Can't decide between 223 or 22-250!!

If you are trying to save fur 223 loaded with a 35gr hornady ntx bullet because you stated that you had to use non-toxic, if you are not worried about fur I'd go with the 22-250...
 
Ask the same posters giving advice, how many are forced to shoot .223 lead free. Twists used, loads used. And to also post pics of targets of the loads. The answers may change.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions fellas. I might have to look into the 223AI.. That sounds like it will fit in the middle of what I'm looking for.. If it ends up not being enough for me I might just have to build a 22-250 the following year!!! Never hurts to have more rifles!

Once I get the rifle completed I'll be sure to post it!
 
Ive owned both the 22-250 and .223 and have never felt under gunned with a .223. Most guys like the thought of shooting a coyote at 500 yards, myself included but it usually ends with a miss and an educated coyote.
In my experience the 22-250 usually blows big holes where the .223 doesn't. I guess you can slow the 22-250 down but that defeats the purpose of owning it.
I personally enjoy calling a coyote so my goal is to get him as close as possible, there are times even the .223 has too much jam.
Barrell life is much better in the .223, reloading components are so easy to find and the case uses less powder which is nice during "crisis" times when no Varget can be found lol. Gotta make that powder stretch. I also forgot to mention that the .223 usually holds 5 rounds in a mag, the 22-250 usually a few rounds less. Its nice to have the xtra rounds when you get 4 dogs come in and rounds start flying.
So I say make the rifle a .223 and go kill some coyotes. Make sure to post some pics of that gun..sounds like a dream rifle.
 
Well, you can drive a Pinto(223) or a Cadillac(22-250). Lets be real, the 22-250 will hit a coyote with more authority and flat out put em down. I wouldn't worry about barrel life on a calling gun. Your not gonna be shooting hundreds of rounds calling coyotes and it would last you years. I would probably do a 9 twist and shoot a 65gr Sierra. With a .303 BC it would be a hammer on yotes and be very reliable out to 500+ yards.

FWIW, the Pinto/Cadillac comment was for fun!
 
If I shoot a .223 w/a 55 gr Vmax and it is -1.4 @ 100,dead nuts @200,-7@ 300,21.4 @400,@ 500-45.9. Living in Pa. this all I need and the ammo is dirt cheap. A.22-250 on the other hand is -.9 @100 dead on@ 200,-5.2@ 300,-15.9 @400,@500-33.9. All the guys saying there is such a HUGE difference between the two need to do an apples to apples comparison of similar ammo. The falloff comes between 400-500 yds. So really it boils down to which side of the Mississipi ya live on. I actually hunt with a .223 69gr.hpbt which absolutely smacks down either a coyote or deer is +2 @100 -2@ 200 and -12@ 300. 99.9% of the shooting in this neck of the woods falls between 50-200 yds max.
 
I have both and am a fan of both. I will say that coyote fur aint worth much and i prefer to anchor them. my 22-250 is really good at that. I shoot a moderate load (.7 grains under max as per the hornady book) and a 50 grain bullet and have NEVER had a coyote get away but its somewhat hard on the fur. if its bobcat season and the fur is good though I don't even bring my 22-250. I love to shoot it and its the most accurate rifle I own but it will annihilate a bobcat. that's where the 223 comes in. If I was you I would consider what you plan to hunt. yotes only, 22-250 for sure. if your throwin cats and even fox in the mix then id go 223. the 223ai might be a great choice if you hand load. hard hitter, easy on powder, and can be scaled back for those winter bobcat hunts. good luck and post a pic of this beast when you do get it built.
 
Originally Posted By: raymond s bendenIf I shoot a .223 w/a 55 gr Vmax and it is -1.4 @ 100,dead nuts @200,-7@ 300,21.4 @400,@ 500-45.9. Living in Pa. this all I need and the ammo is dirt cheap. A.22-250 on the other hand is -.9 @100 dead on@ 200,-5.2@ 300,-15.9 @400,@500-33.9. All the guys saying there is such a HUGE difference between the two need to do an apples to apples comparison of similar ammo. The falloff comes between 400-500 yds. So really it boils down to which side of the Mississipi ya live on. I actually hunt with a .223 69gr.hpbt which absolutely smacks down either a coyote or deer is +2 @100 -2@ 200 and -12@ 300. 99.9% of the shooting in this neck of the woods falls between 50-200 yds max.

Everybody can talk numbers all day long and favor their experience in their area, which is fine.
The bottom line is the .22-250 has more horsepower and shoots flatter. Makes it nice in open country.
 
Buy a Tikka T3 in 22-250 and put the Leupold 8x scope with Talley rings on it and go kill some coyotes. Your going to have a light weight and accurate killing stick that you won't be afraid to get it dirty. Then you can build your custom while your hunting and havin fun.
 
Have to agree with Riflemann, buy both, better yet buy a .17 HMR, .223, 22-250. .243, 12 ga and anything else you can. A person can never have enough firearms, or choices of calibers.
 
22/250 all the way...you can reload a 250 down to 223 speed or 22 Hornet speed if you want to, but you can't load a 223 up to the 250 speed.
 
Yeah, I gotta vote 22-250 on this one. Like Howards just said, you can always pull back on the reigns of the 250 and slow her down a little but a 223 will never be 22-250. I've never had to shoot the lead free bullets but I'm sure that they should be playing an important part of your decision. Like someone else said, get an Ar in a 223 and build your 22-250 and you will have the best of both worlds. Good luck.
 
I say .223. I do have a raging love sign for the .223 though so maybe my views are just blurred..

Why? For me, its cheap to shoot. Brass are easy to come by, if you reload and don't mind a little extra work LC brass are A+ in my opinion and can be bought for a reasonable price on forums. I can load up my handholds with 10 or so less grains of powder. Less powder per round means more rounds per pound of powder which means more boom for my buck!
But no, I'm serious, I'm that much of a cheap [beeep].

Ive shot my dads .22-250 and it is extremely accurate nice gun, but at the end of the day I just like my .223 more. Guess if I was able to take 500 yard shots on coyotes I would feel different. .223 sighted in at 200 yards works good for me out to 300 with minimal hold over/under.

I have a Rem 700 SPS Tactical, as soon as I am done with school it will be getting a new barrel. 20" 1:7 twist chambered in .223 AI
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I love the 223 rem and have several. Out to 400 yds its got more than enough velocity and enegy to get the job done. Ive taking groundhogs out to 400 yds with that round and it does fine. It has its limitations though and once you start going past about 400 it starts losing a lot of its steam. The upside is the availability of the ammunition and components. The barrel will outlast you and there is almost no recoil in a 12+ lb rifle. With my setup you can see hits at almost and range but thats a rifle that weighs 15+ lbs loaded. I like the availibility and cost of the components. You dont consume much powder which means more rounds per lb of powder. I can't speak on behalf of the 22-250 because i have zero experience with it. For a coyote gun out to 350-400 yds the 223 is my pick and your wallet will thank you too.
 
223AI?? I don't get it. Its like polishing a turd. Because you said primarily coyote 22 250 all the way. plus you can stop at any sporting goods store and pick up a box of shells. BUT MAN IF YOU LOAD, GET A SWIFT! You want a custom HAMMER look at a 22 243 middlestead.
 


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