Tell me about the .22-250

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  • Mgderf

    Grandmaster
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    May 30, 2009
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    Lafayette
    My brother won a Savage Axis in .22-250 at our local FNRA banquet .
    I've heard of the round, but have zero experience with it.

    I Google searched and found it can run as fast as 3800 fps!
    That is just plain screamin'!
    So, what is the .22-250 good for, and for what distance?
    I'm guessing it would be a great coyote gun, but how much damage does it do?

    Just looking for real-world experience.

    Thanks
     

    42769vette

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    Oct 6, 2008
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    22-250 is one of the most popular yote rifles out there. Effective range depends more on the shooter than the caliber. With the right bullets it wont do much fur damage if you plan to sell the yotes.
     

    Methane Herder

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    Jan 17, 2013
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    Pitchfork Union
    FWIW.
    If you reload for it, make sure you use bullets rated for +3400fps. IURC Sierra used to make varmint bullets for 222/223. They had a warning on the box about loading over MV's 3400fps. In a moderate 22/250 load they disintegrated about 10' out of the muzzle.

    MH
     

    DeadeyeChrista'sdad

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    Feb 28, 2009
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    winchester/farmland
    I bought one about this time last year. Loved it. Was hoping to vapor lock a few whistle pigs this spring, but the weather wasn't very co operative.

    Still learning about the ballistics. Dead nuts at 200 yds is about a inch low at 100, and about 12 or 13 inches low at 300. Have been having fun just working on it.
     

    WWalker

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    Jul 19, 2012
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    A friend of mine has close to 500 acres in Petersburg where we would shoot yotes with our 22-250's, absolutely deadly!!
     

    throttletony

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    Jul 11, 2011
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    Awesome that he won it!!
    It's a screaming round. If you always run the hottest stuff, it can be a bit of a barrel burner - but most people don't shoot enough to make that a big issue.
    One of the things I wish somebody had told me about the 22-250 is that most factory guns have slow twist rates, and are generally designed for lighter bullets. (as compared to a lot of ar barrels and some 223 varmint guns that can stabilize heavier bullets.)

    22-250 usually has 1:10, 1:12, or 1:14 twist -- most factory loads are 40-55 grain
    New generation 223 bolt guns usually 1:8,1:9, 1:10, and a few with 1:12 twist
    ARs usually 1:7, 1:8, or 1:9 twist

    With a decent scope, it will thump targets out to 400 yds if not much wind, but if a bit windy it's a practical 300 yd gun in most people's hand
    ... I know someone's uncle probably shot a whitetail at 600 yds with one somewhere and sometime, but that doesn't make it ideal for that purpose

    Edit to add: If you want to retain some power and good ballistic coefficient, a .243 is a logical step.
     

    Leadeye

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    Jan 19, 2009
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    A great cartridge that's been around for a while. I've never used it on coyotes, but it was death on groundhogs.
     

    Trapper Jim

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    Dec 18, 2012
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    I have used the 22-250 for over 50 years on groundhogs and yotes. No problem ever. Just won a target match with my field rifle a few weeks back. i use the standard 40 grain Federal Premium and a Hornady Vmax 40 gr reload. Very accurate. Keep my velociites down to around 3600 though. Do not want to wear it out.
     

    Sniper 79

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    Oct 7, 2012
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    I had a Savage gifted to me. I hit the range with it and got it dialed in. After that it Sat in the back of my safe for 7 years.

    I found a 223 will shoot whatever needs shot. The 250 got hot extremely fast and strung shots real bad. 6-10 rounds and it was off a paper target. First three clover leaf in the bullseye.

    I pedaled it for another Savage in 17hmr. In today's world the 250 wouldn't ever be a first choice.
     

    Michigan Slim

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    Jan 19, 2014
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    I had a Savage gifted to me. I hit the range with it and got it dialed in. After that it Sat in the back of my safe for 7 years.

    I found a 223 will shoot whatever needs shot. The 250 got hot extremely fast and strung shots real bad. 6-10 rounds and it was off a paper target. First three clover leaf in the bullseye.

    I pedaled it for another Savage in 17hmr. In today's world the 250 wouldn't ever be a first choice.

    I have a Ruger that strung shots as the barrel heated. Free floating fixed it.
     
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