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'

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.

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

What is your max range and what will you be "taking out"? Do you need fast follow ups?

Never had a 22-250, but like my 223.
No recoil, quiet, kills fallow deer and goats no problem (never tried long range on them).
Only problem is my son it more.

If it's purely for varmints, eg. goats and smaller, I'd go for a .204 Ruger or 223.
204 is an awesome round, turns varmint inside out. With less noise, barrel wear and is cheaper to reload than 22-250 with more than enough performance to take varmint at the same ranges as 22-250.

As others have said, 22-250s usually come with a slow twist that limits you to light weight bullets when reloading, but this may or may not matter for you.

223 may not best the best performer, but is a good all rounder. Good factory ammo can be had for cheap, is easy to reload and you will never struggle to get brass for it.
Generally comes in something around a 1:8 or 1:9 twist, which you can use heavier bullets with.

I would go for 204 Ruger if it was just for small pests, but 223 if there was a chance you would want to shoot goats/pigs/deer with it.