223. question

[270 win.]

I just found out were heading to Wyoming to do some prairie dog hunting. My dad is shooting a 22-250 and I went out and bought me a remington model 700 223. My question is were would i hold at 500yrds. I am just wanting a reference because were heading out next weekend to really get familiar with the gun. Thanks

[hardcorehunter]

Here is a ballistic chart. 55 gr VMAX shows 45 inch drop. http://www.gunsandammomag.com/ballistics/?url=%2Fballistics%2F223_remington.html&x=8&am p;y=6 The 22.250 in same bullet is 34''. The 22.250 is the king of varmint rifles IMO.

[FastShootingCarts]

ORIGINAL: hardcorehunter

The 22.250 is the king of varmint rifles IMO.

I agree.

[James B]

Shooters of the 220 swift might not agree. But all things considered, the 22-250 is near the top. Do the AI conversion, then you really have a winner. Its cheap and will double case life, at least. Plus add a little velocity as a rule. Out to 300-350 the 223 will do a good job a lot cheaper.

[redhead522]

Just remember not to shoot military 5.56mm loads, even though they're the same dimensions,the .223 chamber isn't designed for this level of pressure. A mistake I see lots of people make.

[DANTHEHUNTER]

I am one of those .220 swift shooters !!!!! You should work on getting that rifle shooting good to 300 yards. That is not the max range , just a good starting point.

[ShatoDavis]

I HAVE TO TOTALLY DISAGREE. With the comments that the 250 and swift ar the ultimate varmint rounds. Neither one is worth a darn in a dog town. They use too much powder and heat up the barrels way too quickly. I'd take the good ole 223 anyday over a 250 or swift. Let me tell you something from experience not just hyperbole. Your dad will be wishing he had your 223 when he's waiting for his 250 to cool while you are blasting dogs and laughing. I myself think that the 221 fireball is the ultimate varmint gun. very little powder, little to no barrel heating, accurate as hell, No recoil......

To answer your question about 500 yards.......GOOD LUCK! There will most likely be about a 30 MPH crosswind (always is) so I would quess 60 inches of drop and 60 inches of windage.

[hardcorehunter]

You should bring lots of varmint rifles with you to allow your guns to cool. The 22.250 is the king of varmint rifles and much more of an accurate round then the .220 swift or.221 fireball. The .204 is another very flat, accurate round. The 22.250 is way flatter then a .223. I own both and hunt with both. All my varmint rifles are bull bbls and I wouldn't go pdog hunting with a sporter bbl.

[700bdl870exp]

i agree completely with shatodavis. the 223 doesnt heat up much and does the same damage out to about 350 that the 250 does but at a more economicle price. the 22 hornet isnt a bad medium range gun for them either and about the 500 yrds. good luck. thats a long shot with a light bullet. it is done but it takes alot of practice.

[North Texan]

There is no king of varmint rifles. If there was, we'd all be shooting the same thing.

With ANY .224 caliber bullet, wind drift makes any shots past 300 yards as much luck as skill unless you have wind flags about every50 yards.