.22-250, .243, or .223?

On a budget get the 223. You USUALLY can find ammo anywhere. And as far as guns go you will get just as many opinions as you will with what caliber is the best. Find one that you can afford and go have fun.
 
If it was me I would bypass a .223 for the time being as factory ammo is hard to find. The .243 will do anything the .250 will. as far as noise goes, if I wanted quiet I'd take up golf or chess. Was shooting 100gr Sierra gamekings since it was my deer load and grouped well but it made a nasty mess out of yotes now I'm shooting 70gr nosler ballistic tips
 
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Hi Samth. Welcome to Predator Masters.

My husband gave me a Savage Model 10 Predator 22-250 as a Valentine's present a few years ago. It's the gun in my avatar.(Absolutely the best present I've ever gotten!)I truly love the way it shoots.

It does have a couple of downsides though. First is the weight. Maybe it's because I'm a girl, but it gets heavy over long hauls. Also, it's not a fur friendly round. This isn't a problem to me, but it is to some.

I've seen them used, on-line for $500-$600, without scopes.
Good luck with your decision and happy hunting! Let us know what you decide.
 
Probably more coyotes shot with .223 than any other caliber, but is it the best round for doing the job? I shoot mostly AR-15 .223 because of the quick follow up shots on doubles and triples, but I would say the .22-250 &.243 are superior rounds(knockdown/trajectory) will get you an extra coyote or two where the .223 may not.I have a 22-250 and use it part time but my calling partner is 100% - .243 There! - that ought to cofuse you!! Sometimes I confuse myself!
 
I don't have a 243 But do have a 223,22-250,and a 257 Roberts. If I'm going to shoot 300+ yards I would go with the 243 or the 22-250,but calling them in is to me getting them closer than 300 yards and then it is the 223. I probably shoot 50 223 rounds to 1 of the other guns.Shot placement is the key to coyotes no matter what you decide a shot in the azz is no good even with a 300 Mag and yes I shoot one of those too.
 
It's all in what you like best. I have a Savage model 11 .243 that has become my favorite rifle. Also have an AR .223 that has a few upgrades. For whatever reason I seem to miss more with the AR. There is nothing wrong with the rifle, I just shoot better when it counts with a bolt gun. Like posted earlier a .243 with 58 grain Vmax is a proven combo. Depending on what type of terrain you hunt and how educated the local coyotes are you might want to consider a 12 guage as well.
 
Originally Posted By: idahovarmintcallerOn a budget, the choice is easy, Howa 1500 in either 243 or 204 Ruger ( 204 is my choice) The Howas shoot!

I have to agree with this statement. Good luck with your choices!
 
Originally Posted By: samthWell I don't have the money right now to buy them all, especially since I am just getting into coyote hunting. Maybe after a while I will be able to, but for a starter I just want to get one. I might save the fur on a good one, but I have never tanned anything before. since they all are good calibers it might just come down to which I can find thats the most affordable. Im going to look at some used guns first, but I have also seen good deals on savages. Any ideas on a good bolt action for $500-$600? A remington 700 sps varmint. a coyote is small challenging target. get a good one.
 
If you don't reload the .223 is about half the cost to shoot. however, you probably won't be able to find ammo to feed it for the next year or more....

I have a .223, but I plan to get a .243 as soon as possible, only because I don't have a larger caliber suitable for hogs or deer. To be honest, if I wasn't a serious jack rabbit hunter, the .243 would probably be better. I can shoot up 25 or more rounds in the morning and again in the evening. That would 50+ dollars a day for .243 compared to 25 for .223. If I was only going to shoot coyote and medium game the price of ammo wouldn't be a consideration.

On a budget look at the savage axis, teh groups these guys post are insane for a 300 dollar gun!

If you have more to spend a tikka t-3.
 
howa 1500 in .243 22' barrel picked it up new for around $450 i beleive. got a bushnell trophy 3x9 scope i did some trading for. shoots under MOA wen i do my part.




3 shot group at 100 yards

 
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Savage XP Predator 22-250 with accutrigger I got the combo, they are full camouflage with a scope. Savage is the best shooting rifle out of the box in my opinion. When I got mine I had to adjust it to the left 2 clicks and that was it. Gun Broker.com $200 under msrp. I shoot the cheap stuff and have taken dogs out to 500 yards. I wouldn't have any thing else. I use it for deer, dogs, wolves and badgers.
 
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