Hi, Im new here and I am trying to figure out what caliber to use for coyotes 500yrds or more. I already have a salvage in 22-250 but the barrel does not shoot consistent groups. I was debating about getting a new barrel or buying a new gun in 25-06. Maybe even a different caliber that shoots accurate for long range and deer. Any suggestions are appreciated!
22-250 or 25-06 for long range yotes?
- Thread starter denny2
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Bowhunter57
Well-Known Member
denny 2,
Welcome to Long Range Hunting!
I own a Stevens model 200 in .25-06 and love it. The .22-250 and .25-06 have the same ballistics, but the .25 uses more lead to get the job done.
At longer ranges the .25 will really shine over the 250, since it has higher ft./lbs. of energy at the same distances. I've owned both calibers and the .25 rules for killing power.
Good hunting, Bowhunter57
Welcome to Long Range Hunting!
I own a Stevens model 200 in .25-06 and love it. The .22-250 and .25-06 have the same ballistics, but the .25 uses more lead to get the job done.
At longer ranges the .25 will really shine over the 250, since it has higher ft./lbs. of energy at the same distances. I've owned both calibers and the .25 rules for killing power.
Good hunting, Bowhunter57
RMulhern
Well-Known Member
Several years ago I built up a .22/250 with a Douglas 1-7" ROT to shoot the 80 gr. Sierra HPBT and a 'yote' ain't got a chance out to 800 yards....if he screws up and stands still!! Rifle is on a M700 Rem action and it is a FANTASTIC SHOOTER!! The 80 gr. Sierra bullet performs outstandingly well at the above distance....1/2 MOA as a matter of fact!
johnnyk
Well-Known Member
denny2,
Again, welcome to LRH, and like the other two members said, go with the .25-06. The .22-250 is a great little round, for sure, even better with a fast twist to stabilize the heavy bullets. At 500yds and beyond? the .25-06 will out shine the .22-250, in deflecting the wind, trajectory and kinetic energy. The .25-06 is sufficient for deer also. Not sure how far you could stretch it but you should be gtg out to 500-550yds with the 100gn SMK, 110gn AB, or the 120gn SGK. The Berger 115gn VLD will get you to 650yds if you can launch it at 3200fps. This is keeping within the 1000ft/lbs of energy on game at distance. Good luck in your decision. JohnnyK.
Again, welcome to LRH, and like the other two members said, go with the .25-06. The .22-250 is a great little round, for sure, even better with a fast twist to stabilize the heavy bullets. At 500yds and beyond? the .25-06 will out shine the .22-250, in deflecting the wind, trajectory and kinetic energy. The .25-06 is sufficient for deer also. Not sure how far you could stretch it but you should be gtg out to 500-550yds with the 100gn SMK, 110gn AB, or the 120gn SGK. The Berger 115gn VLD will get you to 650yds if you can launch it at 3200fps. This is keeping within the 1000ft/lbs of energy on game at distance. Good luck in your decision. JohnnyK.
Parkerb14
Well-Known Member
I would have to say the 06 for reasons stated above...wind, knock down power...I do however shoot a 22-250 and have kills on yotes at 540 1 shot kill spun a bit and dropped and one at 510 (buddy actually shot this one) and it too was a one shot kill. I am shooting 52gr amax with 35.3 gr varget at 3800 fps. Also, the 25-06 would be a good long range deer gun so you could kill two birds with one stone.
Parkerb14
Well-Known Member
Oh, another thing to add just got a 25-06 and have done some load developement with it with the 115 VLDs all groups shot under .75 MOA and best being just under .5. But if you do decide to go that way i have 70 or so 115 wildcat bullets that I couldnt get to shoot that I would be willing to part with, and maybe some 125s also got to see how those shoot first.
bigngreen
Well-Known Member
I would re barrel that bad boy to a 243, new custom barrel over an of the shelf new rifle any day. All you need is a 30 dollar head space gauge and a wrench and you in business
liltank
Well-Known Member
+1 on the rebarrel. If it is an older Savage (not salvage) get an aftermarket trigger or get trigger work done. I know my brothers older Savage had a pinch point in the stock. Once I sanded that out, .5" to .75" all day long in a 7mm Mag.
Tank
Thanks Everyone. There is a story behind this gun. I bought this gun new about 8 or so years ago. It never shot very good groups and a friend and i made different loads trying to get better groups. I worked on the trigger and took out all the creep and it has a lighter pull. Never got it to shoot very good. I went through a divorce and didnt hunt for a few years. I finally pulled the gun out and was determined to get it to shoot better. I cleaned it,used JB in the bore and checked everything. still would not shoot a consistent group. Then my friend recommended recutting the crown. We chucked it up in a lathe and cut a little of the barrel off and then used a target crown tool to cut a new crown. While bluing the end of the barrel i noticed something strange a little bit down in the bore, the bore looked like it had some imperfection in the metal. So we started over and cut more off and recrowned it. I think there is more but the gun shoots better, but is still a little inconsistent. So this Savage is actually a "Salvage". My friend has a gun shop and called Savage and told them the dilemma, and they just said its out of Warranty now. I will probably rebarrel this gun and buy a 25-06 because I think a 25-06 wont work in this action. Sorry for being long winded!! Thanks, Dennis
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liltank
Well-Known Member
25-06 will work in the short action, but will be a single shot only. I have shot and used successfully a 338 Lapua built on a Savage Target action which is also a short action. New record for the two of was had by my cousin yesterday with a lethal hit at 730yrds. It will eject spent casings no problem, but a loaded round requires pulling the bolt.
Tank
Tank
I'd have to go with the .25-06; unless your wanting to $pend a few bucks on the .22-250 barrel and shoot the heavy bullets while keeping recoil a little lighter But to tell you the true a .22-250 with a 65gr SP.BT Sierra Game King at that distance.. our one of Berger's 64gr Varmint Match would do the trick... I think I'd go with the Sierra in an off the rack varmint rifle.. I've had very good luck shooting yote's with them; as well as "in" many of my other .22 cal center fire rifles using a; 1-12 and 1-10 twist rate. They've, even been very, very accurate in short barreled 1-9 & 1-8 twist rifle.
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RBrowning
Well-Known Member
I have a Savage 22-250 also and would like to shoot the heavier bullets but my twist rate is 1:12". That pretty much limits me to 55 grain bullets and they just won't carry like a 70-80 grain will. You could have a 22 caliber barrel made (used in 223 long range matches) and chamber it for 22-250, but it still would be weaker than a standard 25-06.
