Strictly for varmints - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

Reeek · 05-07-2008, 07:43 PM

22-250 or .223, ammo prices not a factor?

Any other round?

Tally XD · 05-07-2008, 08:21 PM

What size varmints?

I shoot varmints all the way up to grey fox size with my Marlin .22 using CCI High Velocity Stinger hollow points.

Reeek · 05-07-2008, 08:46 PM

Mostly ground squirrels, ground hogs and coyotes. I was thinking about a .17 first but I have been leaning toward a .22 cal centerfire to cover more bases. Here in Nevada 200 yard shots aren't unusual if you can see that far and your rifle is accurate enough. The wind issue sort of swayed me from the .17 HMR as my first varmint rifle but I do intend to get one anyway. Nevada can get breezy a lot.

**jnclement** · 05-07-2008, 09:39 PM

The wind effect on a 17 is way overblown, by people who don't own them. I'd get a 223, cheaper ammo, easier on barrels. Mine is shooting well to 500, if I can ever find a range, I want to try it at 1000.

XD40DucheKiller · 05-07-2008, 09:53 PM

.223 is the absolute ultimate varmint round.

there is no other

Broadside · 05-07-2008, 10:34 PM

Both are great rounds, I prefer .223, less recoil and faster follow up shots plus the array of options for firearms in .223 vs. 22-250. I do know guys who hunt all of the above with a .243. Shooting .223 past 200 yards with some wind is a challenge but that is where you build skills shooting small targets like ground hogs. A 22-250 makes it a little easier due to velocity and trajectory. A lot of trade offs with each caliber. 22-250s do burn up barrels quicker but to me that is part of the cost of shooting.

A .17 and .22LR are probably not big enough to take down a yote with out a well placed shot and I think you are wise to pull them from the list if you want a round that will take all of the game you listed.

Personally I would go with .223 because I already own firearms in .223 so it makes a lot of sense to consolidate calibers no matter if it's bolt or semi auto action.

**hobocircus** · 05-08-2008, 03:28 AM

I really like my 22/250, but surely isn't for ground squirrels.
A .22 Hornet might be one to consider too.
I don't have any argument against the .223 either.
A good "back up" rifle is the .17HMR with a accutrigger

**mhillsing23** · 05-08-2008, 05:02 AM

Definitely .223! It is a common fairly economical round that does the job well.

Brickboy240 · 05-08-2008, 07:35 AM

I built a custom varminter on a German 98 Mauser action with a 26' full bull barrel in 22-250. Love it...absolutely devastating on coyotes and very accurate. Recoil? Well, with its black walnut beavertail stock an 26" full bull barrel, the rifle weighs about 10 pounds! It has the recoil of a 22 rimfire. Not a rifle you want to carry around all day...I usually shoot it off a Harris bi-pod and carry it on an ATV.

If you think you're going to do more long range shooting or going after coyotes, the 22-250 will give you more oomph. However, the 223 ought to suit your needs.

- Brickboy240

fritzmeister · 05-08-2008, 08:23 AM

I'm surprised nobody has said .204.

17 Rem
221 Frieball
221 Bee (?)
220 Swift

There are several others that are 17 to 22 caliber rounds.

05-07-2008, 07:43 PM	#1
Reeek XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 1,241	Strictly for varmints 22-250 or .223, ammo prices not a factor? Any other round? __________________ U.S Navy Veteran - CTT - Naval Security Group Guns: XD9SC with Heinie Straight 8 Night Sights CZ P-01 with Meprolights - green/green EAA Witness (Tangfolio) Match .45 Taurus PT1911 with Heinie Straight 8 Night Sights Kel-Tec P3AT Fulton Armory FAR-15 Predator, 24" SS 1x12 Barrel w/Mueller TAC II Savage 93R17 BVSS .17 HMR Remington 870 18" 7+1 w/Choate Mark 6

05-07-2008, 08:21 PM	#2
Tally XD XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: North Florida Posts: 898	What size varmints? I shoot varmints all the way up to grey fox size with my Marlin .22 using CCI High Velocity Stinger hollow points. __________________ You have a right to self defense! Vote *AGAINST* Obama!! ----------------------------------------- 2007 XD.45ACP Service (black) Mega "Gator" AR-15 5.56mm Remington 870 Tactical

05-07-2008, 08:46 PM	#3
Reeek XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 1,241	Mostly ground squirrels, ground hogs and coyotes. I was thinking about a .17 first but I have been leaning toward a .22 cal centerfire to cover more bases. Here in Nevada 200 yard shots aren't unusual if you can see that far and your rifle is accurate enough. The wind issue sort of swayed me from the .17 HMR as my first varmint rifle but I do intend to get one anyway. Nevada can get breezy a lot. __________________ U.S Navy Veteran - CTT - Naval Security Group Guns: XD9SC with Heinie Straight 8 Night Sights CZ P-01 with Meprolights - green/green EAA Witness (Tangfolio) Match .45 Taurus PT1911 with Heinie Straight 8 Night Sights Kel-Tec P3AT Fulton Armory FAR-15 Predator, 24" SS 1x12 Barrel w/Mueller TAC II Savage 93R17 BVSS .17 HMR Remington 870 18" 7+1 w/Choate Mark 6

05-07-2008, 09:39 PM	#4
jnclement XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: West Texas Posts: 2,239	The wind effect on a 17 is way overblown, by people who don't own them. I'd get a 223, cheaper ammo, easier on barrels. Mine is shooting well to 500, if I can ever find a range, I want to try it at 1000. __________________ Contrary to what sells magazines, not all of us are, or want to be SpecOps, SEAL, Recon, Delta, CQB, Ninja, firearm-knife-tactical-death-touch instructors.

05-07-2008, 10:34 PM	#6
Broadside XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,879	Both are great rounds, I prefer .223, less recoil and faster follow up shots plus the array of options for firearms in .223 vs. 22-250. I do know guys who hunt all of the above with a .243. Shooting .223 past 200 yards with some wind is a challenge but that is where you build skills shooting small targets like ground hogs. A 22-250 makes it a little easier due to velocity and trajectory. A lot of trade offs with each caliber. 22-250s do burn up barrels quicker but to me that is part of the cost of shooting. A .17 and .22LR are probably not big enough to take down a yote with out a well placed shot and I think you are wise to pull them from the list if you want a round that will take all of the game you listed. Personally I would go with .223 because I already own firearms in .223 so it makes a lot of sense to consolidate calibers no matter if it's bolt or semi auto action. __________________ XD - 9 Subcompact XD - 357 Service w/ SA Custom Carry Pro Pkg SA - Mil Spec 1911 A1

05-07-2008, 09:53 PM	#5
XD40DucheKiller XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 533	.223 is the absolute ultimate varmint round. there is no other

05-08-2008, 03:28 AM	#7
hobocircus XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: The Nevada Desert on a Dry Lakebed. Living in a trailer with thunderstorms looming in the distance. Posts: 3,292	I really like my 22/250, but surely isn't for ground squirrels. A .22 Hornet might be one to consider too. I don't have any argument against the .223 either. A good "back up" rifle is the .17HMR with a accutrigger __________________ Ported V-10 XD9 Service SOLD Tactical XD9 in Basic Black I like to shoot Wolf ammo out of my Hi-Point pistol and rifle.

05-08-2008, 05:02 AM	#8
mhillsing23 XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 1,576	Definitely .223! It is a common fairly economical round that does the job well. __________________ Veritas vos liberabit...

05-08-2008, 07:35 AM	#9
Brickboy240 XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 8,322	I built a custom varminter on a German 98 Mauser action with a 26' full bull barrel in 22-250. Love it...absolutely devastating on coyotes and very accurate. Recoil? Well, with its black walnut beavertail stock an 26" full bull barrel, the rifle weighs about 10 pounds! It has the recoil of a 22 rimfire. Not a rifle you want to carry around all day...I usually shoot it off a Harris bi-pod and carry it on an ATV. If you think you're going to do more long range shooting or going after coyotes, the 22-250 will give you more oomph. However, the 223 ought to suit your needs. - Brickboy240 __________________ NOBAMA 2008...neo-Marxism is a very poor substitute for pretend conservatism! Es mejor morir a pie que vivir arrodillado Volvo...the Swedish Brick!

05-08-2008, 08:23 AM	#10
fritzmeister XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: southeast Nebraska Posts: 1,306	I'm surprised nobody has said .204. 17 Rem 221 Frieball 221 Bee (?) 220 Swift There are several others that are 17 to 22 caliber rounds. __________________ ...to be truely happy in life, one must learn to embrace the recoil.....

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