22-250 ammo

22-250 ammo — the .22-250 Remington — is one of the fastest, flattest-shooting varmint cartridges ever made: a .224-inch bullet driven near 3,700–3,900 fps that turns coyotes and prairie dogs into a long-range proposition. Where the .223 runs out of reach, the .22-250 keeps going, making it the choice of dedicated varmint and predator hunters who shoot across open ground. With the right bullet it’s also a flat deer round where legal. This page covers what it’s good for and how it compares.

Tatted Tacticals stocks .22-250 from Hornady, Federal, Winchester, and Nosler — light polymer-tip varmint loads and heavier controlled-expansion bullets, in boxes and bulk.

What the .22-250 Does Best

This is a long-range varmint and predator cartridge. Light 35- to 55-grain bullets near 3,700+ fps shoot extremely flat and open explosively on coyotes, foxes, and prairie dogs, reaching well past where a .223 stays effective. Its speed means flat trajectory and minimal holdover at varmint ranges. The trade-off is faster barbel heat and wear during high-volume shooting, and more recoil and report than a .223. Our .22-250 ballistic data guide has full drop charts.

.22-250 vs. .223 and .243

The .22-250 is the high-velocity middle child. It’s significantly faster and flatter than the .223 with more reach on varmints, while the larger .243 steps up to a true deer cartridge with heavier 6mm bullets. For pure varmint reach with a .22-caliber bullet, the .22-250 is hard to beat; for dual varmint-and-deer duty, the .243 is more versatile. Predator hunters also look at the .22 WMR for closer work. Standards follow SAAMI specifications.

Buying .22-250

Buy varmint loads in quantity for high-volume sessions. Federal law sets the minimum age for rifle ammunition at 18; per ATF guidance, confirm federal rules and review our ammunition shipping rules and state restrictions before ordering.

.22-250 Ammo — Frequently Asked Questions

Is .22-250 stronger than .223?

Yes. The .22-250 uses a much larger powder capacity to drive the same .224-inch bullets several hundred fps faster than the .223, giving it a flatter trajectory and more reach on varmints. The .223 is cheaper, lower-recoiling, and available in more rifles; the .22-250 is the higher-performance varmint specialist.

What is .22-250 ammo good for?

Long-range varmint and predator hunting — coyotes, foxes, prairie dogs, and groundhogs at distance, where its flat trajectory shines. With heavier controlled-expansion bullets it can take deer where legal. It’s not ideal for high-round-count plinking due to barrel wear, but for reaching out on varmints it’s exceptional.

What is the best .22-250 bullet for deer?

Where the .22-250 is legal for deer, use the heaviest controlled-expansion bullets available — typically 60- to 64-grain bonded or tough hollow-point hunting bullets — rather than thin-jacketed varmint bullets that fragment. Shot placement is critical with a .22-caliber bullet, and many states set caliber minimums that exclude it, so check local regulations.

How far does a .22-250 drop at 300 yards?

With a typical 55-grain load zeroed at 200 yards, a .22-250 drops only a few inches by 300 yards thanks to its high velocity — far flatter than most cartridges. Exact drop depends on bullet and zero, so confirm with your load. That flat trajectory is precisely why varmint hunters favor it for long shots.

Can you buy .22-250 ammo online?

Yes. In most U.S. states you can buy .22-250 online and have it shipped to your door. The minimum age for rifle ammunition is 18, and some states and municipalities add restrictions or shipping limits, so confirm your state and local laws before ordering.