243 or 22-250

I have both calibers. I’ve shot coyotes with both.
If you are trying to save fur, 2 options. go as light, fast, and violent as possible OR heavy and slow expanding.
I’ve reloaded 60gr varmageddons for the 243. They’re a rowdy bullet but their terrible bc makes them fall off quick. One hole in, loooots of internal damage. No exit. This was at 350yds. Any close and I think it would’ve blown a 10” sized hole out the back.
I’ve also shot one with a 100gr corelokt at 100 yards. Exit hole was about the size of a toonie. Our guess is the bullet hadn’t fully expanded.

For the 22-250, I’ve shot one with a 45gr Winchester factory inside 100. 3 holes, 1 in and 2 out; must have fragged inside and enough energy to exit.

Either way, both are great calibers. If dedicated coyote rifle, my vote is 22-250, but the 243 is a fine cartridge as well…and one hell of a deer killer if I may add.
You can go anywhere in between….one thing to note is the 22 creedmoor is twisted for heavy 224 cal bullets so if you’re long range coyotes, it’ll work better than a 22-250 all things being equal. You’re limited to 55gr tops with a 22-250 as most factory rifles have a 14” twist.
 
byronick87 said:
I have both calibers. I’ve shot coyotes with both.
If you are trying to save fur, 2 options. go as light, fast, and violent as possible OR heavy and slow expanding.
I’ve reloaded 60gr varmageddons for the 243. They’re a rowdy bullet but their terrible bc makes them fall off quick. One hole in, loooots of internal damage. No exit. This was at 350yds. Any close and I think it would’ve blown a 10” sized hole out the back.
I’ve also shot one with a 100gr corelokt at 100 yards. Exit hole was about the size of a toonie. Our guess is the bullet hadn’t fully expanded.

For the 22-250, I’ve shot one with a 45gr Winchester factory inside 100. 3 holes, 1 in and 2 out; must have fragged inside and enough energy to exit.

Either way, both are great calibers. If dedicated coyote rifle, my vote is 22-250, but the 243 is a fine cartridge as well…and one hell of a deer killer if I may add.
You can go anywhere in between….one thing to note is the 22 creedmoor is twisted for heavy 224 cal bullets so if you’re long range coyotes, it’ll work better than a 22-250 all things being equal. You’re limited to 55gr tops with a 22-250 as most factory rifles have a 14” twist.
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55gr max bullet isn't always the case. My weatherby 22-250 shoots 60gr hornady and 63gr sierras into 5/8" groups at 100m. I haven't tried the 70gr speer yet but all three bullets were made for the 1:14 twist. Not all rifles will throw them well but plenty of others have posted success too. Cheers.
 
freddyfour said:
Not a great comparison, mid weight 243 and heavy for cal 6.5. Should be comparing 1⁰8gr 243 to 143ge 6.6
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Most 243wins won't stabilize a 108gr though.

With same weight rifles shooting the same type of ammo (mid-weight varmint head to head, or standard weight deer bullets head to head) the 243win is going to recoil less. And not like 10% less, its more like 30% less.
 
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I don’t hunt them regularly, but I’ll shoot at them with whatever is in my hands as long as it’s not .22Lr lol, that being said I’d go .243 just cause it’s what I have. I find pretty much every .224 cartridge I’ve had never sticks around.
 
scotteboy said:
55gr max bullet isn't always the case. My weatherby 22-250 shoots 60gr hornady and 63gr sierras into 5/8" groups at 100m. I haven't tried the 70gr speer yet but all three bullets were made for the 1:14 twist. Not all rifles will throw them well but plenty of others have posted success too
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My 1:14 m700 22-250 shoots the 70gr Speer round nose pretty accurate. Drops like a rock though lmao
 
Dlake8 said:
I am considering getting a small Caliber rifle for coyte hunting and for just some fun at the range without blowing out my shoulder. What do you guys think would be the better Caliber.
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.223 is all you need.
Sure the .22-250 is faster and so is the .243 but ammo is more expensive and these do more damage to the hides.
 
todbartell said:
My 1:14 m700 22-250 shoots the 70gr Speer round nose pretty accurate. Drops like a rock though lmao
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Hey todbartell.
I tried them a few weeks ago. No problem stabilizing also. I think my fastest load was 3400ft/sec with superformance. It actually didn't drop too much out to 300yrds and that's all I want outa them. Hit the gong with authority and were accurate. Great price too. Cheers
 
Dlake8 said:
I am considering getting a small Caliber rifle for coyte hunting and for just some fun at the range without blowing out my shoulder. What do you guys think would be the better Caliber.
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I'd pick the 22-250 for personal preferences. Both are good choices. I'd give the 223 a lot of thought as well.
 
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