The Best .22-250 Rifles (2021): Buying Guide

Best .22-250 Rifles Feature Image

A lot of times, the .22-250 Remington rifle is linked to coyote hunting. The finest .22-250 rifles will be more than just a coyote gun, however, and while it is a great choice for that particular usage, the best .22-250 Remington rifles are more than a single annotation performer. The level shooting trajectory and the lightning-fast speed of the .22-250 cartridge makes it a boot-strapper when varmint hunting from groundhogs to coyotes (and beyond that).

Finding the best .22-250 rifles may be a challenge for some gun owners, just like your shopping trip for any rifle. However, if you understand how this rifle works in and out, there is a fine chance that the search process will not be as hard. These varmint rifles have proven itself to be dependable across a huge range of applications for a lot of varmint hunters.

If you have a clear-cut idea of how you are going to use one of those, then you will certainly need to find the characteristics and features of a rifle that will help it maximize its performances in that certain usage.  If you are in search of the best .22-250 rifle, then this list of some of the best rifles on the market will be a good place to start for you.

Before we get to the main list itself, we are going to talk about how precise this gun is. We will also talk about which features and structures make any of the rifles stand out among the others and discuss additional feature that should contribute to your final decision.

The .22-250 rifle is favored by many small game hunters and varmints hunting rifle hunters. One of the reasons is that the .22-250 rifle is extremely light in weight and is easy to carry. Another reason is that a lot of hunters prefer the .22-250 for the reason that it has very little to no recoil. If you have been looking for the best .22-250 rifle, then you have definitely come to the right list.

For all that has been said, the .22-250 cartridge was the principal bench rest shooting caliber and leading example for many years until the 6mm PPC unseated it. However, that cartridge is only hardly better at bench rest shooting than the .22-250. Even then, it is only for specific usages. The reality is that the .22-250 is a multipurpose cartridge, much more so than the 6mm PPC or from any other competitors.

What’s more, having said all that, the .22-250 is a renowned caliber for other reasons too, as it was part of the development of the cartridges that later on resulted in one of the most storied and common rifle rounds in global history. It just so happens to be one of the only cartridges that the United States Armed Forces use as their general rifle round: the 5.56x45mm and the .223 Remington (generally seen as compatible – although that is not exactly the entire story).

There is a significant note regarding the 5.56×45 and the .223 Remington later in this article that may help you settle on a gun for acquisition in this market section. Otherwise, this is a mini list article made to help you decide what the best .22-250 rifle is for you. Whether you plan on hunting coyotes or prairie dogs for small game purposes, or whether you plan to just shoot targets that are made out of paper.

RiflesNameEditor’s CommentRatingGet The Best Deal
Winchester Model 70 Featherweight

Most Recommended Option

1. Includes a 5 + 1 round magazine
2. 22-inch length barrel
3. Walnut finish stock

10/10SHOP NOW
Weatherby Vanguard Sporter1. One of the most aesthetically pleasing guns on the market
2. This rifle has a 24-inch, contoured, heavy barrel for superior accuracy
3. It’s a match grade, two-stage trigger system
9.5/10SHOP NOW
Kimber 84M Montana 22 250 Threaded1. The scope is decent in terms of reliability
2. Bolt action is nice and smooth
3. Great for hunting applications
9.0/10SHOP NOW
Ruger American Rifle Remington Model (4 + 1 Round)1. Bolt action is nice and smooth and feeding is reliable
2. Buttstock is super durable
3. Magazine is easy to remove and reload
8.5/10SHOP NOW
Remington 700 ADL Varmint Bolt Ation Rifle1. Heavy/stiff (in a good way), but not as heavy (in a bad way)
2. Nice Stock and good craftsmanship for the money
3. Easy to use
8.0/10Currently unavailable
Ruger Hawkeye Varmint Target1. Accurate
2. Built To Last
3. Considered Heavy
7.0/10Currently unavailable

The Criteria: What Make a Great .22-250 Rifle?

Hunting

There are some characteristics and features that make a .22-250 rifle stick out from the rest. So it is of great importance to find one with the right factors to make it work to your advantage. Here are a few factors you will need to look out for: 

The Price Point and Your Budget

If you are a budget shopper, or is someone who does not have a lot to spend on the higher priced rifles, then there is a chance that you will be looking at the gun’s price tag first. Just because you are on a budget or do not have as much money to spend, it does not mean you are consigned to only looking for cheap or low-quality products. You can find the top quality you can afford and still have a gun that can work and feel like a high-end rifle. Do not ever in any circumstances you choose to sacrifice quality because you think saving a few bucks is a great idea.

Intent and Purpose of Getting the Rifle

One of the leading reasons you should choose a .22-250 rifle is that it is good for particular purposes. For instance, varmint hunting is one of the most popular usages of this rifle in particular. Some rifles have some kind of “special” characteristics and features that will make it stand out from other rifles in one certain application in addition to being beneficial for general purposes.

Get High-Quality Material

If there is anything you need to know about high-quality rifles, it is to say that they are made from some of the best quality materials they can lay their hands on. Therefore, if you are looking for a holistic and durable rifle, then you will need to know the materials that are used to make them. Steel and polymer material are good examples of high-quality materials. They can bear a lot of impact and abuse like nothing else. The polymer is another one of the most popular materials used in particular for buttstocks.

Manage Your Expectation: Ask Yourself Before the Purchase

Aside from the individualities and features, there are more aspects you will need to take into consideration. It is important to think the following aspects over while you are in search of a .22-250 rifle. Here are what aspects you will need to consider:

What is the Target You Will Be Hunting?

Some rifles are made and intended to hunt small game, but not for big games (and vice versa). A .22-250 cartridge will be mostly used for small game hunting and predator hunting. While it may be used for deer hunting, they have a smaller effect than almost any other 22 cartridges that are on the market.

How Far Do You Intend to Go?

As mentioned previously, the .22-250 can reach lengths of 400 yards to 500 yards. Some rifles are accurate at shorter ranges. So if maximum distance is considered important to you, then find yourself a rifle that will be able to reach that distant. You do not necessarily have to hit a target from a long distance, however, it should be powerful enough to hit a target from just about anywhere else you want. 

The Best .22-250 Rifles – Rated and Reviewed

Now that we are done with the introductions and all, here are some of the best .22-250 Rifles that are currently available on the market. Find yourself one that best fits your needs.

1. Remington 700 ADL .22-250 Remington (24 Inches)

Remington Model 700 ADL

This rifle is considered affordable and a budget option for many new buyers. They were amazed to see its durability and how sturdy it is. One gun user said he half predicted it to have a low-cost and flimsy feel. He also added that the overall firepower and enactment were pretty solid. He managed to hit a varmint from about 100 yards out just under a week into owning this particular rifle.

This rifle stands out as something better than the price it’s offering gun handlers for. The firing power is brilliant and accurate. Not forgetting to mention, the buttstock is made of synthetic material. Synthetic buttstock is said to do a great job at absorbing a lot of the shock related to recoil. To put it simply, it is a rifle that works as it should. It can also take on most .22-250 Remington cartridges for both hunting and varmint hunting activities.

This will be used mostly by gun handlers who are searching for a .22-250 on a budget. As for the applications, hunting and target practices are the top two most used applications. Either way, the gun proves to be one of the greatest in terms of its performance and precision among all other budget rifles. People can go so far as to say that if you get your hands on this rifle, you have got quite the steal and a bargain on your own two hands.

Some gun owners said that one improvement will be to get rid of the scope. This will let you find a rifle scope of your own choosing. If you know of a more durable and long-lasting scope, clearer in image quality, one that does a great job in allowing you to reach out and touch something from remarkable distances, then it will be much better than the scope that was included with this Remington Model 700 ADL .22-250 Remington 700.

If you are looking for a .22-250 rifle that is affordable, within your budget, and still works like a charm, then this Remington Model 700 ADL .22-250 Remington will probably be the rifle you will want for all your shooting requirements. You will forget the fact that it is a budget rifle by the time you open fire off for your second shot.

2. Winchester Model 70 Featherweight

Winchester Model 70 Featherweight

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Most recent gun shoppers reported that they are happy with a few things that come with this rifle. One of the best things about this gun is its felt recoil. They are able to sense a lot of declines right out of the box. As a result of that, they are able to well stabilize themselves while they fired each shot. One gun owner said that the recoil pad also reduced the impact on his shoulders as opposed to a previous rifle he has owned.

This rifle has that classic hunting rifle appearance. The great wood stock with a walnut finish makes it stand out from the others. At the same time, the bolt action rifle is level and allows for dependable feeding. Since you are able to move it rapidly, you can take a quick shot and reload another one in the chamber a lot faster than most bolt action rifles.

This rifle can and will be used for general purposes, however, mostly by hunters rather than target shooters to be honest. It has a lesser amount of recoil needed to make consistently accurate shots. If you are looking for a great rifle that offers you that classic and traditional look but can still function the same way your dad or grandfather’s rifle did back in the day, the Winchester Model 70 comes close to what you are looking for.

Since there are no sights, we re-visit the idea of including a scope mount. That way, it can be ready to accept any rifle scope you can possibly think of. A lot of scopes is available for .22-250 rifles. It is pretty much up to you to find out which one is the best fit.

The Winchester Model 70 is a classic .22-250 rifle designed for the modern gun owner. If you want a rifle that has a design and appearance you can truly appreciate, then you will fall in love with this rifle fairly quickly. However, it is not its appearance that should matter. It is the performance and quality that should matter most.

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3. Weatherby Vanguard Sporter

Weatherby Vanguard Sporter

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Next up on this list is the Weatherby Vanguard Sporter rifle. Weatherby has proven itself as one of the highest-graded rifle manufacturers that has ever existed. And the Vanguard Sporter continues to uphold that in their tradition from Weatherby.

The rifle has a 24 inch, contoured, heavy barrel for greater precision. The trigger makes it a level further by being a match-grade, two-stage adjustable trigger system. On top of all of that, you can mount a scope on this if you really like to. And if that is not enough for your .22-250 rifle needs, Weatherby assures the precision of their gun so much that they claim it is able to shoot sub-minute of angle groups (as long as you use the Weatherby ammunition it has provided).

However, precision is only one aspect of this .22-250 rifle. This has to be one of the best looking .22-250 rifles gun owners have ever seen. The stock is Turkish Walnut Monte Carlo and the fore-end cap is designed in a diamond checkering pattern that is beautiful to look at. There are not many guns that will look as aesthetically pleasing as this one – in the rack or for any varmint gun shooters.

The bottom line of this gun is that if you wish to have one of the best .22-250 rifles on the market, you will definitely have to give Weatherby a consideration. Of course, Ruger and The Savage both have great competing rifles, so your picks might come down to its looks, weight, and price. Even with all that said, it will be hard to walk away from the Weatherby Vanguard Sporter rifle.

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4. Kimber 84M Montana .22-250 SS/SYN Threaded

Kimber 84M Montana

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As a lot of people have expected, a lot of newer rifle owners are happy with this particular rifle. Most rifle owners said they get what they wanted out of this rifle, in terms of their chosen applications. Most are .22-250 hunters who have used this rifle to hit critters and varmint targets as far as 100 yards to 150 yards out. Of course, the one major thing that stands out for them is the overall durability.

This Kimber rifle stands out as the definitive varmint hunting rifle. It has some of the best characteristics and features that can allow you to hit varmints from close ranges. The rifle is designed to take some rough banging, bumps and bangs while you bring it out in rough terrains. If you are looking for a rifle that can hack it in the woods during varmint season, then the Kimber 84M Montana is definitely one of the best choices here on this list.

This Kimber rifle will be best used by any varmint hunter. Whether if you are a beginner or a well-seasoned and well-trained pro, this Kimber rifle is the kind of rifle that will provide excellent firepower and velocity to assist you in landing your bag limit almost every single time you use it.

One improvement that will be great to include will be some kind of scope mounts. That way, it will effortlessly allow gun owners to attach a scope of their own choice. With the absence of a front sight and rear sight, a good scope is what you will need to make this even more accurate and precise in your shooting activities.

If you want a varmint rifle that will stand out as a great hunting rifle, then this Kimber 84M Montana .22-250 will be right for what you are looking for. This Kimber rifle is rugged, powerful, and is a great example of how a hunting rifle should work.

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5. Ruger Hawkeye Varmint Target

ruger hawkeye

Ruger has proven themselves from time and time again to be at the top of their game, and the gun market. And for good reasons too. They have built some of the greatest guns for personal defense and hunting that have ever graced the market. So, it does not surprise us in the least bit that they have 2 guns, which are built on the same platform (M77), that makes the cut.

The Ruger Hawkeye Varmint Target rifle is an upgrade and an elevation of its older model. With an improved barrel, which is 24 inches in length, an easy-to-grip bolt, and a 3-way lever safety, it is definitely ready for those varmints. However, what sets this apart is its trigger and stock feature of its M77 platform. At this price point, you will definitely be hard pressed to find another .22-250 rifles that can perform as accurately as this Hawkeye Varmint Target rifle.

The con is that this rifle does check-in with a weight of 10 pounds, which is fairly heavy for a varmint rifle. If you plan to take this with you on long treks, you will probably find yourself wishing you have brought with you a lighter rifle. However, Ruger does make up for it with a great grip and a well-balanced rifle. The bottom line is that the Ruger Hawkeye Varmint Target is ready to turn those annoying animals into nothingness – especially those of those “rascally” varmints.

6. Ruger American Rifle .22-250 Remington (4+1 Rounds, 22 Inches)

ruger american rifle Remington

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As we have heard from a lot of people who have used this gun, a lot of recent gun owners who have bought this rifle before said that they are really satisfied with this Ruger American Rifle .22-250 Remington’s overall rifle performance. They are happy with its accuracy and firepower of this particular rifle. The bolt action feeds quite nicely and moves rather rapidly. This turns out to be a really good rifle for the newer gun users and also for general shooting purposes.

This rifle comes with four rounds plus one. That is basically good enough if you are using it for a hunting application and any other uses also. Other than all of that, the stock is quite tough and is made from composite materials. To put it simply, this .22-250 rifle is how it should be. Reliable feeding and firing power with added durable construction.

This can be used as a general-purpose rifle as mentioned previously. So it is of great use by hunters and target shooters alike. If you are looking for something that is solid in construction and delivers great firing power like nothing else, then this bolt action rifle will stand out as one of the best choices for you.

The obvious response to this matter is to include sights. Your other choice is that a scope mount should be included. Accuracy is one of the best qualities any rifle can ever have. To have no sights to guide you and choose where to hit the target will lead to a lot of messy presumptions.

The Ruger American Rifle is a great bolt action rifle that can get the job done across many applications. No matter how you use it, you will have something prevailing and reliable for as long as you take great care of it.

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Conclusion

The bottom line is that some of the best .22-250 rifles are definitely out there. You can use the .22-250 rifles for varmint hunting, as a long-range varmint rifle, sporting rifle, coyote rifle, and whatnot. As a shooter, the fact that there are a huge variety of such guns on the market makes it hard for you to choose from. Always look into the pros and cons of the rifles before settling for one. 

For obvious reasons, if the cons out weight the cons, you should definitely ignore it and choose the calibers that factors into your preferred adjustments. If the pros, abilities/ability, and versatility caught your attention, always get the product if you can. After all, it’s a good mistake to avoid.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here is one frequently asked question (FAQ) you may have as a gun owner to get further understanding of your rifle preference.

Q: Is a .22-250 Rifle good for coyotes?

Yes, it is a good rifle for coyotes. The cartridge is more efficacious against predator targets like coyotes and similar. It is also proven to be an effective cartridge for most other predator targets too, like foxes for example.

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