.22-250 Remington
The .22-250 is the .22 centerfire at full sprint - 3,600+ fps, hyper-flat, the classic serious varminter's cartridge for wind-bucking speed on distant coyotes and prairie dogs.
When the .223's 300-yard envelope isn't enough, the .22-250 answers with pure velocity - 55 grains at 3,680 fps, among the fastest factory cartridges ever sold. Prairie-dog towns and windy coyote flats are its home: flatter than a .223 by a full step, with enough speed to shrug wind that pushes lesser .22s off target.
What it is
A .250 Savage case necked to .224, wildcatted in the 1930s and factory-standard since 1965 - the benchmark fast-twenty-two.
What it hunts best
Long-range varmints and open-country predators; where .22-caliber deer hunting is legal the same honest caveats apply as the .223, with more velocity behind premium bullets. Fur hunters note: at this speed, exit damage on pelts is real - load selection matters.
Trajectory & energy
Zeroed at 200, a 55gr drops only ~5" at 300 and ~15" at 400 - the flattest practical .22 reach. ~1,650 ft-lb muzzle energy.
Recoil & shootability
Still light (~7 ft-lb); the cost of speed is barrel heat and throat wear on high-volume days - varminters pace their strings.
Rifles & ammo on the shelf
Every bolt-gun maker chambers it; ammo is common if pricier than .223. Handloaders love it - it's a classic precision case.
Bottom line
The specialist's varminter: when your shots run long and the wind runs sideways, this is the .22 that keeps connecting. Casual predator hunters stay happy with .223 economics.
⚠️ Caliber legality varies: many states set minimum calibers, straight-wall rules, or season-specific restrictions for big game, and they change. Always confirm the current regulations for your state, species and season with the official wildlife agency - this page is general guidance, not legal advice. Ballistics figures are typical factory-load approximations; your rifle and load will differ - verify at the range.