Looking to buy a coyote gun narrowed it down to these two. Do you gain much advantge with the 250 over the 223 in practical shooting ranges. Don't reload so the ammo price of 223 is a fair bit cheaper. Might a swell throw the 243win in also as it could be used on deer also. Whats the scoop on these?
223rem vs 22-250 for coyotes?
- Thread starter Cujo03
- Start date
I have a .222 (similar to .223 in ballistics) and a .22-250. There doesn't seem to be much advantage to the .22-250 until you get out to about 225 or 250 yards or so, and then the .22-250 seems to have a lot more smack down power. It would probably give you another 100 or 150 effective yards over the .223.
.243s will knock coyotes on their ass, and like you already know, can be used for deer. I'm not sure that the .243 is exactly "fur friendly" if you plan on selling the hides.
Have you looked into the .204 Ruger yet? It seems to be gaining some popularity with coyote hunters. Ammo availability might be an issue with that round though.
.243s will knock coyotes on their ass, and like you already know, can be used for deer. I'm not sure that the .243 is exactly "fur friendly" if you plan on selling the hides.
Have you looked into the .204 Ruger yet? It seems to be gaining some popularity with coyote hunters. Ammo availability might be an issue with that round though.
- Location
- Ft. Mac. Alberta
The .223 would be my choice for the type of hunting I do over bait, and for calling.Cujo03 said:
The 22/250 is just too much rifle for that type of stuff if you are going to sell the hides.
For long distance shooting across fields however, it simply outruns the .smaller .22 caliber varmint cartrisges.
Interesting side note:
Old badger just sold a 22/250 AI to another buddy, and looked in Ackley's wilcat cartridges book for balistics info.
Mr. Ackley stated to load it to >220 Swift tables!
The capacity is vertually identical !
Cat
I need to add a vote for 204 as well, I am really liking mine and other than cheaper ammo, there is no reason to buy a 223, the 204 really out performs it. Ammo issues are getting better, the US market was sucking up every oZ of production for a while but heck there is even brass in town now.
You can get by with the hornady ammo for coyotes but to get the most the berger 35 grain head is the way to go (But you will have to reload). But with Nosler comming out with their own head is a federal load far behind. No reports yet but that should be comming shortly, they say the tip is smaller than the others so hopfully the expansion will be a little more controled.
Also it seems the winchester bulk varmint load "white box" seems to have reappered south of the border, so it should make it up here eventually so even the cheapness factor of the 223 is diminishing
You can get by with the hornady ammo for coyotes but to get the most the berger 35 grain head is the way to go (But you will have to reload). But with Nosler comming out with their own head is a federal load far behind. No reports yet but that should be comming shortly, they say the tip is smaller than the others so hopfully the expansion will be a little more controled.
Also it seems the winchester bulk varmint load "white box" seems to have reappered south of the border, so it should make it up here eventually so even the cheapness factor of the 223 is diminishing
if a guy wants a coyote round for 'practical shooting' (whatever that is), he cant really go wrong with a 223 Rem.
with 55 gr. ammo @ 3240 fps, it shoots flat enough in the field to have basically no trajectory holdover out to almost 300 yards (250y zero), where it lands with more than enough energy for yotes.
a 22-250 is flatter yet, and gives you another 50 to 100 yards or so of field range. burns half again as much powder and is louder, etc. factory ammo is more $$ too all things being equal.
204 is a good cartridge on paper but reports from the field have been mediocre. Seems the bullets available now are all too explosive for bigger varmints like coyotes and have the tendancy to blow up before fully penetrating the vitals, especially on anything but broadside shots. like someone mentioned, the 35 gr. Berger is getting good reports from the field, but it is a handloading only bullet, and availability isnt as widespread as other bullet manufacturers. Once bullet makers come up with a more controlled expansion 20 caliber bullet, the 204 should be a great coyote round. Downrange ballistics mirror the 22-250, but recoil and muzzle blast are along the lines of the 223. Might not be the best choice for bigger critters like wolves and mtn lion, but for 30-40 lb coyotes it should be quite effective. Time will tell I suppose.
my vote goes for 223, but 22-250 is right close second.
with 55 gr. ammo @ 3240 fps, it shoots flat enough in the field to have basically no trajectory holdover out to almost 300 yards (250y zero), where it lands with more than enough energy for yotes.
a 22-250 is flatter yet, and gives you another 50 to 100 yards or so of field range. burns half again as much powder and is louder, etc. factory ammo is more $$ too all things being equal.
204 is a good cartridge on paper but reports from the field have been mediocre. Seems the bullets available now are all too explosive for bigger varmints like coyotes and have the tendancy to blow up before fully penetrating the vitals, especially on anything but broadside shots. like someone mentioned, the 35 gr. Berger is getting good reports from the field, but it is a handloading only bullet, and availability isnt as widespread as other bullet manufacturers. Once bullet makers come up with a more controlled expansion 20 caliber bullet, the 204 should be a great coyote round. Downrange ballistics mirror the 22-250, but recoil and muzzle blast are along the lines of the 223. Might not be the best choice for bigger critters like wolves and mtn lion, but for 30-40 lb coyotes it should be quite effective. Time will tell I suppose.
my vote goes for 223, but 22-250 is right close second.
"...not sure that the .243 is exactly "fur friendly" if you plan on selling the hides..." Depends on the bullet. 90 grain fmj's are made for fur hunting, but you're looking at reloading them. It'd be best to check out the legalities of selling hides too.
Having said that, if you're not going to reload, go with the .223. Mind you, hunting anything with surplus ball is illegal. Commercial fmj's aren't. Can't say as I've ever seen factory fmj's in any calibre, but I haven't looked either.
Having said that, if you're not going to reload, go with the .223. Mind you, hunting anything with surplus ball is illegal. Commercial fmj's aren't. Can't say as I've ever seen factory fmj's in any calibre, but I haven't looked either.
223 vs. 22-250?This subject is brought up over and over on the pred hunting forums.Comes down to personal preference really,re-loading may be a factor?.223 is "generally" more fur freindly,22-250 shoots flatter/farther.22-250 can also be loaded down to 223 velocities if you find it too hard on fur,but you don't re-load?
One of the most successful fur-hunters I know of shoots 220Swift.His theory is to get'em on the ground and sew em up as neccesary.A slightly damaged pelt is still worth more than one that gets away.
One of the most successful fur-hunters I know of shoots 220Swift.His theory is to get'em on the ground and sew em up as neccesary.A slightly damaged pelt is still worth more than one that gets away.
- Location
- Ft. Mac. Alberta
grinrgrn said:223 vs. 22-250?This subject is brought up over and over on the pred hunting forums.Comes down to personal preference really,re-loading may be a factor?.223 is "generally" more fur freindly,22-250 shoots flatter/farther.22-250 can also be loaded down to 223 velocities if you find it too hard on fur,but you don't re-load?
One of the most successful fur-hunters I know of shoots 220Swift.His theory is to get'em on the ground and sew em up as neccesary.A slightly damaged pelt is still worth more than one that gets away.
You can beleibve me when I tell ytou that if I drop the pin on a varmint withh my .222 it is not "getting away".
One of my huntig partners used a 17 Remington for years till he shot out thhe throat, and even killed a wolf with it at a very good range.
He is now using a .204 and the accracy and killing power are fantastic.
As far as FMJ's and hunting goes, coyotes can be
hunted with them in Alberta.
I detest having to sew up any bigger of a hole than I have to, and a TNT out of a .222 goes in, and doesn't come out!
Cat
Back in the 70's when I was in Bench Rest competition I set a Canadian record in heavy bench with a 22-250 and then went to 222 and 223 and 6x47 for longer barrel life and cheaper shooting. I would take the 22-250 for its longer range and because coyotes are pound for pound damn tough little critters. I understand Hornady is making 55 gr bullets for the 243 and if they are available in loaded rounds that would be my choice today
204 has to go
Just taken off another thread
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?p=437764
Meanea
aulrich said:
Just taken off another thread
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?p=437764
Meanea
Here is what a properly placed shot can do. head on 100-150. and we all know how far a coyote can go with a bad shot.
Caliber size entrance, destroyed shoulder, no exit (DRT). as for sourcing berger bullets http://www.################.com/index.html is suppose to have them, yes an actual canadian berger dealer.
I screwed up a shot this last weekend, the dog was anchored but it took a stab to the neck to finish. I hit the shoulder (Facing me again) but I missed the vital and all I did split it from that shoulder to the just about the hip.
Caliber size entrance, destroyed shoulder, no exit (DRT). as for sourcing berger bullets http://www.################.com/index.html is suppose to have them, yes an actual canadian berger dealer.
I screwed up a shot this last weekend, the dog was anchored but it took a stab to the neck to finish. I hit the shoulder (Facing me again) but I missed the vital and all I did split it from that shoulder to the just about the hip.
I shoot a 243 with reloads and use hornady 87 grain BTHP. We sell our furs with very little damage on most shots. I have never put a softball size hole in one. I like the 243 with the heavier bullet for those windy days. I know lots of hunters using the other mentioned calibres and they all do a good job. You can make what ever you buy work as long as it shoots a tight groups.
