.223 or .22-250?

[Zachary]

I am planning on starting to hunt varmints, including everything from groundhogs to the 'yotes.  

I am new to this type of hunting and was wondering what caliber you all think would be better, the .223 or .22-250?  

Also, what about rifles?  I was thinking about either the Remington VS (Varmint Synthetic) or Savage 12 FVSS.  

Any thoughts?

Zachary

[KN]

I shoot P-dogs with a rem 700 VS in 22/250, they are great guns. I also use a savage 110 tactical in 25/06 for the long shots. It shoots equally as well as my Rem. I wouldn't be afraid of either one. KN

[Old Syko]

The 22-250 or 220 Swift are my choices.  More velocity and range than the 223 but at the cost of more noise, and throat erosion that will become an issue after 3500 to 5500 rounds.

[Dogshooter]

Zachary, I would say that it all depends on where you are going to be hunting. Do you have any reason to be concerned about noise. wind, cost of factory ammo. Do you reload? How long do you think most of your shots will be? Lots of questions, but I'd ask more if you are only gonna have one rifle. Any caliber will do the job, but there is bound to be one that will do what YOU want to do better than the others. Good luck on your final choice and get out there and kill a coyote for me.........(I just HATE them critters) :wink:

[jhm]

Zachary I have both calibers and probably use the 223 the most I use the 22-250 more when we are doing our serious lets go and get some yotes days when we set up for a full day of calling but for shorter range work and casual couple hrs in the am its usually the 223 as I just seem to like it.  Cost can come into the picture if you dont reload also.  My rifles at present are a ruger mark 2/  howa 1500/ interarms mark x so just pick up a rifle and a wounded rabbit call some camo and sneek into the woods and start calling and have sime fun.   JIM

[Smallie34]

I am really partial to the 223, I have a Remington 700VS that is deadly, I also have a 700VLS in 22-250 that is nice, as far as which one I would pick I guess it really depends on how far you think your shots will be, if I were you though and was seriously thinking about getting into the sport I would have both of them over time, I am partial to Remington rifles but Savage makes a fine rifle as well.

[swede7]

I use a Ruger VT in 22-250 if I plan on doing lots of glassing for bedded or roaming coyotes or fox, but if I get in a little thicker cover and start calling with a chance for a longer shot, I use an AR in .223, either would probably do the other's job, but it's nice having a fast second or... when calling in some of the bottom land. Really thick? Then it's 3 1/2" 12 time.

[Ladobe]

Since there has been lots of good replys above leaning to either side of the age old 223 vs 22 Varminter issue, guess I'll take the middle road to give you something else to consider.   The best of both worlds would be to go with a 22BR.   That said...

I have several 223's (rifles and pistols), 222's and 221's (rifles and pistols), and have had several 22/250's (rifles and pistols), although I am down to a single Browning High Wall in that caliber right now... and some 22cal wildcats reside with me as well.    Kind of tried most of them over the years I guess.   Since you commented about going for everything from diggers up to coyotes AND want one gun to do it all while your get your feet wet... I'd bet 90-95% of your shooting could be handled just fine with a 223.   If you don't reload and can only have one gun, my vote would also be to get a 223.    Every hunter should have at least one of them.

Have heard lots of good things about the Savage's, and they are a fairly cheap way to get in for the first timer - well worth your checking into them.    My tastes go to the Remington's, Browning's and Cooper's, and  I am having very good luck with all of them.  
Since you mentioned the 700VS... I have one in 223 with a 2 ounce comp trigger and Leupold LR scope that my digger hunting pards call The Black Death - for good reason.   It takes very few prisoners (I call it The Modgitator).   The 700VS 223's are tack drivers right out of the box (so where does "tacks" fall between diggers and coyotes?).    :wink:

Whichever way you finally go, welcome to the world of P&V calling and hunting.   BTW, kiss your wife and kids goodbye before you start... you won't be seeing much of them anymore.   :lol:  

Ladobe

[yote killer]

I would use the 22-250

[Leon Garfield]

So what is the maximum effective range of a 223 with a 50 gr. spitzer?

[Ladobe]

Big T, your question is way to general to get an answer with any kind of validity to it pard.   Too many variables - would takes pages to go over all of them here.    Narrow it down a bit... what is the intended target, what firearm, scope, loads being shot - would be a starting place.   What about field conditions or the ability of the guy yanking the trigger - will also be a big factor.    

I currently have 4 223's - the one I use for predator calling does a number on coyotes, for example, as far as I want to shoot them, but it wouldn't come close to the effective range of the one's I use in the digger fields where shots are very, very long, and the targets small and easier to kill.   I just built them for different purposes.    

HTH

[Leon Garfield]

Well I am thinking of getting a Encore 24" or 26 " rifle barrel. I will be using a 50 spitzer not sure of exact load yet. I have a 4.5-14 power scope. I am thinking If it will do woochucks, crows and yotes out 250 yards. I do have a 22-250 in a 26" barrel for my Encore if I want to shoot further. I felt the 223 would be cheaper to shoot and a fun toy. I have one in a 15" barrel and love it for 100 yards or under....Thanks