Coyote Rifle 22-250 vs 223

G

GHK

New member
I am going to purchase a savage rifle for coyote and predator hunting this fall. I have the model or rifle picked out but I am really going back and forth between these two calibers. My shots are going to be from real close out to 300 yards. Any advice would be apprciated.
 
GHK, Im not that experienced at coyote hunting but Ive had a 22-250. I now have a 204 ruger and a 243.Ive shot the 223 but never owned one. Id have to say the 223 since you are limiting yourself to 300 yards. The reasons I say this is the recoil and blast or noise of the 22-250 is more than the 223 as I remember.Ive read and heard alot of great things about the 223 and its pretty versitle as to bullet weights. All that being said I like the 204 better than any Ive owned.I think its even less noise and recoil than the 223 but has the velocity and range of the 22-250.I also know that when I look at a target at 300 yards Im like holy moly thats a long ways.LOL
Good luck
Daryl Pelfrey
 
22-250 is the most popular among predator guys, 223 close second, 204 is gaining ground fast for its age. Some guys like the duce (222) but it's limited in range. Some like the 25-06, but it's a little hot for close range. Some like the 6mm or 243 because they can use them for deer too. Kind-of a jundgement you have to make for yourself based on your area, and hunting style, and needs, and budget, and target species, and ......
 
GHK, go to the post titled ,,,,,,,,,,calibers in the right long,,,,,,,,,,,and read Nikonuts reply. P.S. they are all good just pick what you like. Hey I picked the 22-250 a few years ago just cause I liked the numbers 22-250 man that just sounded cool to me.
Daryl Pelferey
 
I can't remember who said it here on the boards, but Savage rifles come with a 1:12 twist in 22-250, that'll allow you to shoot heavier bullets than the standard 1:14. I'd go 22-250!
 
Its all personal preferance:
That being said I go with .223
For the distance you will be at you don't need anything bigger and the yote will never know if it was a .223 or
22-250 that hit it.
I prefer the .223 as it has less recoil, ammo is at every store, and reloading is cheaper and easier to find that perfect load. The .204 seems to be quite a Cartridge but I'm slow to come onboard, ammo is still expensive and not always at the local shop.
 
For the limits you have imposed on the rifle, the 223 should do the job quite nicely. The Savage 223 is a 1-9 twist rifle. You'll have a very good assortment of factory ammo available for it that will work nicely on predators. Further, as others have said, ammo is available eveywhere, it's cheaper, less muzzle blast, quieter report and longer barrel life. Besides, you can't get an AR in 22-250. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif MI VHNTR
 
I'll have to be odd man out, and rank the 22-250 far and away better than the .223 at ANY range for killing power. (Not just long shots) I've used both (niether caliber is my first pick), and have encountered much more "spinning", and coyotes running using the 223 remington. I know "shot placement". /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

But it doesn't always go just so in the real world, and more power is a better thing. The 250 just plain spanks 'em harder, even at our relatively close ranges here in the East.

So in this neck of the woods at least, the general consensous is coyote guns start at 22-250 and go UP from there. Most fellas toting 250's and 243's, and a few AR fellas sprinkled in around here. But if you don't mind some tracking from time to time the .223 is fine.

Your milage may vary because of coyote size /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
 
I don't have much experience with the 22-250.., I didn't care much for the muzzle blast!! But I've zapped dozens of Yotes with my 223's out to, and including 470 yards with no problems what so ever!! I've never lost one that I've hit...., that I know of!

I would have to say that which ever caliber/rifle combo you can shoot with the most consistant accuracy would be your best medicine for Coyotes! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif

My 223's fit that bill perfectly for me!! I shoot Sierra 63 gr. SP's pretty much exclusively...., knocks the sh*t out of them!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 
There is no doubt the .223 is capable. It is a sweet shooter, quiet with low recoil, plenty of punch to 300 yds or so. So I bought my wife one and an AR for myself. I also have purchased several .22-250's and there is no doubt they put them down with more authority good to 400+ yards. The .22-250 performs at 400 yards to what the .223 will do at 300 yards. If I could only have one of these two calibers it would be the .22-250 and I should have bought it in an AR, maybe the next one will be.
 
I have both and use both. From october until about the first of january I tend to use my .223 as for me I seem to get them in closer during those months. Then it seems later in the season they begin hanging up on me around that 300 yard mark. When this starts happening too much on me, I switch over to the 250. But if I were limited to one it would be a .223 in an AR. I love that quick follow up when I miss.
 
Since you said "close to 300 yards" I'd take the 223. It will do everything I want it to within those guide lines. Plus ammo is cheaper, less muzzle blast, if your using on PD's the barrel heats up slower, etc, etc.

I shot a 22-250 for years and when I got my first 223, I was pleasantly surprised how well it worked on coyotes. Also I put up all the fur I shoot and the 223 was "alot" easier on the hides than the 22-250
 
223. wait for them to get closer than 300, like 200 and drop em. I wouldn't trade my 223 for a 22-250. Let me rephrase I wouldn't take off my 223 barrel to put on a 22-250 barrel.

t/c223encore.
 
I used to shoot both, I figured I would use the 22-250 for yotes and the .223 for fox. It seemed that I would end up shooting some fox with the 22-250, half of them would be nearly cut in two. I sold the 250, used Nosler 55gr for yotes and 55gr Sierra fmjbt for fox. They shot nearly the same so I used the same .223 for both rounds. Now the Tactical .20 is used for both using 35 gr Bergers, I am looking forward to try the new Nosler 40gr on coyotes.T.20
 
Another vote of confidence for the....223!! Sorry guys. Never used a .22-250, just .223 & .243. And in MY [not necessarily your] .223 I get the best results both on paper/live coyotes with 55 gr. Black Hills or Hornady 55 gr. Vmax.

Good shopping & great hunting!
Will
 
Quote:
Another vote of confidence for the....223!! Sorry guys. Never used a .22-250, just .223 & .243. And in MY [not necessarily your] .223 I get the best results both on paper/live coyotes with 55 gr. Black Hills or Hornady 55 gr. Vmax.

Good shopping & great hunting!
Will


I guess that I might as well jump in and echo Canislatrans54...

I, too, started with a .243. Then I decided to try a .223... I loved it! Very accurate, very little recoil, very little muzzle blast. Everything it hit ended up dead. That was almost 25 years ago; I've never used anything else for coyote since.

Now, in all fairness, I just ordered my first 22-250... Mainly because I was having opportunities at groundhogs 300 yards and further... If I have the opportunity, I will also use it on coyotes... But my primary calling rifle will remain my Remington Model Seven in .223! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif

me!
 
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