Comparing the 308 and 22 250 may seem strange, considering they are in completely different classes. However, deciding what caliber you want is a little bit of personal preference, and a lot of being realistic about what that round can accomplish.
That’s why in this article, we’ll be talking about these two rounds and comparing them. Including some ballistics data so you can see for yourself how these two compare against one another! Let’s start with the 22 250.
22 250 vs 308 [Uses and Situations]
The 22 250 is an extremely accurate light caliber round. This makes it one of the most popular with hunters who are looking to take down coyotes, and people interested in plinking. Because not only is it accurate, but the recoil is also almost non-existent, so it’s more enjoyable to shoot it recreation-ally.
However, the 22 250 isn’t the most powerful pick you could make. So, while it’s a good pick for smaller game like coyotes, and it can even be used in a pinch for deer hunting – the versatility ends there. It’s simply not powerful enough for larger game.
But, what the 22 250 lacks in power, it makes up for it in speed, with some factory cartridges having speeds in excess of 4000 ft/s. This high velocity also allows for flatter shooting, and gives you far better effectiveness in high wind.
The 308 on the other hand, is far more versatile. You can use it for everything from deer, to pronghorn, to moose, and bear! A 308 could also take coyote at close range, that is if you’re not wanting to keep the hides, as it will be very damaging to the pelts.
However, it is not quite as friendly to the novice shooter like the 22 250 is. You’ll need to get a bit more practice in to get consistent shot placement at comfortable yardages. The recoil is also much worse, and many shooters dislike the 308 for this reason. In addition, it’s not a great pick for long range shooting, as performance quickly degrades past 500 yards.
22 250 vs 308 Ballistics Information
Below you’ll find some ballistics data for the 22 250 and 308 which you can compare.
308 Winchester Overview
Bullet mass/type | Velocity | Energy |
125gr. (8g) Spitzer | 3100 ft/s (940 m/s) | 2668 ft⋅lbf (3617 J) |
150gr. (10g) Nosler | 2820 ft/s (860 m/s) | 2648 ft⋅lbf (3590 J) |
175gr. (11g) BTHP | 2645 ft/s (806 m/s) | 2619 ft⋅lbf (3551 J) |
22 250 Remington Overview
- Bullet diameter: .224 in (5.7mm)
- Case length: 1.912 in (48.6mm)
- Twist: 1-12, 1-14
- Availability: Excellent
Bullet mass/type | Velocity | Energy |
55gr. (3.6g) SP | 3786 ft/s (1154 m/s) | 1751 ft⋅lbf (2343 J) |
60gr. (3.9g) BT | 3580 ft/s (1090 m/s) | 1708 ft⋅lbf (2316 J) |
64gr. (4.1g) PP | 3500 ft/s (1100 m/s) | 1741 ft⋅lbf (2360 J) |
Featured Photo – John Crowley Flickr
