Best 22 cal. Help me decide my next build

[Varmint Hunter]

That will push them down the road. That kind of velocity are you getting. I have a 220 Swift and have had for a great many years. love the rifle and what I can do with it.

I was getting 3,670fps with a 75gr A-Max moly bullet. Accuracy was incredible with my smallest group coming in at .625" @ 600yds. I used Lapua 243 brass with Fed 210M primers and RE22.

 

[ShootnMathews]

I grew up on a ranch and have carried a rifle everyday since 1988, at one time (for a long time) 22-250 was the only centerfire rifle I owned. I still have that 788, plus a couple more as well as a 22-250AI. I would have to go back and check to see how long I've had it but my first 22CM is a Horizon built on a Tikka. Newest 22CM is a Horizon Vandal 18". I've also got a custom built on a BAT in a chassis and a 16" Savage I put together. I've got two boys that hunt more than I do now is the reason for multiple rifles in a caliber. I've settled on 80gr ELDM for all around use. In the last week that Vandal has killed a coyote, a big feral hog, half a dozen or so fox, 10 or 11 whitetail (including the biggest bodied wt buck I've ever loaded in Texas) and a javelina. All one shot kills and only one deer ran leaving a blood trail like a water hose was pumping. I run everything suppressed, have for many years, hate recoil (prefer to see my impacts through the scope). The 22CM is it for me. Will be re-barreling my Q and Sig Cross to 22CM next for thermal host.

That's awesome. Thanks

 

[dogz]

ShootnMatt- Looks like you're barking up the right tree so far. I'd go 8 twist, no reason not to even if you're shooting 40's-55's. Then if you ever had the want to shoot the heavies you sure could.

I love the 22/250, as well the Swift, I also had both of those in AI versions. I did it for the lack of trimming not for any speed gains. Only issue I've had is that the feeding isn't as smooth as the non AI cases (note I didn't say that it won't feed, just that it isn't as smooth...). The other issue I had with the Swift was the case necks flowing and I needed to trim the inside necks. Personally I'd do a Swift AI but I wouldn't do the non AI just for that reason. Life is short and I absolutely dislike trimming cases being it for length or inside.

I haven't done a CM as of yet, I have a Lilja 3 grove 8 twist on a order for my main rifle. It'll be rebarreled sometime in 2025 so I have some time to sort out which way I wish to go. When push comes to shove I'll probably go 22/250 or Swift AI.

Brass has been a bit of a challenge for both the 22/250 and the Swift but as of late I've been able to find it. Whatever way you go I'd buy 10 bags to go with the new barrel and know that you're set for the life of the barrel.

I used to beat on the yotes pretty hard (40-50 dogs a year), I don't have much against them anymore but the grandkids seem to have some interest so we may well get into the swing of things again

Best of luck to ya, I truly calling any critter that I can make go from point A to close to me.

 

[Mike Matteson]

ShootnMatt- Looks like you're barking up the right tree so far. I'd go 8 twist, no reason not to even if you're shooting 40's-55's. Then if you ever had the want to shoot the heavies you sure could.

I love the 22/250, as well the Swift, I also had both of those in AI versions. I did it for the lack of trimming not for any speed gains. Only issue I've had is that the feeding isn't as smooth as the non AI cases (note I didn't say that it won't feed, just that it isn't as smooth...). The other issue I had with the Swift was the case necks flowing and I needed to trim the inside necks. Personally I'd do a Swift AI but I wouldn't do the non AI just for that reason. Life is short and I absolutely dislike trimming cases being it for length or inside.

I haven't done a CM as of yet, I have a Lilja 3 grove 8 twist on a order for my main rifle. It'll be rebarreled sometime in 2025 so I have some time to sort out which way I wish to go. When push comes to shove I'll probably go 22/250 or Swift AI.

Brass has been a bit of a challenge for both the 22/250 and the Swift but as of late I've been able to find it. Whatever way you go I'd buy 10 bags to go with the new barrel and know that you're set for the life of the barrel.

I used to beat on the yotes pretty hard (40-50 dogs a year), I don't have much against them anymore but the grandkids seem to have some interest so we may well get into the swing of things again

Best of luck to ya, I truly calling any critter that I can make go from point A to close to me.

Yes the 220 swift brass is alway needing triming. Interesting imput on changing out to a 220AI Swift. I surely don't need any additional velocity. If it stops the other problem of trimming that works for me. I got my son a 22-250 and had a 220 swift build for my other son. It looks to me I need to order out 2 reamers to change things around. In my 220 Swift I use a 1-14 twist rate. I don't need a faster twist rate, because I use 55gr SPBT bullets only in that rifle.
I had kind of felt that the 22/250 was a little short on velocity. I can remember when it came out. Touting it was faster an not a barrel burner. They based or compared the two. The swift with a shorter barrel and the 22/250 with a longer barrel to meet or exceed swift velocity. I have alway laugh at the compareson on different rifle cartridges, and the newest is faster than someone else rifle. If you read and look into it deeper. Campare the 2 differnt chambers, and barrel length most the time it doesn't exceed the other in velocity. They are just trying to sell the public another rifle. I do see some interesting development like in the PRC case, and changing of ideals on how they work.
So off to the smith and order out a couple of reamers.