22-250 or .243 ?? Which one to get?

UARick

UARick

New member
So I need some advice guys, I have an AR that I use for Coyotes and a couple of deer and Elk guns but I want to buy another rifle. I thought I was [beeep] bent on getting a 243 but now I am tossing around the idea of getting a 22-250. I mainly want the gun for coyotes out to medium range and perhaps prarie dog shooting. I could use the 243 for deer and antelope but I do have other guns I can use for that, so let me have it guys ! What would you guys buy and why, your input is appreciated.
 
Either for coyotes...niether for prairie dogs. They are both barrel burners and one good set up on a big dogtown could leave both guns needing a barrel. Hard to beat a 223 bolt gun for prairie dogs. Ammo is both easy on the wallet and on the throat, unless the rifle is a semi-auto.
 
I think your sentence that you want it for coyotes and prairie dogs pretty much says it all. The 22-250 is what you want. If you want to shoot PD's and ever see the shot in the scope, you want a 22-250. I have a 6mm (a lot like the 243) that I take to the PD fields. It's a bit much. I surely wouldn't want to spend a full day shooting it. I only use it for about 25 to 50 rounds in any given day. JMO.
 
I would pick the 243, cause of the twist rate that it will have. A fast twist 22-250, would be just as good but you will most lilely have to rebarrel to get that. a 243 will shoot a 55 grain bullet faster then a 22-250, and it gives you the ability to go on up to larger bullets for windy days. I have two 243's one is set up to shoot 58 grain V max and the other shoots 70 grain sierra HPBT match kings, 75 grain Vmax, and even 85 grain sierra HPBT Gamekings well, if it needs to pull deer duty. I really like sending a high BC 75 g. V max @ 34-3500 fps.
 
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If you load your own you will have more choices to choose from if you go the .243 route. Everything from a 55gr. to a 105gr. bullet.
 
I have a .223, .22-250, and .243 and shoot coyotes, p-dogs, and deer.

1) For p-dogs, I'd MUCH rather shoot a .223 than either of your other choices. I have the other calibers, I shoot the .223.

2) Are you saving fur on the coyotes? Then I'd go with another .223 in bolt-action. However, what are you going to do- carry both and use the bolt-action for longer shots? In reality, you're going to have to make a decision as to which gun you'll use that day when coyote hunting. If you're not saving fur, then a .243 is the way to go. However, if you're not saving fur, then why not just use your deer rifle? No better way to really get to know it.

3) With a .223 and a deer caliber (.280 in my case), I almost never shoot either my .22-250 or .243. I'd sell the .22-250 except that it was a gift (before I got the .223) and I gave the .243 to my daughter- it's now her deer rifle.

Bottom line- if it were me, I'd get a .223 in bolt action and use it mostly for prairie dogs, with secondary use as a coyote gun, keeping the AR as the primary 'yote gun.
 
A 1:12 22-250 would be my choice. I take 5 guns on a dogtown and rotate
for heat. The 223 is ok but it just doesn't explode them the same. The pink
haze is a necessary part of the sport. And the 243 will do it but it cost more
to shoot and the barrel won't live as long with those hot little 55's. Not to
mention you will never spot your hits with one. And even the noise of the 22-250 puts them all in their holes for 300 yards.
 
Im liking the advice, I have been leaning more towards the 243 because of its ability to buck the wind as was stated earlier and also because I can let my wife use it on deer. The thought of buying a bolt action 223 hadnt come to mind but that may be an option down the road. I am sure eventually I will end up with both calibers in my safe but I appreciate the input. Especially from the Prarie dog guys, unfortunately in AZ there arent many dog town except for up north and I only get up there a couple times a year. Thank fellas.
 
I have 2 22-250's love them both but am now looking at a RRA Predator Pursuit with a 20 tube for yotes and PD's. A hunter can never have to many guns, I just need "ONE" more.
 
I own and use both calibers and both have their own advantages. Obviously the 22-250 is where you will get raw speed with light per caliber bullets but with heavier pills the .243 is a better choice for shooting on windy days due to the higher BC bullets available and it is a dual purpose caliber that can be used for Varmint and medium sized game as well.

If it comes down to it I would get the 22-250 if I were you. You already have heavier caliber rifles for other needs so to me it would make sense to get one that is light and fast and less expensive to reload.

I just got done with an experiment of my own. I tested some reloads with one of my Savage rifles in 30-06. I loaded some 110gr vmax and had fantastic results, I then went all the way up to 220gr Nosler partitions. With that rifle and my reloads I can handle any hunting situation on this continent. I have concluded that if for what ever reason I would only be able to own one rifle for ALL of my needs what would it be??? And for me it is the 06 and that makes all of my other rifles the 'icing on the cake'.
 
NEIAPredator said:
I think your sentence that you want it for coyotes and prairie dogs pretty much says it all. The 22-250 is what you want. If you want to shoot PD's and ever see the shot in the scope, you want a 22-250. I have a 6mm (a lot like the 243) that I take to the PD fields. It's a bit much. I surely wouldn't want to spend a full day shooting it. I only use it for about 25 to 50 rounds in any given day. JMO.
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Get a 22arc.
 
For me the .243 does the job of a 22-250 when loaded light and a .243 when loaded heavy I gave both of my 22-250s away didn't need them. Murl B.
 
I hunt coyotes mostly and use cartridges from 222 Rem to 6.5x58R Sauer and 9 more between those, they all kill coyotes if you stay within their limitations. If your just killing coyotes a 243 is great, for colony varmints extra powder more expensive bullets and added recoil. Same can be said for the 22-250 but some factories are building fast twist barrels, I believe Tikka is doing an 8 twist. The standard twist will shoot 55gr SP's for deer and antelope. I believe the standard twist 22-250 will shoot Speer 70gr Semi pointed soft points. Bread and butter rifle 9 twist 223 cover ground squirrels to deer with the right bullet.

The new ARC cartridges won't quite make it to the 243 and 22-250 level but come close and miserly on powder. I'm working with a 6mm ARC Mini Howa that is looking like a winner with 75gr HPs, high hopes for coyotes.
 
I know this will be unpopular, but the .243 is just a more versatile .22-250. The .243 with a 1:9 twist or 1:10 twist can shoot anything from 55gr to 100gr. My .243 with a 22" barrel has no issues getting the 55gr SBK to over 3800fps. So you aren't at all losing anything to the .22-250 in that department. To get the versatility out of the .22-250 you'll need to have a least two different twists on barrels. If you have a 1:14 twist you may be able to shoot up to 60gr, but that's a pretty flat nosed 60gr bullet. 1:12 may get you to a litttle longer bullet. If you have a 1:9 twist you should be ok with certain shaped bullets up to 73 gr. Regardless, with the .243 you don't have to worry about twist rate or be picky on which bullets you shoot to be in my opinion one of the most versatile cartridge available.

As far as prairie dogs. I use all of mine on p-dog towns. Obviously both cartridges are over bored, but .22-250 is harder on barrels in my experience. Almost the same powder being shoved down a smaller bore.

Do what you want. I have both, my .22-250 is a 1:14, so i'm very limited to what I can shoot, but then again it's enough for what I use it for which is coyotes and prairie dogs. My .22-250AI is 1:9 and I've been shooting that more. I can shoot 53gr Vmaxes and 75gr ELD-M's and fantastic speed.
 
I chuckle every time I hear "barrel burner". From the first shot to the last, they are all barrel burners. Prairie dog downs and rapid fire tactikool shooters only speed up the death of a barrel. Some live a little longer than others but if you shoot them enough they are going to wear out. Nature of the beast. The only way to make a barrel live longer is by not shooting it. Being honest, barrel life is the last thing I worry about. Accuracy is No.1. As to 22-250 or 243. I have both so I'm not the right person to ask. LOL
 
I feel like there are many factors to consider such as weight and if you will use a can. With a 22-250 you can have 1/2x 28 threads so a thinner / lighter weight barrel if you do alot of walking thats a plus to me. With a 243 you should have 5/8x24 so a heavier barrel. In some states you have to use 22 cal or smaller at nite. Both are flat shooting and will work fine. Right now 22-250 brass is hard to find, 243 not so much
 


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