Thread: new rifle

Hi all I'm looking at getting a new rifle for pests I can't make my mind up between a 223 or a 22-250 what's your thoughts

223 is cheap as with steel case ammo being 75c ish per round

Just for shooting things with.. 223 is perfect for the job of knocking over pests. Rabbits through to roos and goats.

If you're wanting to be pushing the limits for that class of rifle, either distance or animal size, then perhaps the 22-250 might be worth a look, but for every other use, 223 is great.

Cheaper ammo and will be quieter than 22-250 which is a noisy wee round.

22-250. Sex on bread mate.

I know the 223 makes more sense economically and will do everything that you require, but I have always had a soft spot for the 22 Varminter.

Go 22-250 and watch the rabbits get some 'hang time'

Originally Posted by 300_BLK

I know the 223 makes more sense economically and will do everything that you require, but I have always had a soft spot for the 22 Varminter.

Go 22-250 and watch the rabbits get some 'hang time'

How true. Few years back saw my neighbour getting romanced by her now husband.He took her out rabbit shooting with a hot fat bum[aka 22-250].We were there. She squealed heaps of times as the rabbits exploded into red mist.Truly very funny.

yer thats what im leaning towards as well i reload so im not to worried about ammo.

What the hell, I'll say it, for varminting I like the 204. 4000fps+ and less barrel burn than a 22/250. In saying that I do have a new 22/250 Howa barrelled action here somewhere.......

IIRC the main drawback with the 22-250 is that most of them have a slow twist rate (1:14?) which won't stabilise the heavier projectiles which would be best for longer range. Never owned one myself, just passing on what I've heard. Had a 204 and now 223, both are fun but the 223 is definitely more versatile if you want to shoot bigger pests as well.

There are sum 22-250 now aviable with 1-10 twist from browning and savage, and several others in 1-12, if you are looking at the 22-250 try get one with either 1-10 or 1-12 twist as you can run 60-65 gr in 1-12 and 75-80gr in 1-10 makes a much more flexable rifle.
Had both, all sold now, but looking hard at buying a cooper, in either a fast twist 22-250 or a 6x45. (6mm 223)
22-250 is noisy, ammo is more expensive, but it hits harder, shoot's flatter and has more energy, I like it,
For small game I would go .223, but if you might go up to deer or pigs, or longer range, say 300m plus, the 22-250 would be a better choice.

I am on my second 22-250 (therein lies an issue, the first rifle's barrel was toasted). I dearly love the 22-250, it has the bling factor for sure. I also have a very nice CZ fast twist 223. If I was staring out again it would be the 223 hands down. The 22-250 burns a shit load more powder than the 223 for no substantial gain, burns barrels, mine is limited by a slow twist to lighter projectiles (although this was never an issue for me as mine happily killed many deer, pigs, goats, magpies, minah birds, the odd wild cattle beast), has a very harsh muzzle crack. Also generally the resale on them is poor. Take a look in any gun shop and play spot the 22-250 - if there is one on the shelf there will be several 223s keeping it company.

Originally Posted by southernman

There are sum 22-250 now aviable with 1-10 twist from browning and savage, and several others in 1-12, if you are looking at the 22-250 try get one with either 1-10 or 1-12 twist as you can run 60-65 gr in 1-12 and 75-80gr in 1-10 makes a much more flexable rifle.
Had both, all sold now, but looking hard at buying a cooper, in either a fast twist 22-250 or a 6x45. (6mm 223)
22-250 is noisy, ammo is more expensive, but it hits harder, shoot's flatter and has more energy, I like it,
For small game I would go .223, but if you might go up to deer or pigs, or longer range, say 300m plus, the 22-250 would be a better choice.

He did say he wanted it for pests. The 223 is the better choice I recken due to the fact it do the job just fine with less expense, less noise, better barrel life and with reloads can still have a good range.(but if the 22 250 is your fancy you extend your range ) The better choice for larger game is neither, 243 and up has to be the better choice for that. Horses for courses, pests what hes looking at and the 223, 22 250 is ideal and a few other smaller cals.

Rather have a .243 than 22-250, .243 will drive 58gn Vmax at well over 3600 for pesty critters, and you can load it with proper deer bullets for bigger stuff.

Have just acquired a 223, one of the Sako copy wee Mini Howas with the 10 shot mag, neat little gun and better than you might expect from Howa.

Depends what other cals you have. No point pissing around with a 22-250 if you already have something capable of taking deer etc

I have a factory remington sps stainless syn in 22-250 here for sale



Comes with load developed ammo, 55g gamekings

$700