Help me decide: 222 or 243?

I like the idea of the Henry but 300 is pretty far for me with groundhogs and iron sights.

The Mossberg.

in a every increasing suburban atmosphere the 222 without a doubt.

I would personally go with the 243 if it was me. But then again, I have plenty of rifles chambered in 223/5.56. And the 243 will work fine for the deer in the Ozark's

243 for me. Light weight bullets are very usefull driven fast makes the longer shots more doable.
I liked my 222, but the 243 gives an advantage as the OP mentions for deer. Given the choices the mossberg would be choice

Tripple Deuce!

Cause I like saying it....you try....say it......SAY IT!!!!!

Honestly, I'd probably go with the Mossberg, just because I find the gun the most interesting.....For actual USE, the .222 probably IS a better choice.

If you are inclined on hunting deer than the .243, but man oh man, the triple deuce is a laser and a sweet round, so my recommendation is buy both.

I know you'll buy one of your choices, but I have some more general advice in regard to caliber. If you truly want a centerfire varmint caliber that is relatively quiet, you can't do better than the .221 Rem Fireball. Yes, it was developed as a specialty pistol round, but rifles have been built for it. Commercial ammo isn't common, but you can order it from places like Midway. (I buy brass & reload). I have a CZ 527 in .221, and it is certainly accurate and powerful enough for anything up to coyote.

The closest approximation would be the old 22 Hornet, but I much prefer reloading the .221 brass. Unfortunately, CZ have stopped making this rifle in .221 (idiots!). Remington has made limited runs of 221 rifles, so you'd have to look to the used market.

As to your 3 choices, I'd pick the .222. The .221 is just a 222 short anyway!

I have used a sako 222 seems to do the job great. we found that hitting them cm the skull are are fractured.

All would depend on the price. Both great cartridges.

Springfield 840 is the cheap version of the economy model Savage 340.
Single locking lug, detachable magazine.

Mossberg 800 was their price competitor to Remington 788.
Front locking lugs but an early user of plastic and die cast mung metal.

I haven't seen anything on the break action Henry single.

I'd take the Mossberg off that list.

.243 for me.

Buy all 3 and have no buyers remorse

I’d buy the Henry. I have Single Shots in .357 and .44 Magnum. Both have great wood, fit and finish. They are a bit heavy, but that’s okay for a varmint gun.

I would go with the 243. If it would be higher volume targets like prairie dogs I would go with the 222 if you handload.

The 243 ammo is available everywhere they sell ammo (normal times).

This is a 243. Belongs to my grandson. He loves it.

If you are picky on shots and want to see hits under 200 yards, get a .222 rem.
Its classic.
In fact I'd buy a 700 VS (24") w good wood (solid panel checkering) in .222rem.
Started my groundhog killing w a 660 in .222rem.

But the .243 win is a hammer.
That in a Ruger #1B is the hot rod chuck slayer classic, to me.
You can take shots (distance and angle) that you have to pass with the .222

So for outright groundhog destruction, see em and blast em............243win.
If you are willing to hunt a little harder, have time to play the game...........222.

I like em both.
One IMHO is a more relaxed hunting tool, the other hardcore. Due to power factor.

If you don't reload, .243win ammo seems more readily available.
Of course the .223 has a little more zip, and easier to find.
But it aint got the history/class of the .222..............if that means anything.

I have .223, and .243............and would buy a .222 just to be cool.

243

The Henry did have a recall for something, can't remember for what but believe you had to send it in.

If you're going for a versatile rifle to do all, the .243 is it.
You mention coyotes, I like the .243 for that.

The .222 is spot on for groundhogs.

IMHO break open rifles suck shooting prone.
Falling block for the win

Taking my .280 #1 to the range (truck defrosting). Might hunt it this evening.

I was offered a TCR83 w killer wood in .22 hornet, for free.
The safety, and being a break open in a varmint chambering (where I would be shooting mostly prone)...........said "not for me".
Declined the offer.