Which calibre to choose for predator hunting?
- Thread starter Njal Thorgeirsson
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22-rimfire
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I would choose the .243 win for a rifle caliber that straddles the practical use fence for both deer and coyote. That is what I chose as a first rifle also when I was 16. After I got more experience, I purchased a .270 win for deer and black bear hunting and continued to use the .243 for varmints. At that point, I was wishing I had a 223 for varmints, but shooting is a journey and as you gain more experience, you begin to take paths based on your own experience rather than relying on what others tell you.
IF you believe you will use the rifle more for deer hunting and seldom for varmints, I would choose the 308 win.
IF you believe you will use the rifle more for deer hunting and seldom for varmints, I would choose the 308 win.
I have a .223 Rem, a .243 Win, and a .270 Win. The one that goes coyote hunting most is the .243 Win. It's also used by my teenage grandkids for deer and does very well at that.
The rifle I like for the range is the .223 Rem, just because the barrel doesn't heat up as much and it's a bit cheaper to shoot.
The .270 Win is my dedicated deer rifle and it works well, both as a 10-450 yard rifle. It's stainless and in an HS Precision stock, so it can take foul weather and reasonable abuse.
The rifle I like for the range is the .223 Rem, just because the barrel doesn't heat up as much and it's a bit cheaper to shoot.
The .270 Win is my dedicated deer rifle and it works well, both as a 10-450 yard rifle. It's stainless and in an HS Precision stock, so it can take foul weather and reasonable abuse.
Njal Thorgeirsson
Member
Down to three...
Thanks everyone fore the very informative responses!!!!
So after quite some time looking through other forums on caliber, I think I've narrowed it down to a .243, a .25-06 or a .270. But still, I can't quite decide. How do the trajectories compare? Also, I've heard from some folk that "the .25-06 requires at least a 26-30 inch barrel for full potential". Are all of the above (in the Savage or Stevens rifles [22 inch barrel]) going to achieve similar groupings at 100-300 yards?
So far I understand that:
The .243 is higher velocity but with considerably lighter bullets and somewhat less energy than the .25-06- which has higher velocities, more energy and a greater range of loads for anything up to medium-sized game, and the .270 has somewhat higher velocities and energies with similar bullet weights than the .25-06 (but with considerably more recoil)?
What are some general handloading prices for an average load of each? Relaitively similar or is any significantly higher?
Again, thanks for all of the help!!!!!!!!
Thanks everyone fore the very informative responses!!!!
So after quite some time looking through other forums on caliber, I think I've narrowed it down to a .243, a .25-06 or a .270. But still, I can't quite decide. How do the trajectories compare? Also, I've heard from some folk that "the .25-06 requires at least a 26-30 inch barrel for full potential". Are all of the above (in the Savage or Stevens rifles [22 inch barrel]) going to achieve similar groupings at 100-300 yards?
So far I understand that:
The .243 is higher velocity but with considerably lighter bullets and somewhat less energy than the .25-06- which has higher velocities, more energy and a greater range of loads for anything up to medium-sized game, and the .270 has somewhat higher velocities and energies with similar bullet weights than the .25-06 (but with considerably more recoil)?
What are some general handloading prices for an average load of each? Relaitively similar or is any significantly higher?
Again, thanks for all of the help!!!!!!!!
razorback2003
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If you are in a state where it is legal to deer hunt with a 223 or 22-250 would work with the right bullets. You might have to get a 243 to be legal for both deer and varmits. Check your state game regs.
If you just want dead coyotes, get a deer rifle. A 7mm-08... you can get the Axis, but maybe no the Stevens; you can get it in a Marlin also. .25-06 would be my second choice from your list.
If you're hunting for pelts go with a .223, .22-250, or .204 Ruger.
If you're hunting for pelts go with a .223, .22-250, or .204 Ruger.
brnmuenchow
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- Feb 6, 2011
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- 612
.243 or .223 for me.
AABEN
Member
I have about 20 high power guns and none are over 24in my 23.06 is 24in and my 30.06 is 24 all the rest is 22 down to 18in. I have killed a deer at 400yd with the 25.06 The 243 22in deer at 300yd and the 243 20in at 300yd So there is not a big different in the kill if you are worried about that. There is not a 30in unless it is custom made or special order.Thanks everyone fore the very informative responses!!!!
So after quite some time looking through other forums on caliber, I think I've narrowed it down to a .243, a .25-06 or a .270. But still, I can't quite decide. How do the trajectories compare? Also, I've heard from some folk that "the .25-06 requires at least a 26-30 inch barrel for full potential". Are all of the above (in the Savage or Stevens rifles [22 inch barrel]) going to achieve similar groupings at 100-300 yards?
So far I understand that:
The .243 is higher velocity but with considerably lighter bullets and somewhat less energy than the .25-06- which has higher velocities, more energy and a greater range of loads for anything up to medium-sized game, and the .270 has somewhat higher velocities and energies with similar bullet weights than the .25-06 (but with considerably more recoil)?
What are some general handloading prices for an average load of each? Relaitively similar or is any significantly higher?
Again, thanks for all of the help!!!!!!!!
sixgunner455
Member
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2006
- Messages
- 3,052
Accuracy between the cartridges you mentioned will not be greatly different. Savage rifles are accurate.
.243 is a short-action cartridge. If you want a short action, that is the one to get. It was designed to cover the niche you're talking about - deer and varmints efficiently from the same rifle, with mild recoil. It will handle bullet weights from 55gr to 105gr in a standard sporter rifle - light bullets for varmints, heavier for deer and antelope.
The .25-06 and .270 are basically both necked-down .30-06, so they are both long action. They have bullet weight ranges intended for different game as well. The .25-06 was designed to be a faster-stepping varmint and deer rifle. My wife's uncle uses his on elk as well. The .270 will kill anything in North America. It may be considered overkill on coyotes.
IMHO>if you are going to do a lot of coyote hunting, get a dedicated coyote rifle in .223. It will save you money in practice ammo, especially if you're not going to reload, and will leave fur to harvest because it won't blow up the dogs. Then, when you decide you want to try big/medium game hunting later, either use a heavy deer bullet in your .223, or add a dedicated deer rifle in a heavier caliber. If you try the hunting thing, and then decide that it isn't for you, a .223 will leave you with an economical, fun rifle to shoot that will hit and be effective on reactive targets much further than a .22 LR. Any heavier rifle will just cost too much for casual shooting.
If you are going to just kill the dogs, don't care about fur, aren't going to go calling all the time, and only want one rifle, get a .243 or .25-06, depending on which rifle feels better in your hands - the balance is slightly different. Learn to reload, and then your hunting ammo will cost about the same as cheap factory .223 ball (practice) ammo.
Skip the Axis, unless your budget is that tight. Get the Stevens 200. If you decide later to upgrade your rifle, there are a LOT more aftermarket upgrades available for the 200. If you are CERTAIN that you will never mod your rifle, then you might get the Axis.
.243 is a short-action cartridge. If you want a short action, that is the one to get. It was designed to cover the niche you're talking about - deer and varmints efficiently from the same rifle, with mild recoil. It will handle bullet weights from 55gr to 105gr in a standard sporter rifle - light bullets for varmints, heavier for deer and antelope.
The .25-06 and .270 are basically both necked-down .30-06, so they are both long action. They have bullet weight ranges intended for different game as well. The .25-06 was designed to be a faster-stepping varmint and deer rifle. My wife's uncle uses his on elk as well. The .270 will kill anything in North America. It may be considered overkill on coyotes.
IMHO>if you are going to do a lot of coyote hunting, get a dedicated coyote rifle in .223. It will save you money in practice ammo, especially if you're not going to reload, and will leave fur to harvest because it won't blow up the dogs. Then, when you decide you want to try big/medium game hunting later, either use a heavy deer bullet in your .223, or add a dedicated deer rifle in a heavier caliber. If you try the hunting thing, and then decide that it isn't for you, a .223 will leave you with an economical, fun rifle to shoot that will hit and be effective on reactive targets much further than a .22 LR. Any heavier rifle will just cost too much for casual shooting.
If you are going to just kill the dogs, don't care about fur, aren't going to go calling all the time, and only want one rifle, get a .243 or .25-06, depending on which rifle feels better in your hands - the balance is slightly different. Learn to reload, and then your hunting ammo will cost about the same as cheap factory .223 ball (practice) ammo.
Skip the Axis, unless your budget is that tight. Get the Stevens 200. If you decide later to upgrade your rifle, there are a LOT more aftermarket upgrades available for the 200. If you are CERTAIN that you will never mod your rifle, then you might get the Axis.
redneck2
Member
If it were me, I'd look thru the used gun rack and get a higher equality gun at a good price. I just bought a "used" unfired Ruger 77/22 in .22 Hornet with a Leupold VX-III 6.5x20x40 AO last week. New it would be about $1,450. I got it for $700.
I'm most likely going out for coyotes this afternoon. I've got a varminter AR, a Remington 700 in 22-250, a CZ in Ruger .204. All shoot well under 1". I'm taking the AR.
The coyote won't care. A hit is a hit. They run just as fast no matter what you miss with.
I'm most likely going out for coyotes this afternoon. I've got a varminter AR, a Remington 700 in 22-250, a CZ in Ruger .204. All shoot well under 1". I'm taking the AR.
The coyote won't care. A hit is a hit. They run just as fast no matter what you miss with.
.243 Only because you might want to use it for deer. My preference for coyotes is either shotgun/7.5 shot or .22lr with stingers. Less damage to the pelts and when multiple coyotes come in they don't immediately turn and run like they do with the larger centerfire rifles.
My 243 used to be my deer gun. It is now my Varmint gun, mostly carrying 55 grain noslers. But will do the 80 and 100 grain thing just as well. A 6.5x55 has become my new deer gun.. And it may also bcome my Varmint gun if I can ever get time to work up some lighter loads for it....
. And it may also bcome my Varmint gun if I can ever get time to work up some lighter loads for it....- Status