.223 or .243? this should be good...

[hunt12ga]

Ok. I'm going to get another barrel for my Optima Elite. I am going to be using it for paper punching and coyote hunting. I have to choose between .223 and .243, both the same price. I've got a Bushnell Trophy XLT 3-9X40 that I'm going to put on whichever I get.

I'm in Illinois so this won't be doubling as a deer rifle, and if I ever go out of state I have a .270 and .308 handy if I need them.

Most of my shots will be 300y or less, probably inside 200y. There just isn't much wide open space in my neck of the woods.

I'm leaning towards the .223 because I like to shoot a bunch and $ is always a factor in almost everything I do. From what I can tell, the .223 is a good deal cheaper to shoot.

What do you all think?

rw

[CDBHunter]

I would go with the .223 because as you said it is cheaper to shoot especially if you do lots of shooting. Ammo is also availiable everywhere. The .223 makes a great target rifle and coyote gun!

[Sheridan]

.223 if $$$ is a concern & and you plan on doing a lot of target shooting.


I never understood ammo cost when it comes to shooting coyotes.


One shot, one kill right ?



Ok, an occasional spinner..........................unless you're buying the most expensive ammo you can find.

[2 Samuel 22:35]

I'm going through the same problem on what to buy but the 243 is $100 dollars more. So I am in a worse pickle. Because I really want a .223 for coyote hunting.

[Nomercy448]

Personally, I'd go with a .223. You already have a .270, so adding a .243 to the line up is kind of redundant. From a functional standpoint, the .243 and .270 will cost about the same to shoot, and will have the same effective range for the same game species.

The .223 on the other hand brings a cheaper option for ammo (really cheap if you use surplus junk), and will be a great option for coyotes and paper punching out to 400yrds. Plus it'll limit hide damage for coyotes.

[skb2706]

When faced with this kind of dilemma I generally choose to error to the side of "both". But thats just me..........

.223 if there is that lack of option.

[hunt12ga]

skb, I like the way you think. That being said, I doubt that my wife would like you very much

rw

[Bernie P.]

The .223 is fur friendly whereas the .243 will do a number on the hide.

[hunt12ga]

Thanks for the input. The .223 is on order! I can't wait to burn some powder.

rw