.223 Remington vs .22-250 Remington
Typical factory loads side by side: speed, energy, BC, twist, range and what each one is built for.
The short answer
With typical loads, the .22-250 Remington is about 440 ft/s faster at the muzzle (3,240 vs 3,680 ft/s).
The .22-250 Remington carries about 29% more energy at the muzzle (1,654 vs 1,282 ft-lbs), which usually also means more recoil.
On the same size target, the .22-250 Remington has the longer point-blank range (284 yd), so you can hold dead-on a bit farther without adjusting.
Side by side
| .223 Remington | .22-250 Remington | |
|---|---|---|
| Made for | Civilian twin of the 5.56 NATO. Built for varmints and coyotes; deer only with 62–70 gr bonded bullets where legal. | Purpose-built high-speed varmint and predator round: prairie dogs, coyotes, foxes. |
| Typical load | 55 grsoft point | 55 grV-Max |
| Muzzle speed | 3,240 ft/s | 3,680 ft/s |
| Muzzle energy | 1,282 ft-lbs | 1,654 ft-lbs |
| Typical BC (G1) | ≈ 0.24typical, varies by brand | 0.255maker's published G1 |
| Twist rate | 1:91:7 for 70+ gr | 1:141:8 for 70+ gr |
| Practical range | 300 yd varmint · 150 yd deer | 400 yd varmint |
| Point-blank range | 252 yd4" vital zone | 284 yd4" vital zone |
| Recommended platform | Any rifle, ultralights includedVery light recoil | Any rifle, ultralights includedVery light recoil |
Which one fits you?
.223 Remington: Civilian twin of the 5.56 NATO. Built for varmints and coyotes; deer only with 62–70 gr bonded bullets where legal.
.22-250 Remington: Purpose-built high-speed varmint and predator round: prairie dogs, coyotes, foxes.
For most hunters, the right pick is the one you can shoot accurately and comfortably, in a rifle that fits how you hunt. Good shot placement and a bullet built for your game matter more than small differences on paper.
More
- .223 Remington profile
- .22-250 Remington profile
- .223 Remington vs 5.56x45 NATO
- .22-250 Remington vs .243 Winchester
- All comparisons
Speed, energy and BC are typical figures for the listed load; real numbers vary by brand, lot and barrel length. Always check the ammo maker's data for your exact load.