22-250 vs 243

[rjm158]

To go along with my post in Reloading, I have been looking at a 22-250 rifle for coyotes, etc. I currrently own a 243. For those with more experience with one/both for varmints, does one offer any advantages over the other?

Thanks, Ron.

 

[YoteSmoker]

The 243 will allow you to use heavier bullets that will carry further with less wind deflection or you can go lighter and faster than the 22-250 will allow. It can also be used for varmint and deer sized game. The 22-250 will burn slightly less powder and is still a great choice for coyote with 50-60 grain pills depending on your twist though, you may be limited to 52 or 55 grain bullets. If damage to hides is a concern, you will most likely get better results with the 22 cal vs the 6mm. That is relative due to bullet construction vs caliber in my opinion. You can't really go too wrong with either choice of cartridge. Since you already have the 243 I would hunt with it unless you desire another rifle. It is a little heavy for varmint/predators and a little light for bigger game but can be used for both.

 

[JD338]

The 243 has the advantage over the 22-250 with heavier bullets for more range. The 243 can be a bit tough on hides, so can the 22-250. I have used both for coyotes and the past two years I have been using my 257 Roberts.

I currently have a M700 VLS 22-250 but lugging 11 lbs of rifle through knee deep snow is starting to get old.
If you go with a 22-250, a sporter weight with a 1:12" twist will will give you more portability as well as the ability to shoot heavier bullets.

JD338

 

[jmad_81]

I have shot a bunch of dogs with both. I give the nod to the .243 for general dogs. If I'm calling, I like that I can take one close and still be able to reach out and get the second, or third if they stop. I used to have a 18" R-15 for a cab gun, it was great out to about 300 yards. It also fit in the combine, tractor, or pickup very well with an adjustable stock.

The 55 BT or 70 BT will do anything a 22-250 can do, and you can stilll shoot the bigger bullets. Your more than loaded to dog. If your looking to get another gun for no particluar reason, the 22-250 is alot of fun as well.

 

[mcseal2]

Everyone else said it pretty well. I love the 243 with the 75gr V-max for coyotes, and it hasn't been bad on hides for me. The 22-250 does great too, but the heavier bullet of the 243 offers more penetration for tougher angles or running yotes. There really isn't a bad angle to shoot a coyote with the 75gr V-max, even running straight away it does plenty of damage to shut them down instantly. As I've said on here before, the 243 can be real hard on pelts with smaller predators like bobcat, but I think anything more than a 22 mag will be.

I am looking forward to trying the 90gr AccuBond in my 6mm when it becomes available. I think it may be the best all-around bullet yet for all size predators and deer/antelope.

If you already have a 243 for coyotes you may consider what I'm looking at. I ordered a barrel to build a custom 204 ruger that will be a twin to my 6mm. I will use it for smaller varmints and calling where I may see bobcat. From what I've researched the 204 allows you to watch hits through your scope in an 8lb rifle, which sounds like way to much fun in a prairie dog town.

 

[YoteSmoker]

Mcseal, I'd advise to use a 35 berger hp or even a 40 ballistic tip in your 204 for bobcat. The 32 V-max goes off like a bomb...great fun on prairie dogs though!

 

[mcseal2]

Mcseal, I'd advise to use a 35 berger hp or even a 40 ballistic tip in your 204 for bobcat. The 32 V-max goes off like a bomb...great fun on prairie dogs though!

I got a 1 in 10 twist barrel for the heavier bullets so I don't think it will do well with 32 or 35gr. I will probably try the 39gr Sierra first because it has a better BC and I've read good reports on it. The 40gr ballistic tip and berger will be my next choices. I got the twist for the heavier bullets so I can go to the 45 or 50gr bullet if I think I need to for varmints, but I don't plan to. I am really anxious to get it built so I can start working on loads.

 

[Songdog]

The .22-250 wants to be a .243 when it grows up.....

 

[Woodycreek]

The .22-250 wants to be a .243 when it grows up.....

:lol: :lol: :lol: You gotta love the .243! I like my 6mms so much that I'm looking into building a 6mm-06 today.

 

[YoteSmoker]

The 243 just can't decide if it wants to be a 22-250, 260, or 7mm08 :twisted:

 

[Woodycreek]

I think they all want to be a .308 when they grow up :lol:

 

[JD338]

I think they all want to be a .308 when they grow up :lol:

or a 358 Win. :mrgreen:

JD338

 

[Songdog]

The 243 just can't decide if it wants to be a 22-250, 260, or 7mm08 :twisted:

The .243 beats the .22-250 like it was a kid chewing gun in Thailand... and when running VLD/Amax's can flat out hang with the .260 and 7/08 in the long range department. It doesn't offer the clout that the bigger .308 cased rounds do on big game... but it ain't like the .22-250 is a elk gun of any magnitude... and I've never had a critter rub some dirt on it and walk-off a bullet out of a 6mm of any flavor.

The .243 does something no other factory .308 cased round can do... and that's haul some serious ace... 4K+ with a 55 is a no joke laser beam... point-and-click coyote shooting to 350 is a luxury we should all grant ourselves at least once in life.

 

[SJB358]

I think they all want to be a .308 when they grow up :lol:

or a 358 Win. :mrgreen:

JD338

I like it! Scotty

 

[jmad_81]

The .243 does something no other factory .308 cased round can do... and that's haul some serious ace... 4K+ with a 55 is a no joke laser beam... point-and-click coyote shooting to 350 is a luxury we should all grant ourselves at least once in life.

This is no joke! I love the 55 BT out of a .243 for yotes.

 

[Woodycreek]

I have always wanted to try the 55 BTs one time just to see what its like to shoot a laser.

 

[Songdog]

Yep... +1" at 100... is only 2" low at 300... and less than 9" low at 400 yards, where it still delivers nearly 1000 ft/lbs by the way. Some tout the miserly BC (.276) as evidence against the 55, but at 4 bills it drifts less than a foot... 4k+ will buy you some lunch on wind.

Take your stout .22-250 load for comparison... a very popular coyote load, 50 grainer @ 3850... +1" at 100... is 3.5" low at 300... and a foot low at 400... and it's only packing 650 ft/lbs when it gets there (3" more drift too...). That's 30% more drop and drift... for about 25% LESS energy... all for about 4-6 grains of powder... and virtually no increase in recoil.

I've tried and tried... but I've yet to find a better combo for coyotes... I've literally killed piles and piles of dogs with the 55. Yet, somehow... I own not a single 6mm... t'wont be long though till one follows me home.

One of said 'piles'... all courtesy of the 55 grain NBT outta the old 6mm Rem....

 

[jmad_81]

Yep, that counts as a pile for sure! :shock:

 

[DrMike]

Sure looks like a pile of songdogs.

 

[kendog]

51.5/H380 @ close to 3900 fps out of my old M70 with a 22" tube would group under 1/4" all day long with the 55 BTs. I could hit 4000 no probs but the groups opened up bad.
Still kick myself for getting rid of that rifle.