223 or 243 ?

cowpastureplinker

cowpastureplinker

New member
Hey guys, i'm looking to buy a new (or used) rifle. thinking probably an H&R on NE handy rifle. will be carried in truck when feedin cattle, and used mainly to shoot coyotes. i may want to use it on deer or pigs sometimes also. is there any reason to go with 223 instead of 243? i probably wont shoot it that much so cost of ammo wont be a big factor. also, local walmart has one with a no name 3x9 scope for under $300. any idea if scope is any good? If not, whats a decent cheap scope that i can see through quickly and easily that will take the abuse of being bounced around in the feed truck?
Thanx
 
if you want to shoot deer its the logical choice. If you didn't not plan on shooting deer then .223 might be more affordable.

Another caliber to consider if your buying a .243 is the 25-06.
 
Originally Posted By: mountain stateI'd go with the .243.

I'd have to agree... I've killed deer with .223, .243, and 22-250, but I'd stick with the .243 for an all around gun.

Just my $.02
 
I dont have much experience with anything other than 22, 22mag, and 30-30. But my dad had a 243 years ago, and i've seen him smoke coyotes out a long way with it. and from what i've read, a 223 sounds good too, but unfortunately, i cant afford more than one, so although i'll mostly be shootin coyotes, i need kind of an all around rifle that will work on the bigger stuff too.
 
Yep, first 5-7 Deer I ever killed was with the .243. I've used .270 and .25-06 for the past 2 years. Next year, it's back to the Short Actions for me, .243 and 7mm-08.
 
The 243 is a great Deer to coyote crossover. I have even read about folks using it for Elk, Lopes, Caribou, and have seen stories of 1 shot kills on moose. (not that I would recomend it as a 'Go To' Elk or Moose caliber"
 
Originally Posted By: mountain stateIn my Nosler Reloading Manual there is a short article, about a guy named Whiskey Chamberlain who shot LOTS of elk with a .243.

I believe it, just I would like more gun.
 
Yeah, it wouldn't be my choice for Elk either. This article said the guy was a good shot and knew Elk anatomy.
If I was going for Elk, I'd want my .270, (The O'Connor Special) Ha,Ha.
 
Scopes: I'm usually always for the Big L, but money is tight right now so, I'm eyeing up the 1 of the new Redfields right now. The 2-7 x 33 for a Handi-Rifle Hornet.
 
You won't be sorry with the handi rifle! I'm shooting 1/4 inch groups most of the time with factory 55 grain soft points, out of my 22-250 handirifle

~Bryan

also, prostaffs are great scopes and you can get them around 160 new
 
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I've heard they're good shooters. Not much to look at, but I didn't want to spend a pile on a .22 Hornet being a 150-175 yd. gun.
I'd rather had a Browning or CZ, but the Handi-Rifle wasn't as far out of reach as the others.
 
I've been using my .243 for 30+ years and still love it. It works great on hogs, coyotes, raccoons and deer. As for the scope, if it comes with the rifle, try it and see how long it lasts. I bought a 30-30 that had a scope with it and it has been pretty good for a no-name scope. It will probably be good enough for a while and give you a chance to save some money to buy a better one later on if you want to.
 
Originally Posted By: Bryan8You won't be sorry with the handi rifle! I'm shooting 1/4 inch groups most of the time with factory 55 grain soft points, out of my 22-250 handirifle.
That's great, but it is better than 98% of handi owners report. So possibly yours is a good fluke????

Jack
 
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