.243...for varmints

UThunter · 06-27-2005, 05:30 PM

i've been looking to get a .223 in a bolt action for a few months now, mostly for coyotes and target shooting for practice...a good deal came up on a .243 and i am thinking about taking that. Are there any reasons to stick with my original plan for the .223?

biscuit jake · 06-27-2005, 05:48 PM

I would go for the 243 or 6 mm for long range shots where you need an ally against wind. Or even the 25 06. The 223 has an advantage with a lower report in settled areas, and the ammo (and bullets) are less costly. Varmint bullets are just oh so nasty. Like little artillery rounds. Hee hee.

Rebel Hog · 06-27-2005, 06:41 PM

UT, go for the .243.

vangunsmith · 06-27-2005, 07:49 PM

If you were just wanting a gun for varmits i would go with the 223,as for ammo is readly avaiable and cheap,if you don,t reload. But i believe in Utah one has to have a .24 cal or bigger for deer? You could use a 243 for deer as well if you desired to do so. Then you would have a gun that would fill both your needs. the choice is yours. vangunsmith

trailer · 06-27-2005, 08:03 PM

Go for the .243 or 6 mm . Either would do the job.

James B · 06-27-2005, 08:34 PM

I would go with the 223 if you plan to shoot a lot. Ammo it cheap and the 223 has plenty of range for most varmit shooting. For long range big varmits the 243 would have an edge but to me the 243 falls in the spot where its more than I need for varmits and less than I like for deer. Mine sits around an awful lot while I shoot the 223 for varmits and the 25-05 and 6.5 for deer. Although low in recoil, the 243 can wear on you in a long afternoon of Prairie dogging. If you don't reload, varmiting could get expensive with the 243 if you shoot 300 rounds a day or so like I do with the 223.

ejpaul1 · 06-27-2005, 08:40 PM

What kind of rifle are you looking at? Bolt, single or semi auto? My co-worker has an ar15 and he says that it is one of the more accureate 223 semi autos. He also says that mini14 is not so accureate. I have yet to shoot my new 243 single, but I will have more opinion after this saturday morning. We will be shooting both the 223 and the 243. EJ

UThunter · 06-28-2005, 12:49 AM

It is a Savage 110 which is a bolt action. i don't need it to double for a deer rifle, as a i have a 300 winmag that i would rather use...i like the fact that it's got a lot of range and power over the 223, but i don't know if it's necessary or worth the money for ammo. also, i'm hesitant on this specific rifle as it's not the accutrigger version and have heard poor reviews about the trigger.

Howler · 06-28-2005, 04:05 PM

With all big game out of the picture, I'd say go with the .223. It'll be more fun to shoot at targets, and p-dogs, marmots, ground hogs, etc. and it's cheaper to shoot for sure. And if your calling coyotes to you, most shots will be plenty close for it to handle them without a problem.