Rifle caliber question

[chevyhater01]

I'm looking a buying a bolt action rifle and found what I want but they offer it in multiple caliber's. What are some opinions on which way I should go.

They offer the rifle in .22-250, .223, and .308

I have no personal experience with the 22-250. The 223 would do the job but if I wanted to ever shoot long distance it wouldn't be the best. I'm leaning towards the .308.

I do not hunt except for varmint removal on our property. I mainly just target shoot for fun. Probably wouldn't shoot anything over 250yrds I don't plan on shooting long distance but it would be nice to have the capability if I were to get into that.

Would you agree that the .308 would be the best option for what I'm looking to do if not please explain why.

[Shaithis]

Subscribing to this. I've been kicking around the idea of a good, yet on the cheaper side, bolt action to reach out and touch a target if need be. I was thinking of a .308 as well. So what say the experts?

[JimD]

Damn, how big a varmint you need with a 308? And #2, go price a box of rounds. .223 a fairly cheap.

[jrstang]

Would really depend on what you want to spend on ammo .308 cost more. For my long range Varmints I personally use a .308. Now if I am shooting varmints in the 200yard and under range I will use the .223 .

Allot will depend on the type of varmints you are shooting also.Just in my opinion.

[chevyhater01]

Well right now I wouldn't be shooting anything further than 250yrds or so but if and that's a big IF I get into distance shooting like say 1000yrd a .223 wouldn't get me there correct.

I figure why not just get the .308 now and have fun with it and it would give me what I needed to go the distance if I were to choose so later.

This is not something I'd be pumping hundreds of rounds through so ammo cost would not be a major concern for me I have other rifles for that.

The way I see it I could buy one rifle to do it all sort of instead of buying another later on.

[mightyp]

.223 is cheap too shoot, little to no recoil, 22-250 more exp ammo, more velocity/more range, .308 much bigger bullet, more recoil(still not bad at all), more versital for bigger critters, more punch down range. I think the 308 is a great round.

[1lo94]

i would go with the 308 my brother just built one and it is an awsome gun you can do anything with it and you wont run out of gun.....but it is a little pricey to shoot often

[NTexas_V-Star]

.223 is cheap too shoot, little to no recoil, 22-250 more exp ammo, more velocity/more range, .308 much bigger bullet, more recoil(still not bad at all), more versital for bigger critters, more punch down range. I think the 308 is a great round.

Agreed, every deer I've ever killed was with a .308. I'm not knocking the other rounds, just relaying my experience.

As far as long range shooting, i've heard that, if set up properly, with the right loads....a .223 can reach out to the 1k mark, as can a .308.


There was a thread on here where one of the members mentioned that he teaches long distance shooting at some ranch* He said a .223 will most definitely shatter a cinderblock at that range.


*Disclaimer: It may not have been on DFWS, but I'm pretty sure it was.

[J&T's 82]

If you are just shooting varmints then a .223 is the way to go. the .22-250 is a nice long range varmint cartridge but the shells cost alot more.

[MstangsBware]

I will agree with going with the .223 for the varmits. But the .308 is a nice round that will get the job done and then some if you ever decide to take on bigger game. Like other have said, the cost of ammo for the .223 is dirt cheap compared to the other 2 calipers.

[jyro]

I would buy a 22 mag because it's so cheap for bullets, light, has no recoil to speak of.

[chevyhater01]

I would buy a 22 mag because it's so cheap for bullets, light, has no recoil to speak of.

I have a 17hmr so no need for the 22mag I have various auto rifles just dont have a serious bolt rifle. I like the .223 its a good round and agree it would be cheap and orignally was planning to get the .223. Yet keep thinking the .308 would give me room to grow in case I change my mind later.

I don't know its hard to decide I just dont want to regret it later wishing I would have stepped up to the .308.
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[slow55]

Get you a 7mm. Throw some light rounds in for Varmits and if you need to throw some heavy one's in for deer, hog etc.
It will also reach out there a ways if you need it to.

[chevyhater01]

7mm is not offered in the specific rifle I'm looking at otherwise that would be a good idea.
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[5.0LiterRiceEater]

7mm is not offered in the specific rifle I'm looking at otherwise that would be a good idea.
Posted via Mobile Device

I would go with the 223 for the gun you're looking at. A 7mm Ultra Mag would be tits though.

[03trubluGT]

According to this ballistics chart, the .22-250 is not good for anything but varmints out to 400 yards, and only good for deer at 100 yards:

http://www.gunnersden.com/index.htm.22-250remington.html

The .223 chart shows that it is a weaker cartridge than the .22-250

http://www.gunnersden.com/index.htm.223remington.html

The .308 seems to be the best round, and I would reccommend it over your other two choices. It shows good for deer out to 400 yards, and elk out to 200 yards. Of course the .308 has been a military sniper round for over 40 years.

http://www.gunnersden.com/index.htm.308winchester.html


I have a Remington 700 PSS Light Tactical Rifle in .308, and it has 5 deer kills. It's a very good round for anything from varmints to medium to large game (large game at close range).

[chevyhater01]

According to this ballistics chart, the .22-250 is not good for anything but varmints out to 400 yards, and only good for deer at 100 yards:

http://www.gunnersden.com/index.htm.22-250remington.html

The .223 chart shows that it is a weaker cartridge than the .22-250

http://www.gunnersden.com/index.htm.223remington.html

The .308 seems to be the best round, and I would reccommend it over your other two choices. It shows good for deer out to 400 yards, and elk out to 200 yards. Of course the .308 has been a military sniper round for over 40 years.

http://www.gunnersden.com/index.htm.308winchester.html


I have a Remington 700 PSS Light Tactical Rifle in .308, and it has 5 deer kills. It's a very good round for anything from varmints to medium to large game (large game at close range).


Now that's some info I like to hear by the way the rifle I'm looking at is part of the rem 700 family so I know it will be a good rifle.

[03trubluGT]

The Remington 700 is a benchmark when it comes to rifles.

My PSS is the second PSS I've owned. I can make a dime size group at 100 yards.

I've hit a Coke can at 600 yards with ease.

They are great rifles.

[Cobra Commander]

Well right now I wouldn't be shooting anything further than 250yrds or so but if and that's a big IF I get into distance shooting like say 1000yrd a .223 wouldn't get me there correct.

I figure why not just get the .308 now and have fun with it and it would give me what I needed to go the distance if I were to choose so later.

This is not something I'd be pumping hundreds of rounds through so ammo cost would not be a major concern for me I have other rifles for that.

The way I see it I could buy one rifle to do it all sort of instead of buying another later on.

Either of those calibers are great for shooting varmints but spend good money on optics and if at all possible buy american made i.e. Burris or Leupold etc....

[chevyhater01]

Either of those calibers are great for shooting varmints but spend good money on optics and if at all possible buy american made i.e. Burris or Leupold etc....

I already have my optical system picked out I'm going digital.

[Chopped54]

for varnmint the 22-250

[exlude]

I'd go .308. A bit more expensive, but it makes the weapon much more versatile. You can still kill plenty of varmint, and also have a round that can really reach out and do damage if you need it to.

[Fox466]

Get you a 7mm. Throw some light rounds in for Varmits and if you need to throw some heavy one's in for deer, hog etc.
It will also reach out there a ways if you need it to.

Check! I like my Model 700...

[Dacotua]

Just a fyi.. my opinion.

I do a lot of hunting.

Go out and buy yourself a .223 if your going to varmit hunt.

Now if you decide if you want something bigger, go buy yourself a cheap 30-30 lever gun. Ammo is cheap and will take down any deer you'll ever see.

This way if you feel like varmit hunting, you can get cheap ammo, if you feel like deer hunting, you've got cheap ammo.

(I personally like .308 also, but I also enjoy owning a lot of guns)

[Falcongunner]

for varnmint the 22-250

X2

Wayne in FW