Favorite .224?

[1948CJ2A]

OK, this is the last planned polled for the series I started back in Nov/Dec. Let's finish with .224 diameter projectiles. What is your favorite 22 centerfire rifle cartridge? I'm focusing on bolt and lever rifles mostly used in hunting and target shooting applications. The list of choices in this poll is derived from the Hornady 11th edition reloading manual, which is the latest manual I have currently. Any wildcats or others not listed here can be categorized as "Other 224".

We've already had polls and discussions for 8mm, 7mm, .308 Cal, .25 Cal, 6mm, 6.5mm, .277/6.8mm, .35 Cal, & .338 Cal. At the conclusion of this poll likely early next week, I will post the results from all the polls into a single discussion thread.

Below is a picture of the 3 .224 caliber cartridges I currently have rifles for said chambering.

224s_20240212.jpg

• 1948CJ2A
• Feb 12, 2024

 

[jmorris]

I shoot thousands more .223 rounds a year than all of the others in that list combined. I guess I don't even own some of the others though.

I'm not sure I'd call it my favorite, just most used.

 

[lightman]

I voted .223 because I have more rifles chambered in that cartridge than any other .224.

 

[JmacD]

I’m most inclined to say the time honored 22-250, and I have its parent case, the 250-3000. But I think I’m gonna go 22 creedmoor, just cuz that looooong bullet is pretty impressive for a 22

 

[1948CJ2A]

I’m most inclined to say the time honored 22-250, and I have its parent case, the 250-3000. But I think I’m gonna go 22 creedmoor, just cuz that looooong bullet is pretty impressive for a 22

I guess the poll is at the maxiumum amount of choices because I'm not able to add any more choices. I was going to add the Creedmoor but cannot.

 

[hoardingthemanual]

i voted other, expecting to be disregarded. 22 arc.

 

[MacAR]

I had to go for the .222; it's a fun little cartridge and the one that started me down the rabbit hole that is reloading. Mine is in a Savage 340, a workman-like rifle if there ever was one, but it does get the job done on the 'chucks and 'dillos that invade my hayfields.

Mac

 

[tominboise]

I have a 22 hornet, 221 FIreball, 223 Rem and 22-250. They all have a purpose but if I could only have one, it would be the Fireball. Just so much fun to shoot.

 

[CarJunkieLS1]

I chose 5.56x45 BUT I'm not talking the cheap FMJ Nato rounds that is so common.

I reload mine using expanding bullets at the higher 5.56 pressure in my 5.56 barrels. I'm very partial to the 55gr SP the 65gr SP and the 60gr NBT.

 

[DMW1116]

I voted 223, but I download them to 22 Hornet. Thats my current favorite, running these downloaded versions, just for powder conservation. How does that count in the poll?

 

[Litetrigger]

No vote here, too many long time favorite .224's if I chose only one my conscious would haunt me for being unfaithful to the others.

 

[Txhillbilly]

While I have 6 firearm's chambered in 223, my favorite would be the 22 Creedmoor.

 

[1948CJ2A]

I voted 223, but I download them to 22 Hornet. Thats my current favorite, running these downloaded versions, just for powder conservation. How does that count in the poll?

I would say still just 223; maybe rename it to 223 Conservative LOL

 

[lysanderxiii]

.22 Winchester Homologous

#2 would have to be .22 Caliber Aberdeen High Velocity

 

[doubleh]

I voted for 223 because it covers about all of my bases. No bolt or levers in my stable. A G2 Contender, an Encore. and a couple of AR's take care of my needs. Sometimes I wonder why I keep the Encore and one of the AR's as I never shoot them. I keep a 22-250 around for shots that the 223 lacks range for. I use these as they were originally designed, light bullets for small pests, and have no desire to climb aboard the current heavy bullet train.

 

[1948CJ2A]

I voted for 223 because it covers about all of my bases. No bolt or levers in my stable. A G2 Contender, an Encore. and a couple of AR's take care of my needs. Sometimes I wonder why I keep the Encore and one of the AR's as I never shoot them. I keep a 22-250 around for shots that the 223 lacks range for. I use these as they were originally designed, light bullets for small pests, and have no desire to climb aboard the current heavy bullet train.

I'm with you; my 222 and 22-250 both are bolt rifles with 1-14 twist. 55 grains is about the top end of what I can shoot. If I were to build a new .224 caliber centerfire rifle, I would do a faster twist so that I could shoot those longer ones; however, I have no plans at this time to do that. I don't deer hunt with .224 caliber rifles so varmits and paper are really the only thing on the menu. The 45-55gr projectiles work well for those applications.

 

[adcoch1]

I voted 221 fireball, not because of deep experience, but because it's such an efficient little cartridge on paper. I have one I built and haven't had a chance to go shoot it yet! Most of my 22 usage has been rimfire for varmints, but the 223 is usually a bit much in those applications so the fireball makes sense to me. I had a 218 bee back in the day but components availability curbed my enthusiasm. Honorable mention to the 22 hornet and the classic 222 rem as well. As you can see I like the lighter end of the 22 centerfire universe.

 

[horsemen61]

The Triple Duce is Never a Mistake

 

[I6turbo]

I've only ever had .22-250 and .223, so I don't have much perspective with that extensive list. When I had the .22-250 my most frequent shooting/hunting friend had a .223. It always seemed that the .223 would do everything that we actually did with the .22-250, maybe with a little more hold-over on the longer shots. Somehow I liked the .223 a lot and have a few of them now. But I do wish I still had that original Model 700 Varmint Special in .22-250 to compare to my CZ 527 Varmint in .223.

I think the .223 is a good round with the right amount of punch for a .22 centerfire. If I want to do more than a normal .223 load will do, I'm reaching for a heavier caliber.

 

[tmd16556]

The 5.56 is probably the most practical. Cheap military ammo plus the ability to download to 223 or less. All of that said, I’ve been having fun learning the 222 lately in an old Savage 340.

 

[Legionnaire]

I voted .223 because of volume ... but I really like the 22-250 Ackley Improved!

 

[Hookeye]

Do think a 24" 700 BDL (around '75 vintage- so cut solid panel checkering) Varmint Special in .222 Rem to be a classic chuck rig.
I started w a 660 in .222 as a kid.

.223 for me is just an AR cartridge............even thought Ruger and Colt also did their semi autos in .222 LOL

Pops ran a .22-250 for years. I just never warmed up to it (as I ran a .243 ).
Used his old rifle last yr on chucks and sub 200 yards the .22-250 seems a bit much.

Not a .223 fan, but if I had to pick one for hunting varmints that's proly the most sane choice for me.
.22 mag, .223 win, and .243..............would cover my needs.

 

[Hookeye]

Try to zero this one next couple of days (old Vari X iii has been added LOL)

 

[cfullgraf]

My favorite is 221 Rem Fireball. It is a cool short range varmint cartridge.

I have a Rem 700, a T/C Contender 22” carbine, and a 10” T/C Handgun all chambered in 221 Rem Fireball.

The Contender Carbine is crazy accurate. It has a 22” Bullberry heavy barrel with Bullberry furniture.

I have other 224 caliber guns with cartridges suitable for different purposes.

As an aside, we adopted a retired racing greyhound a few years ago. His official name is AJN Fired Up. His kennel name was Fire. We figured it would not be good to yell “Fire” in the back yard so we changed his name to “Fireball”.

Actually, we named him after Fireball Roberts, a famous NASCAR racer from the late fifties but I could tell folks he is named after the 221 Rem Fireball.

 

[2ndtimer]

I voted .223 because of volume ... but I really like the 22-250 Ackley Improved!

Thinking of having my Remington 700 SPS Varmint 26” heavy barrel set back and rechambered to .223 Ackley Improved. Clean up a worn throat, add a little case capacity, and reduce case stretch. Just need to find a gunsmith with a reamer and some dies.

https://i0.wp.com/rifleshooter.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/223-Rem-and-223-AI-both-77-TMK-different-OAL.jpg?ssl=1