doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com OT Rifle question

I am looking at a new rifle for ground hog termination and I am curious about the difference between a .22-250 and .223 wsm. It seems the .22-250 is going by the wayside. I saw Browning does not offer it at all anymore. So what is the best cal.?

SIXmm Remi built on Stolle Panda action with fluted ss Lilja barrel.

Just throwing some dirt at ya. Traditional mid range choices would be: 6mm, 22-250, .222, .223, .243. I would go with .223 Savage bolt "varmint ed" gun and put real good quality scope on it. I almost bought classic "light varmint" Mod. 722? Remington rifle in kal. .222.

the .22-250 is not going away anytime soon....it will most likely outlive all of the wsm varieties in my opinion.
Steve

I'm looking for an Browning a-bolt medallion actually, as I have one in 25-06 and it puts holes in holes. Recently I restocked my bro in laws Rem. 788 in 22-250 and when I re zeroed it I really liked the way it felt and shot. So I'm leaning toward the Browning but the Remington is not out of the question. just can't find the Browning in 22-250., but it is all over in 223. So I was wondering about the comparison of the two rounds, 22-250 vs 223 wssm.

SKB is absolutely right. .22-250 survived for decades as a wildcat without commercial brass. You will be able to find components or loaded ammo several reincarnations from now. What cal. is best? Depends on many factors such as range, wind levels, acceptable noise level, ricochet danger, etc. I shot 18 groundhogs from the house last summer with a .22 LR Romanian army trainer that will equal a $1000.00 Kimber with cheap Winchester SuperX lead hollow points. Popped one 3 days ago with same gun at 70 yds. with a bullet right in the earhole and that was that. However, I just got a .222 Rem. Contender Carbine barrel as I want something with a little more power and range than the .22, but quieter and more efficient than my .22-250 or 6m/m. My longest kill with the 6m/m was 560 long paces. Then again, I shot many hogs with reduced loads of 50gr. FFG under a patched roundball in an open sighted flintlock where 60 yards was a long shot. Does this answer your question?

My head is spinning!

About 10 years ago, I went through the same processs but it was 22-250 vs 223. (cheaper ammo) A friend of mine had a remington sendero 22-250 with a fluted SS bull barrel and synthetic stock. Not fine walnut and nice blue but he told me how it would shoot and another friend who has a catfish pond and loads 4500 rounds a year to shoot comorants, herons etc. (yes he has a permit) said to buy it and he would buy it from me if I did not like it. It often shoots groups at 200 yards that touch each other. I started back handlocding but it does not seem to be particular. It shoots everything well. After not deer hunting for 18 years I took it to shoot a doe for a party. First deer that came out was a buck, 20.5 inch spread 11 point. 146 score net typical. I have since shot dozens of deer, they drop in their tracks up to 300 yards when shot in the neck. (6.5x20 50mm Leupold) Always count the deer in the field first, they drop so quick that you might think you missed and shoot another. (No problem here in Alabama where the limit is two a day for the whole 75 day season.) I could not say enough about this gun or caliber. My son shoots beavers with it and it is amazing. With all of my nice (to me) doubles, this is the one gun he never wants me to sell! Just my opinion, but do not sell the 22-250 short!

.223 -------55gr. bullet -----3240 fps-----1280 ft-lb.

.22-250 ----55gr. bullet -----3680 fps-----1655 ft-lb.

It's not your head that should concern you, but your wallet. Just keep telling yourself that your new rifle, like your old double shotguns, will be an investment. Unless Obama wins.