Question for 22-250 coyote shooters

[32winspl]

Hey folks, I have a question or three for you experienced coyote hunters. First, though I'm not currently a rifle cartridge reloader, are the currently available factory-loaded 40 to 55 grain bullets sufficient for one-shot (assuming good shot placement) kills on coyotes and other 40 to 60 pound animals?
My rifle, a Remington 700, .22-250, 26" unfluted heavy barreled, synthetic stocked model shoots like a laser (I have a Leupold VXlll 6.5x20x50mm LR scope with the varmint reticle on it) with all factory rounds that I've tested. No problems at all, and only 250 rounds or so put through it so far. But I kinda have a desire to tinker with it, and shoot some heavier bullets. Partly depending on your answer to my question re the light bullets working on 40lb+ animals, I may stay with the stock 1:14 barrel. But, I would like to know if I decide to go with an aftermarket 1:9 barrel, would doing so limit me to only the heavier bullet weights, or would the faster twist barrel still work with the lighter weight rounds? (or blow them apart before they reach the animals)
Thank you for taking the time to understand my questions.
Robb

 

[stubbicatt]

Not sure I fully understand your question, but the 40 grain bullets through that rifle will readily kill a coyote, assuming as you must with any hunting scenario, proper shot placement. Even without proper shot placement they will eventually die, just you may not be able to find them.

I've been using a 223 with 55 grain Vmax bullets for years and it kills them. 300 yard shots are not difficult with this combination if they are sitting or standing still. The 22-250 will outperform the 223, so I'd say you are safe with that package.

 

[dakotasin]

yes, the factory loaded ammo is fine.

no, there's no reason to go w/ a 9-twist barrel for your purposes, but if you did you should still have no troubles w/ bullet blow up.

my reccomendation is to find some hornady 55 grain v-max or soft point loads and go hunting.

 

[Whitman31]

I used to use a similar set-up, very effective on yotes, even out over 300. I loaded some 62gr Nosler Partitions once, I didn't see any issues with stability, but didn't see the accuracy I saw with 50gr NBT's.

A 40gr Ballistic tip out of a 22-250 will stop a yote dead...

 

[skinewmexico]

You're shooting something dog-sized with something that will easily kill deer-sized animals. You're fine with factory.

 

[1911NM]

Great setup, and should be more than adaquate with factory loads for any old 'otie. If you want to tinker, you might look at getting into reloading and work up some loads that match both your gun and purpose.

 

[BullsEye10x]

Any good factory ammo will work just fine I'm a big fan of that caliber - My model 70 shoots cloverleaf groups with everything I feed it!

 

[IndianaBoy]

I would recommend you stick with bullets 50 grain and up in your 22-250.

Tinkering with some load data for my 220 Swift.. and ballistics programs...

By the time they go 200 yards the 50 grain bullets are moving faster than the 40 grain bullets. Muzzle velocity only matter at point blank range.


I understand your interest in heavier projectiles. If you do rebarrel the rifle, keep us posted on how it handles the 77 gr VLD bullets.

If you do rebarrel... might as well go 1:7 instead of 1:9. 1:9 is only designed to spin bullets up to te 65 grain range. Although velocity has a hand in that and I am thinking in terms of 223/5.56 ammo. You might not need as fast a twist with higher velocity.

 

[kir_kenix]

i usually reload all my 22-250, but i have used winchesters 50 gr balistic silvertip supreme to good effect.

this load performs in very, very well in several different rifles. i even have a cheap handi-rifle that can shoot this round into right over an inch when the barrel isnt hot. i believe they make a 55 gr silvertip as well.

 

[32winspl]

Thank you for the info. Based on your advise, I guess I'll keep this barrel until I "shoot it out", which, at my current rate of fire, just may be never. (No prarie dog cities around here).
I appreciate your help, and that of anyone else who cares to add their thoughts and experiences.
Thanks again,
Robb

 

[All4eyes]

I think you are fine with the setup you have. I shoot a Tikka T3in .22-250, and found for factory ammo the Remington Value box is really accurate, cloveerleafs every time. I am into reloading and reloaod 55 gr Vmax's and soft points. I find the Vmax is very accurat under 37.5 grs of H380. switch bullets and go with a Hornady 55 gr sp, and get the same results, one jagged little hole.

As far as hunting goes, I and few of my relatives have shot alot of deer with that little 55 gr bullet. I shot a nice doe with it this year, and had no problems.

 

[snowpro440]

i have a77 v ruger in 22-250 and its a tack driver with 40 gr zips. killed coyotes in arizona when i lived there. alittle heavy to carry but fun to shoot. i never could get it to shoot 55 gr. accurately though. those 40 gr. did an awsome job ,just blew the crap outa those coyotes. furtherest one i shot was at 310 yards , the chest was opened up on the exit side that you could stick your hand in the hole......

 

[mpmarty]

Yote' medicine:

52gr hpbt
38gr H380
Winchester case
Federal 215 magnum primer
WOW!