Flat shooting and impressively accurate, the .22-250 rifle is revered amongst predator hunters, varmint hunters, and target shooters alike.
The blazing-fast .22-250 cartridge is still fairly popular despite the emergence of some cartridges that move even faster.
However, taking aim with any of the best .22-250 rifles listed below will still bring plenty of success whether a coyote, groundhog, or bullseye are waiting downrange.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for .22-250 Rifles
What to Watch For When Buying a .22-250 Rifle
Being informed and knowledgeable about any item you plan to purchase is always a good idea. Firearms are no different. Keep reading to learn more about what to look out for when shopping for a .22-250 rifle.
Hallmark Traits
Every type of firearm, from hunting rifles to self-defense handguns, tends to have a few hallmark traits that set it apart from other types. These traits are generally things that a specific type of firearm has that other types don’t or something that one type of firearm does better than another. There is some overlap between guns here, but two of the hallmark traits of the .22-250 rifle are being lightweight and precision.
A lightweight gun is easy to carry and precision lets hunters and shooters put shots exactly where they want them. Considering those two things, it is no surprise that .22-250 rifles are so popular amongst varmint and predator hunters. Keep an eye on the weight of any .22-250 rifle you are considering and find reviews that cover accuracy. Following the path of these hallmark .22-250 rifle traits will lead you to an excellent purchase.
Photo credit: ballisticmag.com
Home on the Range (and Field)
We’ve all heard the saying about a jack of all trades and master of none. While it is silly to think that one rifle can do everything, that doesn’t mean that some overlap of uses can’t be obtained. As long as there is a decent amount of similarity between the uses, a single rifle can perform admirably in several areas. Take the .22-250 rifle for example. It has characteristics that make it an excellent rifle for mid to long range coyote and varmint hunting as well as a great choice for bench shooting and competition.
If using your future rifle for both of those things sounds appealing to you, there are a few things to keep your eye on when shopping. Pay attention to barrel length and twist rate. You’ll want one that will stabilize your bullets well for better long range performance. Other accuracy features can also be helpful such as a free-floated barrel and a low trigger pull weight.
Adding it All Up
With so many options available, there is sure to be a .22-250 rifle fit for just about any budget. Even rifle models on the lower end of the spectrum serve many hunters and shooters well. With modern day manufacturing techniques, even so-called “budget” rifles are impressively accurate and precise. There is no reason to feel pressured to buy a more expensive rifle than you need or can afford. Stick with trust brands and you’ll love whichever .22-250 rifle you decide on.
Comparison of the Best .22-250 Rifles
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Review of the Best .22-250 Rifles
The following is a list of the five best .22-250 rifles currently on the market. As you go through each one, you should take note of the characteristics and features so you know which one will come out as your ideal rifle. Once you find one that’s close, then you’ve found a winner.
Now, let’s take a look at the first .22-250 rifle on our list--our best overall choice:
Best Overall:
Ruger - American Rifle 22" .22-250 Remington 4+1RD
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
As expected, a lot of recent buyers were satisfied with the overall rifle performance. They were happy with the accuracy and firepower of this rifle. The bolt action feeds quite nicely and moves quickly. This turned out to be a really good general-purpose rifle for the new users.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This rifle has four rounds plus one. That’s good enough if you’re using it for a hunting application and any other application, as well. Other than that, the stock is quite durable and made from composite materials. In short, this .22-225 is how it should be. Reliable feeding and firing power, plus durable construction.
Who Will Use This Most
This will be used as a general-purpose rifle. So it is for use by hunters and target shooters alike. If you want something that is solid in construction and delivers excellent firing power like nothing else, this rifle will stand out as one of the best options for you.
What Could Be Improved and Why
The obvious answer to this question is to include sights. Alternatively, a scope mount should be included. Accuracy is one of the best attributes any rifle can have. To have no sights to guide you and choose where to hit the target will lead to a lot of guesswork.
Bottom Line
The Ruger American Rifle is a great rifle that can get the job done across many applications. No matter how you use it, you'll have something powerful and reliable for as long as you take great care of it.
Best .22-250 Rifle for Coyotes:
Kimber Mfg. - 84M Montana 22-250 SS/SYN Threaded
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
As expected, a lot of new buyers were happy with the rifle. Most said they got what they wanted out of it, in terms of their chosen applications. Most were .22-250 hunters that used this rifle to hit targets as far as 100 to 150 yards out. Of course, the one major thing that stood out for them was the overall durability.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This rifle stands out as the ultimate coyote hunting rifle. It has the best characteristics and features that will allow you to hit one from close ranges. The rifle is built to take some bumps and bangs while out in rough terrain. If you want a rifle that can hack it in the woods during coyote season, then the Kimber 84M Montana sticks out here.
Who Will Use This Most
This rifle will be best used by coyotes hunters. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, it’s the kind of rifle that will provide excellent firepower and velocity to help you land your bag limit every time you use it.
What Could Be Improved and Why
One improvement would be to include some kind of scope mount. This way, it will easily allow users to attach a scope of their own. With the absence of a front sight or rear sight, a good scope is what you need to make this even more accurate and precise.
Bottom Line
If you want a rifle that will stand out as a great coyote rifle, the Kimber 84M Montana .22-250 will be right up your alley. It’s rugged, powerful, and is a prime example of how a hunting rifle should work.
3. Winchester Model 70 Featherweight
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Most recent buyers were happy with a few things with this rifle. The first being the felt recoil. They were able to feel a lot of reduction right out of the box. As a result, they were able to better stabilize themselves while they fired each shot. One user said that the recoil pad also lessened the impact on his shoulders as opposed to a previous rifle he owned.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This rifle has that classic hunting rifle look. The great wood stock with a walnut finish makes it pop. At the same time, the bolt action is smooth and allows for reliable feeding. Since you’re able to move it quickly, you can take a fast shot and reload another in the chamber much faster than most bolt-action rifles.
Who Will Use This Most
This rifle will be used for general purposes, but mostly by hunters, rather than target shooters. It’s got a lesser amount of recoil necessary to make consistently accurate shots. If you want a great rifle that will give you that classic look but can still function the same way your dad or granddad's rifle did back in the day, the Winchester Model 70 comes close.
What Could Be Improved and Why
Since there are no sights, once again we revisit the idea of including a scope mount. That way, it would be ready to accept any rifle scope you can think of. A lot of scopes are available for .22-250 rifles. It’s up to you to find out which one is best.
Bottom Line
The Winchester Model 70 is a classic .22-250 rifle made for the modern user. If you want a rifle that has a design and look you can appreciate, then you’ll fall in love with this rifle rather quickly. However, it’s not the looks that should matter. It’s the performance and quality.
4. Savage 11/111 Trophy Hunter XP .22-250 Rem w/ Nikon Scope
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
A lot of recent buyers were happy with the rifle. Most hunted predators and small critters. They were able to effectively hit their targets from about 400 yards out. One user was happy with the scope included with the rifle. He had a lot of great things to say about the image quality. On top of the awesome image quality, it allowed for excellent accuracy, thanks to the dead-hold BDC reticle.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This rifle has the total package. You have an accurate and reliable rifle. On top of that, you have a scope from one of the best brands in the business, Nikon. This ensures excellent image quality, sharp-looking reticle, and great durability all over.
Who Will Use This Most
This will be used by a lot of buyers who are avid hunters. If you hunt predators and varmints, this rifle will stand out as one of the best possible options for you. This rifle will be perfect if you want something durable, with one of the best scopes in the business.
What Could Be Improved and Why
While there are no major cons that stick out, there is something that would be a worthy addition. A good sling should be nice. This way, it will be be useful for hands-free rifle carrying. Got a pair of binoculars? You can hang the rifle on your shoulder while looking to set up shop somewhere for the day’s hunt.
Bottom Line
The Savage 11/111 Trophy Hunter XP .22-250 is hands-down, one of the best rifles of this caliber on the market. It proves itself with excellent firing ability and a scope that is proven to be the best of the best. If you want the total package in one rifle, this is it.
5. Remington Model 700 ADL .22-250 Rem 24" Rifle w/ 3-9x40mm Scope
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
This rifle was affordable for many new buyers. They were surprised to see how durable it was. One user said he half expected it to have a cheap, flimsy feel. He also added that the overall firepower and performance were pretty solid. He managed to hit a varmint from about 100 yards out just barely a week into owning this rifle.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This rifle stands out as something better than the price it’s going for. The firing power is excellent and accurate. Not to mention, the buttstock is synthetic and does a great job absorbing a lot of the shock associated with recoil. In short, it’s a rifle that functions as it should. It can also accept most .22-250 cartridges for both hunting and target shooting.
Who Will Use This Most
This will be used mostly by those looking for a .22-250 on a budget. As for the applications, hunting and target practice are the top two. Either way, the rifle proves to be one of the best in performance and accuracy among budget rifles. We could go so far as to say that if you get this rifle, you’ve got quite the steal on your hands.
What Could Be Improved and Why
One improvement would be to get rid of the scope. This will allow you to find a rifle scope of your own. If you know of a more durable scope, clearer in image quality, which does a great job allowing you to reach out and touch something from impressive distances, then it will be much better than the scope included in this rifle.
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a .22-250 rifle that is affordable and still works like a charm, the Remington Model 700 ADL .22-250 will probably be the rifle you’ll want for all your shooting needs. You’ll forget the fact that it’s a budget rifle by the time you fire off your second shot.
How Accurate is a .22-250 Rifle?
It may depend on the application. However, we’ll take a look at how far it can go in a hunting application. We have tested this rifle recently, during a hunting trip.
Our main targets were coyotes and woodchucks. On a good day, a .22-250 rifle can hit a target effectively as far out as 400 to 500 yards. So it is highly accurate when dealing with mid-range targets. You can also check out our 22-250 scope guide for more info about increasing the accuracy.
Photo credit: lifeundersky.com
What Makes a Great .22-250 Rifle?
There are some characteristics and features that make a .22-250 rifle stick out above the rest. So it’s important to find one with the right things to make it work to your advantage. Here are a few things you’ll need to look for:
Price
If you are a budget shopper, then there’s a chance you’ll be looking at the price tag first. Just because you’re on a budget, doesn’t mean you are relegated to only looking for cheap quality products. You can find the best quality you can afford and still have something that can function and feel like a high-end rifle. Do not sacrifice quality because you think saving a few dollars is a good idea.
What is Your Intent and Purpose?
One of the main reasons you should choose a .22-250 is because it is good for specific purposes. For example, hunting is one of the more popular applications of this rifle in particular. Some rifles have certain characteristics and features that will make it stand out in one certain application in addition to being useful for general purposes.
Find High-Quality Materials
If there is one thing you need to know about high-quality rifles, it is they are made from the best quality materials. So, if you’re looking for an all-around durable rifle, you need to know the materials that go into them. Steel and polymer are a good examples of high-quality materials. They can take on a lot of impacts and abuse like nothing else. Polymer is one of the most popular materials used for buttstocks.
Aspects to Consider Before Buying
Aside from the characteristics and features, there are additional aspects you’ll need to consider. It is important to think these over while you are in search of a .22-250 rifle. Here’s what you’ll need to consider:
What Will I Be Hunting?
Some rifles are designed to hunt small game, but not big game (and vice versa). A .22-250 cartridge will be mostly used for small game and predator hunting.
While it may be used for deer hunting, they have a lesser effect than almost any other .22 cartridge on the market.
How Far Do I Want it to Go?
As mentioned before, the .22-250 can reach lengths of 400 to 500 yards. Some rifles are accurate at shorter ranges. So if maximum distance is important to you, find a rifle that will be able to reach that far. You don’t have to hit a target from a long distance, but it should be powerful enough to hit a target from just about anywhere you want.
Photo credit: reloaderaddict.com
Conclusion
The best .22-250 rifle is out there. You might find one rather quickly or you may need a bit more time to choose. Either way, you can find one that will work to your advantage and application. Keep an eye out on a characteristic or feature that stands out to you and determine if it will fulfill your personal needs and preferences.
People Also Ask
The following are a few frequently asked questions that will give you a better understanding of .22-250 rifles. Use this section as a reference, so you are well aware of the rifle’s functionalities and abilities. Here are the following questions:
How Far Can a .22-250 Rifle Shoot?
A good .22-250 rifle can allow a cartridge to effectively hit targets at about 400 yards away. On average, a cartridge can travel as far as 4,000 feet per second.
Is a .22-250 a Good Deer Rifle?
Short answer: no. To give you a better explanation, it can be used for deer hunting. However, the cartridge is not the best compared to other .22 caliber cartridges.
What is The Difference Between a .22 and a .22-250?
One of the major differences that stands out is that the .22-250 is much faster than the .22 itself. Another is that it also has great ripping power against varmint skin, whereas the .22 can do the same for deer.
Is a .22-250 Good for Coyotes?
Yes, it is. This cartridge is more effective against predator targets like coyotes. It’s also proven to be an effective cartridge for most other predator targets, like foxes.
