Texas Hunting Forum

.243 or .22-250 for varmints?

Posted By: greggtex

.243 or .22-250 for varmints? - 11/01/09 02:03 AM

Ok guys, I know the .22-250 is more popular for varmints, but looking at ballistic charts for both, .243 looks much better on paper with a 55 grain bullet. Shooting Times table shows it to be much flatter all the way out to 300 yards, with much more velocity as well. Was wanting a .22-250, but really considering the .243, not only for varmints, but occasionally for deer if son is using my .270.Many bullet wts. available makes it look like a good all around gun.
Thoughts/comments appreciated. Thanks.

Posted By: tjshockler

Re: .243 or .22-250 for varmints? - 11/01/09 02:13 AM

The 243 is a great gun,one of my favorites.If you are gonna use it on deer i would stay away from the 250.The 243 isnt too fur friendly but will put'em down everytime!

Posted By: Grizz

Re: .243 or .22-250 for varmints? - 11/01/09 02:14 AM

For a combo gun, I would get a .243.

Posted By: Brother in-law

Re: .243 or .22-250 for varmints? - 11/01/09 02:45 AM

Either one is fine for predators or deer. 243 just gives you some more choices.
Both will blow large holes in whatever you hit.

Posted By: cleatas

Re: .243 or .22-250 for varmints? - 11/01/09 03:05 AM

the .243 does have more choices in bullet weights but you are going to have to sit down and resight your rifle everytime you want to change rounds....i can promise you that, and its not cheap nowdays...i just bought a box of hornady sst 95gr. for 27 dollars yesterday. ouch

Posted By: greggtex

Re: .243 or .22-250 for varmints? - 11/01/09 03:12 AM

I came from Van Zandt Co. Cleatas. We sound like we were raised to watch our dollars together! But I figure there's no need to worry bout the cost of shells since I got me a sugar mama! lol But there is a limit to her. I think she'd let me buy bullets way before she'd let me buy the rifle, that's why I have to make the right choice!

Posted By: cleatas

Re: .243 or .22-250 for varmints? - 11/01/09 03:16 AM

well i have both and me personally i like the 22-250. i would not be afraid to shoot a deer with it at all, the only reason i dont deer hunt with it is because it is so dang heavy, but i like the .243 as well and yes the choices are greater. if you have the place and time to sight it in each time you want to change bullet weights then go for the .243 !!!

What part of VZC you from ?

Posted By: greggtex

Re: .243 or .22-250 for varmints? - 11/01/09 03:22 AM

Gradyeated from Edgewood in '81. Went to Wills Point before that for many years. Brother graduated from W.P. in '91 I think, and he lives in Edgewood now.

Posted By: cleatas

Re: .243 or .22-250 for varmints? - 11/01/09 03:31 AM

Edgewood is a good little town

Posted By: TexasVine

Re: .243 or .22-250 for varmints? - 11/01/09 03:54 AM

If you want to have success on an occasional deer with your varmint gun, go with the 243. My preferred caliber for varmints is a 223. I shot a 67 grain bullet with my 223.

Posted By: Slow Drifter

Re: .243 or .22-250 for varmints? - 11/01/09 02:44 PM

I like the .243 for a combo varmint/deer rifle vs. the .22-250. As for re-sighting with bullet changes, just keep it down to a couple or three weights and keep track of your dope changes. With a decent scope 12 up today can be 12 down tomorrow. Similar to dope changes for range and windage, but instead your adjusting for bullet weight. With a little range time it'll be easy to put together a drop-card. You can even get really fancy and zero different weights for the ranges they're most likely to be used at. The hardest part's remembering what weight you shot last when you go to the range or field a week later. It's not rocket surgery. smile

Posted By: Big_Country01

Re: .243 or .22-250 for varmints? - 11/01/09 03:04 PM

I also say go with the .243 if your looking for multipurpose.

Me personally, i love my .22-250 but as cleatas said, mine is heavy as well. Thats why i have a .270 for deer!

Posted By: pyledriver

Re: .243 or .22-250 for varmints? - 11/02/09 01:45 PM

My vote is .243! I've had .223 and .22-250's that were fine, but I moved up to .243 because I felt it had more versatility. I don't shoot prairie dogs with it, and generally I'm not saving the fur on predators that I shoot either. I shoot 100gr Remington Corelokts for everything. Yes, I sometimes blow up a yote, but it's not every time.

NOW, don't be too hung up on what ballistics say and fps, etc.!! Critters don't know the difference if they got hit by a bullet going slightly under 4000fps or one barely breaking 3000fps. Not only that, are you really planning on regularly shooting so far that this becomes an issue? If it's not REGULARLY, learn what your rifle does at those ranges and practice whatever holdover, etc. you need.

Jeff Cooper had us pegged (me too) when he talked about America's fascination with 'inconsequential increments'!

Posted By: azcoyote

Re: .243 or .22-250 for varmints? - 11/02/09 02:10 PM

As a lifelong trapper and varmint caller, I have taken many coyotes with the 243, and as a multi purpose rifle it is the hands down winner. For pelt hunting, I always used an 80gr psp and did no more fur damage than my 22-250 or 220 swift. All of which will do damage when you his bone mass like a shoulder.

If you are selling or tanning your pelts, you can fix most damage with a little dental floss and sharp glovers needle(3 sided needle for sewing leather).

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