223 vs 22-250

A

Animatronic Fireman

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Sep 16, 2011
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Hi everyone

I am from Saskatchewan and would like to get back into hunting. I have my dad's 270 for deer but was interested in getting something smaller for coyotes. I really like the look of a laminated Tikka T3. I am interested in both the 223 and 22-250. I know that 22-250 is superior in terms of ballistics but am wondering how much louder it is. I am suffering from tinnitus (ringing in the ears) so I don't want to do more damage my ears. I will be wearing ear plugs regardless of what I purchase but am wondering what the difference in noise is between the two. I've had read that the 250 is louder and other comments say that there is no noticeable difference.

Thanks
AF
 
No notceable difference and I will be shooting both tomorrow between hunts. 223 is far less expensive to practice with and plenty for yotes. I prefer it in tight cover over my 22-250 as I don't need the longer barrel to obtain the best performance from it. If you plan on shooting distances over 250 yrds then go with the 22-250.
 
RWT
Thanks for the reply. I would encounter coyotes in the plains where distance could be a factor, but would a 223 be suitable for wolves in the woods where shots would be a lot shorter?
 
since the .22-.250 uses a good deal more powder to achieve slightly better velocity with the same weight bullets, I have found it 'louder'. Differences in barrel lengths can effect that as well.
a good 70 grain Barnes TSX bullet at close to, or over 3000fps, will do for a wolf just fine.
 
I like both of these rounds, but I would go with the 223, it is easier to find ammo, and cheaper. I would have to say the 22-250 is louder, but I havn't shot any in many years, but I remember thinking..wow, that was pretty loud.
Ear plugs are obviously a must for everyone! You can't fix those ears once they are gone..I have serious damage to my right ear from an accident in the Army, and I would love to have a time machine and go back to stop it from happening.
223 is plenty for coyotes by the way..and pretty accurate out at long range with the right combo (shooter and rifle)
 
I agree with the comments posted. Go with the 223 just because its less expensive and easier to find.
 
Mannlicher, gunknifenut, and jball1125
Thanks for the replies guys. I have the 223 ordered but while waiting I started second guessing myself so I just thought I'd do a bit more research.
 
The 22-250 is louder ! shot them both side by side several times ! But you will get a little more puch out of the 22-250 out past 300yds. BUT you can still make hits out to 600yds with the .223 once you learn the drop of the round you are using & get a good Mil-Dot scope & learn to use it ! I was busting kool-aid filled milk jugs at 600yds with my Savage model 12FV using a Busnell 4x12 mil-dot scope. And the ammo for the .223 is cheaper. You know the 270 is also a very good yote buster..flat shooting with more than enough KE to do the job ! Also look at the 204 Ruger....Flat shooting Dog buster !
 
223 is plenty for wolves if you do your part :-) A miss with a 50 cal is still a miss. A good solid hit with a 223 will anchor any canine. Nice thing about the AR is you have an immediate follow up.
 
Do you plan on keeping the furs? If so, pay attention to the type of bullet used! That will make a HUGE difference

Both .223 and 22-250 are great calibers. I bought a 250 in February at a local sporting good store for varmint because it was too good of a price. First time shooting it I must say that it was much louder than I anticipated..still not much more than the .223. If I had to go back I would probably go with the .223, because as others said, there is more variety in the ammo selection and it tends to be cheaper.
 
Ive owned and shot both.
223 is a great performer , cheaper ammo.
Plenty of power to kill coyotes.
 
I have also owned both. My Rem 788 was incredibly loud, much louder to me than .223. At the range people used to come up and ask me what I was shooting and I'd notice everyone holding their shots when I pulled the trigger. Maybe it was just that gun. The range of .22-250 is nice, but isn't really needed so I switched to .223. I use an ar now, but in cold weather it is important to keep your action dry or use a dry lube. It cost me a couple of coyotes last year as I went for shots and the action slowed to a crawl and I had to hit the forward assist multiple times to get it to go into battery.
 
My 788 in 22-250 is far and away my favorite rifle. The .223 is fun but that 22-250 is a blast.
I handload a 40 grain sierra hollowpoint at 4080 fps and it is spectacular on Coyotes.
 
I did love that gun too. My father in law let me have/borrow it for several years before taking it back. Holds a special place in his heart too I guess. I'll borrow it again eventually!
 
If you download your .270 with lower powered ammo and note the new zero, it is suddenly a varmint rifle. Hey tho, you neeeeeed a new rifle. Far be it from me to mess that up. Personally, .223 is FAR too loud for me to ever pull the trigger (again) w/o quality hearing protection.

I imagine that .22-250 is somewhat worse.

One of the reasons that I like downloading .30 caliber rifles as per Townsend Whelen is that you can take occasional shots at smaller game w/ 150 gr. soft points @ 1,500 fps and it isn't very hard on your hearing, at all. Crank of 3 or 5 .223's w/o protection and and you'll be looking around for that unseen ringing phone. For months. :(
 
Both are excellent calibers, I have been reloading for BOTH for over 20yrs and if I had to pick one it would be the 22-250, as a handloader I can always load it down to .223 if so desired. Hard to go wrong with either one really, but a .223 will never be a 22-250 but a 22-250 could be a .223.
 
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