I am thinking about getting a .243 so that it can be used for both a predator rifle and pronghorn/deer. From what I have been reading the .243 will spit out a 60gr pill at close to 4000fps as will the 22-250 with a 50gr bullet. What has your experiences been with the .243 and light bullets? How accurate is that setup?
22-250 or .243
- Thread starter ACLakey
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stormking
New member
Quote:
My rem 700 stainless sps loves 65gr v-maxes and a stout dose of varget, 1/2" to 3/4"
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Rem 700 sps also loves the 65gr Vmax w/ Varget. It also shoots factory 80gr PSP's in the 1MOA range. It's a sporter bbl 22". Haven't had much luck getting 100gr bullets to group any tighter than about 1.5MOA.
My rem 700 stainless sps loves 65gr v-maxes and a stout dose of varget, 1/2" to 3/4"
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
Rem 700 sps also loves the 65gr Vmax w/ Varget. It also shoots factory 80gr PSP's in the 1MOA range. It's a sporter bbl 22". Haven't had much luck getting 100gr bullets to group any tighter than about 1.5MOA.
Abolthunterwssm
New member
they're both great cartridges but i like the 243 for a multi purpose gun. you can load the lighter 55gr bullets for varmints and 100gr for pronghorn/deer sized game... or i load a 87gr HPBT for both =]
hunting4fun
New member
Quote:
they're both great cartridges but i like the 243 for a multi purpose gun. you can load the lighter 55gr bullets for varmints and 100gr for pronghorn/deer sized game... or i load a 87gr HPBT for both =]
I agree that the 243 is alot better for the deer and antelope. I also have a 243 and a 22-250. The 243 when i use it for coyotes i am either shooting 55 grain ct ballistic tip or 70 grain sierra bthp. Either one will do the trick. Then for deer and anything larger than a coyote i use a 85 nosler partition. The .22-250 is a great gun and i do on occasion use it for deer but the .243 is far superior for the larger game.
they're both great cartridges but i like the 243 for a multi purpose gun. you can load the lighter 55gr bullets for varmints and 100gr for pronghorn/deer sized game... or i load a 87gr HPBT for both =]
I agree that the 243 is alot better for the deer and antelope. I also have a 243 and a 22-250. The 243 when i use it for coyotes i am either shooting 55 grain ct ballistic tip or 70 grain sierra bthp. Either one will do the trick. Then for deer and anything larger than a coyote i use a 85 nosler partition. The .22-250 is a great gun and i do on occasion use it for deer but the .243 is far superior for the larger game.
I agree--the 243 is better for deer and antelope. The 22-250 will, and has taken both, but it's a push. With coyotes the 250 is one, if not THE best. However "game" animals deserve a quick and humane death, with a minimal chance of wounding.
However, I'd say your looking two calibers that are too similar, and then trying to look for differences. A 257 Roberts, a 25-06 or a 7-08 would be better still, with much the same or better ballistics and more killing power for deer or antelope.
Also remember it's not velocity that kills, it's accuracy--hitting the right spot.
However, I'd say your looking two calibers that are too similar, and then trying to look for differences. A 257 Roberts, a 25-06 or a 7-08 would be better still, with much the same or better ballistics and more killing power for deer or antelope.
Also remember it's not velocity that kills, it's accuracy--hitting the right spot.
IDBob
New member
I spent 30 years with the 22-250 and the last five with the 243. My varmint load for the 243 is a 55 grain Nosler Ballistic tip at 3950.
No spin and nips like the 250 does once in a while, but keep in mind that niether the 250 or the 243 is fur friendly. If you plan on harvesting hides then the 17 Remington or the 204 ruger will serve better. I just started this year with a 204 Ruger and with 7 dogs down it's shooting as well as the 250.
For a crossover gun the 243 is excellent for both deer and coyotes and some folks even like the 25-06 for the same purposes.
Keep in mind that unlike a prairie dog gun your not shooting hundreds of rounds a day with a calling rifle and the 243 excels at the kind of shooting coyote calling entails.
No spin and nips like the 250 does once in a while, but keep in mind that niether the 250 or the 243 is fur friendly. If you plan on harvesting hides then the 17 Remington or the 204 ruger will serve better. I just started this year with a 204 Ruger and with 7 dogs down it's shooting as well as the 250.
For a crossover gun the 243 is excellent for both deer and coyotes and some folks even like the 25-06 for the same purposes.
Keep in mind that unlike a prairie dog gun your not shooting hundreds of rounds a day with a calling rifle and the 243 excels at the kind of shooting coyote calling entails.
land308
New member
My calling rifle is a savage 12fv in 243. I shoot the 65grain v maxes. They shoot 3/4 moa from my rifle. I have shot 3 coyotes with this setup. minimal pelt damage thus far. I was using 80 grain rem psp and they blew some big holes in them. The 65 v max shoots great and dosent exit often. My closest shot with the v max was about 15 yards into the shoulder. The coyote went down hard with little pelt damage and no exit. The 243 would be a good choice for what you are asking it to do.
RileyLake
New member
In keeping with the title of this thread, I shoot a Savage 12FV in 22-250. For coyotes, I think it can't be beat. However, I'd also love to have a .243 (or 6mm Rem) for a windy day coyote rifle.
When I got the 22-250, I was using Sierra 55gr BlitzKings, but it seemed that every other coyote was a splash-spin-run. The BlitzKings are just too fragile for coyotes out of the 22-250. They might be fine in a .223, but I think the 22-250 just pushes them too hard until you get out to the longer ranges.
So, since most of the coyotes around here tend to be on the mangy side and the hides are worthless, I started loading the Sierra 65gr SBT in the 22-250. I think that with the BC of that bullet and the velocity that the 22-250 can drive it at, it's biting at the heels of the .243, and so far, I've started to lose my lust for a .24 caliber. Every single hit with that bullet so far has been a bang-flop. No spinners, just DRT (dead right there). Should make a decent deer load too. So, if you've already got a 22-250, try the Sierra 65gr SBT's if you've got a 12 twist or faster. Any slower (14 twist) and I don't know if the bullet will stabilize. The box says 1 in 8 or 9 or something like that, but I know a 12 twist will stabilize it out to 350 yards (the furthest I can shoot here at home). I think with that bullet the gap between the 22-250 and the .243 narrows quite a bit.
When I got the 22-250, I was using Sierra 55gr BlitzKings, but it seemed that every other coyote was a splash-spin-run. The BlitzKings are just too fragile for coyotes out of the 22-250. They might be fine in a .223, but I think the 22-250 just pushes them too hard until you get out to the longer ranges.
So, since most of the coyotes around here tend to be on the mangy side and the hides are worthless, I started loading the Sierra 65gr SBT in the 22-250. I think that with the BC of that bullet and the velocity that the 22-250 can drive it at, it's biting at the heels of the .243, and so far, I've started to lose my lust for a .24 caliber. Every single hit with that bullet so far has been a bang-flop. No spinners, just DRT (dead right there). Should make a decent deer load too. So, if you've already got a 22-250, try the Sierra 65gr SBT's if you've got a 12 twist or faster. Any slower (14 twist) and I don't know if the bullet will stabilize. The box says 1 in 8 or 9 or something like that, but I know a 12 twist will stabilize it out to 350 yards (the furthest I can shoot here at home). I think with that bullet the gap between the 22-250 and the .243 narrows quite a bit.