Help me decide: 222 or 243?

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Because you want to include coyotes (which I think are, pound for pound, a very tough animal) I would get a .243. For everything smaller, the .222 would be fine, but if you hunt coyotes at all, there will be some long tempting shots that you WILL try, and the extra horsepower and less wind drift will be very helpful.
 
My choice between the two would be 243 in large part for ammo availability, which if you reload wouldn't matter to you. 243 is a little overkill for groundhogs and way overkill for crows. Great for coyote though. You mention the perk of having a lighter deer rifle with the 243, and if that is a significant factor then it's a big one in favor of the 243.

That being said, whenever I buy a new caliber my goal is to expand my "coverage." My most recent purchase was in fact a 243, which aside from me buying it because it was an insane deal also filled the gap between my 223 and 308.
 
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Of the choices, I like the. 222, but then I'm hopelessly biased towards classic wood and steel rifles. I've had experience with 3 of the type, 2x 30-30 and one. 225 Win. All were shooters with load tweaks or a glass bed. The. 243 models would give you the versatility you mentioned, but will be LOUD. The Henry single is a nice rifle, optics may be an issue. With the standard mount, cheek weld is difficult unless you have a big Norwegian square head like me. Unfamiliar with the mossberg.
 
How hard does the wind blow where you live?
Bolt 243 is my pick of your options.
I'm not a fan of 22s under 22-250. The BC sucks and the velocity isn't high enough if you run a good bullet.
This is my opinion. Because I am terrible at wind calls over 10mph.
 
I'd probably skip all three and grab a brand new or slightly used Savage Axis or Ruger American in either 223 or 243.

They're both pretty good shooters out of the box, and parts are still being made for them. The basic actions of the two are very good and could be built into whatever tickles your fancy later down the road. Laminate stocks, new triggers, pencil or bull barrels you name it...

Or, just leave them as the good, lightweight, inexpensive shooters they are.
 
A little more information, for the group. Whatever rifle I decide on will be used on the farm for varmint control and some hunting. The idea of having a lighter deer rifle is appealing to me, also. Either caliber would fill a gap between my 22's and my 270. I have a good 6-18x50 Bushnell that would probably get put on whatever I pick. The Henry sorta calls to me, because I like single shot rifles and I'm not likely to get a quick second shot on anything anyway.

Mac
 
not enough remaining energy at 300 yards for chucks with that 222 rem. i vote for either of the 243 win chambered rifles.

luck,

murf
 
.243 probably has a wider selection of (available) factory ammo; just not inexpensive ammo, by and large.
.222 can be found on shelves, sometimes, if not in a large array of projectile weights, and it has never been and inexpensive round.

My bias, as above, it to the .243 since light (varmint) rounds are available as well as heavier rounds (larger game).
 
troy fairweather said:
The Henry did have a recall for something, can't remember for what but believe you had to send it in.
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The rifle in question has been sent back and repaired, per the seller.

Bfh_auto said:
How hard does the wind blow where you live?
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Anywhere from 2 to 50mph. Most days there's a steady 5mph wind here on the hill.

gotboostvr said:
I'd probably skip all three and grab a brand new or slightly used Savage Axis or Ruger American in either 223 or 243.
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Not an option at this time. Even if it were, neither of those rifles are interesting to me in the least. Not knocking them, they just don't have any appeal.

Armored farmer said:
Light bullets in the .243 will make it a varmint rifle....heavy bullets make it a deer/pig rifle.
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That's sorta where I was going with the concept. 30-06 for big stuff, 243 for smaller things like hogs, yotes, chucks, etc. Many folks say that the 243 is a bit heavy for crows and chucks, but it ain't like you're gonna eat the damn things anyway.

Mac
 
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243 with a 75gr HPBT is plenty for the big bodied deer here in the breadbasket. Great in the wind too

222 is a hot little rocket, but not even in the same class as 243. Great as a farm gun though because it recoils less and should take care of most vermin. Anything up to wolf size.

Not sure I would pick any of those three guns though.
 
MacAR said:
Not an option at this time. Even if it were, neither of those rifles are interesting to me in the least. Not knocking them, they just don't have any appeal.

Mac
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That's totally fair. I'm keeping my eye out for another dedicated hunting rifle, and while the Savage comes in the cartridge I find myself wanting most, and the Ruger Predator having almost all the features I want, neither of them really speak to me.

If only I could get a Model 70 in 280AI, fed with AICS mags and a threaded muzzle for a similar price as the Ruger/Savages...
 
Get a new Savage Axis package in 223 that comes with a Bushnell 3x9 variable scope for your $375.

Or the 243, but big difference in ammo prices.
 
I also would pick a Savage Axis for the added accuracy but the OP can buy what he wants. My son recommends a .243 because it hits harder and less runaway Coyotes and bucks wind better. But with those rifles you probably wont be taking long shots anyway so I doubt it matters.
My son is using a Remington 700 in .243 that I bought at Walmart for $250 for Coyotes. It shoots sub MOA.
 
40 years ago i pulled the trigger on a 243 on a new england farm. got asked to return with something smaller and more quieter. where do you guys shoot that noise and other buildings, etc. allow a deer rifle to shoot woodchucks or even yotes? thanks bob
 
I'd save my money for a little while longer, and get something nicer in exactly the rifle and cartridge you really want.
 
dieselchief said:
where do you guys shoot that noise and other buildings, etc. allow a deer rifle to shoot woodchucks or even yotes?
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On my own farm, and on my dad's farm. I'm sure noise is an issue in some areas. Here in my little corner of the Ozarks, anyone who fusses about someone else shooting guns on their own land will quickly be told to "get stuffed". To be honest though, it's a non-issue. I'm not going to be firing shot after shot all day long; we're talking 1, maybe 2 shots in a days time. Think "targets of opportunity" more than dedicated hunting.

I appreciate all the advice so far. I'm leaning to the Henry, but I've not ruled out the .222 yet. A very good friend of mine owns a Remington 600 in .222 and sings its praises. I don't reload, but seems that the triple deuce is a somewhat common caliber locally, making ammo available, but not common.

Mac
 
I dunno if there is a right answer. Buy one of them.
I currently use a .204 as a walking varminter. I cannot argue the .222.

My dad had a .222 that was so accurate on groundhogs during the hayday of groundhog hunting here in Illinois., that a neighbor insisted that he sell it to him. Dad liked it and didn't necessarily want to sell it. Finally the neighbor said "name your price ".

In order to keep the peace, dad agreed to trade his .222 for a NIB rem 700 in .243. He had hopes of a western elk hunt. The deal was done. I have the Rem 700 in my safe.

I was with him when he shot four groundhogs out of a hayfield with that .243, and i collected over 200 chiggers bites and had to be sedated by the family doctor.

My point is, pick the rifle you want most. Caliber doesn't make that much difference.
20180331_215141.jpg
Dad's. 243
 
MacAR said:
On my own farm, and on my dad's farm. I'm sure noise is an issue in some areas. Here in my little corner of the Ozarks, anyone who fusses about someone else shooting guns on their own land will quickly be told to "get stuffed". To be honest though, it's a non-issue. I'm not going to be firing shot after shot all day long; we're talking 1, maybe 2 shots in a days time. Think "targets of opportunity" more than dedicated hunting.

I appreciate all the advice so far. I'm leaning to the Henry, but I've not ruled out the .222 yet. A very good friend of mine owns a Remington 600 in .222 and sings its praises. I don't reload, but seems that the triple deuce is a somewhat common caliber locally, making ammo available, but not common.

Mac
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I'm rural about five miles out of Ozark and you are right about shooting noise. It's all around me all the time and nobody frets about it at all. Other than my dogs if it's close and they don't pay taxes or vote..
 
I almost guessed weaver, but held off. Those blued scopes are one of a kind. I have a Bushnell 6x40, from the 70's around here thats just begging for a rifle to go on. Thanks, brother.

Mac
 
dieselchief said:
where do you guys shoot that noise and other buildings, etc. allow a deer rifle to shoot woodchucks or even yotes?
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I live on 750 acres, noise and buildings are not an issue. My mother owns a lot more than that. The nearest town to her land is 11 miles away. Just checked Wikipedia and the population of the town is 286 so no noise issues there either. I talked to a guy recently who lives in New Jersey and hunts deer on 18 acres, he uses a shotgun. Lots of different scenarios I guess.
 
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