243 vs 22-250

[viking499]

Looking for something in the 50-80 grain range that will land good in the 200 to 500 yard range for coyotes, groundhougs, etc. Ruled out the 204 today. Already have a 223. Wanting something else.

Trying to decide between a 243 and a 22-250.

Your remarks............

 

[TheShootist1894]

243

243, 308 case necked down to 6 MM,
Unbeliveable devastation to everything deer on down, 22-250 good for varmints, but for yotes and such 243 will be vastly more useable

 

[Twud]

No question 243. I own both and know the 22-250's limitations. You might want to consider a heavier bullet for shooting at 500 yards. 85 grain plus.
Check out Berger. They now recommend a bunch of their bullets for hunting, and they are super acccurate. http://www.bergerbullets.com/
Mark

 

[Outlaws]

I love the 243, but I am more a fan of longer bullets, and at the lower end of your weight choice I would want the 22-250. The 243 bullets at 58-65gr are way to short to fly as well and retain their energy 500 yards down range. Sierra GameKing 85gr bullets are awesome in 243 IMO. Also, 243 uses a lot more powder if you hand load.

 

[Travis McGee]

243. Among other reasons, much longer barrel life.

 

[Outlaws]

243. Among other reasons, much longer barrel life.

Much longer? The 243 will heat up a barrel every bit as fast as the 22-250. The 243 uses more powder for the same bullet weight, so that makes up for the slightly larger diameter. The few charts I have seen put the 243 barrel life at 1500-2000 rounds. YMMV, but that is the same boat at the 22-250. Infact the 243 will put a 58gr V-Max +/- 200fps faster than a 22-250 will put a 55gr V-Max.

But this is a coyote gun, neither will wear out a barrel fast. If this was a pdog rig they would both be a poor choice unless the OP was open to a future barrel replacement.

 

[theCZ]

You didn't mention if you are planning on going custom or buying factory. If you want to shoot an 80 grainer in a 22-250, you will need a barrel with a faster twist than the standard 1:14 (I think that's the normal twist). On the other hand, every factory 243 made will shoot 80 grainers. I've been interested in getting a fast twist 22-250AI and shooting really heavy bullets. I'm not sure it would be that different than my 6mm Rem, but it seems like a fun project.

 

[Onmilo]

++++ for the .243

 

[rangerruck]

243, over the 22.250 , all day long.

 

[Twud]

Looks like Remington uses a 9-1/8" twist in their 243s, which according to Shilen would more than stabilize a 100 grainer.


http://www.shilen.com/calibersAndTwists.html

 

[S&WKING]

since u decide against 204 i would definetley go with the 243 and if i were you i would use the 58gr V-max Moly my dad probably shot 300 this summer and everyone of them was great

 

[rangerruck]

a 9 or 10 twist will easily stabilize a 100 grainer, occasionally the 1/12 twist will, such as in mine, but a 1/10 or 1/9 will do up to 115 or so, which will give you some serious downrange capability.

 

[skinewmexico]

Get a 243, and have the throat set up so you can shoot 115g DTACs.

 

[dakotasin]

i had both. i have a 22-250.

didn't much care for the 243. 22-250 kills coyotes to great effect out to 625 yards (farthest i have had opportunity to test), and does it w/ less noise and less powder.

however, since you already have a 223, you may be missing a great chance to get the 25-06 by narrowing your search to just the 243 and 22-250.

good luck.

 

[viking499]

Have a 6.5 Swede I will take over a 25-06........

 

[halesb]

I had a Rem 700 in .243 with the barrel chopped to 20 inches. Shot 60 gr. Sierra HPs, and still got 3400 fps in the bubba barrel. About the same time I played with a NEF single shot in .22-250 that had a 26 inch barrel. For some reason I still preferred the .243, just cause it was handy, still got good velocity, and it really liked the 85 gr. Sierra Blitz too !!