.223 or .308?

[BCCL]

I'm heading towards my first real centerfire rifle, (played with an SKS years ago for a few months) and have decided on the rifle itself, (left hand Savage Hunter) but can't seem to decide on what caliber between .223 or .308.

I will mainly use it for target shooting, but if I do decide to use it for hunting here in Illinois, the largest thing it can be used for is Coyote.

I'm leaning towards .223.

 

[possum]

.223 is cheaper, but i think that ,308 you would find is more versatile. i would take .308

 

[gvnwst]

So, target shooting with the largest hunting 'yotes? .223, hands down. Cheaper, less recoil, lighter rifle, there are no downsides in this case.

 

[lipadj46]

.308 is a more versatile round and can be used for hunting deer but if you really are only going to shoot paper and dogs then the .223 sounds like the way to go.

 

[elktrout]

You will eventually want something more than the .223 once you start hunting. The .308 will suffice for lots of hunting that will find the .223 on the light side. If you are absolutely sure that you are just going to be a target shooter with only an occasional varmint hunt, the .223 is the one to get.

 

[Eustachius234]

I concur, the .308 would give you more options all the way up to Moose.

 

[Bigfoot]

For a new centerfire shooter.

.223 for several reasons, pick one or two.

Cheap ammo
Less recoil so you don't develop a flinch.
Great varmint/target round so you'll want one eventually anyway.
It's a Savage so a 243/260/7mm-08/308/338 Fed barrel can be screwed on someday along with the matching bolt and magazine in minutes.

 

[jpwilly]

The 223 would definately give you all the rifle you need for now...untill your needs change (they have a way of doing that you know). Then go get a 308!

 

[BCCL]

Thanks folks, your making me rethink the .223.

Neither can be legally used for Deer in Illinois, we are a shotgun slug, muzzle loader or handgun only state, no rifles for Deer, but you can for Coyote. (Doesn't make a bit of sense does it???)

 

[jpwilly]

^^^ Doesn't make sense at all.

 

[benzy2]

I'm in the same boat. The .308 has little use for me since coyotes are the biggest animals I can hunt with a centerfire rifle. The .223 fits a lot better. I don't understand why you can't use a centerfire on deer. I have heard it was due to the flat lands and the amount of people present that centerfire rounds cause too much risk for deer season but shooting at a coyote isn't any different so who knows what the reasoning is.

 

[Texpatriate]

For your situation as a prisoner of Illinois, I'd say .223 is the way to go unless you plan on hunting out of state ever, or immigrating (or is it emigrating?) to the USA someday. .223 is cheaper ammo and perfect for coyotes. I can't really see a reason for a .308 in IL unless you plan to use it for home defense purposes, and a bolt action is not exactly ideal for that.

 

[IndianaBoy]

Given your criteria, the only thing going to 308 will gain you is more recoil and a lighter wallet.

 

[Gunfighter123]

I would go with the .308 --- there are more things that a .308 can do.
Example -- the .308 is legal for deer size game in every state that allows rifles. I would guess that the .223 is legal in half those states.

The cost is really not that much more at all if you reload --- yes , it has more recoil but I would say no more then most 12ga. shotguns.

Beside , sooner or later you will want a AR15

 

[Hoxviii]

As much as it pains me, in your situation I'd go .223 as well (**shudders to the depth of my soul for suggesting such a thing**).

Illinois being a no rifle state really does mean a .308 would be worthless, unless remington still makes .308 accelerators. Even then, taking everything into account .223 would still be the way to go.

But curious; have you considered a .243? It's a much more versatile cartridge than a .223 that doesn't really cost any more to operate with "name brand" ammunition.

Common bullets range from 55 grain small varmint rounds to 100 grain that will take anything the size of a white tail deer if you ever wind up in a state that allows rifle hunting.

 

[Kentucky Windage]

If there's any chance of you stepping up to hunt deer, go with the 308. If you are going to make a habit out of hunting coyotes, the .223 is fine, although my personal favorite for that task is the 22-250.

 

[evan price]

I'd say if 'yotes are a serious idea to you, skip the .223 and .308 and go directly to .22-250, do not pass GO! do not collect $200.
The .22-250 gives you the bullet versatility of a .223 however it has longer range potential and velocities up to 4000 fps possibly.

'yotes do not like to get within 300 yards of a human if they can help it and a .223 runs out of gas out around there.

Assuming no larger game is in your future I would seriously consider looking into a .22-250 instead of a .223 or .308. The major rifle manufacturers make very nice offerings in that caliber.

 

[LTR shooter]

I will mainly use it for target shooting, but if I do decide to use it for hunting here in Illinois, the largest thing it can be used for is Coyote.

As you never mentioned deer or moose hunting I would pick .223 and never look back. Having owned both in various rifles the .308s are long gone but I still enjoy the .223.

 

[sohcgt2]

If your primary use is target I'd suggest 12FLV in .223. The varmint series rifles have heavy (bull) barrels and oversize bolt handles which make them inherintly more accurate and easier to shoot. Down side is carrying the extra weight when hunting.

 

[backwoodzboy]

.308, in a heavy barrel, and a aftermarket stock. I really like the ballistics possibilities for .308, wind does not effect them as much as smaller calibers. Just like the other gentleman said, from groundhogs and coyotes to moose.

 

[husker]

308 its the cal im going to jump into. more for the wind factor here in nebraska than any other reason.+ all my center fires are 223s and im getting board shooting that cal for the last 30 years. the wind hits us long before it ever hits the windy city of Chicago. its brutal

 

[CoLJ]

If you do go .308, be sure to look into the low recoil rounds from Federal and Remington. Also, a better pad for the buttstock is a good cheap expenditure.

 

[outdoorman63]

having previously lived in illinois and owning both calibers at the same time i have to say 223 is the way to go..my 308 went several years without being shot

 

[Frankl03]

I shoot 223 in an AR and 308 in a bolt rifle and a Fal. I'm going to use the Bolt rifle for Deer hunting and target. I like the AR for target but not as much for hunting. I want the deer to drop when I hit it. Also I want to reach out and touch it with the bolt rifle. Get both!

 

[KINGMAX]

308 = my .02