wanting to do a varmint buil and i was wondering ballistically speaking what is the fattest shooting "varmint round" at long range that you can buy at stores. I do not reload but i figured you guys would be the best to ask. From my research its the 22-250 but i was wondering if i was missing something. im in between at 22-250 and a 243 but i am not set on either one. Any help is appreciated.

220 Swift.....
.17 Remington...

I've loaded 22-250's over 4k....

I assume you meant fastest and not fattest? Fastest isn't always the best. I slowed my rounds down below 3700 fps and was more accurate in my .22-250 and busted eggs at 500 yards....

The range you are shooting should determine whether you want a .22-250 or .243.

A .243 will go further because it can shoot a heavier bullet. If you are varmint hunting past 500 yards I would certainly opt for the .243.

You can also load a 55 grn bullet in a .243 and get 4000 fps....

If you are looking for an all around caliber.....I'd choose .243. Its multi ...deer, varmit, yotes....

.22-250 is pretty much a varmit caliber. I know some people deer hunt with them.....a .243 is better suited for a multi purpose rifle.

220 Swift has a little more juice than the 22-250. But it is much less popular and so the ammunition choices are much more limited (and expensive). I'd recommend the 22-250...particularly for someone who doesn't reload.

250

22-250 or 250 savage you will enjoy! .243 and .257wby are sweet rounds too with some extra weight behind them... Actually just get a .264 win mag and be done with it

+1

Don't forget that light bullets in the .243 are smokin' fast too:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/276665/...v-max-box-of-20

22-250 or 257 wby

22-250 first or Swift if you reload

I learned to shoot a rifle w/a custom 22-250 back about 1960 with
my buddys rifle..since I've cull and varmit shot literally hundreds of animals w/a 22 250 and never had a problem..I do handload 55 grain Barnes X for deer and shoot head or neck shots,
and I always get a heavy 26in bbl..you defeat the rifle and balistics if you get a shot pencil-dick bbl..DD

Good luck finding 250 savage ammo. (See my name) it's my favorite gun.

None of the big stores carry it. Cabelas, Walmart, bass pro, academy...

If anybody knows where I can get it for a good price let me know. But it's a sweet little round!

Sorry i meant flattest. I already have a 308 so i dont think that i need another deer rifle.
thank you for all the help though.

Flattest out to 300 yards I have is a 17 Remingon, one inch high a 100 on a 200, inch low at 300 but drops pretty quick after that. 204 Ruger will be close to the same.

220 Swift and 223WSSM are the flattest shooting / flattest factor rounds but ammo supply is limited.

For the non reloader 22-250 is the flattest 22cal varmint round with lots of options in loads.

For longer than 300 yards IMO the 22cals are handicapped some by barrel twist not allowing for use of heavier higher BC bullets in the 75 to 80 grain weights which cheat wind a lot better.

thank you

.204 or .22-250 are fast, flat, and ammo can be found everywhere that carries ammo. I looked at Academy Saturday just to see what was on the shelf and there were tons of .204 and several boxes of 22-250. I recently bought a Savage Model 16 22-250 and it is crazy accurate and only paid $562 after FFL fee from Bud's. Second load I worked up shot 4 shots at 100 yds at 0.4" and I haven't even begun tweaking.

The .243 will be better for longer range, especially in the wind with heavier bullets. It also has light bullets available if you simply want speed sometimes. Pretty darn good selection of bullets for a lot of different tasks.

If you go with a 22-250, a fast twist like 1 in 8" or even 1 in 7" will likely be needed for heavier bullets that will be better at longer ranges, IMO.

224 TTH / 22-6mm

BOBO: OP says he doesn't reload.

204 ruger and 223 wssm are pretty nice ballistically but between the two you mentioned I like the 22-250. Seems to me the ammo is easier to come by