Looking at getting my first varmint/long range rifle. What caliber option is the best??? I'm leaning towards 243, mainly because I'm already set up to reload this caliber. Main targets for the near term future will be Ground Hog and paper up to 300yds. Would like to have the ability to stretch that range if the opportunity permits, but would be rare at this point. More likely this rifle would find itself after deer occassionally. Found some good deals on Remington, Winchester, and Savage varmint rifles locally in 223 Rem. Am I pushing the range envelope for this caliber? The oppinions on 223 seem to vary considerably.
223, 22-250, 243, or 308
- Thread starter Jakes10mm
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A properly loaded 223/22-250 will kill a deer, if the shooter is up to the task and the conditions are right. But then, so will a 22LR.
If you include an occasional deer in the picture, I would pick the 243. Also, the 243 does a bit better in windy conditions if any kind of distance is involved, whether shooting paper, varmints or deer, and gets better as the distance increases.
If you are looking for deals, 308 is likely going to be the one. Ammo is cheap, and surplus ammo is even cheaper. Easy to handload and you have a lot of choices to make in bullet selection-both in bullet weights ans styles.
If you include an occasional deer in the picture, I would pick the 243. Also, the 243 does a bit better in windy conditions if any kind of distance is involved, whether shooting paper, varmints or deer, and gets better as the distance increases.
If you are looking for deals, 308 is likely going to be the one. Ammo is cheap, and surplus ammo is even cheaper. Easy to handload and you have a lot of choices to make in bullet selection-both in bullet weights ans styles.
Mulliga
Member
Sounds like you answered your own question. 
.243 is the minimum for deer IMHO. I know you can get headshots with .223/.22-250 and can kill them - but I just don't feel justified in taking headshots at deer when the lungs and heart are much easier areas to hit (bigger and not moving around as much).
.243 is a fine caliber. .223/.308 will obviously be cheapest for milsurp, but since you can reload in .243, that's obviously cheaper still.
.243 is the minimum for deer IMHO. I know you can get headshots with .223/.22-250 and can kill them - but I just don't feel justified in taking headshots at deer when the lungs and heart are much easier areas to hit (bigger and not moving around as much).
.243 is a fine caliber. .223/.308 will obviously be cheapest for milsurp, but since you can reload in .243, that's obviously cheaper still.
Rifle Prices
The best deals locally are amazingly on 223 Savages and Winchesters. One shop does have a nice Remington 700 VLS in 243 that caught my eye. Price: $599....average? The Savage 12FV in 223 is $399 and the Winchester Coyote in 223 is $499. From a cost point, you may see why I am debating the 223 vs 243. Still $400-$500 is a lot for a limited use rifle...that's the delima I'm facing. The $600 Remington will definitely stretch my budget considering I want to top it with a nice scope and bipod.
The best deals locally are amazingly on 223 Savages and Winchesters. One shop does have a nice Remington 700 VLS in 243 that caught my eye. Price: $599....average? The Savage 12FV in 223 is $399 and the Winchester Coyote in 223 is $499. From a cost point, you may see why I am debating the 223 vs 243. Still $400-$500 is a lot for a limited use rifle...that's the delima I'm facing. The $600 Remington will definitely stretch my budget considering I want to top it with a nice scope and bipod.
ProCharger
Member
I am a fan of the .30 caliber rifles......why poke a hole in them and bleed them out when you can drop them on the spot? .308 is my vote.
Brett
Brett
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
It's pretty easy to develop skill with a .243, due mostly to the lack of recoil. I've found it a really fun cartridge; worked well on over 20 deer and a fair number of coyotes.
In the FWIW department, I've pretty much settled on Mr. Sierra's 85-grain HPBT bullet and IMR 3031. I get very tight groups; it's ruinacious on coyotes, and really ruins a deer's neck.
On larger, heavier deer, I'd either go to a premium grade 100-grain bullet, or move on up to more cartridge with a heavier bullet.
Art
In the FWIW department, I've pretty much settled on Mr. Sierra's 85-grain HPBT bullet and IMR 3031. I get very tight groups; it's ruinacious on coyotes, and really ruins a deer's neck.
On larger, heavier deer, I'd either go to a premium grade 100-grain bullet, or move on up to more cartridge with a heavier bullet.
Art
Brian Williams
Moderator Emeritus
If you are already reloading in this caliber what rifle do you have. I have 2 NEF Superlight Handi rifles that are tackdrivers in 243 and I was wondering why you need a long range bolt action, if you already have a 243?????
Look at the Savage 10 with the accutrigger.
Look at the Savage 10 with the accutrigger.
JohnMc
Member
Why's nobody said, "Get 'em all" yet?
.243's probably small for your PA deer, but with good shot placement, YMMV, check local regs, etc.
I like .223 for varmints & paper punching because of availability and cost. I'd go .308 for deer and other critters up in your neck of the woods.
John Mc
.243's probably small for your PA deer, but with good shot placement, YMMV, check local regs, etc.
I like .223 for varmints & paper punching because of availability and cost. I'd go .308 for deer and other critters up in your neck of the woods.
John Mc
Coltdriver
Member
A friend of mine has shot prarie dogs at both 500 yards and 1000 yards with a .243
These are not a myth, in the Varmint club he belongs to he is the certified, witnessed, record holder for these two shots.
This fellow really knows his stuff about reloading and he believes the .243 has the ideal ballistic coefficient for long distance shooting.
He told me yesterday that the .243 is also superior in real world field conditions where you do need to contend with the wind frequently.
These are not a myth, in the Varmint club he belongs to he is the certified, witnessed, record holder for these two shots.
This fellow really knows his stuff about reloading and he believes the .243 has the ideal ballistic coefficient for long distance shooting.
He told me yesterday that the .243 is also superior in real world field conditions where you do need to contend with the wind frequently.
Smoke
Member
I'm going to jump on the .243 band wagon even though you mentioned my pet cartridge the .22-250
.223 and .308 are cheap to shoot if you buy milsurp rounds.
.22-250 and .243 easily out perform the .223.
.243 gives you a little more latitude in the taking of larger animals like the deer you mentioned. I have used the other quarter bores for deer but ours run to the smallish side. YMMV
.308 is a greaat all purpose round if you feel the need to jump to a .30 cal.
Happy shooting
Smoke
.223 and .308 are cheap to shoot if you buy milsurp rounds.
.22-250 and .243 easily out perform the .223.
.243 gives you a little more latitude in the taking of larger animals like the deer you mentioned. I have used the other quarter bores for deer but ours run to the smallish side. YMMV
.308 is a greaat all purpose round if you feel the need to jump to a .30 cal.
Happy shooting
Smoke
RustyHammer
Member
My vote: .308
WalkerTexasRanger
Member
For groundhogs and paper, .223. For deer, the .243 or .308. The disadvantage of the .243 for paperpunching is that .243 is a barrel burner. In the field, .243 is great, on the range, the .223 is damn accurate out to even 600 with heavy bullets and a 1-8 twist barrel. JMHO...
I've used three of the calibers you listed, and all three will do great for varmint shooting. The 308 isn't a varmint round, but it does have the distance and accuracy, and the groundhogs don't know the difference. The .243 is middle ground for both of your listed uses, but ammo doesn't come in the variety that you'll get with the .308. The .223 is a good varmint round, but doesn't have the juice required by humane deer hunters. The brass will be easier and cheaper to come by with the .223 and .308, due to surplus ammo's abundance. I've never owned a 22-250, so I can't comment on that. I'm loading 53 gr. Sierras for the .223 and they have great accuracy. I like the 165 and 168 gr. bullets for the .308. There are a lot of choices between the .223 and the .308, and many would fit your needs. Take a look at your reloading manuals, you'll see a lot of other calibers that will work for you. The 25/06 comes to mind.
Don
Don
From the 4 cartridges that the thread asked about, the .308 would be my choice for an all-around round. Plenaty of bullet types/styles in the .30 caliber, with a metric ton of reloading data available. Heavy barreled short action cartridges seem more readily available from multiple manufacturers than long action rounds.
Although if Remington made a factory left-handed .25-'06 heavy barrel (a la the Sendero), I'd be on it like white on rice!
pinetree64
Member
The 243 is the ticket. Like you said you're set up to load it. You can go heavy enough to shoot longer ranges and have enought authority for a quick kill.
However, I'd opt for a 7mm-08. But then again I hunt whitetail the most.
tjg
However, I'd opt for a 7mm-08. But then again I hunt whitetail the most.
tjg
MeekandMild
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Frohickey
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Sharpshooter223
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I've never been a .243 fan. A lot of my friends have them and both of my .223's blow their .243's away on the range. You stated that you basically want the rifle for varmits and punching paper. I would go with the .223 or the .308. I've just never had good luck with any of the 22-250's my or friends have had. They do decent but not as good as a .223 or .308 and their ammo is expensive. Even if you reload it's a waste of powder. But if you plan on shooting more than about 400 yards I would definantly go with the .308.
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