top of your priorities , then the 22.250 has an advantage.
But don't be fooled into thinking that opting for the 22.250 will mean you won't need to aim off....... Not true
The 22.250 shooting a 50 grn pill at 3800 fps -at 300 yards will drop 6.5 inches and drift nearly five (10mph wind)
Using the same pill at 3400 fps , the 223 will drop 9 inches and drift 5.3 (10 mph w wind)
My point is , yes the 22.250 is flatter - but even at a meagre 300 yrds - your compensating for both for bullet drop and drift.
IME - the 223 is a sweeter calibre to shoot - I don't know how high this is on the priority list or economics for that matter , but it is worth baring in mind that the 223 - has less recoil - is noticeably quieter - has significantly more barrel life - and is cheaper to feed.
For me one of the biggest deciding factors is barrel twists - The standard 22.250 is fitted with a 14 twist tube. This means the 22.250 cant take advantage of some of the higher BC bullets which are now available.. Its a real shame because the power of the 22.250 behind the right high BC pill , turns this calibre into something very special .. For the record my latest 22.250 is fitted with an 8 twist LW barrel and fires 75 grn Amax at over 3300 fps.
Personally - After owning both for many years, in their standard off the shelf forms - I would go for the 223 ,, I have never felt under gunned or wished I had brought the 22.250 intead
ATB
Alan
Both are fantastic cals and are very capable long range vermin and fox calibres.
If fast and flat are the top of your priorities , then the 22.250 has an advantage.
But don't be fooled into thinking that opting for the 22.250 will mean you won't need to aim off....... Not true
The 22.250 shooting a 50 grn pill at 3800 fps -at 300 yards will drop 6.5 inches and drift nearly five (10mph wind)
Using the same pill at 3400 fps , the 223 will drop 9 inches and drift 5.3 (10 mph w wind)
My point is , yes the 22.250 is flatter - but even at a meagre 300 yrds - your compensating for both for bullet drop and drift.
IME - the 223 is a sweeter calibre to shoot - I don't know how high this is on the priority list or economics for that matter , but it is worth baring in mind that the 223 - has less recoil - is noticeably quieter - has significantly more barrel life - and is cheaper to feed.
For me one of the biggest deciding factors is barrel twists - The standard 22.250 is fitted with a 14 twist tube. This means the 22.250 cant take advantage of some of the higher BC bullets which are now available.. Its a real shame because the power of the 22.250 behind the right high BC pill , turns this calibre into something very special .. For the record my latest 22.250 is fitted with an 8 twist LW barrel and fires 75 grn Amax at over 3300 fps.
Personally - After owning both for many years, in their standard off the shelf forms - I would go for the 223 ,, I have never felt under gunned or wished I had brought the 22.250 intead
ATB
Alan
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I've had a 223 for the last ten or so years and have been very happy with performance of a 55gn bullet around 3250fps
However I recently tried a buddy's hot loaded 22-250 with the same bullet at 3900fps, and I was shocked at the extra 'wallop'.
300+yard rabbits were much easier, and the impacts much harder.
If I didn't have a range requirement then I'd be looking hard at a 22-250.
However I recently tried a buddy's hot loaded 22-250 with the same bullet at 3900fps, and I was shocked at the extra 'wallop'.
300+yard rabbits were much easier, and the impacts much harder.
If I didn't have a range requirement then I'd be looking hard at a 22-250.
Thanks for you help and advice.
I have just posted my variation for a 22-250 and all I have to decide is which rifle to go far. I am looking at a Tikka T3 with a varmint barrel 23 1/2 inch (600mm). I already have 2 (243/308) and like a synthetic stock with a screw cut blued barrel which limits me.
I like some of the Styers but with a limited barrel life of a 22-250 I don't like the thought of trying to get someone to re-barrel one in a few years time because of the way they are heat shrunk onto the action etc.
Much appreciated,
bryn
I have just posted my variation for a 22-250 and all I have to decide is which rifle to go far. I am looking at a Tikka T3 with a varmint barrel 23 1/2 inch (600mm). I already have 2 (243/308) and like a synthetic stock with a screw cut blued barrel which limits me.
I like some of the Styers but with a limited barrel life of a 22-250 I don't like the thought of trying to get someone to re-barrel one in a few years time because of the way they are heat shrunk onto the action etc.
Much appreciated,
bryn
If you have a search on this forum you'll find that only the Steyr SSG and Scout models have unusual barrel mounting methods. The Prohunter and others that use the same SBS action have threaded barrels like most other manufacturers.
At the gun show last week, I saw two rifles which sort of epitomized, for me, the difference between the the .223 and the .22-250. There was a CZ 527 Lux in .223, a Tikka T3 Lite in .223, and an older custom FN Mauser in .22-250 with bull barrel, long Lyman scope in external mounts.
A .223 in the same rifle as your deer rifle is a great thing for improving marksmanship. I have mine with a 6x42 scope, set to the same zero as its .30-06 stable mate.. about the same trajectory.
PS: Steyrs have about the longest lasting barrels around, because of the hammer forging.
.308s last 20,000 rounds if properly cared for.
A .223 in the same rifle as your deer rifle is a great thing for improving marksmanship. I have mine with a 6x42 scope, set to the same zero as its .30-06 stable mate.. about the same trajectory.
PS: Steyrs have about the longest lasting barrels around, because of the hammer forging.
.308s last 20,000 rounds if properly cared for.
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A Shot in the dark
Well-Known Member
You have made the right choice of caliber
i've both and the 22/250 is my preferred choice and I would not worry about barrel wear because unless you are target shooting hundreds of rounds a day it should last you many years and giving you a positive round for vermin control!
I also reload all my ammo which makes it reasonable cost
Good Shooting
Bob
i've both and the 22/250 is my preferred choice and I would not worry about barrel wear because unless you are target shooting hundreds of rounds a day it should last you many years and giving you a positive round for vermin control!
I also reload all my ammo which makes it reasonable cost
Good Shooting
Bob
Paul at Fechan
Well-Known Member
the combination of 243 with 55gr is like painful, why fire something light for calibre that is fast but with a terrible bc that is gets demolished in the wind. Ok at sensible ranged it blows stuff to bits but then so does 85gr.... with better stability
I've been using 55s and 58s in 243 for years. I shoot in all weather's at all times of the day,and to date I've not missed one in 2 years. I average 50 to 60 a year. Would shooting an 87gn improve things I doubt it. I don't have time to pounce about with dailing in/ holding over.If it's under 300 m and I cannot get closer I pull the trigger. Change, err no thanks. Terrible bc bull ****.
It was my understanding that a 55 grn .243 bullet had a higher BC than a comparable 55 grn in .22-250 and therefore would be better at bucking the wind and would produce better down-range accuracy at similar or faster/flatter velocity and trajectory. My reasons for choosing the .243/55grn combination over the .22-250/55grn were not the entertainment/novelty value of high speed explosive impacts but better wind riding and longer reach at the expense of cost and noise.
It seems to be a very popular combination with US long range varminters shooting prairie dogs which is as good a test as any. If I can get an accurate 400 yd vermin round that will cope with the moderate winds I get where I am, that will be more than I'll ever need with the added advantage of being deer-legal in England as a stand-in stalking rifle.
It seems to be a very popular combination with US long range varminters shooting prairie dogs which is as good a test as any. If I can get an accurate 400 yd vermin round that will cope with the moderate winds I get where I am, that will be more than I'll ever need with the added advantage of being deer-legal in England as a stand-in stalking rifle.
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bewsher500
Well-Known Member
that will come down to bullet design, BUT, longer thinner bullets of the same weight usually have a higher BC
think 6.5mm 140gr vs .270 140gr
7mm 160gr vs .308 160gr
but at 55gr it is arguably of no consequence to anyone shooting foxes!
you are talking .265 vs .27 BC values.....
you are still talking absurd drift values in a 15mph 90deg wind at 300yds unless you can push that thing over 4000fps!
I was going by this, taken from Knowledgebase
Suggested loads: .243 Winchester Barrel length: 22”
No ID Sectional Density Ballistic Coefficient Observed MV Fps ME
Ft-lb’s
1 FL Hornady 100gr BTSP .242 .405 2890 1854
2 FL Hornady 95gr SST SF .230 .355 3115 2047
3 FL Winchester55gr BST .133 .276 3840 1800
4 FL Winchester95gr BST .230 .379 3020 1923
5 FL Federal 85gr GK HPBT .206 .293 3220 1956
6 FL Federal 85gr TSX .206 .333 3130 1849
7 FL Remington 90gr Scirocco .218 .365 3050 1858
8 HL 85gr Partition/GK/TSX .206 .315 (Av) 3200 1932
9 HL 95gr SST or Nosler BT .230 .355 3050 1962
10 HL 100gr Partition .242 .384 3000 1998
11 HL 105gr A-Max .254 .500 2950 2029
No At yards 10mphXwind Velocity Ft-lb’s
1 300 8 2200 1075
2 300 7.8 2343 1158
3 300 8 2713 899
4 300 7.3 2331 1146
5 300 9.5 2284 985
6 300 9 2253 958
7 300 8 2307 1064
8 300 8.5 2323 819
9 300 8 2288 1104
10 300 7.5 2300 1173
11 300 5.4 2436 1383
And .22-250:
Suggested loads: .22-250 Barrel length: 24”
No ID Sectional Density Ballistic Coefficient Observed MV Fps ME
Ft-lb’s
1 FL 55gr Remington SP .157 .197 3650 1627
2 FL 55gr Hornady V-Max .157 .255 3650 1627
3 FL 55gr Federal TBBC .157 .201 3600 1583
4 FL 60gr Federal Partition .171 .228 3550 1680
5 HL 53gr Barnes TSX .151 .231 3650 1567
6 HL 55gr FMJ .157 .272 3650 1627
No At yards 10mphXwind Velocity Ft-lb’s
1 300 13 2200 590
2 300 9.3 2490 756
3 300 12.6 2187 584
4 300 11 2295 702
5 300 10.5 2384 669
6 300 9 2506 767
I'm unsure which of the .22-250 bullets listed offers the best comparison to the .243 bullet highlighted, so I haven't highlighted a .22-250 option. But there appears to be a small but worthwhile advantage for the .243 over the .22-250. Bear in mind also that these figures are taken from a .243 with a 22" barrel. Mine would be 24". And the Sako Varmint has a 1:10 twist so it will handle heavier bullets as well if required
There ain't a lot in it but this is why I chose the .243 as a 55 grn vermin round over the .22-250.
There is no perfect round for anything. You have to make a decision based on something. Hope I've made the right choice. Time will tell.
Suggested loads: .243 Winchester Barrel length: 22”
No ID Sectional Density Ballistic Coefficient Observed MV Fps ME
Ft-lb’s
1 FL Hornady 100gr BTSP .242 .405 2890 1854
2 FL Hornady 95gr SST SF .230 .355 3115 2047
3 FL Winchester55gr BST .133 .276 3840 1800
4 FL Winchester95gr BST .230 .379 3020 1923
5 FL Federal 85gr GK HPBT .206 .293 3220 1956
6 FL Federal 85gr TSX .206 .333 3130 1849
7 FL Remington 90gr Scirocco .218 .365 3050 1858
8 HL 85gr Partition/GK/TSX .206 .315 (Av) 3200 1932
9 HL 95gr SST or Nosler BT .230 .355 3050 1962
10 HL 100gr Partition .242 .384 3000 1998
11 HL 105gr A-Max .254 .500 2950 2029
No At yards 10mphXwind Velocity Ft-lb’s
1 300 8 2200 1075
2 300 7.8 2343 1158
3 300 8 2713 899
4 300 7.3 2331 1146
5 300 9.5 2284 985
6 300 9 2253 958
7 300 8 2307 1064
8 300 8.5 2323 819
9 300 8 2288 1104
10 300 7.5 2300 1173
11 300 5.4 2436 1383
And .22-250:
Suggested loads: .22-250 Barrel length: 24”
No ID Sectional Density Ballistic Coefficient Observed MV Fps ME
Ft-lb’s
1 FL 55gr Remington SP .157 .197 3650 1627
2 FL 55gr Hornady V-Max .157 .255 3650 1627
3 FL 55gr Federal TBBC .157 .201 3600 1583
4 FL 60gr Federal Partition .171 .228 3550 1680
5 HL 53gr Barnes TSX .151 .231 3650 1567
6 HL 55gr FMJ .157 .272 3650 1627
No At yards 10mphXwind Velocity Ft-lb’s
1 300 13 2200 590
2 300 9.3 2490 756
3 300 12.6 2187 584
4 300 11 2295 702
5 300 10.5 2384 669
6 300 9 2506 767
I'm unsure which of the .22-250 bullets listed offers the best comparison to the .243 bullet highlighted, so I haven't highlighted a .22-250 option. But there appears to be a small but worthwhile advantage for the .243 over the .22-250. Bear in mind also that these figures are taken from a .243 with a 22" barrel. Mine would be 24". And the Sako Varmint has a 1:10 twist so it will handle heavier bullets as well if required
There ain't a lot in it but this is why I chose the .243 as a 55 grn vermin round over the .22-250.
There is no perfect round for anything. You have to make a decision based on something. Hope I've made the right choice. Time will tell.
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I. Farticus
Well-Known Member
One consideration, albeit possibly irrelevant, is that you can't shoot a .22-250 on MOD ranges as the MV is over the 1000 m/s or 3280 fps limit...
If you are planning on getting to know your kit elsewhere, then a non-issue, but I made this mistake and could only use the .22-250 on the BSRC range at Bisley, unable to play on Short Siberia or Century.
If you are planning on getting to know your kit elsewhere, then a non-issue, but I made this mistake and could only use the .22-250 on the BSRC range at Bisley, unable to play on Short Siberia or Century.
I 100% agree they are crap. I used to use them. What people don't realise is past 300 yards they often drop more than a heavy bullet. It is down to ignorance and cleaver marketing that so many use light for caliber bullets for foxing. Wag, I understand what your saying but without a doubt u would shoot better and be able to make hits a little further with something like the 87 gr vmax. And as you turned this into a ****ing contest with amount of fox kills this is coming from someone who kills around 200 foxs a year with 105gr amax
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