22 Creedmoor vs the 22-250 AI

I guess we might as well dive down the rabbit hole, we're headed that way anyway. I bought a 6.5x55 Swede about 1985 and killed more antelope than I care to count, of course that's WAY before Hornady FINALLY came around with the 6.5 CM. And I also shoot a 6.5x.284 again, long before the introduction of the 6.5 CM. Hornady lucked out with the popularity of an AR platform shooting a 6.5 cartridge. Some of these rifles shoot so close to each other if you didn't look at the brass or cartridge, you wouldn't know the difference. The Swede's had it figured out, took us American's along time to acknowledge a 6.5 cartridge!
 
Exactly Hunter55 even though Remington had excellent offing the 6.5 Remington Magnum, They poorly chose the wrong barrel length etc and effectively kill the cartridge. Something the Creedmoor series didn't do. That base is growing, not as fast as in the past, but nevertheless less it is growing.

Both the 22-250 AI and the newer 22 Creedmoor is solid offerings. With very little if any true differences.
IMO if one owns a 22-250 and wants to up the performance to the level of the AI or Creedmoor then AI maybe the ticket. If Twisted wrong for the intended purpose (e.g. 1-14 /1-12 twist) some may see a limitation of preferred projectiles. Then the Creedmoor make way more sense. Again that IMO is up to the shooter to make. As they are on pretty much a even keel.

Once can argue this in just about every bore size of differing cartridges. We all have preferences and different expectations / requirements.

Example the original .280 British vs. the 7mm BR Remington, pfft pretty much the same thing. Understand I'm referring to the original design by the UK, not the later modified design. But yeah the original FN FAL was chambered in 280 Brit, but later changed to 7.62mm NATO (.308 Win). When we forced the 7.62mm NATO round adoption.
 
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I'll take a reg 22-250 or a 22 creed for the same reason I have a couple 6.5 creeds & 223's vs 6.5x284 or 22 arc's. Its easy.

Off the shelf ammo if want it, correctly headstamped brass.

Its just easy.

For what it's worth the 6.5 creed / 6.5x55 / 260 rem is whitetail perfection. Shoot other than big bears, its probably all you need in north America.
 
After my Last post I had planned on letting this thread run it's course and die.
BUT
I ran across a you tube video discussing fireforming 22-250AI using a method I have never seen before.
It is ingenious and I would not have any issues doing it in my barrel absolutely no wear nor and chance of anything being even the slightest bit abrasive to the bore.
bullseye powder (but looking at the cases coming out I think a grain or maybe 2 increase would fill the cases out very nicely), small pistol primer, beeswax and dental wax.
I never would have thought to use this method.




My only thought was to share the method he used to fire form which could be applied to any cartridge. The focus is the fireforming method even though the original author states the 22-250 Ai vs the 22 Creed pfft we collectively already discussed it.

 
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I own a 22-250 (not AI) with a 1/10 twist. This year I moved to NW Wyoming from Oregon and hunting conditions will be a little different with regard to distance and wind. The 22 CM is superior, but before I shell out the $$ for the CM I am going to need to have some stands in which my 250 with a 65g Sierra GK was not up to the task. If that proves to be the case then I will gladly pony up the money for the CM. Otherwise I will stay with my 22-250.
 
@CalCoyote
According to Sierra --
"Sierra’s #1395 22cal 65gr SBT GameKing debuted in 2004 and has been a top seller from day one for 22cal rifle shooters that varmint and deer hunt with them. It has a tougher lead core than our BlitzKing bullets, and has a thick jacket that keeps it intact, even at 22-250 speeds. Because of the bullet length, it requires a 1-10″ twist rate or faster to stabilize. As always, this bullet has the inherit accuracy built into it that Sierra is known for."

Now would I rechamber or re-twist to a faster say 1-8 or 1-7 twist for the winter weather ( summer I'm pretty sure you are good to go) in your Location? Maybe , The 1-10 is border line, For my purposes of varmints it's about perfect 40 to 55gr for PD/ Gophers.
You could shoot it during the colder months to see. or make a choice
Provided the 1-10 twist proves to be unstable in the cold months. (really cold weather usually resulting a bit faster twist for stability)

(stability and accuracy is not the same thing. What I referring in stability, you will note easily on target. Bullet holes slightly larger than a 22 / /elongated bullet holes / or the bullet actually hits sideways.)

for a re-twist for bullet the length of your stated bullet or longer (I would consider 1-8 to 1-7" twist) is to ensure stability during the winter as If I'm assuming correctly NW Wyoming gets pretty dang cold. which when it gets colder usually a bit faster twist is needed for stability as a rule.

That part covers the twist of the barrel
For the chamber:
Going from 22-250 to 22 Creedmoor SHOULD net you to up to 3500 ish fps depending on powder.
staying with 22-250 SHOULD net you 3200 to 3400 fps
going to the 22-250AI SHOULD net you 3100 to 3300 fps
the thing with those calibers is the barrel will usually go somewhere between 1700 to 2300 ish rounds at pretty much complete failure. so If your at say half of 1700 it wouldn't hurt to locate a barrel and have plans to pay a smith to chamber to your desired cartridge. Any of the three are great choices, and honesty I don't think there is a bad choice.

The Game King 65gr is the odd ball in the comparison. It's not a bad bullet. just the case capacity and the performance of the three are actually pretty close with that bullet.

While some may tout the "superiority " of the 22 Creedmoor it simply is not true. Even with that said would I consider the 22 Creedmoor absolutely it is as good / equal to the 22-250 AI. Is it BETTER than the 22-250 it like the AI has that possibility for a possible velocity increase.

Those velocity range are per load data and usually reality is a 1-200 or less fps slower as a rule than published across the board.

Don't get hung up in the fps for each cartridge you very well may find that the cartridge you go to fires the most accurately at the SAME velocity of your current chambering. Unless of course velocity is more important than hitting the game ethically and accurately. ( so how would a creedmoor be superior if I wind up using the same velocity of my plain jane 22-250 in order to be ethical in my shot placement, plus I've never heard of game stating you should have hit me with 100 fps faster bullet)

I'm assuming your reloading if not look on the shelves in your area to see which is more common.

I have stated or addressed my response to you, ONLY considering your requested Bullet the 65gr Sierra Gameking.
(based on your statement of a 1-10" twist, I suspect your rifle is a ruger american / ranch series if so one can usually find prefit barrels reasonable, And in closing if the rifle shoots to your liking and it's accurate and stable.... "if it ain't broke don't fix it" applies most of the time)
 
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Sgt_Mike said:
@CalCoyote
According to Sierra --
"Sierra’s #1395 22cal 65gr SBT GameKing debuted in 2004 and has been a top seller from day one for 22cal rifle shooters that varmint and deer hunt with them. It has a tougher lead core than our BlitzKing bullets, and has a thick jacket that keeps it intact, even at 22-250 speeds. Because of the bullet length, it requires a 1-10″ twist rate or faster to stabilize. As always, this bullet has the inherit accuracy built into it that Sierra is known for."

Now would I rechamber or re-twist to a faster say 1-8 or 1-7 twist for the winter weather ( summer I'm pretty sure you are good to go) in your Location? Maybe , The 1-10 is border line, For my purposes of varmints it's about perfect 40 to 55gr for PD/ Gophers.
You could shoot it during the colder months to see. or make a choice
Provided the 1-10 twist proves to be unstable in the cold months. (really cold weather usually resulting a bit faster twist for stability)

(stability and accuracy is not the same thing. What I referring in stability, you will note easily on target. Bullet holes slightly larger than a 22 / /elongated bullet holes / or the bullet actually hits sideways.)

for a re-twist for bullet the length of your stated bullet or longer (I would consider 1-8 to 1-7" twist) is to ensure stability during the winter as If I'm assuming correctly NW Wyoming gets pretty dang cold. which when it gets colder usually a bit faster twist is needed for stability as a rule.

That part covers the twist of the barrel
For the chamber:
Going from 22-250 to 22 Creedmoor SHOULD net you to up to 3500 ish fps depending on powder.
staying with 22-250 SHOULD net you 3200 to 3400 fps
going to the 22-250AI SHOULD net you 3100 to 3300 fps
the thing with those calibers is the barrel will usually go somewhere between 1700 to 2300 ish rounds at pretty much complete failure. so If your at say half of 1700 it wouldn't hurt to locate a barrel and have plans to pay a smith to chamber to your desired cartridge. Any of the three are great choices, and honesty I don't think there is a bad choice.

The Game King 65gr is the odd ball in the comparison. It's not a bad bullet. just the case capacity and the performance of the three are actually pretty close with that bullet.

While some may tout the "superiority " of the 22 Creedmoor it simply is not true. Even with that said would I consider the 22 Creedmoor absolutely it is as good / equal to the 22-250 AI. Is it BETTER than the 22-250 it like the AI has that possibility for a possible velocity increase.

Those velocity range are per load data and usually reality is a 1-200 or less fps slower as a rule than published across the board.

Don't get hung up in the fps for each cartridge you very well may find that the cartridge you go to fires the most accurately at the SAME velocity of your current chambering. Unless of course velocity is more important than hitting the game ethically and accurately. ( so how would a creedmoor be superior if I wind up using the same velocity of my plain jane 22-250 in order to be ethical in my shot placement, plus I've never heard of game stating you should have hit me with 100 fps faster bullet)

I'm assuming your reloading if not look on the shelves in your area to see which is more common.

I have stated or addressed my response to you, ONLY considering your requested Bullet the 65gr Sierra Gameking.
(based on your statement of a 1-10" twist, I suspect your rifle is a ruger american / ranch series if so one can usually find prefit barrels reasonable, And in closing if the rifle shoots to your liking and it's accurate and stable.... "if it ain't broke don't fix it" applies most of the time)
Click to expand...
You brought up some GREAT points and provided some very good information. Thanks!!! My Ruger American is not the Ranch series. It is the standard RA. It has the 1/10 twist. I spoke with a tech at Sierra and he said they have done extensive testing, and velocity changes with temps change much more when temps are warmer (50 degrees vs 95 degrees). He stated that if I work up a load at 50 degrees and then hunt with it at a colder temp (0-25 degrees) that I would not notice the velocity changes nearly as much. We will see.... I only live 5 minues from the shooting range and I will be able to chrono the velocities in all the different temps and see if he is correct. I am very impressed with the 22 CM, but don't want to make a knee jerk reaction of buying another gun which would include the price of the gun, optics, mounts, dies, and brass if my standard 22=250 with a 1/10 twist will get the job done. I also have a couple of 243s and and a 260 Rem that could also step up to the task. Man I love handloads and coyote calling.
 
@CalCoyote
If you desire I could run a stability calculation the variable are Temp, Altitude, and barometric pressure . With those, One can see where the bottom temp is for stability.
Of course it is a theoretical guide.

Yeah I like Sierra, the boys in MO are pretty good at what they do.
I have nothing against the 22CM and if in your shoes would probably put it on the radar / project shelf once the existing 22-250 starts to slip (wear out) the mags would pretty much be the same. Only a new pre-fit barrel .
 
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Sgt_Mike said:
22-250AI vs 22 Creed
Click to expand...

I'll play........neither:


1752951395115.jpeg
 
Some time ago, I went through the same thing trying to decide which way to go. I ended up with a 22-250AI and have not regretted it. I have not had a single issue with it feeding from a couple of different AI mags. IIRC, one of my factors in my decision was the amount of 22-250 brass I had on hand.



46375786614_2e6e7aab97_b.jpg
 
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Granted these are only 35 grain Berger varmint bullets, but they move pretty quickly in the 22-250AI...sub 1/2" groups. Don't need a 22 Creedmoor in my safe. I just fired 1 to show it's speed, the rounds prior in the chrony were my standard 22-250.
13171.jpg
 
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