.223 or .22-250?

[Zachary]

I have been wanting to get a .223 or .22-250 for the longest time.  My primary use would be as a target gun....you know....something to shoot a bunch of times at the range with relatively mild recoil. This would be about 90% of my use.  Yes, I know that a .22LR would be ideal, but it would not fit my secondary use - a varmint rig.  I have never hunted varmints like p. dogs and coyotes, but I would like to some day.  I could also use this for crows where allowed.  This would be my remaining 10% of use.

So I have been toying with the idea of getting a .223 or .22-250, but I can't decide which one.  I would imagine that .223 ammo is cheaper, and thus a better candidate for plinking or taget shooting, but I am also an accuracy freak, meaning that I would likely buy more expensive ammo if it is noticeably more accurate.

As for guns, I am looking at a Tikka Varmint.  It is big and heavy but, given my primary use, weight and size should not be a factor.

So, what do you guys think?  .223 or .22-250?  Your comments are appreciated.

Zachary

[Tackleberry]

I too am interested in a .22-250...I wonder what the relative sound level is between the .223 and the .22-250. I confess I hate sitting next to someone shooting a .223 because The report is so sharp..Even with ear phone and plugs it is so much sharper in sound pressure than my .45-70 for instance.

While you are discussing Zachary's question could you also address that too? 

[KN]

Buy an Encore and a second barrel. Plink away all day with the 223 and varmint with the 22-250 if the longer range is needed. Although if you know your range is primarily going to be under 400yds you may not need a 22-250.   KN

[dalv]

Zach - my vote goes for the .223.  I have a Tikka 595 Whitetail Hunter in 223 Sporter barrel that is unbelieveable accurate out of the box.  I wanted it for it's super smooth LH bolt and reputation for accuracy and it exceeded my expectations.  I put Leupold 6.5x20 AO VariXIII glass on it and it is a hoot to shoot. 

Blackhill reloads are as accurrate as my handloads (so far) but I'm working on developing a custom load. I can still get 55gr FMJ @ $16/50 in upstate NY which is way cheaper than the 22 / 250 (and .204 CZ I just bought). The 22/250 is prone to barrel burnout from what I've read while the 223 is easy on barrels.

Knowing how accurate my sporter is, I can only imagine how a varmit barrel will perform, won't heat up as fast either.  The new T3 is another option although I don't like them as much as the WH.  Go for the 223 and don't look back - accurate, less recoil (I just helped sight in a friends new Ruger in 22/250 and it barks), cheaper to shoot factory ammo/reload, and brass is plentiful - I always can find range brass (Blackhills LC) from the AR guys.  You won't regret it!  Then there is always a .204, 243, 6mmBR,308, and if that's not enough a 22/250! 

[beemanbeme]

I have both.  And I would recommend the .223 for what you need.  I started out shooting Pdogs and wanted the extra reach the 22-250 would give me.  But now I'm more of a paper puncher and the .223 is a joy to shoot. (not that the 22-250 wasn't)  You can shoot a .223 more and more rapid before barrel heat becomes a factor.  You can reload a .223 for quite a while with a pound of H335 and if you don't reload (shame on you), milsup and remanufactured ammo is pretty cheap. The other day, my buddy bought  1000 1x Black Hills cases for @$50.00.  They should last him the rest of his life.

[Cement Man]

+1 for .223.  Easier on barrels, can be super accurate, pleasant and economical to shoot, covers the varminting very, very well, versatile in usefulness, wide variety of ammo and components available.  For your intended use, Zachary, it would seem the .223 was designed for you.  The .22-250 is indeed a great cartridge as well, but I think the .223 is one that belongs in every shooter's battery. 

[jvs]

Buy one of each. 

The restriction of only having one of something only pertains to pickin' wimmin.

In most cases.


Originally I was going to suggest the .22-250 as my pick, but the more I thought about it, the more I like the economical .223.  There isnt that much difference between to two, except cost.  And if you reload, there is NO difference. 


Even now I like the .22-250 better.  But for what you want it for, a .223 fits the bill.   If your intended use was 5% range and  95% hunting, then I would definitely pick the .22-250. 
 

[Thebear_78]

I'd have to go with the 223 on this on as well.  Cheaper, quality ammo,  and plenty of punch out to 300 yards.  What twist does that tikka come with I had a 1-9 on my DPMS panther and it will do pretty amazing stuff at longer ranges with 68-69gr ammo.  If you do get a 22-250 you are more limited to 40-55gr ammo because most have a slow twist.     I've had both, and although they are both pretty darn hard to beat the economy of ammo definitely give the 223 the nod.

[tuck2]

 I have a 22 Hornet, 221 Fireball, 223 Rem, 22-250 Rem, and 220 Swift rifles.  For a person who only will get one varmint rifle the 223 Rem will be the best of the lot for what you wont to do. There is all types of factory ammo and reloading components  tools and data for the 223 Rem. If you reload ammo the cases cost less and it takes less powder .The barrel life on the 223 Rem will be a bit longer than a 22-250 Rem.  For prairie dog shooting ,I  most of the time use the 221 Fireball ,223 Rem, and 204 Ruger. The barrels on the 22-250 and 220 Swift gets to hot to fast for p dog shooting. My last rifle purchase was a Howa 1500 Thumbhole Varminter 223 Rifle with a 6-18 X scope , so now I have two 223 Rem rifles.

[OLDHandgunner]

My question is. Do you reload? If not the 223 sounds right for your usage. I own a couple of each caliber. The big advanage with the 22-250 is that it will reach out & do the job at long ranges. Both calibers are very accurate.
But for serious target shooting I break out one of my 222's. Love them 22 caliber guns.

[The Sodbuster]

I have both.  My .22-250 is a heavy, Savage Model 12.  I use it for prairie dog and woodchuck shooting and have taken it coyote hunting on the couple occasions I've tried that.  Other than that, I don't shoot it much (just one prairie dog trip a year).  I got my .223 a few years later.  It's a lighter, Savage model 16 and nearly always goes to the range with me.  It's not as accurate, but is lighter and much better balanced.  It handles better, has a better accu-trigger, and is fun to shoot and cheap to load for.  I'm in the habit of taking two guns to the range and let one to cool while I shoot the other.  My .223 is nearly always one of those guns.

[MSP Ret]

I have both and all things considered, for you I would highly suggest the .223, for varmints out to 350-400 yards it's all you need, and then some....<><....

[Zachary]

Well, based on all ya'lls recommendation, it looks like the .223 is the one get.  I figured as much too.  Given that 90%+ of my shooting will be just target shooting at the range, the .223 really is ideal.

The next question is this - which gun to get.  As most of you know, I am a huge Tikka fan.  As such, I have been looking at the Tikka Varmint Stainless.  They cost about $650 to $700 or so, but I have found someone who can sell it to me for $595!  However, I have been considering another make.  Most of you will be shocked at what I'm thinking, so please sit down for this one......I am thinking about getting a Savage.    

Particularly, I am looking at the new Savage 12 Long Range Precision Varminter.  This is a single shot bolt action with right bolt, left port.  Again, given that  it's going to be used for target shooting, I  don't mind the weight, or the single shot design.  However, it's an expensive mother....MSRP is over $1,000!  For a Savage?!!?!    In some respects, I can kinda see where the extra money comes from - like an HS Precision stock, not to mention a new heavier action, as well as a big ole sewer pipe for a barrel (it's literally 1" thick with no taper).  But still, $1,000 for a Savage, or any gun for that matter, is more than I am willing to spend - at least for a target gun to shoot just for fun every now and then. 

Then again, the $1k is MSRP.  Does anyone know what a realistic low selling price would be on this gun?  If it would be in the high $600s, or very low $700s, I might get it?  Does anyone have any experience with this particular gun?  Does anyone know where I could get this gun really, really cheap?  In my mind, and for whatever reason, I have always thought of getting a .223 in a Savage, but if I can't get the Long Range Precision Varminter really cheap, then I'll just get the Tikka Varmint SS.  I have looked at all the auction sites, and on-line, and the cheapest that I found it was from one dealer (I forget where) and he could sell it to me for $769, but that's still more money that I am willing to spend.  So do any of you know where I could get this gun cheaper?  You can always PM me too.

Thanks to all.

Zachary

[jro45]

I own a 22-250 witch I use for ground hog hunting. It will shoot a 1/2" three shot group at 100 yds. I use 55 gr HP bullets.

[beemanbeme]

You should be able to pick up a Remington XR-100 for $700-$800 in .223. I'm sure the msrp is similar to the Savage.  It is the rifle the Savage wisht it was. When I got mine, I cleaned the barrel and using generic ammo I had loaded for another rifle, won the first factory match I entered.  The bench rest shooters kept coming over to look at it and ask what all I had "done" to it? (I'd gotten  lucky and scratched out a .1xx on one relay) When I told them I'd taken it out of the box and started shooting, they'd get grumpy and leave.
  It is also a thick barreled, thumb hole, vented forearm, single shot rifle.  And heavy.  I certainly wouldn't be toting it anywhere except from the truck to the bench and I'm thinking about hiring some kid to do that. 
I don't know anything about Tiki's but if you're looking for a carry rifle, the Remington Classic in .223 is a smart looking rifle. 

[jhm]

Zachary:  Like most of the others I have both and get more enjoyment out of the 223, and the 22-250 does have a little louder crack (report) when fired It seems to bother me a little, but that aside find the rifle you want and order the caliber you decide on I have had rem. bull barrel 223 and 22-250 along with the ruger in the same set-ups and both were much more accurate than I was.  HTH  JIM

[De41mag]

Zachary;

I don't think you will go wrong with either one. If you get the Savage go for the faster twist.  1 in 8, I think, if I had my choice I would use the 77gr. Sierra HPBT Matchking. This bullet will go 500 yards in .223 with no problem. My friend has a Tikka with a 1 in 8 twist and it shoots those 77 gr. bullets like a house afire.
Good choice for choosing the .223, I think you will be well pleased.

Dennis .