.22-250 or .243?
- Thread starter colonelklink
- Start date
with what?
my oldest son did just that a few days ago, 260, the blast popped one eye ball right out and the other partially out, blew the back of the head wide open and the face was totally gone. The nice thing was that it dropped stone cold dead right there on the spot.
bearkilr
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nowhere, ......just past the middle
Prime coyote pelts go for around $100 at auction. The 243 is by no stretch of the imagination fur friendly, in fact it's probably messier than your 30-06 in many situations. I've had a few guns chambered in it over the years but keep selling them, I find it too small for the big stuff and too big for the small stuff. Guess I'm a slow learner.
The 22-250 is great for coyotes on broadside shots with fragile bullets, but crap for deer. I'd be inclined to use a 150 gr TSX in your '06 if your primary objective is deer with the occasional coyote for the 2 weeks of the year you can use it for that purpose. I'd buy the 22-250 to use on coyotes the remainder of the year.
Despite the large powder charge, a 22-250 hunting rifle is all but useless at long range. The 243 is much better for long shots and better for deer.
As for limiting fur damage, regardless of caliber that has more to do with bullet selection than caliber selection. If you use FMJ or Barnes Solid bullets you wont get much damage.
As for limiting fur damage, regardless of caliber that has more to do with bullet selection than caliber selection. If you use FMJ or Barnes Solid bullets you wont get much damage.
Very close range shot with my 257Roberts. Sitting watching a trail. Deer crossed, turned and looked at me with his mouth open. Deer dropped on the spot as well.
I would not recommend a head shot under most circumstances, but ......
.243 you can get light, low expanding bullets for coyotes and what not and 100-120 gr bullets for deer. My brother just cranked a buck with the .243 yesterday with a 100gr hornady sst coming out at 3200 fps. Entrance hole was the size of a nickel and exit was the size of my fist. Couldnt have asked for a better bullet for deer hunting!!!!
Thanks for the great info guys. I have decided to go with the .243 as I feel it will suit all of my needs the best. Eventually though I think the 22-250 will be another great buy! Can't have to many guns after all! Now I need to decide which one to buy! I'm leaning toward the Remington 700 SPS Varmint in left hand! Thanks again.
Twice I've done that. My first deer was accidently shot in the head with a 54 cal muzzle loader at 20 yards or so. The impact knocked the eyes out of the skull. The second time was on purpose, I put a 270 Win right up the left nostril. Results were spectacular and instant. As others have said, not the best target, but in the right circumstance it's effective.
Any that you particularly recommend? I got a .243 this year and am liking it for both roles. I've used some factory Hornady with 100g SST and old Federal Classic 80 grain for testing and practise and reloaded with Hornady 100g Interlocks for deer season. When it's over, I'll shoot the rest of them off at the range and want to reload for coyotes through the winter.
I don't think there are enough deer left from last winter to be sharing them with coyotes this one.
I could not find a fur friendly load for my 243 so I sold it. I did take a nice buck with it last year and now I kind of miss it. It was great for coyotes if you don't care about the fur. I now use a 223 and would never consider anything else for coyotes. 30-06 for deer and bigger. 308 for punching paper. (Its way too heavy for any real hunting) it seams like the 243 was a perfect compromise for all three if I could only have one. Though I would not use it on anything bigger than deer. Now how do I come up with an excuse for my wife that I really need a 243 again is the question.
