223 Rem AI vs 22-250 for varmints

[dk17hmr]

I have a 26" 1:9 223AI and it's burning 69gr bullets out at 3375fps with CFE223. I got rid of my 22-250 awhile ago if I need more I'll screw the 22-250AI barrel on or get out the 6-250AI with 90gr at 3400fps.

223AI is a great little round.

 

[98dyna]

I shot over 200 gophers Friday with a new Ruger Ranch 5.56 with 16" barrel and a suppressor. The biggest plus of this rifle is the short barrel and shooting from the cab of a truck while driving across a field. The ammunition I loaded for it is from 5.56 specs, 60 grain Vmax bullets and H335 powder. My partner had a Savage .223 22" barrel and I could hit as far out as he could.

 

[budlight]

I know this a 2019 post, but 15 years ago my small cal. buddy showed up for a ground squirrel shoot with his new 24 inch 19 cal Badger. I had brought my 24 inch match AR-15 and 26 inch 243 W. I was impressed with the 19's total lack of recoil. Since I have buckets of 223. I figured that the only way to go was the 19-223 Calhoon. The pills are just over 20 cents each. It really has the 40 gr. bullets dialed in

On the flip side another friend put a few thousand dollars in a 204 with a 26 inch bull barreled rifle. Yup, you have 4000+ fps bragging rights. I have a 25 cal that launches 87 grain at over 3600 fps and it is a red mist big varmint rifle. You can't beat pure HP

19 Caliber Page

 

[del2les]

I know this a 2019 post, but 15 years ago my small cal. buddy showed up for a ground squirrel shoot with his new 24 inch 19 cal Badger. I had brought my 24 inch match AR-15 and 26 inch 243 W. I was impressed with the 19's total lack of recoil. Since I have buckets of 223. I figured that the only way to go was the 19-223 Calhoon. The pills are just over 20 cents each. It really has the 40 gr. bullets dialed in

On the flip side another friend put a few thousand dollars in a 204 with a 26 inch bull barreled rifle. Yup, you have 4000+ fps bragging rights. I have a 25 cal that launches 87 grain at over 3600 fps and it is a red mist big varmint rifle. You can't beat pure HP

19 Caliber Page

Another great P-dog round is the 20 Practical. Simply neck size a 223 to 20 and load n shoot. It isn't that far behind the 204, and it does it with less powder and throat wear. Use a faster twist for the 40gr's, and you have less wind drift than the 40gr in a 223.

 

[IAshooter]

Another great P-dog round is the 20 Practical. Simply neck size a 223 to 20 and load n shoot. It isn't that far behind the 204, and it does it with less powder and throat wear. Use a faster twist for the 40gr's, and you have less wind drift than the 40gr in a 223.

My Savage 20 Practical with a 20" BHW bbl is by far my favorite rifle for Prairie Dogs and local varmints. It has been my "truck gun" for many years due to it's short barrel. MANY coyotes, groundhogs, crows, coons, etc have fallen to my 20 Practical. I have had this one for several years and have been so impressed with it, I just purchased another one from a member here that has a 26" CBI bbl on a Savage action that will be a dedicated Prairie Dog bench gun for many years to come.
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[del2les]

My Savage 20 Practical with a 20" BHW bbl is by far my favorite rifle for Prairie Dogs and local varmints. It has been my "truck gun" for many years due to it's short barrel. MANY coyotes, groundhogs, crows, coons, etc have fallen to my 20 Practical. I have had this one for several years and have been so impressed with it, I just purchased another one from a member here that has a 26" CBI bbl on a Savage action that will be a dedicated Prairie Dog bench gun for many years to come.
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