Forums46
Topics537,992
Posts9,731,505
Members87,053
|
Most Online25,604 Feb 12th, 2024
|
|
|
22-250 vs. 243?
#5667551
03/24/15 11:05 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,394
booradley
OP
Veteran Tracker
|
OP
Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,394 |
What are y'alls thoughts on these 2 calibers strictly for varmints/predators? This wont be a deer rifle so the argument of .243 being more versatile for deer is irrelevant.. We're strictly talking a long range, accurate varmint gun. what are your thoughts?
Don’t roll those bloodshot eyes at me.
|
|
|
Re: 22-250 vs. 243?
[Re: booradley]
#5667597
03/24/15 11:25 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,738
passthru
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,738 |
I would go with the .22-250. But I have both calibers so . . .
|
|
|
Re: 22-250 vs. 243?
[Re: booradley]
#5667622
03/24/15 11:42 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 5,396
Pittstate
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 5,396 |
If only for predators/varmints and you are not going after mountain lion, the 22-250 and it isn't even close.
|
|
|
Re: 22-250 vs. 243?
[Re: booradley]
#5667624
03/24/15 11:42 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 27,091
Nogalus Prairie
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 27,091 |
.22-250. IMO the best varmint caliber made.
I learned long ago you can't reason someone out of something they don't reason themselves into.
|
|
|
Re: 22-250 vs. 243?
[Re: passthru]
#5667629
03/24/15 11:45 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 25,258
Txkiller
the terminator
|
the terminator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 25,258 |
I would go with the .22-250. But I have both calibers so . . . X2
|
|
|
Re: 22-250 vs. 243?
[Re: Nogalus Prairie]
#5667666
03/25/15 12:03 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 29,130
TXHOGSLAYER
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 29,130 |
.22-250. IMO the best varmint caliber made. Not arguing but why?
LETS GO BRANDON
|
|
|
Re: 22-250 vs. 243?
[Re: TXHOGSLAYER]
#5667703
03/25/15 12:19 AM
|
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 27,091
Nogalus Prairie
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 27,091 |
.22-250. IMO the best varmint caliber made. Not arguing but why? Mostly because of super low recoil. I think of varmints as coyotes, bobcats, coons, etc. Fast and flat. If hogs were the main thing and I for sure wanted them DRT/recovered the .243 would be better. He didn't say for hogs though. But I don't mind at all shooting hogs with whatever is in my hand at the time.
Last edited by Nogalus Prairie; 03/25/15 12:21 AM.
|
|
|
Re: 22-250 vs. 243?
[Re: Txkiller]
#5667709
03/25/15 12:24 AM
|
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 21,271
SniperRAB
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 21,271 |
I would go with the .22-250. But I have both calibers so . . . X2 Both Outstanding Rounds, 22-250 flat shooter
|
|
|
Re: 22-250 vs. 243?
[Re: Pittstate]
#5667713
03/25/15 12:26 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,394
booradley
OP
Veteran Tracker
|
OP
Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,394 |
I would go with the .22-250. But I have both calibers so . . . If only for predators/varmints and you are not going after mountain lion, the 22-250 and it isn't even close. I was looking at rifles chambered in 22-250 at first but nearly all of them have a 1:14 twist and figured you wont be able to shoot heavier bullets out of it nor reach the potential of a 22-250 can have with a 1:10 or 1:12 even. Is this relevant ? what are thoughts regarding that?
Don’t roll those bloodshot eyes at me.
|
|
|
Re: 22-250 vs. 243?
[Re: booradley]
#5667773
03/25/15 12:56 AM
|
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,200
dawaba
Extreme Tracker
|
Extreme Tracker
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,200 |
I would go with the .22-250. But I have both calibers so . . . If only for predators/varmints and you are not going after mountain lion, the 22-250 and it isn't even close. I was looking at rifles chambered in 22-250 at first but nearly all of them have a 1:14 twist and figured you wont be able to shoot heavier bullets out of it nor reach the potential of a 22-250 can have with a 1:10 or 1:12 even. Is this relevant ? what are thoughts regarding that? It depends on how heavy a bullet you want to shoot. I've owned or loaded for a half dozen .22-250s over the years. I currently own two. All have had the standard 1:14 twist. Every one will stabilize the Sierra 63 gr, and the Winchester 64 pp will shoot if you push it fast. Since I consider the .22-250 a varmint cartridge (with apologies to the many cull deer that I've shot), I see no need to load heavier bullets. The 63 and 64 gr pills easily can handle a coyote that is way out there. If you hunt in the Panhandle where long shots and windy conditions are the norm, you might want to choose something like a .243 or .25-06 for your coyote medicine.
"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple.....and wrong." H. L. Mencken
|
|
|
Re: 22-250 vs. 243?
[Re: booradley]
#5667814
03/25/15 01:13 AM
|
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 15,701
603Country
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 15,701 |
I use a 220, as long as pigs aren't part of the hunt. If and when the pigs come back to my place, I'll step up to my next size up, which is the 260, or would be a 243 if I had one. My 220 shoots the 63 gr Sierra, but I wish it would shoot the Nosler 64 gr BSB or the 65 gr Sierra GK.
I guess I'd be Ok with that slower 22-250. :-)
Not my monkeys, not my circus...
|
|
|
Re: 22-250 vs. 243?
[Re: booradley]
#5667816
03/25/15 01:14 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 29,130
TXHOGSLAYER
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 29,130 |
Thanks for all the information gentlemen. I have never shot a 22-250 before.
LETS GO BRANDON
|
|
|
Re: 22-250 vs. 243?
[Re: booradley]
#5667863
03/25/15 01:39 AM
|
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 11,906
Simple Searcher
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 11,906 |
22-250 for varmints. I never met a guy that had a 22-250 and didn't love it.
"Man is still a hunter, still a simple searcher after meat..." Robert C. Ruark
|
|
|
Re: 22-250 vs. 243?
[Re: booradley]
#5667901
03/25/15 01:51 AM
|
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,856
REALKILLER
Pro Tracker
|
Pro Tracker
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,856 |
I guess the cool thing about the .243 would be you could load light or heavy without having to worry about barrel twist issues. Im guessing that some of the 22 250s might not like the 70 grainers on the heavy side and the 243 would give you im guessing 70 to 100 grain options. I know that the 22 250 puts out some lightning speeds with light weights. Is wind a issue where you hunt? My .223 blows all over the place when its real windy. And long range light weights in 30 mph winds sheww. Let me get my wind indicator out. The .223 kills varmints just fine. Im guessing 22 250 on some yotes would be cool too. hmm all the options
Recently got a gym membership, strange folks! I like to show up the roid zombies with my full motion curls with the 55lb. bells. Not their cheater short stroked light weights. It's holarious.
|
|
|
Re: 22-250 vs. 243?
[Re: REALKILLER]
#5667942
03/25/15 02:04 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,394
booradley
OP
Veteran Tracker
|
OP
Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,394 |
I guess the cool thing about the .243 would be you could load light or heavy without having to worry about barrel twist issues. Im guessing that some of the 22 250s might not like the 70 grainers on the heavy side and the 243 would give you im guessing 70 to 100 grain options. I know that the 22 250 puts out some lightning speeds with light weights. Is wind a issue where you hunt? My .223 blows all over the place when its real windy. And long range light weights in 30 mph winds sheww. Let me get my wind indicator out. The .223 kills varmints just fine. Im guessing 22 250 on some yotes would be cool too. hmm all the options haha EXACTLY... "all the options" if i could get a 1:9 22-250 so i could buck the wind it'd be great. i might have to decide to get both calibers and add versatility to my gun safe
Don’t roll those bloodshot eyes at me.
|
|
|
Re: 22-250 vs. 243?
[Re: booradley]
#5668205
03/25/15 05:02 AM
|
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 110,796
dogcatcher
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 110,796 |
All I use for hunting varmints is a 243.
Combat Infantryman, the ultimate hunter where the prey shoots back. _____________"Illegitimus non carborundum est"_______________
|
|
|
Re: 22-250 vs. 243?
[Re: booradley]
#5668273
03/25/15 11:27 AM
|
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,866
texasdude28
Extreme Tracker
|
Extreme Tracker
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,866 |
|
|
|
Re: 22-250 vs. 243?
[Re: booradley]
#5668298
03/25/15 12:02 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 877
wtjim
Tracker
|
Tracker
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 877 |
22-250 with Barnes X bullets will kill anything in Texas
|
|
|
Re: 22-250 vs. 243?
[Re: booradley]
#5668390
03/25/15 01:21 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,448
aggiehunter03
Veteran Tracker
|
Veteran Tracker
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,448 |
If you're trying to salvage pelts then 22-250 between those two (but there are better options for that). There isn't a fur friendly round out of a 243. 55/58 grainers are so fast that if they exit you are left with 2 halves of whatever you just shot and most other options are exiting for sure. If you hunt contests and don't want to waste any time looking for an animal get a 243 and push 87 Vmax out of it.
|
|
|
Re: 22-250 vs. 243?
[Re: aggiehunter03]
#5668681
03/25/15 04:19 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,394
booradley
OP
Veteran Tracker
|
OP
Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,394 |
If you're trying to salvage pelts then 22-250 between those two (but there are better options for that). There isn't a fur friendly round out of a 243. 55/58 grainers are so fast that if they exit you are left with 2 halves of whatever you just shot and most other options are exiting for sure. If you hunt contests and don't want to waste any time looking for an animal get a 243 and push 87 Vmax out of it. Thanks for that input I sometimes save the pelts so thats good to know. what are the better options you speak of?
Don’t roll those bloodshot eyes at me.
|
|
|
Re: 22-250 vs. 243?
[Re: booradley]
#5668724
03/25/15 04:43 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,448
aggiehunter03
Veteran Tracker
|
Veteran Tracker
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,448 |
Lots of fur guys use a .17, 22 Mag, .204, etc. Smaller bullets that won't exit with rapid expansion so you don't have to sew up an exit wound. There is an article in Predator Extreme this month about it and the author said an exit wound on a bobcat will cost him $100 in devaluation even after he sews it up. I'm no expert on the matter; I want a bullet that will anchor them so I don't have to look for them. I just hunt contests. A 270 even works great for me!
And I've also never understood why the 22-250 gets so much love over the 243. A 58 Vmax out of a 243 vs a 50 Vmax out of a 22-250 has almost identical trajectory, BC, and velocity looking at Hornady's factory ammo (assuming you don't reload). Recoil isn't any different either. And at least with the 243 you can go up to 100 grainers if you so choose. Without a custom barrel you likely can't stabilize a bullet heavier than about 60 grains in a 22-250. I love 22-250 but a 243 is so much more versatile.
|
|
|
Re: 22-250 vs. 243?
[Re: booradley]
#5668798
03/25/15 05:33 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 18,951
ChadTRG42
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 18,951 |
booradley, the first question is what is considered "long range" for you? Everything in your post points to a 22-250. But the long range part can mess that up. The 22-250 normally does not have the twist rate to stabilize the heavier bullets that you need for the higher BC bullets. A standard 55 grain out of a 22-250 will get beat up by the wind out past 300 yards. The 243 would allow you to shoot the higher BC bullets which will help increase your distance. So, the "long range" part is the question. They are both very capable.
|
|
|
Re: 22-250 vs. 243?
[Re: booradley]
#5669792
03/26/15 11:44 AM
|
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,389
BassCat'99
Pro Tracker
|
Pro Tracker
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,389 |
Could you get a custom barrel in a tighter twist for a 22-250
22 Creedmoor
|
|
|
Re: 22-250 vs. 243?
[Re: booradley]
#5686811
04/06/15 07:21 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 11
Pr3dHuntR12
Light Foot
|
Light Foot
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 11 |
Browning makes the X-bolt 22-250 in 1:9 twist.
|
|
|
Moderated by bigbob_ftw, CCBIRDDOGMAN, Chickenman, Derek, DeRico, Duck_Hunter, hetman, jeh7mmmag, JustWingem, kmon11, kry226, kwrhuntinglab, Payne, pertnear, rifleman, sig226fan (Rguns.com), Superduty, TreeBass, txcornhusker
|