RE: .223 or 22-250?
 

Stuff any case full of the wrong powder and throat erosion can occur. The whole barrel burner crap pretty much went out the window with powder development and modern load data.

RE: .223 or 22-250?
 

Also, how important are the heavy, fluted barrels on target/varmint rifles. (I guess the fluting is designed to disipate heat... is this important for target shooting?) I'm all for accuracy, but I don't want too much weight since I have a bad back.

RE: .223 or 22-250?
 

22-250:D

RE: .223 or 22-250?
 

It all depends what you're target is. I know this might sound a bit odd, but have you talked to any .17 Remington owners? I'm not talking about that ridiculous 17HMR stuff, I'm talking about real .17 Remington. Dead accurate 300+ yard shots are commonplace with that round, perfect for varminting anything from mice to 'yotes. Virtually no recoil, accurate past 300+ yards, and high velocity. It doesn't explode prairie dogs like a 22-250, but it doesn't destroy coyote pelts, either. It kills very cleanly.

Now, before any of you come out of the woodwork to try to spread more myth and misinformation about this round, please see the following article about 17 Rem that sets the record straight. It is written by a .17 REM owner. I have to confess, it is one of the best articles I've ever read in terms of trying to learn about any particular round (the mythology index in the sport of firearms is astounding).

http://www.coyotegods.com/pagepart15.html

I for one plan on buying a good .17 Rem. for Prairie Dogging that won't embarrass me like a 17HMR or break the bank like a 22-250 or a swift. It will be my "middle" rifle between my 223 (200+ yards) and my 22-250 (400+). Again, this is a rifle that has great accuracy, long range, and little recoil, allowing you to see the target take the hit through the scope.

RE: .223 or 22-250?
 

If you are going to get into prairie dog towns, you must have at least have two rifles or a huge amount of self control, so as not to overheat a barrel. I have a Tikka Sporter in 223, a Savage varminter in 22-250 and a custom built WWII Mauser with very heavy barrel in .243Win. If I had to dump one, it would be the 22-250. If I could only keep one, it would be the 22-250. The heavier bullets that I can load for the .243Win will get me the range that I want, with a little less effect from wind. The .223 is deadly on anything within 300 yards and the 22-250 is left in the middle. The varmint stock and heavy barrel on the .243Win make the recoil so light, that I can observe the impact of my bullet. Just as a side note: The Tikka has mounted a Taiwan made Tasco 6-24x40 scope, while the Savage sports a Burris Signature 6-24x40 scope. I have never seen any advantage to the Burris, over the Tasco, although the Burris set me back four times as much money. The Mauser in .243 is mounted with a very old 24X Unertl, which while still serviceable, is inferior to either the Tasco or the Burris optics.

RE: .223 or 22-250?
 

220 SWIFT !!!!! so my answer is neither!!!!!!

RE: .223 or 22-250?
 

i would go with the 22-250 even though the 223 ammo is alot cheaper because you could buy army surplus bullets, but the would stip out your rifling preaty fast. go with the 22-250

RE: .223 or 22-250?
 

22-250 I have both and even though I have extensive experience with the .223 at distances considered extreme to this posting (out to 500 yds without optical sight), I still prefer the 22-250. If you purchase the heavy barreled version of whatever rifle brand you choose (I suggest it) there will not be a substancial gain in recoil over the .223.

Surplus military ammo for the .223 usually will not be corrosive and will not "burn out" your barrel any faster than factory ammo. As for price if you are using quality ammo you will not see a great difference in price. If you are looking for accuracy I'm sure you will not be shooting cheap military surplus or the cheap Russian made ammo anyway. The bullet design of the military ammo will not perform on small game as you might expect. A FMJ round will not expand greatly from a 223, much less with a steel core vrs. a lead core.