I think I want a Predator. Photos added

[mattsbox99]

I just can't decide if I want a .22-250 or .223. I also can't decide if I want the Predator or another MKII Target. I'm leaning towards the Predator because its 2 pounds lighter. Anybody shooting one of the Predators?

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Well, since I couldn't decide, I got both. They are very nice rifles, the CRF works perfectly, triggers are very nice, both handle very well. I put a Leupold Mark AR 6-18x40 on the .223 and a VX3 3.5-10x50 on the .22-250 for now, but that will probably change to another 6-18x40 or 50.

I wish I could show some pictures of tiny little groups, but I can't, I played farmer all day and just wasn't in good shooting form. Groups were right at 1" / 100 yards.

 

[mike-c]

Greetings,

The 223 is a little cheaper to shoot, and the lighter rifle would be a plus to carry to your shooting spot.

Mike 8)

 

[mattsbox99]

I reload so cost isn't much of a factor, but I bought a couple thousand Nosler 69 grain bullets a few years ago when SPS had them on over-run, so that might be the way to go. Plus I already have a lot of .223 brass...

I already have a .204 Ruger which does what the .22-250 does. I'm thinking that .223 is the way to go, but the potential of .22-250 intrigues me too.

 

[wwb]

If you're considering a .22-250, check the twist rate. I'm not sure what they're putting out these days, but the older .22-250s all had a pretty slow twist... 1:12 and 1:14 were pretty common.

If that's the twist in the one you're considering, those Nosler 69 grain bullets you got such a deal on won't do you much good (I got a couple thousand of them, too.... but shoot them in a .223 with a 1:9 twist).

 

[mike-c]

Greetings,

Very good point about the rate of twist...

Mike 8)

 

[gfw1985]

For me, it would boil down to intended use. Under 300yd shots on what I call groundhogs(average under 10lb.), I'd stay with the .223. I had a Model 77 in .22/250 and while it did extend my range, I never did reach the accuracy I expected even after extensive reloading. My little T/C Contender in .223 handloaded, would outshoot it anyday, limited only by it's 4x scope. Coyote's however, the .22/250 would work better.

 

[rugerjunkie]

Matt,

I went 223 when I got my first dedicated varmint (pdog) rifle a few years ago. Tossed around the same ideas as you are and am happy with my decision. Last year was my first ever trip to shoot pdogs and the 223 did great when I did my part. My longest was 425 yards with the 223. For the most part I was using the white box Win 45gr hollowpoints because my rifle shoots em lights out. When the wind kicked up and I wasn't making hits I just remedied that by getting out the 25-06. I know you have some of those! ;)

Jeff

 

[mattsbox99]

Yea Jeff, one or two or something like that!

The Predator 22-250 is 1-14, I knew the 69s wouldn't work and I just went and looked and after a couple years it turns out they grew up into 77 grain bullets, or at least half of them did. I hadn't planned on using either of them if I had gotten the 22-250 anyway.

Intended use, I'm not sure what thats going to be. My gophers are pretty tame, 99% of my shots are off the 4 wheeler with a .22LR. I'd probably use the .223 for gophers as I can shoot them farther away too.


Well, I think I'm gonna stop by the local shop and order the .223 Predator tomorrow.

 

[cmacrph]

Sounds like you have made your mind up already, but I went with the Predator in 22-250 about a year and a half ago and have not been disappointed. I varmint hunt on several ranches here in central Texas and the Predator has served its purpose well. It is among the most accurate rifles that I shoot. Using the Nikon Coyote Special sighted in at 200 yards and practicing with full size coyote targets, it consistently hits within the kill zone with shooting sticks or off hand. When shooting the .223 for varmints in my SR556 I use the 3-9X Coyote Special with the Laser Genetics ND-3 mounted on top for use in low light or night hunting. A combination that has also worked well.
Good Luck and Good Hunting whichever route you decide to take!
CCM

 

[bigbore45colt]

I have a 204 Predator and it is a nice, light gun. I have had it over a year now and have not shot it so I can't comment on accuracy. I do have a 77VT in 204 as well that is extremely accurate and pleasant to shoot.

BB45C

 

[mattsbox99]

I like the .204, but I already have one in a Rem 700 and its very accurate. I kinda wish the .223 Predator had a 24" barrel but I suppose 22" will be fine. I went to work a little earlier than I planned so it'll probably be wednesday before I get in to order it.

 

[rugerjunkie]

I thought the predator models had 24" barrels??

 

[TBear77]

The 204 and 22-250 both have 24" barrels, the 223 has a 22" barrel.

Just wish they offered a few more calibers in the predator configuration, like 6.5 Creedmoore and 308 Win.

Ted

 

[mattsbox99]

If they had a 6mm Rem, that would be a tough one to resist for me.

Also, I'd like to see a .223 in 1-12 twist for the lighter bullets.

 

[mattsbox99]

Well, I'm pretty weak in resisting new guns. I ordered the .223 Predator, and my dealer also had one of the pre-predator Lipseys Hawkeyes in .22-250 on the shelf so I bought that one too. The Lipseys gun has the MKII Target trigger but has a black laminate stock instead of the Green Mountain stock of the Predators. I'm happy either way.

 

[mattsbox99]

Updated

 

[dfletcher]

If you're considering a .22-250, check the twist rate. I'm not sure what they're putting out these days, but the older .22-250s all had a pretty slow twist... 1:12 and 1:14 were pretty common.

If that's the twist in the one you're considering, those Nosler 69 grain bullets you got such a deal on won't do you much good (I got a couple thousand of them, too.... but shoot them in a .223 with a 1:9 twist).

I wish I'd considered that before buying my Remington VSSF II a few years back. I like the rifle, HS stock, fluted barrel and all. But a slow twist(1 - 12 or 1 - 14, don't recall which) doesn't do a whole lot for me. I think maybe 62 grains is about the heaviest I can use.

 

[mattsbox99]

You might just try them, you can run a heavier bullet with a slow twist if its fast enough. Since the 22-250 beats the .223 by over 600 FPS, it may well shoot them just fine. I will eventually load some just to try.

Nosler No. 6 does have data for up to 80 grain bullets in the .22-250, however it was developed with a 1-8 twist barrel and at 2.600" OAL.

 

[wwb]

I have 2 friends with .22-250 rifles. Both of them shoot 52 and 55 grain bullets very well. One of them shoots 60 grain bullets just fine, while the other will give a good 100 yard group, but the 200 yard group is all over the map.

Whether or not your particular rifle will work with anything over 55 grains is a crapshoot.... only one way to find out.