22-250

The 22-250 Remington is one of the fastest factory .22 calibre centrefire rifle cartridges. A light bullet of 3.2 to 3.6 g leaves the barrel at high velocity, so the trajectory stays flat over a long stretch and wind pushes it off line less than slower small-bore loads. Hunters pick this calibre mainly for foxes and other small predators in open country, and for accurate shooting on the range. The category contains six loads from Norma, Sako and Hornady with different bullet designs.

Who the 22-250 Rem is for

The 22-250 Rem is a calibre for small predator hunting and sport shooting. It earns its place where shots often fall beyond 200 or 300 metres: waiting for foxes over open fields, calling predators at night, controlling pests on farmland. High muzzle velocity shortens flight time, so a moving animal has less time to shift off your point of aim.

Recoil is light, which lets many shooters watch the hit through the scope and follow up quickly. Before a hunt, check the current hunting regulations on which game this calibre is approved for, since energy and bullet-design requirements differ by species.

Cartridge types in this category

Four bullet designs are on the shelf: soft point (SP), full metal jacket (FMJ), the fast-opening polymer-tipped V-MAX and the tougher bonded Oryx. Each behaves differently on game, so match the design to the job you have in mind.

Sako Gamehead SP

Sako Gamehead carries a soft point bullet in two weights, 3.2 g and 3.56 g. The SP design opens predictably and transfers energy well, which makes it the all-round choice for predator hunting. The heavier bullet drifts a little less in wind; the lighter one flies faster.

Sako Speedhead FMJ

The Sako Speedhead 3.2 g bullet has a full jacket and does not expand. It is first of all a training and range load: use it to zero the rifle, verify your optics and keep your shooting form sharp between hunts with the same calibre.

Norma SP and Norma Oryx

Norma offers a 3.4 g soft point and the 3.6 g Oryx. In the Oryx the lead core is bonded to the jacket, so the bullet keeps more of its weight and penetrates deeper. It is the toughest design in this category, chosen when reliable effect matters more than instant expansion.

Hornady V-MAX

The Hornady 3.6 g (55 gr) V-MAX has a polymer tip and opens almost instantly. It was built for small predators and pest control: hits usually anchor the animal on the spot and the ricochet risk is lower. Its pointed profile keeps it stable at longer distances too.

How to choose your 22-250 load

Your hunting purpose, the bullet design and your rifle's barrel decide the choice. Work through it in this order:

1. Define the task: fox hunting, predator control or range practice.
2. Pick the design: V-MAX for instant effect, SP for balanced expansion, Oryx for deeper penetration, FMJ for training.
3. Match the weight to your barrel: most factory 22-250 barrels stabilise bullets up to 3.6 g well, but confirm grouping in your own rifle.
4. Consider your typical distance and wind: at long range and in gusty fields, heavier pointed bullets hold their line better.
5. Buy one box of a few types, compare groups, then stay with the lot that shoots tightest.

Practical advice in the field

With a 22-250 the two things that matter most are knowing your trajectory and keeping the barrel cool. Zero at 100 m, record the drop at the 200 and 300 m marks, and you will not have to guess when a fox stops at the edge of a field. That preparation turns into clean first shots.

This calibre heats barrels quickly, so pause between strings on the range or your groups will start to open up. On fur-bearing game, a fast-expanding bullet can damage the pelt badly, so place your shot with care. At night over a caller the flat trajectory works for you: holdover corrections between 100 and 250 m stay small.

Norma, Sako and Hornady

Norma is a Swedish maker known for tight component control and the bonded Oryx hunting bullet. Sako loads its ammunition in Finland; the Gamehead and Speedhead lines are valued for consistent quality and pair naturally with Sako and Tikka rifles. Hornady from the USA is best known for the V-MAX, a bullet that became a standard for predator hunting. All six loads in this category are factory hunting-grade ammunition.

If your safe also holds rifles in other calibres, browse .223 Rem cartridges, .222 Rem cartridges, .22 cartridges or, for larger game, .243 Win cartridges. If you are unsure which bullet suits your barrel and hunting style, write to us and we will advise.