For big game hunting the 30-06 is often mentioned as the cartridge that can handle all non dangerous big game. If you were to have one rifle for all of your big game hunting (non dangerous) the 30-06 is often the cartridge most recomended. I understand that it is not the best for every situation but it is workable in most. It is a jack of all trades but master of none. What is the varmint cartridge that fills this same nich? Is it the 223 or the 22-250. If you were to have one rifle for all of your varmint hunting which caliber would it be, the 223 or the 22-250. I understand that the 223 recoils less and is more economical. The 22-250 has more power and range. Both are equally available. Which cartridge would you choose. The rifle I am considering is the Remington 700 VSF with a Burris 4-16x50 Black Diamond scope in Burris Signature Dual Dovetail mounts. I appreciate any comments.

The all arounder goes to 22-250.

But I got a 223. If I want to get bewteen 223 power and 30-06 power, I will get a 243.

BMT

I have used alot of the varmint calibers from .204, .223. .22-250 and so on and have ended up using a steyr prohunter in .243. I think the .243 is an excellent choice for long range varminting. but just between .223 or 22-250 I think I would do a 22-250

For larger varmints ('yotes, fox, bobcat, etc.), probably the 22-250 would better fit your needs. But if you're going to be shooting primarily gophers and/or prairie dogs with the occasional larger varmint thrown in.....I'd pick the .223

I just sold my 22-250 because I primarily hunt PD's and gophers and the recoil, whether minimal or not, is just enough to not allow me the satisfaction of seeing my hits....which is the whole idea of varmint huntin' for me. The .223 has so very little muzzle jump that I can see every hit or miss, but either way I can see how to adjust from viewing the impact points. At most shootable ranges, less the furthest shots one might try as a Hail Mary attempt, the .223 has easily handled all that I've required of it.

Deciding what you primarily intend to hunt will better your odds of ending up with the more appropriate of the 2 calibers.

Good choice in scope magnification by the way..........

Good luck.

223

MagnumB said "For larger varmints ('yotes, fox, bobcat, etc.), probably the 22-250 would better fit your needs. But if you're going to be shooting primarily gophers and/or prairie dogs with the occasional larger varmint thrown in.....I'd pick the .223"

I agree with Magnumb.

However, I strongly encourage the use of the 22-250 on coyotes etc. Much more authoritative than the 223 in my experience.

204 ruger is a nice PD round, and works great for yotes under 200 (my range pref.)

Biggest benefit - you can see your hits

Spot

22-250

223 .........

I would go with the 22-250 out of the two, but my all time favorite is the 220 swift!!

I sold my 22-250 to get a 223 and I loved the 250. For high volume pd shooting and a round that is adequate for coyotes to 300 yards, it is hard to beat the 223.

how far is long range? a proper 223 will kill most waaay out there.... i would jump to the 243 after that but thats just my opinion...

sanford

Yes...the 223 will shoot a long way...with the right scope/rifle/loads/shooter...although I have a std 223 SS/syn Tikka...I prefer this heavy Pac Nor 223 AI shown in pic..the 12 twist shoots 55 Nosler BTs very well out to 600+ yds...after that the 6BR or 6XC come out...green strip in center of pic is 550 yd 'p/dog arena'

That pic gives me the shakes. 2 more weeks and I'll be overlookin' that same type of terrain for the 3rd time this year.

Nice set-up by the way. These overlooks and distances make my Geovids indispensable. See five "diggers", range 'em all at once, check the stock drop chart................red mist.

"There's nothin' like the sprinkling of red mist in the mornin'"......or something like that. Yes....I have it bad........grin.

I prefer the 223 as an all around varminter. From there I jump straight past the 22-250 to the 243.

Fast twist 223

It really boils down to what is your primary focus.

If you mainly shoot PD and ground squirrels and don't think you would shoot coyotes beyond 300yds, the 223 is the way to go.

If you primarily hunt coyotes etc and main need to drop them at 400-450yds, the 22-250 is by far better for that purpose.

You could also consider the 204, which is not a bad compromise of features; low recoil (like 223, or less), lower powder consumption (than 22-250), flat trajectory (like 22-250), retained energy.

I started with a .22/250 because Remington had just discontinued the .222 Magnum
in their model 700s (1970-ish).

IF you are shooting high volume at small varmits at sane ranges the .223 is probably the way to go.

If you are shooting lower volume at larger varmints (coyote, rockchucks, etc)
the .22/250 COULD offer an advantage. For the average person I don't think
that it offers much more uasable range. This is especially true when the .223 is uased with lighter weight plastic tipped bullets.

Both rounds are great, and I loaded .223 class loads for extended shooting
sessions in the .22/250 when it was my only rifle.

In the last 35 years I have owned and loaded .22 Hornet, .222, .223, Swift, and 22/250. All have been fun to shoot.

If limited to just ONE today I wold probably look at a standard weight Ruger 77 MKII
in .223. I would put a 4.5-14 Leupold, adjust the trigger to a light, crisp pull and
get to shootin'.

YMMV

Bob

223 is best i have one in 223 ai and 223 best i have used had a 22-250 sold it and not looking back

+1 - Fast twist 223 will kill them all every time. plus it is cheaper to shoot over the long run. Especially if you run factory fodder at all.

Given the rifle you are looking at (VSF) I might lean towards the 22-250 as I Have a preference for the faster twist .223�s also.
Should you be willing to break away from the VSF I might give serious consideration to a Kevlar stocked CZ527 in .223, which is a 1 in 9 twist.

The CZ527 .223 which I shoot does extremely well in the accuracy department with bullets from 45-grains up to 68 grains. I honestly would be surprised if the CZ would not cover your needs. And I cant help but think you would love the set trigger.

Be warned that some folks do not care for the higher scope mounting requirements necessary on the CZ 527 due to the bolt handle configuration. If you can get past the scope height and the clip that hangs out in the open you will likely go for the CZ 527 in a Kevlar .223 package.

Jeez, the obvious answer is to have both - a lighter 22-250 for calling coyotes and a varmint 223 setup. That's what I've done.

Or fast and far with 223 Ackley....just a thought.

Then there is always the 225Win!!

I have a .243 with a 4-12 50mm scope and I think, for me, it's a perfect gun. Great knock-down power (with a 100 grain projectile, I know it's more than I need). It still has extremely good accuracy at longer ranges.

i shoot more 223 a year than anyother, i prefer a 243 to the 22-250, 55g at 4k gets the job done and you can up the bullet weight if your inclined, i feel if i need more pop than a 223 ill step up to my 243, instead of pushing a .223 bullet faster

223 recoils less, holds more rounds in the pocket, and you can shoot it alot more, i was shooting last week i had my #6 223 ackley and my bud has his 22-250 imp sendero contoured gun, lets just say i could shoot 20 shots to his 8 and our barrels were about the same heat wise ill take the loss in velocity anyday and stick to my 223

I personally like the .22-250 as the answer to your question. These guys make a lot of sense though. Use the .223, and if you need more than that, go with the .243. I have never been in the situation to only use one gun. I have a .22-250, but it is too heavy to pack around for coyote hunting. I have a .243 which is what i tend to ue for that now. I also have the .223, but its in the AR platform. I never know what I am going to use.

204

Lots of replies for everyones favorite. As an all-rounder, as asked, I think the 223 gets it hands down. With the 223 you've got enough power for the predators. Plenty of range for the P-dogs. Light recoil. It is the cheapest to shoot. Anything else and you are gettin' into a niche. Of coarse some folks will argue the 300 win mag is the all rounder for big game.

223 = 30/06
22-250 = 300 win mag

I had a VSSF 22-250 topped w/ a VXIII 6.5-20x40 that I thought would be the last varmint rifle I ever owned until I purchased a Colt CAR-15 in 223 Rem. That Colt CAR was just as accurate and a light-recoiling 223 is, IME, tops for varminting. Having 20 or 30 round mags is as handy as it gets. The fast follow-ups help with coyotes on the run and also allow for multiple kills on prairie dogs (target-rich environment ) before they hit their hole(s)!

I sold the 22-250 BTW and stuck with the 223Rem and am glad I did. If I need more horse-power, I'd build a 223AI and skip a 22-250 or jump up to a 243Win (or just use my 270Win) if I wanted something for LONG range shooting in windy conditions....

Couldn't have said it better............

The .22-250 is indeed a better all-arounder varminter than other .224's because of popularity and ammo (or brass) availability - even over the .224 Wea, .220 Swooft or .22 BR and the Cheetah's .....

But like BMT my choices for varmints are the .223Remy complemented by the .243Win.

.223Remy is much cheaper to shoot than the '250, whether you reload or not.

Between the .223 and the .22-250, I chose a .223. I use my M700 ADL for mainly hunting coyotes called in with my Foxpro FX3 so the added range of the .22-250 isn't required. The price, availability and sheer variety of .223 factory ammo alone is overwhelming. It isn't for everybody, but the little .223 floats my boat just fine

This coyote was hanging around my wife's chicken coop earlier this summer...big mistake...

222 mag...the original 223AI...

I also am a swift lover, have had a number and are the most consistently accurate and effective rifle I have ever had. the 22 250 will do all the 223 will do ,but not vice versa. ......another pilot

Ar15a292f: The answer to your question for the best "all around Varminting" caliber is... the 204 Ruger!
The 204 Ruger is MUCH more suited for all around Varminting (from Ground Squirrels to Coyotes and from Rock Chucks to Crows) than the 22-250. Simply to much recoil, to much barrel heat, to much pelt damage and to much expense with the 22-250. I believe the 204 has an accuracy edge over the 22-250 as well, and the aforementioned lack of recoil and slow to heat barrel features of the 204 are great plus's for "all around Varminting"! I own 4 (four) Rifles in caliber 204 Ruger right now and have owned, and own now, probably 20 Rifles in caliber 22-250. The 204 in my experience does have the accuracy edge over the fine 22-250!
AS far as the 223 vs. 204 goes well there simply is NO comparison there! The 204 Ruger outshines the 223 in every category I can think of. And I am not saying the 223 is a slouch as I presently shoot 9 (nine) of them myself.
I have taken all manner of Varmints with my 204's including Weasels, Skunks, Porcupines, Snowshoe Hares, Rock Chucks, Ground Squirrels, Coyotes, Fox, Jack Rabbits, feral cats, Prairie Dogs, Badgers along with several types of flying Varmints - the 204 Ruger is lacking in NOTHING when it comes to these types of Varmints!
Find a good set of ballistic and trajectory charts and check out the impressive performance of the 204 Ruger! Then add in the other fine characteristics of the 204 like superb accuracy, lack of recoil, slowness to heat barrels, reloading economics, barrel life, long brass life, etc etc etc and you will be HAPPY with a 204! And not just "make do" or "get along" happy but genuinely "impressed with happy" with the 204!
I highly recommend the 204 Ruger for the "one Rifle" Varmint Hunter!
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

They are both good rounds. In the past I would have said you could get a little more range out of the .22-250, but with the advent of slow-twist barrels and heavier bullets in the .223, I doubt if that is the case anymore. The .223 may be a little more fur-friendly. The .22-250 will definitely yield higher velocity. I bought a Tikka 595 Whitetail Hunter in .223, but I could just have easily bought a .22-250. I may get one yet. It's a tried and proven round. One advantage to the .22-250, which is now becoming apparent, is that wars do not affect it's availability. The Winchester white box bulk 45 gr. HP loads that my Tikka likes have disappeared since Winchester went into heavy-duty production of .223 ammo for the wars. The bottom line is that you have a win-win proposition either way, as they are both good rounds. I also like the .17 Remington, the .17 Fireball, and the 204 Ruger.

Stubbleduck: There are better "all around" 224 caliber Varmint cartridges than the 22-250 and I will list for you some of the main attributes of the 22-250 that knock it out of the running for "best all around 224 Varmint cartridge" - here goes - its relatively heavy recoil which eliminates on most shots the shooters ability to spot his own hits, also the larger and less economical powder charges (I use 38.0 grs of powder in one of my Varminting 22-250's! - as compared to say a 223 of which in one of mine I use has a powder charge of 21.0 grs!), hand in hand with the size of the powder charge of the 22-250 vs. say a 223 is the high heats developed by the 22-250. A hot barrel shooting stoppage occurs much quicker (with fewer shots!) and more often with a 22-250 than say a 223 or a 22 B.R.! Also, this factor MUST be taken into consideration anymore when comparing "all around Varmint calibers", is the cost of barrel replacement! This cost (which anymore is QUITE considerable!) will visit upon the 222 or 223 user MUCH less often than with the 22-250 user - I KNOW, I been there!
The thought of taking a 22-250 into a Ground Squirrel Colony just makes me cringe!
There are so many cartridges (in 224 caliber) that are MUCH more well suited for that duty and still stay ahead of the 22-250 in the running as the best 224 caliber all around Varmint cartridge (does everything else quite well!)!
Let alone the 22-250's low rating in the fur friendly arena of "all around 224 Varmint cartridge"! Again the 222, 221, 223 and etc displace the 22-250 from the running!
I presently shoot 5 Varmint Rifles in caliber 22-250 and have owned and shot at least a dozen more over the last four decades. I own both custom and factory stock 22-250's including a wonderful 40XB in this caliber - it has been proven to me, BY ME, that both the 222 Remington and the 223 Remington calibers are consistently more accurate in comparable Rifles (with comparable scopes!).
Accuracy, recoil, barrel heat, brass costs, brass life, fur friendliness, barrel heat, barrel life, powder charge size and many other factors ELIMINATES the fine 22-250 from any chance at being "the best 224 all around Varmint cartridge"!
I host about 25 to 30 Varmint Hunting friends each year for some high volume Ground Squirrel Varmint Hunting - all manner of 224 calibered Rifles showed up this year including 222's, 223's, 221 Fireballs but NOT ONE 22-250! Its just TO MUCH for this high volume (and VERY popular!) Varminting endeavor!
The 22-250 is a more popular cartridge for Rock Chuck Hunting and Prairie Dogging but its "down side" does not go away when used here - the shooter must stop firing it sooner and more often due to barrel heat, and the shooter needs to rely on a spotter more often than with say a 223 or 222 due to recoil!
Don't get me wrong I admire the 22-250 in many ways and like I say I have 5 Rifles right now in this caliber BUT it is not "the best all around 224 caliber Varminter".
Period.
Long live the 22-250!
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I've shot a pile of coyotes and never had an exit. I shoot the 50 gr V-max. In fact, I just waxed 2 of them yesterday morning. One shot in the head, the other in the lungs. Neither exited.

One rifle for varmints, thats an easy choice for me: .223 in an AR platform with good optics. There are alot of great choices in varmint rifles and calibers, and as much as I love my bolt guns, none of them allow me the "big Grin" factor that the AR does when misting rodents, the lack of muzzle lifting allows me to see every hit in the scope, or miss as the case may be, every time, and thats hard not to like. P-dogs to yotes, the .223 gets it done, and besides, the gun grabbing liberal democratic socialists really get annoyed with them, and I like to think Jim Zumbo loses a little sleep at night when you take to the field with one.

Jordan Smith: In which caliber are you shooting the 50 gr. V-Max's that "never" exit (create extra pelt damage with the additional holes?)?
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

No doubt for me, if I had to choose it would be the 22/250. In any manner it can do what the competition does but you can't say the same about the others.

No doubt, the 22/250 rules when it comes to this stuff.

More fun things for gun loonies to chat about I guess.

Dober

22-250 hands down

The 204 would have to be my all time favorite. Very little recoil, can see your impacts through the scope, and the barrel doesn't heat up near as much as the bigger cals.
Oh yes, and unbelievable accuracy.