Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 22-250 vs 22-250 AI vs 243AI

Looking to build a varmint/predator rifle to go the long distance.

My target weight for bullet 60-80ish gr.

Is there much of a gain to go with the Ackley version of the 22-250 with a 1-9" barrel over the standard caliber?

I am currently reloading for my daughters .243 Improved so I have all the goodies needed.

What to do, what to do?

huntem... cartridges are a personal choice. The variance in FPS and ballistics are minimal for the cartridge in question. The only factor I would consider is the money involved in the difference between the two. Is the small gain in performance worth what you will pay to have the AI on the end of the name, and what it costs to load them?

wyckkedblue I agree with many of things you say. The rifle will soon get a new tube so that is a given. It is just boiling down to the diameter of the hole.

Cost certainly is a consideration but far from a deal breaker for the AI route.

Considering you already have the dies it seems like a no brainer for the 243AI to me. 6mm rem capacity while having a friendlier COAL in a SA, particularly with longer, high B.C. bullets.
I question targeting a bullet weight when talking two different calibers. Apples to apples comparing BC's while keeping in mind terminal performance and velocity is a better way to my way of thinking.
The 22-250 AI'd gains a meaningful capacity increase. With 75 gr. A-max's it is a real long range hammer. I'd go with a 1 in 8 twist however vs. a 1 in 9.
A 243AI shooting the 105 gr. A-max's however would be very hard to beat.FWIW.

HOW ABOUT A Catbird 6MM-270 WINCHESTER,MINE USES A 105gr Hornady AMAXS and is faster than a 240 Weatherby.

catbird is a really mean round, but It sounds like huntem has picked his two cartridges. Besides, he is going to re-barrel an action, and the 243 and 22-250 are SA, and the catbird is LA. would require an entirely different action, am I right here Huntem??

Yes this is correct. SS M700 SA



The target weight is not set in stone but more of a reflection that I would like to focus my attention on the medium-heavy end. From what I've read, I agree the 1-8 is starting to shine over the 1-9.

I posted this on your other thread as well.

Hi huntem, I've had a 1-8" twist 22-250 built for the 75Amax's and currently am running a 1-9" twist 243AI built for the 105Amax.

I'd (personally) go with the '250, or '250AI, IF (big if) your only going to be running the 60-80gr bullets. If I was going to be running the 243AI I'd go with the 105Amax and not look back. That's just my opinion from running them both. The '250 will also recoil less but spotting my own hits with my 243AI is doable. It's built with a 24" fluted Rock Creek barrel in Remington Varmint contour. With the Mark4 3.5-10x40 it weighs in at 10.8# all-up, as pictured below. With the scope cranked up to 10x I can still spot my own shots through the scope even as close as 100yds.

You say you want to run them long distance. How far are you talking? Either one will get you to the 1K line easily. I'm not leaning on the 243AI too hard and the 105's are running at around 3100. My '250 ran 75's at 3300. Both rifles would get to 1000yds with sub 25MOA corrections. Ironically the '250/75Amax drop data was almost the same as my 243AI/105 drop data, but the higher BC 105 does slip the wind better and drifts less at distance, which is a big thing for me. I need all the help I can get with wind calls.

It's a tough call between the chamberings. Good luck with whichever route you go!!!

Sorry for the post,I didn't think about the action before I posted.

I'd run the .243AI. More versatile than the .22-250 in bullet weights, and the 105 Berger VLD is a wicked long range option.

I would get the 22-250AI. The woodchucks and other varmints I shot with the 22-250 did not die,and the cases pulled in two pieces on the first firing.

Bob
The 22/250 is not suitable for anything smaller than elk!

220 swift.

Fred:....I forgot...

Good grief.

Oh well.....Northern Dave has the right idea anyway.Make mine a Swift