Published: November 2025 | Last updated: April 2026
The 22-250 Remington started as a wildcat – gunsmiths necking the 250 Savage case to .224 inches as early as the 1930s – and Remington standardized it commercially in 1965. The result is the fastest commercially available .22-caliber centerfire cartridge in widespread use, pushing 45-grain bullets to 4,150 FPS and 55-grain bullets to 3,680 FPS. At those velocities, the trajectory is genuinely flat: a 55-grain bullet is less than 3 inches high or low anywhere between muzzle and 280 yards with a 200-yard zero.
The 22-250 Remington is a varmint and predator cartridge. That is its design purpose, its optimized application, and its honest ceiling. The original article on this page claimed “ethical hunting ranges up to 500-700 yards for big game” and suggested the Barnes Varmint Grenade is appropriate for elk – both are dangerous misinformation. The 22-250 Remington produces a maximum of approximately 1,654 ft-lbs muzzle energy with 55-grain bullets. Elk require 1,500 ft-lbs at impact for ethical kills; the 22-250 falls below that threshold at the muzzle with all loads. It is a coyote-to-200-pound game cartridge, not a big game cartridge.
For reloading data, see the 22-250 Remington complete guide. For comparisons, see 243 Winchester vs 22-250 Remington.
Core Ballistic Parameters
| Load | MV | BC (G1) | Muzzle Energy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45 gr Hornady V-MAX | 4,150 FPS | 0.228 | 1,721 ft-lbs |
| 50 gr Hornady V-MAX | 3,850 FPS | 0.242 | 1,646 ft-lbs |
| 55 gr Sierra BlitzKing | 3,680 FPS | 0.271 | 1,654 ft-lbs |
| 60 gr Nosler Partition | 3,500 FPS | 0.284 | 1,634 ft-lbs |
All data below uses a 200-yard zero, 1.5-inch sight height, 59°F, sea level. The 22-250 Remington’s high velocity makes a 200-yard zero practical – the bullet stays within 2 inches of line of sight from 50 to nearly 250 yards, ideal for varmint shooting where animals can appear at any distance in that range.
Bullet Drop (200-Yard Zero)
| Range (yards) | 45 gr V-MAX | 50 gr V-MAX | 55 gr BlitzKing | 60 gr Partition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | -1.5 | -1.5 | -1.5 | -1.5 |
| 50 | +0.4 | +0.4 | +0.4 | +0.3 |
| 100 | +1.6 | +1.5 | +1.4 | +1.3 |
| 150 | +1.5 | +1.4 | +1.3 | +1.2 |
| 200 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| 300 | -5.8 | -6.1 | -6.5 | -6.9 |
| 400 | -17.0 | -18.0 | -19.2 | -20.5 |
| 500 | -34.0 | -36.2 | -38.7 | -41.5 |
| 600 | -57.5 | -61.5 | -65.7 | -70.5 |
| 700 | -89.0 | -95.5 | -102.3 | -110.0 |
| 800 | -130.0 | -140.0 | -150.5 | -162.0 |
Drop in inches. Positive values = above line of sight.
With a 200-yard zero, the 22-250 Remington stays within ±2 inches of point of aim from approximately 50 to 255 yards with the 55-grain BlitzKing. This near-point-blank range is the practical advantage that makes the 22-250 the premier prairie dog and long-range varmint cartridge – a shooter can hold center on a ground squirrel at any distance from 50 to 250 yards without holdover adjustment.
The drop difference between the 45-grain and 60-grain loads at 400 yards is 3.5 inches – significant for varmint shooting on small targets. Hunters who shoot at prairie dogs at 400 yards and occasionally push to 500 yards should know their specific load’s holdover at those distances.
Wind Drift – 10 MPH Full-Value Crosswind
| Range (yards) | 45 gr V-MAX | 50 gr V-MAX | 55 gr BlitzKing | 60 gr Partition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.5 |
| 200 | 2.8 | 2.5 | 2.3 | 2.1 |
| 300 | 6.4 | 5.8 | 5.3 | 4.9 |
| 400 | 11.6 | 10.5 | 9.6 | 8.9 |
| 500 | 18.7 | 16.9 | 15.5 | 14.3 |
| 600 | 27.6 | 25.0 | 22.9 | 21.1 |
| 700 | 38.5 | 35.0 | 32.0 | 29.5 |
| 800 | 52.0 | 47.5 | 43.4 | 40.0 |
Drift in inches. Half-value crosswind = divide by 2.
The 22-250 Remington’s .22-caliber bullets have lower BCs than the heavier projectiles available in larger calibers, and wind sensitivity increases noticeably past 400 yards. At 500 yards in a 10 MPH crosswind, even the best load (60-grain at 14.3 inches) requires precise wind reading to hit a coyote-sized target. On prairie dogs at 500 yards, wind drift at that level makes consistent hits dependent on calm conditions or accurate compensation.
The 60-grain Partition drifts 12.1 fewer inches at 800 yards than the 45-grain V-MAX – nearly a foot of difference that is meaningful for long-range varmint work. Shooters who regularly work at 400-600 yards on coyotes benefit from the heavier bullet’s BC advantage.
The original article showed identical wind drift values for the 45, 50, and 55-grain loads at many distances. This is physically impossible with three different BCs and starting velocities. Corrected values appear above.
Velocity Retention
| Range (yards) | 45 gr V-MAX | 50 gr V-MAX | 55 gr BlitzKing | 60 gr Partition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | 4,150 | 3,850 | 3,680 | 3,500 |
| 100 | 3,724 | 3,477 | 3,345 | 3,191 |
| 200 | 3,321 | 3,124 | 3,026 | 2,896 |
| 300 | 2,940 | 2,790 | 2,722 | 2,614 |
| 400 | 2,581 | 2,474 | 2,430 | 2,344 |
| 500 | 2,245 | 2,177 | 2,150 | 2,086 |
| 600 | 1,933 | 1,899 | 1,884 | 1,841 |
| 700 | 1,644 | 1,640 | 1,634 | 1,608 |
| 800 | 1,381 | 1,399 | 1,401 | 1,387 |
| 900 | 1,148 | 1,179 | 1,186 | 1,179 |
Velocity in FPS. Supersonic threshold approximately 1,340 FPS at sea level.
The 22-250 Remington’s velocity retention shows the cost of low-BC lightweight bullets clearly. The 45-grain V-MAX approaches the transonic zone around 850-875 yards. The heavier loads hold supersonic slightly longer – the 55 and 60-grain loads reach transonic around 875-900 yards.
Practically, once a 22-caliber bullet enters transonic flight, the thin jacket construction typical of varmint bullets makes accuracy unpredictable. The 22-250 Remington is a precision varmint cartridge to approximately 700-750 yards, not a 1,000-yard cartridge despite the title.
The velocity data also explains why the 22-250 Remington is effective on varmints at long range but limited on deer-sized game: at 500 yards all loads are still above 2,086 FPS – well above varmint bullet expansion thresholds. For deer, the question is not velocity but energy, which is the next table.
Energy Retention
| Range (yards) | 45 gr V-MAX | 50 gr V-MAX | 55 gr BlitzKing | 60 gr Partition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | 1,721 | 1,646 | 1,654 | 1,634 |
| 100 | 1,386 | 1,343 | 1,367 | 1,358 |
| 200 | 1,103 | 1,084 | 1,119 | 1,119 |
| 300 | 864 | 866 | 904 | 911 |
| 400 | 665 | 680 | 721 | 733 |
| 500 | 504 | 527 | 565 | 580 |
| 600 | 373 | 401 | 434 | 452 |
| 700 | 270 | 299 | 326 | 344 |
| 800 | 191 | 218 | 239 | 257 |
Energy in ft-lbs.
The energy table defines the 22-250 Remington’s honest hunting limits with no ambiguity. The 1,000 ft-lbs deer hunting threshold is crossed before 200 yards with the 45-grain load and at approximately 215-220 yards with the heavier loads. Past 200 yards, all loads are below reliable deer-hunting energy levels.
The original article’s energy table showed identical values for the 50, 55, and 60-grain loads at all distances – a clear copy-paste error. At different velocities and bullet weights, the energy values cannot be identical. Corrected figures appear above.
Critical hunting limitation: The 22-250 Remington is legal for deer hunting in many states but is marginal at best for this application. At the muzzle, the best loads produce approximately 1,654-1,721 ft-lbs – below the 1,500 ft-lbs elk threshold at zero yards. For deer, the energy drops below the 1,000 ft-lbs practical threshold before 225 yards. Hunters who use the 22-250 on deer must limit shots to inside 150 yards with quality expanding bullets on broadside shots only, and should understand they are operating with minimal energy margin.
Terminal Performance Profiles
Hornady V-MAX 45 gr and 50 gr
Construction: Polymer tip with thin expanding jacket, lead core. Maximum fragmentation designed for small varmints at high velocity. The V-MAX is Hornady’s flagship varmint bullet in .22 caliber.
Terminal behavior: The 45-grain V-MAX at 4,150 FPS produces almost instantaneous vaporization on prairie dogs and ground squirrels – the velocity is sufficient to cause hydraulic shock that incapacitates small animals immediately. The 50-grain V-MAX fragments violently on impact at 3,850 FPS with penetration of 6-9 inches and a large temporary cavity. On coyotes, both produce reliable kills from broadside shots inside 450 yards.
Hunting application: Prairie dogs, ground squirrels to 500 yards; coyotes to 425 yards. The 45-grain’s higher velocity produces the most explosive effect at close range; the 50-grain’s slightly better BC gives it a modest advantage at 400-500 yards where wind and drop begin to challenge accuracy. Neither is appropriate for deer – the penetration depth and energy are both insufficient for reliable access to deer vitals from any angle.
More details: Hornady V-MAX bullet profile
Sierra BlitzKing 55 gr
Construction: Polymer tip with thin copper-jacketed lead core. The BlitzKing is Sierra’s dedicated varmint bullet designed for explosive fragmentation with good BC relative to varmint bullet weights.
Terminal behavior: Fragments violently at 22-250 velocities. At 3,680 FPS the BlitzKing produces a large temporary cavity on coyotes with penetration of 8-11 inches. The slightly higher BC (G1: 0.271) compared to lighter V-MAX bullets produces about 1.5 inches less wind drift at 500 yards, which translates to more consistent hits on coyotes in variable wind.
Hunting application: Coyotes and medium predators to 450-475 yards. The 55-grain BlitzKing is the balance point between the flat trajectory of the lighter loads and the wind resistance of the heavier bullets – the choice for hunters who primarily call coyotes at 200-400 yards and want good performance across that range without the trajectory penalty of the 60-grain loads. Not a deer bullet.
More details: Sierra BlitzKing bullet profile
Nosler Varmageddon 55 gr
Construction: Polymer tip flat-base bullet with thin jacket optimized for explosive terminal performance on varmints. Nosler’s dedicated varmint line offering.
Terminal behavior: Produces violent fragmentation at 22-250 velocities – comparable to the V-MAX at similar weights. The Varmageddon is designed to maximize temporary cavity size on small varmints through immediate jacket failure and lead core fragmentation. Penetration limited to 7-10 inches – appropriate for varmints, insufficient for deer.
Hunting application: Prairie dogs and ground squirrels to 500 yards, coyotes to 400 yards. The Varmageddon’s accuracy potential in quality 22-250 barrels is excellent – many benchrest-oriented varmint hunters use it for sub-0.5 MOA groups at 200 yards. The flat-base design is often slightly more accurate than boat-tail bullets at short range in factory chambers.
More details: Nosler Varmageddon bullet profile
Barnes Varmint Grenade 50 gr
Construction: Lead-free compressed copper-tin powder core with copper jacket. Fragmenting design for varmint hunting in lead-free required areas. The Varmint Grenade fragments completely – no retained mass, no deep penetration.
Terminal behavior: On varmint-sized game, the Varmint Grenade produces explosive surface disruption with no significant penetration. The complete fragmentation is by design – for prairie dogs and ground squirrels this is ideal. For coyotes at standard hunting distances, the Varmint Grenade produces reliable kills.
Hunting application: Lead-free varmint hunting in California and other regulated areas to 400 yards on coyotes, 500 yards on small varmints. Not appropriate for deer at any range – the bullet is designed to fragment completely with no penetration. It will not reach the vital organs of a deer-sized animal from any shot angle.
Important: The original article suggested the Barnes Varmint Grenade is “correct for elk or larger game.” This is incorrect. The Varmint Grenade is specifically engineered to fragment and produce no penetrating wound – it cannot ethically harvest elk or any large game.
More details: Barnes Varmin-A-Tor bullet profile
Winchester Varmint X 55 gr
Construction: Polymer tip with boat-tail, slightly heavier jacket construction than dedicated fragmentation bullets. Winchester’s varmint hunting standard.
Terminal behavior: At 22-250 velocities, the Varmint X produces violent but slightly more controlled expansion than dedicated fragmentation bullets – penetration of 10-14 inches versus 6-9 inches for the V-MAX. This makes it adequate for coyotes from any angle at moderate distances where the bullet needs to penetrate through 4-6 inches of muscle before reaching vitals.
Hunting application: Coyotes to 450 yards; adequate for fox-sized predators to 500 yards. The Varmint X’s slightly deeper penetration compared to pure fragmentation bullets gives it an advantage on coyotes shot from non-ideal angles where the bullet must travel through the shoulder before reaching vitals. Still not a deer bullet – 721 ft-lbs at 400 yards and incomplete penetration make it inadequate for ethical deer kills.
More details: Winchester Varmint X bullet profile
Practical Range Recommendations
Prairie dogs and small varmints – any of the loads above to 500+ yards. The 22-250 Remington’s defining application is high-volume prairie dog shooting where flat trajectory and explosive fragmentation produce reliable hits and kills at distances from 50 to 500 yards. The 200-yard zero keeps the bullet within ±2 inches from 50 to 255 yards – nearly point-and-shoot for an experienced shooter.
Coyotes – 45 or 50-grain V-MAX to 425 yards, 55-grain BlitzKing or Varmint X to 450 yards. Past 450-475 yards, wind drift and energy both challenge reliable coyote kills in anything but calm conditions. The 22-250 Remington is an excellent coyote cartridge inside 400 yards with near-zero recoil and a flat trajectory that makes range estimation errors less costly.
Deer – the 22-250 Remington is not recommended for deer. It is legal in many states but delivers below 1,000 ft-lbs before 200 yards with all standard loads. Hunters who use it on deer must restrict shots to inside 150 yards, use only quality expanding bullets with adequate penetration (minimum 60-grain Partition or similar), and take only clean broadside shots. At that range and with those restrictions, a 243 Winchester or 7mm-08 Remington provides substantially better margin and versatility.
Barrel life – the 22-250 Remington is one of the harder cartridges on barrels. At 3,680-4,150 FPS with maximum powder charges, throat erosion is rapid. Expect 1,500-2,500 rounds before meaningful accuracy degradation – less than half the barrel life of the 223 Remington at equivalent volume. Serious varmint hunters who fire 500-1,000 rounds per season will need barrel replacement every 2-4 seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 22-250 Remington good for deer hunting? It is legal in many states but marginal for deer. Energy drops below 1,000 ft-lbs before 200 yards with all loads. Hunters who use it on deer must restrict shots to inside 150 yards on broadside angles only with the heaviest available controlled-expansion bullets (60-grain or heavier). At those constraints, it is functional but provides minimal margin. A 243 Winchester in the same short-action platform provides substantially better energy and versatility for hunters who want to cover both varmint and deer.
How does the 22-250 compare to the 223 Remington for coyotes? At 300 yards in a 10 MPH crosswind, the 22-250 Remington 55-grain BlitzKing drifts approximately 5.3 inches versus the 223 Remington 55-grain at approximately 7-8 inches. The 22-250 also delivers about 200 ft-lbs more energy at 300 yards. For dedicated coyote hunting past 300 yards in any wind, the 22-250 is meaningfully superior. Inside 250 yards in calm conditions, the difference is small and the 223 Remington’s advantage in barrel life (2x or more) and lower ammunition cost may be the deciding factor.
What is the effective range of the 22-250 Remington on coyotes? 450 yards in calm conditions with quality varmint bullets (V-MAX, BlitzKing). At 450 yards all loads deliver 450-580 ft-lbs with impact velocities above 2,000 FPS – adequate for reliable coyote kills with expanding bullets. Past 450-475 yards, wind drift exceeds 14-17 inches in a 10 MPH crosswind, making consistent hits on a coyote-sized target dependent on accurate wind reading and compensation.
Why does the 22-250 Remington have short barrel life? The combination of a relatively large powder charge (approximately 37-40 grains) driving a light bullet at extreme velocity creates high heat per unit of time in the throat. At 3,680-4,150 FPS, the gases are extremely hot and remain in contact with the throat longer than slower cartridges. The result is rapid erosion of the rifling ahead of the chamber. Heavier bullets at reduced velocity are slightly less damaging than the lightest loads at maximum velocity – the 60-grain load produces somewhat better barrel life than the 45-grain.
Can the 22-250 be used with a suppressor? Yes, but it remains supersonic with all standard loads – meaning the bullet still produces a supersonic crack. The suppressor reduces muzzle blast significantly but does not eliminate hearing-safe use in the way a subsonic 300 Blackout load does. For suppressed varmint hunting where hearing protection is still required but muzzle blast is reduced, the 22-250 with suppressor is practical. No subsonic loads are available for the 22-250 in any practical configuration.
What twist rate is needed for 60-grain bullets in the 22-250? The 22-250 Remington is traditionally rifled at 1:14 twist, which stabilizes bullets up to approximately 55 grains. Heavier 60-grain bullets may require a 1:12 twist for reliable stabilization. Before loading 60-grain bullets in a 22-250 with 1:14 twist, test for keyholing or accuracy degradation at 100 yards. Most factory 22-250 rifles with 1:14 barrels handle 55-grain bullets optimally; 60-grain performance varies by barrel and bullet design.
Editorial note: This article was originally published in November 2025 and revised in April 2026. The revision corrected the zero from 100 to 200 yards per site standard for this high-velocity cartridge, added 50-yard and 150-yard data rows to the drop table for practical varmint shooting reference, corrected the energy table (the original showed identical values for 50, 55, and 60-grain loads at all distances – physically impossible at different velocities and weights; corrected values calculated from actual ballistic parameters), corrected the wind drift table (original showed identical values for 45 and 50-grain loads at all distances), removed the dangerous claim that the Barnes Varmint Grenade is appropriate for elk (it is a fragmenting varmint bullet that produces no penetrating wound), added the critical hunting limitation section stating the 22-250 is below 1,000 ft-lbs deer threshold before 200 yards, added barrel life section, and added FAQ.
