223 or 22-250

[tuckdog]

New to coyote hunting...need opinions which is better all around round?

 

[shibumiseeker]

What range? .223 has the advantage of cheap and lots of different ammo for it. But for a yote out past a couple hundred yards the round starts to be iffier than I care for for a a critter that size. I really like the .22-250 anyway and you can load some awesome stuff for it. But if you want a sem-auto then good luck with that.

 

[nova512]

you can do so much with a 223 thats why i went with it,22-250 is pretty bad a$$ alot more power and range but it personal prefference really,i had a 22-250 really liked it but after 5 shots i had to let the barrel cool down alot but that was with a ruger m77

 

[jeremy]

Depends on far you are truly planning on smoking the yotes at. Also will this be its only purpose. I prefer to use a .270, there is not really much in North America that can not be killed with a .270...

.223 is truly a very versatile varmint round, with a lot of different weapons configurations to choose from.

.22-250 is a smoker. The only downside really to this round is the lack of different weapons configurations available.

 

[Hondo]

I would also pick the 22-250 over the .223....don't overlook 204 Ruger and you can build a AR for that round using all the same parts for the .223 exxcept the barrel

 

[Hoosier]

A 223 will do anything a 22-250 will do and more. One can get a 223 in a faster twist barrel to allow shooting heavier bullets, as mentioned surplus ammunition, cheaper ammunition, the use of thicker military brass if you reload, and more ballistic data.
Hoosier

 

[farmboy365]

bolt gun 22-250 hands down better but is you want semi auto go with 223 in an AR I have both and AR is great for running yote but standing at long range 22-250 is better you have to decide that type gun you want.

 

[x10]

guys I think a lot of people over looks the hunting aspect of this question, your going to be doing this in the wee hours and when it comes to AR's depending on your ammo your going to be blind for about 10 seconds (maybe not) but there's a good chance you'll be on the back side of something else and while a 223 is loud and in a bolt gun has almost no flash a 22250 sounds like an abrams tank attack in the still night air, plus your going to have flash and your ears will ring about 20 minutes longer than with 223,

If you hunting you won't always have your ears on thats just the nature of the hunt, Things with coyotes and fox happen quick,

my vote is 223 and you don't have to get barn burner loads, a coyote isn't a super dog a good shot with a 22 mag will do it, look for some of the reduced loads and you'll be in good shape

 

[top hat 45]

if you reload go with the 22-250. if not do the 223, rounds are more plentiful and being so popular much larger choices......daryll

 

[Zoub]

I got rid of my 22-250 and used the $ to buy a .308. My AR's took over any and all duties the 22-250 bolt ever did.

I use to live in North Dakota and even up there many people are popping prairie dogs at long range with AR's these days, the true realm of the 22-250.

For me I also prefer to carry an AR all day hunting over a bolt gun. But even with a bolt I would stick with .223

 

[Jack Ryan]

A 223 will do anything a 22-250 will do and more. One can get a 223 in a faster twist barrel to allow shooting heavier bullets, as mentioned surplus ammunition, cheaper ammunition, the use of thicker military brass if you reload, and more ballistic data.
Hoosier

Hornady Reloading manual
223 Remington Max loads
45 grain bullet will make 3600 fps with 2 powders.

22-250 will do that with every powder listed.

223
50 grain bullet, 3400 fps with 6 powders out of 10 listed.

22-250 will pust that 3600fps with every powder listed and make it to 3800fps with 7 out of 10 powders listed and 3900 fps with three powders.

It only get's more obvious as the bullet weight increases.
223, 60 grain bullet, 3200 fps
22-250. 60 graom bullet, 3600fps

If those numbers sound the same to you then I guess "A 223 will do anything a 22-250 will do and more".

 

[baldguy637]

Have you considered a 243?

I own a 223, and love shooting it but it has it's limitations. I also owned a 22-250 but sold it to get a 243.

Hornady ballistics show a 55gr vmax out of a 22-250 at 3680fps but is't pretty much nothing but a varmint gun.

The 243 with a 58 gr vmax is 3750fps, drop's a little less, and you'll have the ability to use it on larger game. (black bear, deer, ect..) The shells cost about the same as a 22-250. I just think it's a more versatile round.

If you want to be able to buy cheap surplus shell's i'd go with the .223, but i'd look into a 243 over a 22-250. Just my .

 

[Marc]

i sling .223, i use ar's for yote hunting.

 

[Marc]

where u from tuck?

 

[Hoosier]

"If those numbers sound the same to you then I guess "A 223 will do anything a 22-250 will do and more"."

If you are talking velocity that's one thing but killing power and flat shooting is close.
Hoosier

 

[Digital_photog]

I do a lot of Coyote hunting. I have never used 22-250 but use both .223 and ,243. .223 is much cheaper and I seldom use the .243. .223 has enough range for nearly all coyote hunting. In fact when we are calling them most shots are within range of a slug shotgun. Many use those for coyotes. If you are starting out and buying one gun get the .223

 

[jy951]

If you watch any coyote huntin.g on tv, seldom is range of weapon an issue. Lots of times they come running in and are shot with a shotgun. A .223 should be plenty. However, if you like to look at charts and tables, a 22-250 will definitely have more range whether necessary or not. And if you think you need more range, why not get a 220 swift, .243, or a 25-06, or a 7mm mag, etc.

 

[Marc]

7mm mag is alittle overkill dont ya think, im meen if you dont want to pick anything up then its a good round

 

[6birds]

And if you think you need more range, why not get a 220 swift, .243, or a 25-06, or a 7mm mag, etc.

We were sighting a new (to me) 338 Win last fall, with 250gr Corelokts and 300gr Bergers, and between sessions, a coyote came walking out about 350 yards away. One shot, a little stitching needed, and the coyote was no more or less dead than the one shot the week before with a 17 Rem.

Don't pick one or the other, get both!

 

[42769vette]

Hornady Reloading manual
223 Remington Max loads
45 grain bullet will make 3600 fps with 2 powders.

22-250 will do that with every powder listed.

223
50 grain bullet, 3400 fps with 6 powders out of 10 listed.

22-250 will pust that 3600fps with every powder listed and make it to 3800fps with 7 out of 10 powders listed and 3900 fps with three powders.

It only get's more obvious as the bullet weight increases.
223, 60 grain bullet, 3200 fps
22-250. 60 graom bullet, 3600fps

If those numbers sound the same to you then I guess "A 223 will do anything a 22-250 will do and more".

i was thinking the same thing when i read that but i didn't feel like pointing it out