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243 v. 223

dchristiandchristian Member Posts: 309 ✭✭✭
edited March 2002 in Ask the Experts
I have a dumb question for someone. I am considering buying a varmint rifle for coyotes and similar small targets and narrowed my choices to .223 and 22-250. I thought the .223 was better because the ammo was cheaper and the recoil less. However, I see that the .243, shooting a 55 grain bullet has better trajectory than either the .223 or 22-250; so my question is, why not purchase a .243 and have the ability to use a 100 grain bullet for deer if you wanted to?
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Comments

  • Freedom CasullFreedom Casull Member Posts: 103 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Get the 243.
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  • gap1916gap1916 Member Posts: 4,977
    edited November -1
    Bullet place ment is key. If you can use the 223 for deer I would go with the 223. This round will be around and many loads will and have been made for it. My 2 cents
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  • dchristiandchristian Member Posts: 309 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Freedom Casull,Thank you.dchristian
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  • He DogHe Dog Member Posts: 51,593 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I do not hunt varmints, but for deer the .243 is the way to go. I do not like the .223 for deer.
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  • Hans GrueberHans Grueber Member Posts: 244 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    This question has been up here alot lately and it seems the general consencious is that the .243 is a better cartridge for deer at the longer ranges. Granted a deer can be dropped with a .223, it seems that the .243 is more versitale as a varmint/deer cartridge. However, I recommend the .257 Roberts. Its not as common as the two described above, but has a better punch than the .243 and still maintains a good velocity.
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  • groundhog devastationgroundhog devastation Member Posts: 4,495
    edited November -1
    The 22-250 is one of the two most awesome cartridges ever made!! The other is the 25-06. Is the 243 you are considering going to be able to stabilize the little 55 grain bullets? My experience with the light bullets in FACTORY 243 is that they will ring some hellacious velocities out of the light bullets, but you couldn't hit a bull in the * at 300 yds with them. Get yourself a real varmint gun, go with the 22-250.
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  • edharoldedharold Member Posts: 465 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    A 243 in 55 grain would have negligible BC. It's velocity and energy would drain off pretty fast. 65- 80gr works a lot better for varmints and really give you better range.
    "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety"Benj. Franklin, 1759
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  • daddodaddo Member Posts: 3,408
    edited November -1
    Your best choice would be the 22-250. If you look at the velocity between the 22-250 and the .223- you will notice the 22-250 has greater velocity thus delivering more energy. The tragetory on the 22-250 is much flatter than the .223. The .243, (at least in my case) does not do well with anything under 80 grains due to the velocity even with a 10:1 twist. The most accurate for the .243 is a 100 grain bullet. Hey! I have an idea! Buy a 22-250 now, and get a .243 next year! Can't have enough choices you know!
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  • groundhog devastationgroundhog devastation Member Posts: 4,495
    edited November -1
    To daddo and edharold, Thank you for echoing my sentiments on the 22-250. For HansGruber, get yourself a real 25!! The 25-06!!
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  • BAKSAM3BAKSAM3 Member Posts: 37 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    BUD,THIS HAS BEEN A ARGUMENT SINCE TIME.I HAVE OWNED A REM. MOD. 788 IN A 22-250 DIDNT LIKE IT AT ALL,WILL NEVER AGAIN.THEY ARE BAD ABOUT BURNING THE RIFLINGS OUT OF BARRELS.THIS WILL START ANOTHER ARGUMENT HAHA.I OWNED A 243,I LIKED IT BUT I WANTED SOMETHING A LITTLE FASTER AND FLATTER SHOOTING FOR DEER,YOU WILL NOT FIND ANYTHING ANYWHERE BETTER FOR DEER THAN A 25-06.ONE OF THE FASTEST FLAT SHOOTING RIFLES YOU WILL EVER FIND ON PAPER OR IN HAND.BUT MY VERY FAVORITE RIFLE IS MY REM. MOD.700 CLASSIC IN A 223,TO ME IF I COULD ONLY KEEP ONE RIFLE IT WOULD BE MY 223 IT HAS KILLED MANY DEER,ALTHOUGH YOUR SHOT HAS TO BE PLACED WELL.IF I CAN SEE ITS HORNS MY 223 WILL BRING IT HOME,AND ITS ALOT CHEEPER TO SHOOT IF YOU SHOOT MUCH,$4.00 FOR 223 $18.00 FOR A BOX OF 25-06,THATS WHY THEY BUILD FORDS AND CHEVYS. END ALL HUNTS WITH A SMILE BAKSAM3P.S.LOOKING FOR RECIPE FOR DEER HORNS.
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  • daddodaddo Member Posts: 3,408
    edited November -1
    Baksham3- I'm not educated on the term-"burned out rifling". I know the high velocity guns will wear down the rifling faster than slower ones, but what is "burned"? How many rounds did you shoot before the rifling went bad? Has anyone else had this problem? Thanks!
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