22-250 , 223 , or 22 swift

[riflehunter583 58]

i'm planning to put in for one of the above, but cannot decide which.

 

my main concerns are:

 

1. relaoding costs.

2. accuracy up to 300 yards.

3. barrel life.

 

has anyone regularly shot and compared the three?

Edited September 28, 2012 by riflehunter583

[roe-buck 63]

I used a 22.250 for years and found it to be a really versatile calibre ,accurate and hrd hitting.I shot mostly Roe in Scotland with mine,,never had a runner.Devastated foxes with Noslers!I think you would do well with this calibre.220 Swift is hard on barrels, get throat erosion on the chamber etc.

[charlie caller 3,654]

i'm planning to put in for one of the above, but cannot decide which.

 

my main concerns are:

 

1. relaoding costs.

2. accuracy up to 300 yards.

3. barrel life.

 

has anyone regularly shot and compared the three?

The swift and the .22-250 are more powerful than .223 obviously, I know a guy with a swift hes had for 20 years same barrel,and it shoots .50 inch groups with handloads at 200 yds, it is a fallacy that the swift is hard on tubes, no harder than a .22-250 in fact,lets face it they fire the same bullet,at very similar loads, in fact the .22-250 can be stoked up to very slightly exeed swift velocity,the only reason I would choose a .22-250 over a swift is availibility of factory brass but it is one hell of a fox or small deer round,assuming your ground is passed for it why not a .243, legal for every deer species and will out perform all the .22 cf with a 55 gn or similar. Edited September 28, 2012 by charlie caller

[riflehunter583 58]

thanks guys.

a big factor for me is reload ammo cost.

 

the land is safe for a .243.

sadly i've not seen any deer on it tho.

i supose the only way to find out is to chat with my local fo who covers that area. my guess is no deer no .243.

Edited September 29, 2012 by riflehunter583

[sikastag_1 689]

I shoot a 22-250 mate and love it, shot a lot of roe and foxes with it, excellent foxing round, heard people say its too fast a bullet for roe etc what a load of rubbish every roe iv shot with it has dropped on the spot.

[jamie g 17]

If your worried about ammo costs then 223 will be abit cheaper to run. All depends on how much shooting you do.

if you dont shoot a massive amount then the saving wont really be much in it.

 

The 220 swift is a cracking calibre no doubt. But as the other guys said. 22/250 and 223 have a great amount

of brass out for them. Factory ammo is about if you need it. Where the swift isn't always stocked.

 

The 223 is easier to sell on if you need to. 22/250 dont sell as well second-hand. But will sell easier then a 220 swift.

People are scared to buy the faster 22cf rounds. I dont know why. Because all you have to do is have a good check over of it. look at throat and rifling. Crown etc. If unsure get a smith to look over it.

 

If buying from a dealer you have a bit of back up to if all is not well with the rifle.

 

I've had a couple of 22/250's and that was my 1st cf so I have a soft spot for this calibre. Great foxing round. Des it do anymore then a 223? Well depends where you shoot and what distance. My 22/250 is a 12very twist and best twist for it imo. Will shoot 40's if you want light and super fast.

 

Or will shoot Upto 63 grain bullets if you wanted to a heavier more suited bullet for muntjac here in england or roe in scotland

Edited September 29, 2012 by jamie g

[jamie g 17]

Sorry about some of my spelling. As im on my mobile the bloody predictive text on the phone changes some of the words grrrr

[zx10mike 137]

.223 all the way

[beast 1,884]

i had use of a ruger 223 for some years,a nd found it excellent. but im no great expert to be honest, just got on really well with this particular weapon.

[FOXHUNTER 5,021]

Another for the .22/250

[riflehunter583 58]

Sorry about some of my spelling. As im on my mobile the bloody predictive text on the phone changes some of the words grrrr

 

dam that predictive texting!!

ta for the comments

 

aside from reloading kit, how much per reload is it costing people for the .223 and 22-250?

[charlie caller 3,654]

Sorry about some of my spelling. As im on my mobile the bloody predictive text on the phone changes some of the words grrrr

 

dam that predictive texting!!

ta for the comments

 

aside from reloading kit, how much per reload is it costing people for the .223 and 22-250?

I dont reload .22-250 or .223 however I do reload .243 and I reckon about 38 pence a bang, so the two former calibres should be a little bit less, you would be better with a .22-250 in my opinion mate, why not have the extra reach and stopping power if you can? just make sure if you buy second hand, you give the throat area a good check preferably by a gunsmith with a borescope, everyone I know that shoots .22-250 love them and would not change em for anything.

[Skull Hooker 185]

If this rifles just for foxing, and if so,have you considered .204 Ruger?

I got one as my dedicated NV rifle, and I cant fault it for speed ( potentially 4100fps with 32gr V max), accuracy ( <0.5" at 100yds) and knock down power.

I reload 39gr bullets and nothing gets up.

Cheap to reload.

[riflehunter583 58]

Mainly foxing not much in the way of deer on my land. I have considered .17 and it sounds like .204 might be similar in terms of speed and accuracy.

 

Its more ammo cost as I would be using it for target shooting as well as general vermin control on a few windy spots.

Edited October 1, 2012 by riflehunter583

[tegater 789]

I've got to agree with the stalker, have you considered the 243, it is probably the most versatile of all the common calibres. Great for fox, great for roe, and good for reds if the shot placement is good. The round is fast, easily reloaded and a good variety of bullet weight is available.

 

The only reason I mention reds and roe, is that if you have the rifle to shoot them, you never know what opportunities you may take up!

 

Out of the 3 calibres you mention for fox, the 22-250 is the only one I have any experience of for that quarry and it is devastating.