Looking for an accurate .22 caliber short range cartridge

I'm between these calibers: .22 BR, .222 Remington, and .223 Remington for 100 and 200 yard informal bench shooting. I know the .222 has a proven history of accuracy but wonder if the .223 and .22 BR could be just as good with today's reloading tools and components. The rifle I'm getting will be chambered in .22-250 but I have read that it will probably not be quite as accurate as the ones I'm considering. But, that is just what I've read. I don't have enough experience with any of them to make a judgment.

Which would you pick??

The .22-250 will hold it's own. This was at 120yards with a bone stock 12BVSS and a nice light load, It was on the berm and as far as the public range I was using to check my load went http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...psbd1f7da6.jpg

Yeah That's a dime.

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps869f7f7a.jpg

Oh yeah Burris ballistic plex reticle matches the 22-250 trajectory darn near perfectly way way out there.
Looks like i need to move the POI maybe one more click to the right

I think you'll be good with the 22-250 although I've never shot one. I prefer the 223 rem.

For "informal bench shooting", you probably won't be able to shoot a difference between the four calibers listed.

I say try the 22-250 out and see what she does, and if you don't like it, then rebarrel. I have had a few 22-250's and they were all shooters with their preferred loads. Unless you are going to some serious competitions I am with BoilerUp on this one.

I would be inclined to try the 222 next, but that's just because I like the slightly different and the 222 has a great track record.

Cheap is the 223 with a long 22" barrel.

If it were my choice of those 4 will all external factors aside it would be the 222 all the way. It's even a little bit of nostalgia for short range BR. That being said I don't think you can go wrong with any of those.

Thanks for all of the input, folks. I may just go ahead and see how the .22-250 does. My luck I'd sell a new barrel that would shoot tiny bug holes and have to listen to the new owner bragging...

I appreciate your thoughts.

Savage (BOTBN - Brother Of The Barrel Nut) rule #2 = NEVER shoot a barrel on an action that you plan on removing. :)

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Originally Posted by dcloco

Savage (BOTBN - Brother Of The Barrel Nut) rule #2 = NEVER shoot a barrel on an action that you plan on removing. :)

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Hummmmm, thinking about this one: is it because it will shoot so good I'll never take it off or does shooting it reduce the value so much. I've never had this dilemma so I have to ask..

I'd pick either a .22 Magnum or .22 Hornet for shorter ranges up to 180 yards, the .222 or .223 for 200 yards and beyond, and the .22-250 or the .220 Swift I'd DEFINITELY own FIRST for the last word on .22 center fire.

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Originally Posted by Pastprime

Hummmmm, thinking about this one: is it because it will shoot so good I'll never take it off or does shooting it reduce the value so much. I've never had this dilemma so I have to ask..

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Because it will most likely shoot well enough you will never take it off and be forced to buy another rifle to do a build. IMHO this is the best rule in the BOTBN to break, you end up with more rifles that way. ;)

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Originally Posted by bootsmcguire

Because it will most likely shoot well enough you will never take it off and be forced to buy another rifle to do a build. IMHO this is the best rule in the BOTBN to break, you end up with more rifles that way. ;)

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That's what I was afraid the reason would be....Thanks for the warning "dcloco".