RE: 17 hmr vs 22-250
The .22-250 is a lot of varmit gun, and a big jump from the 17! The 250 is a great long distance shooter. Iwould guess the 55 gr. soft point would be the least expandable vs. hollow points. and do the least amount of belt damage.I know you said you didn't want to get a new gun, but do some research regarding the .223 in 50 grain Winchester Ballistic silver tips. If you zero your gun@ 200 yds.: you are +1.5 @ 50, +1.2 @ 100, +1.2 @ 150, Zero @ 200 and-6.4@ 300 yds. You can aim at the top of the back @ 300 yds. and hit mid dog.