AzBuckfever
member
- Joined
- Jan 11, 2009
- Messages
- 157
pat, where in AZ? I'm from AZ as well. Anyway, one thing to think about is what you plan on doing with the pelts of the varmints/predators. I'm also in the same boat as I was looking for a good rifle for predators/back up for deer. One thing I considered is that regardless of .243 or .25-06; you're gonna make a hole. Especially in a lighter game such as bobcats/small coyotes, etc. You could reduce this by shooting a bullet with a higher Ballistic co-efficient/less fragmentation, and heavier to limit it's time for expansion; but as said, still gonna get a hole. I'm going to opt for a 25-06 for 2 reasons. #1; I have an 30-06 right now that I'm going to have rechambered when I get a 300 WSM...#2, 25-06 has damn near, if not better ballistics/trajectory than a 30-06 shooting the same grain.
.243 is a great caliber, but I tend to still think of it as more of a youth gun for hunting deer and such. The benefit of a .243 though is you're much more likely to find ammo for it at any mom&pop store or Wal-Mart in the preference that you desire rather than a 25-06.
I wouldn't trust a .223 on one of our AZ Muleys without a well placed shot
.243 is a great caliber, but I tend to still think of it as more of a youth gun for hunting deer and such. The benefit of a .243 though is you're much more likely to find ammo for it at any mom&pop store or Wal-Mart in the preference that you desire rather than a 25-06.
I wouldn't trust a .223 on one of our AZ Muleys without a well placed shot