Predator / Varmint Caliber

I just wanted to get some opinions on caliber choice for predators and varmints. I have a 223 already, but I have been looking at adding either a 22-250 or 243. It will mainly be used for coyote/bobcat/fox/raccoon and be used for hogs as opportunity presents itself. I am leaning towards the 243, but just am not sure how much damage difference I will see on fox and raccoons between those two calibers when using 55 gr bullets in the 22-250 and 70 gr range in the 243. Any experience would be much appreciated.

Between the ones you listed I personally would lean towards the 243.

How good of a shot are you, and what are your shooting distances? Are you trying to save hides?
223 will be fine for anything smaller than coyote. Coyotes are not always a one-and-done when shot with a 223. Hogs (except for the little ones) you will need spine or head shot with 223. A 243 is fine on hogs, especially if you want to shoot some over 100 lbs, and don't want them to run off and die elsewhere. It has definite advantages of running the 70 to 100 grain bullets over the other calibers, but it will be destructive on smaller critters if you have a bullet that expands a lot. The 243 ammo is pricey to shoot though.

Do you carry a handgun besides a rifle? If you are encountering these small critters under 50 yards, try a 22 mag pistol.

If hogs are part of your hunting, I'd go for the 243. I used a 220 for many years until the hogs invaded our place. The 220 just wasn't enough gun, so I went to my next size up, which was a 260. I'd have gone to a 243 if I had one.

I have shot lots of coyotes with 223, 220 Swift (both std and fast twist), 25-06, and several other cartridges. My dad killed several hundred with a 243. He had a 22-250 as well (and a 25-06), and much preferred the 243. 223 is good for 200 and under, loaded right it won't tear up fur near as bad, but shot placement has to be just right on hogs. And you will get more spinners with a .224 of nearly any kind. Unless you go fast twist and 75 AMAX at 3200+.

Bearing all this in mind, last week I bought me a new walking/calling rifle because I wanted a lighter-weight rifle that would do it all. What did I choose? A Remmie 700 ADL in 243. Now sure, it is going to tear the fur up some, but since I don't skin them I don't care. What it will do is put them down hard even when the range stretches out long, and when the wind blows up here in the panhandle. I just want them dead. It will also do deer and hogs much better than any .224 will.

I would want a 243 if I were you. I love mine and have taken many varmint, hogs, and deer with it.

243 is good for coyotes but will blow a big hole in fox and cats. I use a 243 in spots I know I'm more likely to call in a coyote and a 223 or 204 if I'm calling fox and cats.

I would go with the 243 because you mentioned hogs. Keep in mind bullet placement is key with any animal and caliber. With any of these calibers, a head shot or behind the ear for hog will just about be a must. Coyote pelts are super sensitive so you have the be careful. So change the grain and bullet type and you'll be fine.
I have all three: 223, 22-250 and 243. Personally, I prefer the 22-250 for coyotes but not hogs. I agree with the above guys' advice. My rifles are AR and Remy 700s.
Best of luck

I have both. The only advantage the 22-250 has over a 243 is the recoil. The animal stays in the scope and you can watch when it gets hit.

I hunt out east where I have a 40 yard max shot, generally hunt with a .22 mag that is deadly accurate and deadly on hogs fox and coons. Hogs never take another step.

I have both and use both for varmints. But 90% of the time if going varmint hunting, I grab the 22-250 because I enjoy shooting it, it shoots a bit flatter than my 243 with current load, and I feel it is all that is needed most the time for coyotes. If I think I may be shooting at longer distances, I may grab the 243 for a little more knockdown power but the 22-250 is good on coyotes for a good distance also. Since you mentioned hogs though I would probably go with the 243 (though not saying hogs can't be taken with a 22-250). 243 is still a great varmint round and is all I used for years for predator hunting before I got a 22-250. 243 to me is great for an all around type gun, you can use it for varmints with lighter bullets and deer/hogs with heavier bullets.

I would be more inclined to use a 22-250 with the 223. I prefer a 220 Swift and a 223. I can take anything that comes around with that pair. I do have a 6mm and 6BR that I occasionally use . Prefer the BR when in cat country, more fur friendly. Have yet to blow up a cat with it. Can't say that with the swift or 223.

I have always enjoyed 22-250 good for any varmints and is extremely accurate.

both will do extreme damage to both fox and raccoon's. Unless you reload ammo down to slow speeds which will put you back to a .223

I guess I'll be the odd man out. If I knew I would encounter a hog over, say 150 lb. , I probably would not choose a .223, but I have killed some that large with mine. I run the 75 gr. BTHP match bullets from Hornady and they are murder on coyotes and hogs too if you hit them right. My 22-250 likes light bullets so I reserve it for yotes and prairie dogs. I did kill one 200+ hog with it once, but just made him mad the first shot. When he turned to face me, I put one over his left eye and that ended it. Forty gr. Amax don't get through the shield very well.

a 22-250 for varmint you can back way way off I can shot lift my head from the scope and listen for the impact of the bullit I have watched my dad take numbers dear with it all head shots at distances i wold not even think of trying. if he cold see it he cold hit it with the 22-250 i am not that good with it. the down side its a bull barrel and weighs a ton he had it a lot of mony put in to it after he bought it and loaded his own rounds 220 swift was almost as accurate as the 22-250. with those 2 guns we won every woodcock tournament we entered. they are just so fast and flat shooting. if you chose the 22-250 you would have no problems taking nothing but head shots. I dont have a 243 but am buying one because the recoil on most the guns and the weight of the 22-250 it just way to heave to have to cary for any amount of distance i can handle shooting most my rifles more then a few times beside the 22-250not only is it heave it is supper loud. and the 222 i feel is to small for deer right now i am deer hunting with a muzzle loader do to less recoil I could not even zero my 30-06 or 25-06 i had to have a buddy do it for me. i can shot it 2-3 times at most same with the 30-30 i am thinking i wold be able to take the 243 and will pick one up after this weekend. hoping to fined a used one at a good price. if most my guns weren't my fathers or grandfathers before they passed i would sell them but i just cant bring my self to do it. i will just give them to my kids in the end i have found with all my guns i am most comfortable with my 20gage with the rifles scope mounted rifled barrel and my 30-30. there just to much for me at this time. in the end it comes down how comfortable and confidence you have in your gun the better you will do or at least that is my opinion