Caliber of the Month: The .22-250 Remington

Some cartridges exist because they solve a very specific problem exceptionally well. The .22-250 Remington is one of those rounds.

It doesn’t pretend to be a do-everything solution. It’s not chasing military contracts or social media clout. What it does do is launch light .22-caliber bullets at absolutely blistering speeds with uncanny consistency. And for decades, that has made it one of the most effective and respected varmint and predator cartridges ever chambered in a bolt-action rifle.

In an era crowded with newer, trendier .224 cartridges, the .22-250 remains relevant for one simple reason: it still works, and it works really, really well.

But to fully appreciate the .22-250, you have to understand where it came from. 

Long before Remington put its name on the headstamp, it was a wildcat cartridge born in the 1930s and built around a necked-down .250-3000 Savage to accept a .224 bullet. It was a shockingly fast round at the time and outperformed many of the mainstream hunting cartridges of the era.

In the mid-1960s, however, Remington finally standardized the cartridge, and the .22-250 just kind of took off. Varmint hunters, ranchers, and predator callers embraced it for its flat trajectory, minimal wind drift, and decisive terminal performance on small to medium-sized game.

And while newer cartridges have come and gone, the .22-250 has maintained a loyal following as a cult classic. And let me tell ya, it ain’t going away any time soon.

Velocity Is the Whole Point

Typical factory loads push 40–55 grain bullets at velocities north of 3,600 feet per second, with some lighter loads flirting with or exceeding the 4,000 fps mark. That kind of speed translates into an extremely flat trajectory.

For hunters taking shots across open country, that matters. A lot.

Less drop means fewer holdover calculations and more margin for error when estimating range. Combine that with excellent inherent accuracy, and the .22-250 becomes a confidence-building cartridge, especially at longer distances.

Further, while no .22-caliber bullet is immune to wind, the .22-250’s velocity easily cuts through the air and boasts reliable accuracy and consistency well beyond 300 yards.

Practical Performance in the Real World

In terms of varmint and predator hunting applications, the .22-250 hits with authority. Prairie dogs, groundhogs, coyotes, and foxes are all squarely in its wheelhouse.

That said, bullet construction matters here. Thin-jacketed varmint bullets tend to fragment violently at .22-250 velocities, delivering quick, humane results but limiting penetration, which is ideal for pest control and situations where over-penetration is a concern.

For predator hunters seeking controlled expansion and better pelt preservation, modern soft points and purpose-built hunting bullets deliver more predictable performance. The versatility of available projectile designs lets shooters tailor the cartridge to their exact needs.

It’s worth noting, too, that this is not a “dual-purpose” round in the defensive or tactical sense. The .22-250 is a hunting cartridge through and through, explicitly optimized for accuracy, reach, and terminal effect on small to medium game.

Recoil, Rifles, and Shootability

Despite its speed, the .22-250 is very manageable to shoot.

Recoil is mild, especially in typical varmint-weight bolt-action rifles, and extended shooting sessions are comfortable, and fatigue is minimal compared to larger-caliber hunting rounds.

Most .22-250 arms are bolt-action rifles with longer barrels, which help maximize velocity and accuracy. The cartridge thrives in 22–26-inch barrels, and it rewards good fundamentals. Shooters who take their time and do their part are often surprised by just how precise the round can be.

From a training standpoint, it’s an excellent teacher of wind reading and external ballistics without punishing the shooter.

That said, no cartridge is perfect, and the .22-250 is no exception.

Barrel life is shorter than slower .224 options. High velocities and hot powder charges result in more throat erosion over time, especially with sustained high-volume shooting. For most hunters, this isn’t a dealbreaker, but it’s something high-round-count shooters should understand.

Ammunition is also more expensive and less widely available than for .223 Remington. You’ll find it in most well-stocked sporting goods stores, but you won’t see bulk pricing or endless variety on the shelf.

Still, for shooters who value performance over economy, those tradeoffs are usually acceptable.

Final Thoughts

The .22-250 Remington isn’t trendy, and it doesn’t need to be.

It remains one of the flattest-shooting, most effective varmint and predator cartridges ever put into mass production. It rewards good shooting fundamentals, simplifies long-range holds, and delivers decisive results in the field.

If your shooting revolves around open terrain, longer distances, and small to medium-sized game, the .22-250 continues to make a very strong case for itself. It’s not trying to replace anything else. It simply does its job exceptionally well.

And as with any serious shooting discipline, consistency matters. Having the right ammunition on hand when you need it is part of being prepared. Instead of chasing availability or reacting to price swings, it makes sense to build your supply steadily.

It’s one of those calibers that can be hard to find during peak predator season. Setting up a recurring addition to your AmmoSquared inventory ensures you’re never the guy staring at an empty shelf when the coyotes are moving.

So, log in to your AmmoSquared account and consider adding .22-250 Remington to your stockpile. A little at a time adds up, and when hunting season rolls around, you’ll be glad you planned ahead.