22-250 vs 223: both fire .224 bullets of similar weight, but the 22-250 Remington holds about a third more powder and pushes a 55 gr bullet roughly 400 to 450 fps faster than the .223 Remington. That buys a flatter path and less wind drift to about 400 yards, at the cost of a larger rifle and more barrel wear. The .223 fits the AR15; the 22-250 needs a short action or a large-frame AR10 with a modified magazine. Chattahoochee Munitions manufactures the CM10 22-250 with a 20-inch 1:14 barrel and a dedicated 10-round magazine.
.223 Remington and 5.56 NATO
The .223 Remington and the 5.56×45 NATO share outside dimensions, but 5.56 NATO is loaded to higher pressure and its chamber has a longer leade. .223 Remington can be fired in a 5.56 NATO chamber; 5.56 NATO should not be fired in a .223 Remington chamber. This comparison uses .223 Remington loads. The Chattahoochee Munitions CM15 rifles at Garrison 5.56 are chambered for 5.56 NATO, so they fire both.
22-250 vs 223 Specifications
| Specification | 22-250 Remington | .223 Remington |
|---|---|---|
| Parent case | .250-3000 Savage | .222 Remington family |
| Standardized | 1965 | 1964 |
| Bullet diameter | .224 inch | .224 inch |
| Case length | 1.912 inches | 1.760 inches |
| Cartridge overall length | 2.350 inches | 2.260 inches |
| SAAMI pressure limit | 65,000 psi | 55,000 psi |
| Typical twist | 1:14 (CM10: 1:14) | 1:7 to 1:12 |
| Platform | Short action, AR10 | AR15, mini action |
Dimensions follow the ANSI/SAAMI centerfire rifle standard.
22-250 vs 223 Ballistics
Muzzle velocities are Hornady’s published 55 gr V-MAX figures from 24-inch barrels (22-250 at 3,680 fps, .223 at 3,240 fps). Downrange values are Chattahoochee Munitions calculations (published G1 BC 0.255, 200-yard zero, standard atmosphere, 10 mph full-value wind). The 20-inch CM10 row assumes 30 fps per inch below 24 inches. They are not chronograph data.
| 55 gr V-MAX | Muzzle | 300 yd | 400 yd | Drop at 400 yd | Wind at 400 yd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22-250, 24 in (published muzzle) | 3,680 fps / 1,654 ft-lb | 2,494 fps / 760 ft-lb | 2,162 fps / 571 ft-lb | -16.0 in | 17.8 in |
| 22-250, 20 in CM10 (calculated) | 3,560 fps / 1,548 ft-lb | 2,403 fps / 705 ft-lb | 2,078 fps / 527 ft-lb | -17.3 in | 18.6 in |
| .223 Rem, 24 in (published muzzle) | 3,240 fps / 1,282 ft-lb | 2,157 fps / 568 ft-lb | 1,852 fps / 419 ft-lb | -21.7 in | 21.3 in |
At 400 yards the 22-250 from the 20-inch CM10 drops about 4 inches less than the .223 from a 24-inch barrel and carries about a quarter more energy.
22-250 vs 223 for Coyotes and Varmints
- Inside 250 yards: either one. The .223 is cheaper to shoot and runs in a lighter AR15.
- 250 to 400 yards: the 22-250’s extra speed means less holdover and less wind correction. Read 22-250 for coyotes.
- Past 400 yards: both light bullets slow quickly. Move to heavy, high-BC bullets in the 22 Creedmoor.
- Deer: Chattahoochee Munitions does not recommend either. Choose 243 Winchester or 6mm Creedmoor.
22-250 vs 223 Barrel Life and Recoil
The 22-250 burns more powder through the same bore, so it heats and wears barrels faster than the .223, especially with long strings of fast fire. Recoil is light for both; in a 9 lb 8 oz CM10 the 22-250 is very mild.
22-250 vs 223 Rifles
The CM10 22-250 uses a 20-inch 416R stainless SOCOM/HBAR barrel at 1:14 with 5/8×24 threads, rifle-length gas, a Superlative Arms adjustable gas block, a TriggerTech Duty trigger and a Chattahoochee Munitions modified 22-250 magazine: the 22-250 semi auto rifle, 22-250 AR10 and 22-250 AR. For an AR15, see the CM15 5.56 NATO rifles at Garrison 5.56. Read What is 22-250? or browse Predator Plains.
More Predator Plains Guides
- What is 22 Creedmoor?
- 22 Creedmoor ballistics
- 22 Creedmoor twist rate
- 22 Creedmoor vs 22-250
- 22 Creedmoor vs 243
- 22 Creedmoor vs 223
- 22 Creedmoor for deer
- What is 22-250?
- 22-250 for coyotes
- What is 6mm Creedmoor?
- 6mm Creedmoor vs 243 Winchester
- 6mm Creedmoor vs 6.5 Creedmoor
- 6mm Creedmoor vs 6mm ARC
- What is 243 Winchester?
- 243 for deer
- 243 vs 6.5 Creedmoor
- High velocity rifle cartridges
- Predator hunting cartridges
- 22 ARC vs 22 Creedmoor
- 22 ARC vs 22-250
- 6mm ARC vs 243
22-250 vs 223 FAQ
How much faster is 22-250 vs 223?
With 55 gr bullets, about 440 fps at the muzzle by Hornady’s published figures (3,680 against 3,240 fps from 24-inch barrels).
Is 22-250 better than 223 for coyotes?
Past about 250 yards, the 22-250 shoots flatter and drifts less. Inside that, both work.
Can a 22-250 fit in an AR15?
No. It needs a large-frame AR10 with a modified magazine or a short action.
Can I shoot 5.56 NATO in a .223 Remington rifle?
No. .223 Remington can be fired in a 5.56 NATO chamber, but not the other way around.
Is 22-250 or 223 good for deer?
Chattahoochee Munitions does not recommend either for deer. Choose 243 Winchester or 6mm Creedmoor.
Who makes a 22-250 AR10?
Chattahoochee Munitions manufactures the CM10 22-250 AR10 with a 20-inch 416R stainless 1:14 barrel and a dedicated 10-round magazine.