Which 22-250? Or is there a better caliber?

[xmanpike]

I am looking for a smaller caliber rifle. Something to shoot coons, coyotes, and mayeb small pigs with. I have shot a variety of small caliber rifles everything from 22 mags, 204 rugers, .223, 22 Hornets, but for some reason have always like the 22-250.

So my first question is, does anyone recommend a different caliber? If so, why? I reload most of my bullets so cost is not a huge concern with ammo.

My second question is, which 22-250. I am planning on spending $600-$700 on the rifle alone. I have been thinking Tikka T3 or a Rem 700 (not sure which variant).

All opinions are greatly appreciated. Thanks

MC

 

[rbernie]

The Tikka T3 will be scary accurate, and easily the slickest rifle in its price range. If I ever buy any additional bolt guns, they will be Tikka T3s. My Rem700s and Win70s, both older and new production, cannot hold a candle to the accuracy and finish of my Tikkas.

22-250 is a good all-around chambering. It's light for bigger deer, but given the discipline needed to wait for proper shot placement it's eminently suitable if you choose your bullets properly. I have been seriously contemplating a T3 in 22-250 as my perfect all-arounder rifle, especially since the Texas deer tend to run on the small side.

I know many folk that use a 22-250 as their only rifle, and they all seem quite pleased with the choice. You can go bigger, but I dunno that for most use you can really do a lot better. My primary rifle is a T3 in 30-06, but I normally use it with downloaded 125gr youth loads. The idea when I bought it (instead of the 22-250) was that I could always download the 30-06 but I couldn't as easily upload a 22-250 or 243. Truth be told, I have never had the need to shoot anything more substantive than the 125gr youth loads, and I often wonder if I should have simply gotten the 22-250.

Dunno why I prefer the 22-250 over the 243, but I always have. My only misgivings with the 22-250 is that it may not handle the heavier 22cal bullets as well as I'd like, since most 22-250 rifles use a slow 1:12" or 1:14" twist rate to keep from grenading the lighter varmint bullets. I don't know anyone that's tried the 62gr-69gr .224 bullets in the 22-250 but it'd be interesting to hear how such an experiment would fare....

 

[mshootnit]

I really like 6mm Rem, since you asked, but hard to find rifles in that one now. Maybe look at that new Thompson Center predator rifle.(?) Looks nice!

 

[41magsnub]

I have a 1965 M70 .22-250 that is far and away the most accurate firearm I've ever shot. I use it only for varmints as it is a bull barrel making it not all that pleasant to carry chasing antelope or deer around.

 

[Lloyd Smale]

I love the 22250. Its my favorite gun for up to coyote sized game. It would surely do the job on small pigs too but if pig hunting was on the adjenda often and a chance on a bigger pig presented it self once in a while i would probably take one of my 243s or 6mm and use an 80 grain or heavier bullet. It hits with much more athourity then a 22 cal.

 

[Bluenote]

I go through bolt platforms like some folks go through socks , though I do have examples that I've kept long term , that said I somehow keep coming back to the .22-250s , the latest a Mauser actioned .22-250 A.I. , though I *never* utilise it for anything larger than coyotes or large feral dogs.

Many folks I know within the varmint community have attempted to make a case for it being obsolete but I don't see them outshooting me over groundsquirrels or crows , or for that matter for long range coyotes. I will say that I usually do take along the .243 and .257 on a varmint shoot just in case the wind comes up too much.

.22-250 is still one of the more versatile calibers , there are good reasons why it has survived as long as it has with the hardcore varmint crowd , in spite of the onslaught of various wildcats and new calibers. I keep toying with the idea of building a .20 of some sort but so far don't really see a significant advantage in doing so. That said the .22-243 middlestead is quite interesting.

 

[gun guy]

Like you, i couldn't make up my mind either, so the old addage, there is nothing a large sum of money can't cure seemed to apply here. I went to a little known expert that handmakes custom rifles the result was a mauser action in 220 swift. It rocks. The scope was broken a few decades ago and a temp 3-7 scope put on that remains today. Even downloaded the 220 swift edges out the 22-250. Look over the ballistics, in a decent rifle its an awesome/versitile round.

 

[jmorris]

I have a 700 in 22-250 that is accurate but I really don’t use it that much. A 223 will do just about everything it can do, uses half the powder and brass is everywhere. I think a 243 would be a better choice for larger stuff just from a bullet weight standpoint.

 

[Bill B.]

My second question is, which 22-250. I am planning on spending $600-$700 on the rifle alone.

I would look at one of the many fine Savage 22-250's before you buy & if possible talk to some local Savage owners that may let you try out their rifle. As far as the 22-250 caliber goes I used one as my go to ground hog gun for over 20 years. If you are going to shoot at anything in that line out to 300 yards and beyond the only thing that's the 22-250's equal & maybe better is the 220 Swift. My needs seem to have changed over the years and the ranges I shoot have shortened & I now use a Savage M10 .223. Ammo is cheaper & it's a little quieter, & at the 200 yard and under range the results are excellent. Just my 2 cents .................

 

[Cascadia]

I like the .22-250, it provides a good "pink mist" factor for varminting, but a downside is that in some states a .22-caliber centerfire is not legal for hunting deer. If you should ever want to hunt in a state where that's the case, you might have to use another of your rifles.

I really like the .243 and the .257 Roberts.

The .243 is one heck of a cartridge, and the Remington 600 Mohawk might as well have been designed around that cartridge. But there are many fine rifles out there.

The .257 is neat, as I think it was one of the first "light rifle" modern chamberings to be taken very seriously. It has started to be regarded as a bit old-fashioned, grandpa's gun, but peep out the ballistics. It'd be sweet to have something like an older Winchester M70 in this chambering, and it'd sure fit your bill.

 

[rangerruck]

If handloading, the 204 I think has the most bang for the buck, with the least amount of recoil, and will get you the most bullets/powder, etc. If you have to have a 22 cal, then the 223 is the best if handloading, I think.

 

[DIM]

Same question but week before this one, the guy asked "I wanted to know what caliber would be best to hunt varmint (Hares, Coyote) and also be able to take down a boar." After another week of persuading him with .223, the 308 was finally selected ) http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=537288

Personally I think .223 can do all you looking for, but if you can get 22-250 with 1:9 twist, I would definitely suggest it, even for medium size game like deer.

 

[Justin Holder]

.22-250 today, .22-250 tomorrow, .22-250 forever.

The .223 is a damn adequate squirrel rifle.

 

[HOOfan_1]

if you can get 22-250 with 1:9 twist, I would definitely suggest it

If you can find that...I've been looking at CZ, Remington, Ruger and Savage .22-250s Most of them have 1:14, the fastest twist is the Savage with 1:12.

Most of the Varmint specific .223 also have 1:12 or 1:14, but the "tactical" .223s have the 1:9

 

[DIM]

Savage makes 12 VLP DBM model where 22-250 has 1:9 twist, I would recommend this one, because it can handle heavier bullets like 69 gr SMK or 70 - 75 gr Berger

http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/12VLP DBM

Tikka T3 has 1:8 twist on their .223 models, its very nice can handle heavy bullets like 80 grains

 

[HOOfan_1]

wonder why the accustocked FCV doesn't come with 1:9

 

[DIM]

with Savage you can always order barrel with faster twist and with its barrel nut you can always swap barrels... cost less then re-barreling say Remington

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

my Ruger #1 Varminter has the 1:14 twist, I was thinking of trying the 64 grain Winchester factory load, dont know how it will do though, guess I can get a box and try. may have to stick with the 55 grain.

 

[Kawabuggy]

To follow up on what DIM said, you can also buy a Savage in 22-250, then buy a spare .243 barrel that you can swap onto the -250 action. The bolt head is the same, and the magazine should feed both shells just fine. Both are short action. That way you get to pick which caliber you want. You simply swap barrels (10 minutes once you are experienced at doing it) and you are off.

Though people complain about the ugly Savage stocks-there are plenty of laminated stocks available from the after-market to spiff them up. You never hear of anyone complaining about Savage accuracy.. That's where I would start. I'm a little biased though as I sit here with 6 different Savage barrels in different calibers beside my desk. I swap barrels quite frequently just for the fun of it. Though I already own other rifles in every caliber I have a Savage barrel for-it just appeals to me to be able to swap-n-go.

 

[Big Bill]

I hunted coyotes with a 22-250 Ruger M77 Mk II bull barrel w/10X Leupold for years when hides were worth good money. It was an excellent setup.

I think today a Tika would be my choice for the money.

 

[Geno]

I have owned a .22-250 Rem, and did like it, but I find it a bit light for even small pigs. My greatest concern is the projectile coming apart at .22-250 velocities. I too suggest a .243 Win, or perhaps a .260. For varmints, I use a .22LR, .223 Rem or a .308 Win.

Geno

 

[ms6852]

You cannot go wrong with the Tikka T3 or the Savage platform. With their adjustable trigger and superb accuracy out of the box, for the money this are very excellent rifles.

 

[don]

Strange, nobody has mentioned the .223WSSM.

 

[DIM]

Strange, nobody has mentioned the .223WSSM.

And who makes rifles for it other then Browning, then who sells ammo if you don't handload? Very good cartridge I only wish more gun manufactures would chamber it in their rifles, Winchester did try it but stopped shortly...