Thread: Is the .223 the most versatile cartridge?

yip said it already.....seen some pretty groups shot at hundy with a rifled barrel and under 40 yards there isnt an animal on earth that isnt takable (yes the big 5 would be a challenge but doable)

Originally Posted by bumblefoot

I had my first hunt with my new .223 Howa Mini today and it got me thinking. After having shot a .22, 8x57, .303, .308, .270, .44mag, 30/30, 7mm08 I’ve come to the conclusion that the .223 is probably about the most versatile cartridge out there.

When you think what you can effectively use it for; everything from small game to med (large?) game it certainly seems to punch above its weight. Plus; the amount of factory ammo (and economy of shooting) and projectiles for reloading is pretty awesome. It’s seemingly inherent accuracy, and range of rifles it’s chambered makes it a pretty compelling little cartridge…..

I know you technically use any cartridge for the above uses, but for sheer practicality it would be pretty hard to usurp the .223…. It’s sorta the Swiss Army knife of cartridges; sure many specialist cartridges (knives) can do things better; but the 223 does most things more than adequately…

Maybe it’s just a case of my infatuation with a new rifle?

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Fast twist 22-250 Nothing a 223 can do that a 250 won't do much better period. If you start reloading load up load down. The last deer I shot with a 223 was a pretty average 3yr red shot in the base of the neck at 50 - 60 mtrs, needed a finisher. Bullet was intact mushroomed against the vertebrae, which it didn't have enough power to break.

22-250 is the answer its on steroids compared to the 223 , iv got one of each but since the arrival of the 250 the 223 hasn't seen a lot of action they both fire the same little 55gn soft point but that's where the comparison ends .

Bit like rugby a good big man beats a good little man just the way it is. 308,3006,270,7x57 any of these

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The odd man out here. For me the most versatile cartridge, is the 250-3000 Sav. I can purchase 85gr pre-lubed cast bullets for $39./500 so it is close to the cost of rimfire ammo to use it on small game, 75gr on varmint, 85gr NBT's on med game and 100gr Partitions on game up to elk size.

I built a 25-204 Ruger which is a clone to the 250 Sav and the 257 Kimber ballistic wise. that is one of my favorite rifles.

Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

Fast twist 22-250 Nothing a 223 can do that a 250 won't do much better period. If you start reloading load up load down. The last deer I shot with a 223 was a pretty average 3yr red shot in the base of the neck at 50 - 60 mtrs, needed a finisher. Bullet was intact mushroomed against the vertebrae, which it didn't have enough power to break.

Originally Posted by Boaraxa

22-250 is the answer its on steroids compared to the 223 , iv got one of each but since the arrival of the 250 the 223 hasn't seen a lot of action they both fire the same little 55gn soft point but that's where the comparison ends .

Can you buy 22-250 in 50rnd boxes of hunting ammo for less than $1/rnd?


The problem with .223 is the fast twist options have short magazines or actions which do not allow you to seat the heavier pills out. Still, I use the bulk factory and I can and have shot deer with it, from a 14" barreled AR15.

The problem with 223 is accuracy, unless your hand loading, the 4 I've owned were all very average, all fussy on factory ammo.

and my .223 will poke pretty much anything into around an inch

Originally Posted by Boaraxa

22-250 is the answer its on steroids compared to the 223 , iv got one of each but since the arrival of the 250 the 223 hasn't seen a lot of action they both fire the same little 55gn soft point but that's where the comparison ends .

My pick as well but its a handloaders number to get the best out of it. Its biggest problem has always been the slow twist rate (typically 14-16) a hangover from the 30s when it was developed. With a faster twist eg 1:9 you can get a 70 to 80 grainer that matches the 243 but with better long range performance

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

and my .223 will poke pretty much anything into around an inch

Well it's rare beast I would say! I'm seriously thinking of quitting the cartridge, my mate has the same problem with his Brnos. Hand loading fixes it, but I'm not into hand loading 223. I'll try a damper ring on the Kimber barrel and see if it improves.

If Chris Cahill ever gets traction to force me to it, thence would pick the 260 as my 1 rifle

Originally Posted by erniec

Bit like rugby a good big man beats a good little man just the way it is. 308,3006,270,7x57 any of these

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Sid Going, Grant Batty, Terry Wright, Andrew Merhtens, Carter, Barret, Smith....

Originally Posted by stevodog

If Chris Cahill ever gets traction to force me to it, thence would pick the 260 as my 1 rifle

Make the case for it?. I really don't know anything about the 260.

Originally Posted by stevodog

Sid Going, Grant Batty, Terry Wright, Andrew Merhtens, Carter, Barret, Smith....

With these guys, it wasn’t the size but the placement against the big boys, also, in bullet terms, many of the shots were curved!!
I can always remember Batty taking on that big English forward, he had to jump to make the punch connect!

Haha, true...Batty must have been the 22 -250 of the rugby world