.243 and .22-250

[ricebasher302]

I've been noticing for some time now that the .243 Win. has taken some heat for a number of reasons. Obviously, it is one of the most popular calibers in North America, and happens to be the caliber I've used to kill many whitetail, mule deer and an elk.

I understand, however, that some believe it to be overbore, making it hard on barrels. Others have found that factory load velocity figures are grossly overstated and that in the small, handy rifles chambered for it, performance is anemic at best.

My question is not if these statements are true or not, but whether or not the same things can be said of one of the most popular varmint rounds, the .22-250 Rem. It seems that the two cartriges possess similar attributes. Is the .22-250 overbore? How does its real-world performance compare to advertised figures. How much advantage does it offer over a .223 for example?

 

[MachIVshooter]

I've heard the .243 called a lot of things, but overbore isn't one of them. It's actually a very well balanced cartridge.

The .22-250 really isn't over bore capacity, either, though it's closer to that mark than the .243.

The modern definition of overbore is a bit different than it was 30, 50, 80 years ago. Better metallurgy and manufacturing technology, coupled with devlopment of so many newer powders that have pressure curves and burn rates suited to large capacity, smaller bore cartridges have turned what were barrel burners during our grandparent's time into great shooting rounds that aren't much harder on the rifles than their slower counterparts today.

For example, the .25-06, which was first conceived of in the 1920's. In those days, it didn't perfrom much above the .257 Roberts, and so remained an unpopular wildcat for the next 40 years. But new bullets and powders began to emerge, making it a feasible cartridge. Remington saw this, standardized it in 1969, and it has had a steady following ever since as king of the quarterbores.

 

[Justin Holder]

You are getting quite a bit more performance over the 223 rem, I think It is highly over rated as a coyote cartrige. My 22-250 is in a 26 inch barreled kimber, and I think I should be geting close to 3700 fps with 55gr bullets. I have not cronograghed it tho.

 

[browningguy]

I understand, however, that some believe it to be overbore, making it hard on barrels. Others have found that factory load velocity figures are grossly overstated and that in the small, handy rifles chambered for it, performance is anemic at best.

Who makes up this stuff? And how does incorrect information being spread about one cartridge have anything to do with spreading similar information about another cartridge?

 

[Ridgerunner665]

The 243 is overbore...and not just a little bit.

http://accurateshooter.wordpress.com/2008/05/05/overbore-cartridges-a-working-definition/

 

[desidog]

Conversely, could one argue that any casing with a shoulder would qualify?
I think a modern definition of 'overbore' is needed to clarify the discussion.

That chart is interesting, but I don't think the numbers used are particularly meaningful. I think you'd also have to factor in the shoulder-angle on the casing, and the perimeters of both the bore and the casing body. Further, you could get into the types of powders in the types of cartridges...to an extent.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Barrel life speaks for itself.

 

[Onmilo]

Been shooting .243 Winchester for years.
It isn't overbore in a proper barrel.
It is less errosive on a barrel than .22/250
The blast is no where near as severe as a .22/250
It does need at least 22" barrel length to achieve maximum performance, I like a 24" medium weight barrel even better.

Factory ammo is even less expensive than many .223 and .22/250 offerings now.

 

[MachIVshooter]

The 243 is overbore...and not just a little bit.

http://accurateshooter.wordpress.com...ng-definition/

.50 BMG over bore capacity? Bwhahahahaha

Those guys can crunch numbers all they want, I'll put my faith into what actually happens to the throats of a given rifle in whatever chambering, since throat erosion is the only real negative effect of being over bore capacity.

 

[Onmilo]

Smokeless powder loads in a .45-100 case is an example of "overbore"

Pick the right powder and barrel twist, the .243 becomes far more efficient and the overbore arguement becomes more apparent for what it is, a claim that the short and super shoprt magnums are more efficient than they actually are.