Barrel burn out .223 vs .22-250

Davey Boy · #1 09-29-2014, 01:36 PM

Thinking of buying another calibre to play with. Heard that the .22-250 barrels will burn out due the higher velocity than the .223.

Is this something to worry about or is it negligible. Looks like maybe 5 cents more for powder to load .22-250 than .223, but is it worthwhile in the long run for long range 400-500yds and varmints.

fish_e_o · #2 09-29-2014, 01:40 PM

from a pure cheap to shoot standpoint 223 is one of the kings.

i'm personally not worried about barrel burnout i doubt i'll see it on any of my guns

wwbirds · #3 09-29-2014, 01:47 PM

My Brno should have been burnt out 10 years ago then as I shot it steady for the first 10 I owned it. If you load everything to max you may notice some opening up after 2000 rounds but still plenty accurate to kill coyotes.
Also think velocity has a lot to do with it so if you load everything to 4000 fps in 22-250 I sure the throat will erode faster. My 3350 fps are accurate and I have been using them for over 20 years. Mind you I have 2 now and at one time my boys each had one as well. Browning gets most of use now but sure it is over 1000 rounds now with no accuracy issues.

elkhunter11 · #4 09-29-2014, 02:10 PM

If you plan to do a lot of target shooting, the 223 will have a significantly longer barrel life. If the rifle is primarily a hunting rifle, you will likely never replace the barrel in either chambering.

Davey Boy · #5 09-29-2014, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

If you plan to do a lot of target shooting, the 223 will have a significantly longer barrel life. If the rifle is primarily a hunting rifle, you will likely never replace the barrel in either chambering.

Would the .223 or the 22-250 be better to 400-500 yds or not much difference?

wwbirds · #6 09-29-2014, 02:47 PM

use 22-250 out to 500 but sure dont kill every coyote I shoot at at that range.
Wind, range estimation, target movement all create variables that make 500 yard shots in a hunting situation challenging.

Even on 175-200 yard shots off back deck for coyotes we have had to fire a finishing shot with 223 quite often. have not noticed that with 22-250.
My 223 likes 50 grain SPSX and my 22-250 likes 55 grain SPSX. Cant see 5 grains being the deciding factor but there appears to be a difference in one shot kills between the two calibers for whatever reason.

silver · #7 09-29-2014, 02:57 PM

I had a Rem 788 in 22 250 and I found a load it liked, 34 grains of 4064 behind a 50 grain sx. Accuracy was consistently 1/2 inch group with a velocity about 3500 fps. After 2500 rounds the groups opened up to 5/8 inch. Maybe I could have tightened them up by playing with the COAL but I had lost interest in it.

Davey Boy · #8 09-29-2014, 04:17 PM

.22-250 seems to be a better rifle for distance, but I notice that the .223 is more popular and brass and store bought ammo is a little easier to come by. But for an extra 5 cents for powder per round maybe .22-250 is the way to go, and not using max loads so that barrel erosion is not a factor.

Which way to go....

bigjohncdn · #9 09-29-2014, 05:06 PM

22-250 is a better distance round than the .223

As far a barrel burn out goes, it depends on how much you shoot, how hot you get the gun and what amount of accuracy degradation is acceptable to you.

A .223 will outlast a 22-250, that is a simple fact of life. If it will be enough to bother you, that is something only you can decide. If you go varmint hunting a few times a year, it probably won't matter. If you are planning on competitively punching paper, it sure will.

tchardy1972 · #10 09-29-2014, 05:12 PM

Another thing to think about is bullet weight. The 223 with a factory 9 twist will handle up to the 75 grain hornady a-max. Your standard 22-250 load will have a tough time in the wind compared to that.

My 223 has just over 5000 rounds through it and I just shot five groups on the weekend that agg under .5" at 100 yards with the 69 grain sierra. I have shot this load to 800 and change with little trouble. The 70gr Berger vld or the 75gr Hornady would likely do better yet.

wolf308 · #11 09-29-2014, 05:20 PM

look at it like a magnum maybe-

the 223 is standard like a 308 and the 22-250 is a magnum like a 300 win mag .........

i have a 222 (almost as much powder as a 223) it spits out a 55 at 2900 fps ......my 22-250 55 gr/3600 fps ....... you will need the extra power to make humane coyote kills at 500 yards ...trust me ...or even to get there ...not saying a 223 wont do it even further ....but ....!!!!(practise is the key) heck i seen a 223 splashing rounds around a 4x4 target at 1500 yards !!!! was hilarious ,i was spotting

i would reccomend the 223 for a target rich gopher field enviroment ...lol

but the 22-250 for coyotes and less target rich enviroment on gophers and or pack a 22 LR for 100 yarders

then theres the option of always getting both ...... lol ...you know you want to

Davey Boy · #12 09-29-2014, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolf308

then theres the option of always getting both ...... lol ...you know you want to

Yes I would but then may have to bunk out in the dog house, LOL

silver · #13 09-29-2014, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davey Boy

Yes I would but then may have to bunk out in the dog house, LOL

Personally my next would be a 22 250 over a 223.

gunluvr · #14 09-29-2014, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davey Boy

Thinking of buying another calibre to play with. Heard that the .22-250 barrels will burn out due the higher velocity than the .223.

Is this something to worry about or is it negligible. Looks like maybe 5 cents more for powder to load .22-250 than .223, but is it worthwhile in the long run for long range 400-500yds and varmints.

Absolutely get both but get the 223 first. Use it for coyotes this winter, shoot the hell out of the gophers in the spring,then move up to a 22-250 next fall. Having two will lengthen the barrel life of both.

ForwardBias · #15 09-30-2014, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gunluvr

Absolutely get both but get the 223 first. Use it for coyotes this winter, shoot the hell out of the gophers in the spring,then move up to a 22-250 next fall. Having two will lengthen the barrel life of both.

X2

amosfella · #16 10-01-2014, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tchardy1972

Another thing to think about is bullet weight. The 223 with a factory 9 twist will handle up to the 75 grain hornady a-max. Your standard 22-250 load will have a tough time in the wind compared to that.

My 223 has just over 5000 rounds through it and I just shot five groups on the weekend that agg under .5" at 100 yards with the 69 grain sierra. I have shot this load to 800 and change with little trouble. The 70gr Berger vld or the 75gr Hornady would likely do better yet.

I will say this. The 9 twist barrel will handle the 75 gr amax. I have shot yotes with this round at 500 yards. Only once did I need a second shot. From the front, I shot the yote in the neck, and it completely evicerated her abdominal organs. She was ripping them out in an attempt to run away. I used a second shot to the head to put her down.
However pelt damage is enormous with that bullet. Even just a graze to the torso with that bullet will kill the yote.
As to barrel burn out, if you get a cz, their steel treating process seems to make a barrel that takes longer to erode...

gunluvr · #17 10-01-2014, 05:53 AM

If I didn't already own a 22-250, I'd be all over the new Weatherby Kryptek Snown Raid camo model @ Cabela's. Has a 1 in 9" twist.

Davey Boy · #18 10-01-2014, 09:54 AM

Lots of info to digest here. Am I right in saying that a 22-250 is about 5 cents a round more to reload than the .223? Also is the .204 Ruger a consideration in this comparison?

gunluvr · #19 10-01-2014, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davey Boy

Lots of info to digest here. Am I right in saying that a 22-250 is about 5 cents a round more to reload than the .223? Also is the .204 Ruger a consideration in this comparison?

The difference in reloading cost is negligable. About 8-9 cents difference per round for powder. Don't know much about .204 Ruger, but I would think brass or loaded ammo will be easier to find for .223. Also, more choices of bullets in .224 caliber.

rembo · #20 10-01-2014, 07:07 PM

I have both chamberings.

I'd LOVE to burn out three or four barrels on my 22-250's.

Heck, I'd burn one a year if I could.

It would mean I did some serious shooting.

Maybe.....someday........

H380 · #21 10-01-2014, 09:09 PM

You could be so lucky to shoot enough to burn the barrel out . Shot my Browning 22-250 and no significant change in accuracy until after aprox. 4000 rds , some throat erosion due to my lack of sufficient cleaning

purgatory.sv · #22 10-01-2014, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davey Boy

Thinking of buying another calibre to play with. Heard that the .22-250 barrels will burn out due the higher velocity than the .223.

Is this something to worry about or is it negligible. Looks like maybe 5 cents more for powder to load .22-250 than .223, but is it worthwhile in the long run for long range 400-500yds and varmints.

From round 0 to 800 it was good.

From round 801 to 1800 happy.

From 1801 on ok but not happy.

Speed will kill.

I have not found a balance but I will retool the 22-250 because it was fun.

The 223 can reach and touch as long as the 22.250, it’s just different.

DaleJ · #23 10-01-2014, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amosfella

As to barrel burn out, if you get a cz, their steel treating process seems to make a barrel that takes longer to erode...

You sure about this?

260 Rem · #24 10-01-2014, 11:03 PM

It seems to be generally accepted that there is a direct relationship between the amount of overbore (ratio of case to neck diameter), and throat erosion. Of course, these basics can not factor in "heat abuse" by some drivers. So, with regard to the comparison between .223 and 22-250, the latter would be expected to wash out the throat a bit quicker.

colroggal · #25 10-02-2014, 09:14 PM

A note on the .204. 4000+fps is nothing to laugh about and it is cheaper than any of the .224's to reload. But a max 45g pill doesn't enjoy the wind and doesn't hit very hard at 500 yrds. That said, the bullet drop is minimal and hide damage is like a needle. No exit wound. Those little pills explode inside. Think cone of destruction. Itty bitty point blank shotgun blast type damage to the internals. If you can buck the wind it'll work.

Bergerboy · #26 10-02-2014, 10:22 PM

There is a point that is being missed, compared to ammunition, glass, and fuel to go to the range.....barrels are cheap. Shoot your gun, burn it out then set it back or rebarrel it. Then at least once you burned up a barrel you know the gun well. That's what I do anyway. Life is short burn it up.