.223 or .22-250 or 22 creed

[TheViking]

Decided I’m going to build/buy a .22 caliber gun. It’ll be used as a trainer gun, varmits (p-dogs, coyotes) and maybe a short range deer gun.

Cost goes to .223, then .22-250 and then creed.

22 creed is very limited right now and $40/box. I don’t shoot a ton, but I don’t want to be blowing money either. Do you see the creed taking off and getting more factory options in the near future?

22-250 is most appealing right now. I always lean towards a little more performance. But a 223 will smoke any varmint out there. There’s a big difference in drop over a few hundred yards between these two.

Oh, I’ll add that I do have an AR-15 already. Don’t shoot it a ton, just not a huge AR guy. But I do already own the 223 cartridge.

Any input? I wouldn’t say money isn’t an option, but it’s lower in my list of priorities.

 

[BradArnett]

How far are you needing to shoot? Just look at how far you get with the impact velocity you want for whatever ammo /bullet you want to use. Are you reloading or only buying factory ammo? Just reading what you posted says 223 to me.

 

[TheViking]

My range goes to 600.

Doubt I’ll ever be shooting critters that far, but I’ll be banging steel at that distance.

Factory ammo.

 

[PNWGATOR]

There is no substitute for a ‘trainer’/hunting .223.

Period.

 

[waspocrew]

I’d go 223.

 

[jonpall]

Seems like for a trainer and short range deer gun 223 is the way to go. Cheapest and easiest to shoot and plenty capable.

 

[SamsonMan22]

The 223 is the easy choice for that application.

 

[jcaud]

I grew up in a 22-250 family, it was the first center fire I ever shot, and was all I shot until I started deer hunting.

In college I bought a 22-250 and it was probably the best shooting gun I’ve ever owned. I took it yote hunting and had no problems out to 350 yds (about as far as you can see here) and had it on steel to 500 yds (about as far as I could see there). When it came time to look at needing a new barrel, I’d been reading the 223 thread here.

I needed up selling that gun and buying a Tikka 223 (sadly not going to be a 22-250 guy anymore). Let me tell you, I’m not sure it’s possible to have more fun that you can with that little gun. It shoots well, is cheap, and does pretty well anything a 22-250 can do, maybe even more since you can typically shoot heavier bullets.

Not saying I’ll never own a 22-250 again, but the 223 is just so much fun for varmints and plinking. I’ll be taking mine deer hunting as well next year. You wouldn’t regret it!

 

[PA farmboy]

I am biased towards 22-250 as well, been using one since I was a teen. Furthest I’ve used it on deer is 425 yards, usually using 50gr nosler ballistic tips.

 

[Hydra6]

223 no question for 600 and closer

 

[MHWASH]

I Have .223 & 22-250 AI, that used to be a standard 22-250. If you’re wanting a training rifle go 223. Even the recoil a 22-250 will be irritating after a while. With some dialing the 223 will reach out as far as you want to bang steel. Just make sure you get a properly twisted barrel.

 

[wind gypsy]

223.

The cheap ammo, zero recoil, low muzzle blast, and zero Fs given about length of strings or firing rate (in relation to barrel life) when you do have time at the range is real hard to replace.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

.223 for training and big game hunting inside 500ish yards.

22 Creedmoor for long range (800 plus yards on big game, 1,200 plus yards for target shooting).

 

[Lawnboi]

Agree you need a 223.


22 creed is a hot rod. I wouldn’t plan on doing any serious training with one.

 

[TheViking]

Appreciate all the responses. Tikka 223 is on the way!

 

[JRS3]

I have used all.

.223 makes the most sense, period. Works fine on deer and hogs. Lots of bullet choices. Ammo is the least expensive of the three and available.

I grew up shooting everything with a .22-250 and it has a special place in my heart. I used it as a licensed hog trapper during college
And it performed admirably. It’s still highly effective. I would recommend a fast twist barrel but it does put deer and hogs down better than a .223…..However….

I got a .22 CM this past year and it’s fantastic. It really does beat the .22-250 unfortunately, as much as I hate to admit. Doing it all over, I would take the .22 CM over the ‘250 but it wasn’t a thing when I started. Fast forward to today, I would take it over the 22-250.

It all depends on how much you plan to shoot. Plinking, high volume shooting, cost consideration, ammo selection, all point to the .223 and it performs just fine.

Selective range work but more specific hunting, then the .22 CM gets the nod. I really like my Vandal X.

 

[Packmansion]

Trying to piggy back on this thread if that is ok. I'm trying to do the same thing but my situation is different as I reload. Background is I have access to 1000 yard range, I shoot prairie dogs out to 600 yards for practice and I reload. Even my 6.5 creed struggles at 600 because a pdog at 600 is probably 0.5 moa or less. Thing is 6.5 cm uses more powder and bullets are a lot more expensive. I also reload everything I shoot. I also have a pile of Tikka that's overtime get prefits and I have one waiting however, I do not have a 223 bolt. I did the math and comparing high bc 22 and 6.5 bullets and powder volume I'll be saving $250 for every 1000 rounds. Considering I will likely shoot that every year maybe more.

22 creed:
Pros:
- designed for high bc bullets
- high quality brass
- uses standard bolt
- long range performance
- have the headspace gauge
Cons:
- barrel burner
- uses lots of powder
- I would try to find nodes at minimum to extend barrel life (I don't want to shoot out a barrel every year)

22-250
Pros:
- uses standard bolt
- could use with long action Tikka mags (I think)
- could get decent barrel life
Cons:
- brass availability is terrible
- I do not have a headspace gauge

223 rem
Pros:
- barrel life
- I've had great luck with LC brass and I have piles of it
- cheapest option
- If I can get 2700 fps I can get out to 1000 yards pretty easily
- I have a headspace gauge
Cons:
- 223 bolt need that
- Tikka magazine not long enough, need aftermarket
- 223 is not setup for high bc bullets need custom freebore (not a big deal just an extra step)

In summary, 223 has the highest upfront cost but it's a great long term gun for me. I will also shoot it more and extend the life of my other barrels. Any thoughts. I am struggling with the damn 223 bolt it's like $423 after shipping I can almost buy a barrel for that lol! A lot of other guns the bolt heads are like $150...

 

[Steve300xcw]

My range goes to 600.

Doubt I’ll ever be shooting critters that far, but I’ll be banging steel at that distance.

Factory ammo.

223 all day long

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Agree you need a 223.


22 creed is a hot rod. I wouldn’t plan on doing any serious training with one.

I’m with you, but since I started doing more training with my 22 Creed and 88 ELDM I’m getting plenty of ring and splash confirmation on targets out to 800-900ish yards. Meaning that I don’t need to step up to my 6mms or 6.5mms and I gain the benefits of less recoil from awkward and steep angle shots.

I’ve been shooting the 22 Creeds more and more lately as a true “point and click” and watching the hits come gun. It’s really fun.

 

[Packmansion]

I’m with you, but since I started doing more training with my 22 Creed and 88 ELDM I’m getting plenty of ring and splash confirmation on targets out to 800-900ish yards. Meaning that I don’t need to step up to my 6mms or 6.5mms and I gain the benefits of less recoil from awkward and steep angle shots.

I’ve been shooting the 22 Creeds more and more lately as a true “point and click” and watching the hits come gun. It’s really fun.

How many rounds do you shoot a year?