Is the 243 a good long rangs coyote gun??

What about the .243 for shorter range? In WI were I hunt most shots in the woods are less than 100 yards. Too much gun that close?
 
The reason I ask is I have a Browning A Bolt in .243 and a Remington R15 in .223...both shoot better than I can, but the Browning bolt action just shoulders, points and carries better for me, so I tend to want grab it more.
 
A remington 700 in .22-250 was my first coyote rifle; and it killed a lot. I loved it and won't get into the reasons why I had to sell it
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. I'm going to get another soon.

Right now I coyote hunt with AR-10 in .243. I love it as much as the .22-250. . .both are excellent choices.

However, here is why you should buy a .22-250.
You already have a .243 and remember, when coyote hunting WA state, you cannot carry a rifle that is .24 caliber or larger during any big game season unless you are carrying a tag for one of the big game species. In other words, if you only bought a deer tag, and filled it in Oct, you could not carry your .243 until ALL big game seasons are over. You can use your .243 the rest of the year but you'll need a smaller caliber gun Sept-Jan unless you're carrying a big game tag.
 
Originally Posted By: gostovpWhat about the .243 for shorter range? In WI were I hunt most shots in the woods are less than 100 yards. Too much gun that close?

For just plain killin' 'em I use this 700/.243. Shots from 10-250yds where I hunt with it most often......

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The Browning Abolt in 243 was one of the best coyote rifles a guy could ever ask for. When thieves cleaned me out, they got it. I had the BOSS on it, and it was super accurate.
 
I like both-and have had both. Now my main coyote rigs are 17Rem and 243. My farthest yote with the 243 was 426 yards with an 87gr VLD hunting. I have a 10 twist barrel and it will shoot 87gr bullets out there quite a ways. Is it a capable rifle out to 500 yards.... [beeep] yes.
 
243 87 grain vmax . You won't be disappointed . I have a 22-250 also but it stays in the safe now since I bought a DPMS lr 243 lite. I even load up the Browning A Bolt composite stalker 243 before the 250.
 
My vote is 22-250. And if consistent 500+ yard shots are common it may be time to refresh on the basics and get them to a more shoot able range.
 
I was given a custom .243 with a 1-12 twist douglas barrel with a mauser action. This was my dads woodchuck gun he shot 85 grain bullets out of it. I am looking to shoot 58gr v-max out of it with an upgraded scope....hew as using a fixed 10 power from the 50's...gun was made back in late 1950s and he handloaded all his ammo.

Thinking that 58gr v max should scream out of this thing, will also try some 75gr v max...

was planning on buying new gun, but dad shamed me into using this one and saving the dollars....pretty gun, but I guess it isn't worth much if no one uses it.
 
The 243 is a great Round, But I think that the 22/250 is a little more flat shooting than the 243,? I may be wrong though.?
 
Originally Posted By: REDTAILThe 243 is a great Round, But I think that the 22/250 is a little more flat shooting than the 243,? I may be wrong though.? Wrong. With 50/55gr bullets in both calibers, performance is similar out to 400 yards but a 243 has a slight advantage. Past 400 yards the 243 is definately flatter shooting and also drifts less in the wind.

243 Winchester 300, 500, 850 yards

The 55gr 243 can shoot long range, if you can.
 
There's been so many changes in bullets since this thread was started it's not funny. There are so many choices now it's hard to find the "perfect" short to long-range setup. Any polymer-tipped bullet with a BC of .4ish or better works. My favorite so far to ~500 is the AR 223 with the 69 Sierra TMK/VLD magazine and bolt stop. Hornady 73 ELD-M's are also working in my 9-T barrel. Buddy of mine is shooting the 77 TMK/80 ELD-M out of his and it's a bit better from what we've seen so far. His AR-10 243 is lights out with the 87 V-Max. That setup has killed more 1st shot predators to 600ish yds. than any setup i've seen so far. The 95 TMK has great potential but doesn't seem to work out of his 10T barrel (what a shame). Always thought the 25 cal. 115 Ball. Tip (.45 BC) would've been fun to try. Etc., etc.
 
I have several of both the 243 and the 22-250. Love, love, LOVE them both! Hands down, my 2 favorite chamberings for shooting coyotes. Although, my AR in 22 Nosler is quickly becoming a favorite for night hunting.

To the OP's original question......my answer is a resounding YES!
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I just shot my new Savage 12 yesterday for the first time. It's a 243. I'm shooting hornandy superformance with 58 GR VMAX out of it. Kinda breezy yesterday and it was pure crosswind to boot. Still kept everything under an inch and managed a 4 shot group all touching that was exactly 1/2 inch. This is my 3rd Savage and 4th 243. I still love my old remmy 700 w/26" heavy barrel in 22-250. But for now I'm grabbing my new 243 for this year's hunts!
 
My AR10 in .243 shooting 58gr V-MAX is definitely one of the best shooting coyote guns I have. Very predictable and flat shooting rifle.
 
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