Best caliber choice for my situation

D

daver36

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Amaranth Township, Ontario
So, I'm in the market for a new/used The plan is mostly for varmint (yotes), so 22-250 or .223 is sorta along the lines of what I was thinking. I could be talked into a .243 if the price was right. I'm thinking these calibers because they're easy to find anywhere. Just wondering on what's everyone's choice between these, especially between 22-250 and .223, I'm a newb so my knowledge is far from vast. My shots I don't ever see being farther out than 200 yards, probably less. My only experience is last year getting a yote with a buddies' 22-250. This yote came out at like 75 yards....that screaming little pill made quite the mess at that closer distance. I'm wondering if the .223 would make a better choice at my range, or will it even make a difference? Is .243 gonna be too big? I'm not worried about being able to use is for big game as my area is bow/shotgun, and if I ever get the chance to go somewhere else I've got plenty of options to borrow. If buying new my price range is in the Ruger American, Savage Axis 2, Remington 783 area, or something better in the used market. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance for the help guys
Cheers,
Dave
 
Either will work for coyotes. The 22250 is a faster 223. In the range of your budget the twist rates for the 223 are designed for varmint bullets so the main difference is speed. The 223 and 22250 are good to go all over. There are some places around essex that wont allow a 243 so check your local area. Ive shot coyotes with all 3 and 2506 and 270. Personally i like the 2506 best. However if keeping the pelts is your goal i reccommend the 223 and lots of practice. Know where the vitals are on a coyote and strive for the ethical shots where you can punch thru the vitals.
As for price range with the new guns theyre all quite capable out of the box. In my experience the savage has proved most accurate with common shelf loads. However the appearance of the synthetic stock is a personal thing. In hardwood stock theyre much nicer looking
Anyway them r my thoughts. Goood luck
 
Pick whichever of the three you like best. The .223 has the least recoil for follow up shots and is the quietest. I shot 3 coyotes with a .223 last year, all at 200 -240 yards, and all three dropped on the spot, so they seem up to the task at that range. I could barely see the bullet holes in any of them as well.
 
I wish I chose 223 instead of my 22-250 because the ammo is cheaper (bulk online) with more local stores having more options of 223. With your shots being 200 yards or less I would go with the 223 as you'll likely end up shooting it more and it'll do the same job.
 
I am a huge 204 Ruger fan. Any 'Yote 500 and under is toast. I reload so it is cheap to shoot. Less drift and drop than .223/22-250

Which is precisely why I sold my 223 and 22-250 guns.

I now have 4 rifles in .204 ruger if that tells you anything.
 
I have 22-250, 223, and 243.

The 22-250 is a barrel burner, although very accurate the velocity of the rounds burns out barrels in a few thousand rounds. Expect to replace barrels. I have a replacement barrel on order at this time. The 243 is also a quite accurate, but ammunition is expensive if you like to shoot lots. I have the dies to reload for it, but haven't bothered much because I have too many calibers to reload.

As for the 223, it is my choice to shoot pests and varmints on the farm. I use a 75gr bullet that has a quarter of the wind drift than the 55gr. Also because the velocities are under 3000fps it takes a long time to wear out a barrel compared to speeds in excess of 3000fps. I reload these rounds for pest control and match shooting, and the cost is less than 50 cents per round.
 
I believe it comes down to how much do you want to pay for ammo? Picking a rifle chambered in either .223 or 22-250 is gonna cost the same. But the ammo to feed it isnt. 200 yard shots both cartridges are capable it's when you want to stretch the shots farther out the 22-250 looks better at the expense of extra cost per shot. But experts will chime in on the kill range of the .223
 
the_reaper_33 said:
I believe it comes down to how much do you want to pay for ammo? Picking a rifle chambered in either .223 or 22-250 is gonna cost the same. But the ammo to feed it isnt. 200 yard shots both cartridges are capable it's when you want to stretch the shots farther out the 22-250 looks better at the expense of extra cost per shot. But experts will chime in on the kill range of the .223
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I don't know about "Expert" but a 75gr 223 will fold a coyote at 400 yards. The ability to hit a coyote at 400 is not only the skills of the shooter, but also in the quality of the scope and bipod. A typical CDN Tire scope/bipod will not produce these results.
 
22-250 ....a lot faster than the 223 and you can also fire form the brass to 6.5 Creedmoor if you get bored with the 22 caliber rifles. ☺
 
Got Juice? said:
I am a huge 204 Ruger fan. Any 'Yote 500 and under is toast. I reload so it is cheap to shoot. Less drift and drop than .223/22-250

Which is precisely why I sold my 223 and 22-250 guns.

I now have 4 rifles in .204 ruger if that tells you anything.
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A 204 definitely does not have less drift and drop than a 22-250.

To make a fair comparison of cartridges of different caliber you have to compare bullets of similar ballistic coefficient.
 
coyoteking said:
A 204 definitely does not have less drift and drop than a 22-250.

To make a fair comparison of cartridges of different caliber you have to compare bullets of similar ballistic coefficient.
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I usually compare best bullet for the ROT in the guns between the calibers. As you are aware, some bullets shoot better depending on twist rate :)

And Usually (not always) a 1:12 204 ruger with a 38-40gn bullet will beat out most 22-250's with a 1:12 in 60 gn.

That being said, I REALLY like seeing the guys with the 1:9 barrels The 77gn-80gn range with that twist rate has the 204 more than covered. Lots of HP there!

And yes a 204 Ruger has less drift and drop than a 22.250. As stated earlier, I used to run 22-250, and .223

Here is just one generic comparison article. http ://www.6mmbr.com/20Caliber.html

There are many more comparisons out there. Both from lab testing, Ballisticians, and Practical field work. But to each their own. I certainly won't argue the point. If 22-250 work for you, and you like it, stick with it for sure.
 
Amaranth is long and flat. I hunt same area and use a .22-250. Rarely are my shots under 200 yards. Running hounds or calling, 55g vmax bullet can make big exit holes at close range but they excellent at mid to long range with rarely having an exit. I have a .223 as well but the .250 comes with me everytime.
 
My personal choice would be the .223. I have had great luck coyote hunting with my Remington sps tactical with a leupold 4×12. Awsome gun to shoot wicked accurate little recoil and rounds are not that expensive. I would say in my own opinion that a .243 is a little bit too much gun for varmints but that is just my own opinion. All 3 rifles will get the job done
 
I shoot 22-250 but that’s because it was a dirt cheap to buy Savage. With discounts and Canadian Tire clearance it was out the door for under $220. If would personally shoot .223 just for the variety of shells and expense but you can’t argue with a deal.
 
Got Juice? said:
I usually compare best bullet for the ROT in the guns between the calibers. As you are aware, some bullets shoot better depending on twist rate :)

And Usually (not always) a 1:12 204 ruger with a 38-40gn bullet will beat out most 22-250's with a 1:12 in 60 gn.

That being said, I REALLY like seeing the guys with the 1:9 barrels The 77gn-80gn range with that twist rate has the 204 more than covered. Lots of HP there!

And yes a 204 Ruger has less drift and drop than a 22.250. As stated earlier, I used to run 22-250, and .223

Here is just one generic comparison article. http ://www.6mmbr.com/20Caliber.html

There are many more comparisons out there. Both from lab testing, Ballisticians, and Practical field work. But to each their own. I certainly won't argue the point. If 22-250 work for you, and you like it, stick with it for sure.
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Good points all.

I love my fast 22’s but my next coyote rifle will be a 204, something ultralight and easy to carry as I can put on a lot of miles calling and my furthest shots are most often under 500 yards.
 
coyoteking said:
Good points all.

I love my fast 22’s but my next coyote rifle will be a 204, something ultralight and easy to carry as I can put on a lot of miles calling and my furthest shots are most often under 500 yards.
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I do confess the newer tighter twists of the 22-250 DO make it very tempting when you need something with more power than 204. Maybe next year :)
 
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