so i am getting a new rifle and have some questions

i am going with the howa ranchland 20inch brl. now here is my question, should i go with a .223 or .22-250? i know the 22-250 ammo is a little more $$$ i dont really care about that. this rifle will be used for yotes, bobcats and other fury things. will the 20inch brl hurt the performance of the 22-250? i want to stick with the 20in brl because its makes for a perfect truck gun.

p.s most shots will be under 250 yrds

A 22-250 will always have a higher velocity than a 223 with same lenght bbls but within 250yds a 223 will kill stuff just as dead as the 22-250 with less recoil, muzzle blast and $$. A 22-250 with a 20" bbl is LOUD. YMMV

I think you will find that .223 ammo is readily available, less expensive, and certainly capable of handling the uses you have described. I know virtually nothing about this Howa rifle. How does it stack up against a Mini-14?

I know virtually nothing about Howa rifles. How do they stack up against a Mini-14?

A couple things come to mind. The first is that the Howa is a bolt action rifle, The mini 14 a gas operated semi auto. The second you'll have a much better chance of getting an accurate Howa for $399 than a Ruger Mini 14 for $699 that will shoot as well as the Howa. Maybe a third thing too...mounting a scope on a mini 14 requires a special scope mount. The Howa 1500 Weavewr scope bases can be had for $7 at WalMart.

Maybe a third thing too...mounting a scope on a mini 14 requires a special scope mount.

Not an issue any more. Ruger supplies factory rings with the Mini-14. But, the factory rings do sacrifice use of the iron sights, which is too bad. Weaver makes some see-through rings for the new Ranch model, and some aftermarket see-under rails can also be used if one wants to retain use of the iron sights in addition to a mounted optic.

If you currently do not reload, and if you plan on EVENTUALLY reloading, I would take THAT into consideration.

If you just want to shoot, shoot, and shoot some more, then definately the .223 as you can buy ammo about as cheap in the .223 than about any other rifle cartridge that I can think of.

If you are one to sight it in, then only shoot on occasion - thus making EVERY SHOT COUNT, then you might want to consider a 22-250. Also, if you ever do get into reloading, both are going to be about the same cost to "roll your own" so in that case, the 22-250 might look nicer.

I guess it really boils down to "six of one or a half dozen of the other."

I know virtually nothing about this Howa rifle. How does it stack up against a Mini-14?

The Min-14 is found wanting/lacking in the accuracy department. The Howa is a very nice rifle. I would never own a Mini-14 unless someone gifted it to me. The Howa is on my list of rifles I'd like to own.

i have owned a mini before and that was waste of $600.

I have no reservations of using a .223 Rem to 300 yards on any size varmints. Just be selective in your bullet construction and weight. The same, however, also applies to the .22-250.

My own varmint rifles are chambered in .223 Rem and .308 Win. I reserve the .308 Win for shots to 500 yards, or for longer range target shooting. Both of my .223s are sighted in at 300 yards.

I do suggest that you look into a 1500 Varmint Special in .223 Rem. The barrel is only 22", and is a medium heavy. It weighs about 7.5 pounds. Mine is the Weatherby Vanguard (Howa 1500) Varmint Special. It is blistering accurate!

Good luck and post pics of what you get.

Geno

i want the ranchland. i dont want even a med heavy barrel. i sold my sps tactical .223 because it was too heavy for what i wanted. i have decided i am going with the .223

thanks

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The 1500 action is renowned for its accuracy. Weatherby uses the barreled action for its Vanguard line. I have a 7MM Rem Mag Vanguard. I just sold a Howa 1500 Heavy barrel Varminter laminted thumbhole, never fired for $500.00.

Get the 223. You are severely handicapping the 22-250. Bet that sucker would be loud.

Mine.22-250 700 Rem action, Douglas barrel, Fajen stock. I laid in the action and whittled away everything that did not look like a stock. Tap the picture again for closer look.

I recently purchased a Howa 1500 in .308, although it is not the Ranchland Compact. Fired 80 rounds through it and got it down to about 1" at 100 and 2-2.5" at 200. I am sure the rifle would be more accurate in someone elses hands. I love the rifle. Hogue stock feels good and everything runs smooth.