22-250 or 223 ?

[DalesCarpentry]

I have a 204    24'' fluted bull barrel and a 243    24'' bull barrel. I have had a 22-250 ( Ultra Varmint Fluted ) on layaway for some time. Since before I got either of these barrels. I am thinking of canceling the the layaway on the 22-250 because of the other two I now have. I am not sure I need now. Want is another story. I think I should get a 223 fluted bull barrel because it would be much cheaper to shoot. Let me know what you guys think.

[rbergum95]

i say get them both.

[DalesCarpentry]

Chances are I will own both someday.

[myarmor]

While I absolutely love my 223's, I have to say you now own 2 of the best Varmint barrels H&R/NEF has to offer. Seeing as such, you really don't "need" a 223. Your 204 will do all in this class and the 243 loaded well, will eclipse it.
If it's a matter of want then a 223 is a ton of fun and super cheap to get into reloading for.


-Aaron

[Mac11700]

I have a 204    24'' fluted bull barrel and a 243    24'' bull barrel. I have had a 22-250 ( Ultra Varmint Fluted ) on layaway for some time. Since before I got either of these barrels. I am thinking of canceling the the layaway on the 22-250 because of the other two I now have. I am not sure I need now. Want is another story. I think I should get a 223 fluted bull barrel because it would be much cheaper to shoot. Let me know what you guys think.

If your just wanting to shoot cheaply...by one of the rim fires and plink away... Seriously...those that have them will tell you the same thing...and they are a hoot to shoot...

The 22-250's are ok I guess...I haven't seen anything posted about them to make me want to run out and buy one..The 223 has had so much more good things said about them from an accuracy stand point..that I would take one in that caliber before buying a 22-250...I reload for my rifles..so purchasing the ammo isn't really a factor for me...

As Arron has already said...you got 2 of the best varmint calibers offered already...and if you can't get it done with the 204 or the 243...I would rather doubt the 22-250 would help...but...it's like you said...it would be more of wants over needs...

This is one of the problems acquiring so many different calibers...unless you have a bunch of money and time..a normal working person can't really find the time to fully wring out the potential of all of them...and reloading for all of them and working full time ...well...finding the time...and there is always something around the home to spend your money on

My friendly advice would be to get some real good scopes for the 204 & 243..and a bunch of reloading components to really see what you have in hand now..Who knows..you may find nirvana...and not have to worry about which varmint round to get next...and you may run across a used 22-250 for an even better price...

Mac

[LaOtto222]

Bullet cost the same. Primer cost the same. Cases for the 223 much cheaper. Powder 20 - 26 grains for the 223 30 - 36 for 22-250 about 25% to 30% more. You do not need long range - Got 2 very good long range varminters now.  I lean toward the 222 family of cartridges. I have 2 221s, 1 222 and 2 223's. Do I need them? No, I just wanted them. It is all a matter of what YOU want.

[statelinerut]

Hey Dale, I feel your pain Seriously though, since you already have the 204 and the 243, why not look at the 30-30 or something for those brushy days in the whitetail woods. I have been contemplating getting a 30-30 barrel for that very set-up. I hunt a lot of heavy cover travel corridors that the 30-30 would be very effective in.

[DalesCarpentry]

Hey Dale, I feel your pain Seriously though, since you already have the 204 and the 243, why not look at the 30-30 or something for those brushy days in the whitetail woods. I have been contemplating getting a 30-30 barrel for that very set-up. I hunt a lot of heavy cover travel corridors that the 30-30 would be very effective in.

Thanks State but I do have that covered. I bought a 450 Marlin barrel a little while back. and I also have a 308 bull barrel.

[~Ace~]

.223 is cheaper with factory ammo to shoot, quieter, less recoil, and better Barrel life, Effective on Yote size critters out to 200 yards if you do your part.

.22-250 is a bit more expensive, Louder, more recoil and tend to have poor barrel life, but you get an extra hundred yards or so.

For most of MY Predator hunting the .223 is plenty, but I can see times the .22-250 would be better, tho them 200+ yard shots are rare here. That said, I want a .22-250 Barrel also, just cause !

[statelinerut]

Hey Dale, I feel your pain Seriously though, since you already have the 204 and the 243, why not look at the 30-30 or something for those brushy days in the whitetail woods. I have been contemplating getting a 30-30 barrel for that very set-up. I hunt a lot of heavy cover travel corridors that the 30-30 would be very effective in.

Thanks State but I do have that covered. I bought a 450 Marlin barrel a little while back. and I also have a 308 bull barrel.

Oh man....your further along with this Handi addiction that I previously thought

[DalesCarpentry]

LOL.

[nomosendero]

I like the 22-250 & I have owned 3 of them & a Swift that was great, but not relevant here.

We should not look at these 2 in a stand alone situation as though these were all you had, in that case
the criteria would be totally different.

No, we should look at what each cartridge brings to the table, in light of the barrels you already have.
The 204 & the 243 will do everything that you would do with a 22-250, but do it better on both ends of that spectrum.

For small Varmits (Groundhogs & down), the 204 will do as good a job with a very similar trajectory. For PD's or other volume varmit shooting the 204 offers the additional advantages of using much less powder, being able to spot your own shots if your gun has a decent weight & a much better barrel life & the tube not heating up so fast. You will burn alot less powder as well & beats the 22-250 bad for these chores. This handles the lower end.

For big Varmits, windy day shooting & any big game hunting the 243 is much better with again simular trajectory but much less wind drift. If you decide to shoot way out there, the 243 will be more decisive & the BC values are far better than 22 cal bullets. For Deer size game, you have energy for a little longer shots & better/more variety of game bullets. And this more than handles the upper end.

The 22-250 offers nothing that you don't already have & more. But the 223 offers alot!! With plentiful & more economical brass & a little less powder than a 204 & a BUNCH less powder than the 22-250, it
is by far the cheapest to shoot. It will do about any Varmit chore you wish under 300 yards. It is extremely accurate & more consistant with the Handi platform than most. Everyone I know that really shoots alot WILL have a 223 in his arsenal. Go to www.6mmbr.com  & check out the 223 article.

[DalesCarpentry]

I like the 22-250 & I have owned 3 of them & a Swift that was great, but not relevant here.

We should not look at these 2 in a stand alone situation as though these were all you had, in that case
the criteria would be totally different.

No, we should look at what each cartridge brings to the table, in light of the barrels you already have.
The 204 & the 243 will do everything that you would do with a 22-250, but do it better on both ends of that spectrum.

For small Varmits (Groundhogs & down), the 204 will do as good a job with a very similar trajectory. For PD's or other volume varmit shooting the 204 offers the additional advantages of using much less powder, being able to spot your own shots if your gun has a decent weight & a much better barrel life & the tube not heating up so fast. You will burn alot less powder as well & beats the 22-250 bad for these chores. This handles the lower end.

For big Varmits, windy day shooting & any big game hunting the 243 is much better with again simular trajectory but much less wind drift. If you decide to shoot way out there, the 243 will be more decisive & the BC values are far better than 22 cal bullets. For Deer size game, you have energy for a little longer shots & better/more variety of game bullets. And this more than handles the upper end.

The 22-250 offers nothing that you don't already have & more. But the 223 offers alot!! With plentiful & more economical brass & a little less powder than a 204 & a BUNCH less powder than the 22-250, it
is by far the cheapest to shoot. It will do about any Varmit chore you wish under 300 yards. It is extremely accurate & more consistant with the Handi platform than most. Everyone I know that really shoots alot WILL have a 223 in his arsenal. Go to www.6mmbr.com  & check out the 223 article.

Thanks I think you made up my mind. I think I will cancel the layaway and in some time find a 223. I had a 223 last year that was a real shooter but had to sell it because of bills.