RE: .223 or .243
 

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that is the only real shot any respectiable hunter should take.as far as the heart lung shot,I have taken in excess of 100 deer and way more than that in hogs with my 243;not counting the ones my wife has taken,probalby 25 for her.I have also never had one run over 50 yards from the point of impact.that is with the exception of one buck that I didn't get.(bad hit on my part.)

the 243 is a small bullet ; but will do the job well.thats why they make 243 , 270 , 308 , and 7mm mag. everyone to his or her own.

shoot what you want as long as it does the job.I do not own or ever shot the 222 or 223,so I can't say . just think they are a little to small ; JMHO;)

RE: .223 or .243
 

Of the two you mentioned the 243 is UNDOUBTEDLY the better multipurpose round. It is clearly enough for deer, the 223 is not. If you only want to shoot coyotes,squirrels,ground hogs, prairie dogs ect that is where the 223 has few equals mainly because of dirt cheap ammo. Some one said the 270 is perfect, and for deer sized animals it is, but it is much more marginal for elk than the 243 is for deer. Matter of fact I know an old guy who shoots 100gr 243 and gets an elk every year and has for about 25-30 yrs. never looses one either, he just knows his limitations. To many 270 shooters think that they have PLENTY OF GUN FOR ELK, the 270 will do, but they go in thinking that they have an adaquate caliber instead of a marginal caliber, so they arent as carefull w/ their shots as they should be and wound alot of animals that they would not have if they went out w/ the mindset of haveing a marginal caliber and knowing that they will have to pass on some shots. Also, A deer hit in the heart w/ a 22longrifle wont run far let alone a 243. A true heart shot drops animals quickly.

RE: .223 or .243
 

let me rephrase my question what is the cheapest as far as ammo and the best for multipurpose hunting thx

RE: .223 or .243
 

well you can get 223 ammo very cheap however it is fmj's and you can't hunt with those. as far as hunting bullets the 243 and 223's are about the same. for hunting anything from jackrabbits to mule deer you can't beat the 243 shooting a good 95-100 grain bullet

RE: .223 or .243
 

Even with the question rephrased, the answer is still the .243! Out of the two calibers, the .243 is more suited for animals through whitetail, and antelope! The .223, or any of the .22 centerfires are varmint, to small game calibers at best!