.22-250 Or .223

[fly2fish]

I am going to add a varmint barrel to my Optima Elite and was trying to decide between a .22-250 or .223. I know you can buy 100 rounds of .223 for about the same price as 40 rounds of .22-250. They both come in 45 grain JHP or the 50 grain FMJ. Its hard to beat the ballistics of the .22-250 at longer ranges but at 250 yards is it going to make that much difference to a coyote?

F2F

[mosouthpaw]

I am going to add a varmint barrel to my Optima Elite and was trying to decide between a .22-250 or .223. I know you can buy 100 rounds of .223 for about the same price as 40 rounds of .22-250. They both come in 45 grain JHP or the 50 grain FMJ. Its hard to beat the ballistics of the .22-250 at longer ranges but at 250 yards is it going to make that much difference to a coyote?

F2F

coyotes, no. youd probably see a difference when shooting at prairie dogs and other small critters though. you can however handload the 223 to be very accurate.

[Dutch]

Unless it is a bull barrel the 22-250 will heat up after a few shots and have an effect on your long range accuracy.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I've used both a lot and I like both, in fact I have two of each, but the difference in reality and possible makes a big difference. While its true the 22/250 has a better range you still have to contend with the wind that's the enemy of all 22's. I would prefer the 22/250 for its killing ability rather then any range increase I might squeeze out of it. Coyotes are tough and I have some stories to prove it, so to be humane, the 22/250 is the better choice. Both the 22/250 and the Remington 17 will flatten 95% of coyotes under 200 yards, the same can't be said for the 222 or the 223.

[billynwtf]

I have a OE and I shoot my 243 barrel with 75gr v-max bullets. I like this load because I hunt open fields and the wind has too much effect on my 22-250. I have hunted coyotes for several years and have killed them with 223 and the 22-250. Most of the time its a clean kill but not all the time. Every coyote I have shot with my 243 has been dead before it hit the ground. My buddy shoots a 25-06 and he is very deadly with it at long range. The 223 will be fine but keep it under 200yds which if you call and decoy that should not be a problem. Goodluck.

[Tito Degiosio]

I have a Mouser 98 action thats been barreled to a 22-250 and sporter stock

shoots 1 inch groups at 100 yards so I say 22-250

[fly2fish]

I was in Cabelas in Ft. Worth yesterday and checked and the .22-250 ammo was about the same as .223 and they also had it in 65gr. So I have decided that I will go with the .22-250 first. With barrels running around $150 if it doesn't work out I will get something else maybe .243 or .25-06, I have the .30-06 barrel.

Thanks for the feedback, knew there was a lot of gun knowledge on here.

F2F

[RSBreth]

If it's just for hunting 'Yotes and not for plinking, I think going with 22/250 is a good idea. I usually stick with .243 for larger varmints, you can really put Coyotes (or anything up to that size) down quick with .243.

[flyfshn]

Intersting and informative post. I have a S&W AR15 that shoots a 5.45x39 and I am going Coyote hunting for the first time with a buddy next weekend. Really looking forward to it.

[RSBreth]

Intersting and informative post. I have a S&W AR15 that shoots a 5.45x39 and I am going Coyote hunting for the first time with a buddy next weekend. Really looking forward to it.

Not to hijack the thread here, but I'm curious about the S&W M&P 15 in the "Russian" .233 - 5.45x39. Was it less expensive than the regular .223 version? And are you shooting surplus 5.45x39 or commercial?