Want a BLR for general use. What caliber?

[Grey Morel]

I'm pretty settled on the BLR for my next rifle, but I'm at a loss for caliber.

The Primary use of this rifle is to toast the daylights out of Muskrats. We hate muskrat here, as they are a serious agricultural pest. (I shot my last one with a 12 gauge... 11 times). You should see the way they fly out of the water when hit with a 308.

The secondary use of this rifle is to end lesser scoundrels such as Coyote, sometimes out to 200 yards or so.

The tertiary use is shooting any other critter that may need shot (anything from carp to hogs)

Deer hunting with rifles is illegal here so that isn't much of a concern.

I'm torn between the 22-250 and the 243 Winchester.

The 22-250 is a bit cheaper to shoot, but 243 has more selection locally, as well as more bullet selection overall. Onthe other hand, the 22-250 shares components in question with other calibers I own, like the 223.

I would just go with a 358, and show those muskrat what fer'... but the $2 per round price tag has me balking.

 

[slicksleeve]

I,ve been hunting with the BLR for about 15 years now(among other rifles and some pistols). I killed my first deer with it. Mine is a .243, and I love it. If you handload, mine really likes 100 grain Sierra Pro-Hunter bullets. But you said your not deer hunting with it so... I just feel like you won't be dissapointed with the .243, but The 22-250 might please you nicely. I just never have messed with that caliber any. That little rambling probably didn't tell you much of anything.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

.243 Win, definitely.

 

[rangerruck]

normally I would pick the 243 for everything, including marriage! But in your case, for varmint control to 200 yds, and especially if you handload, the 22.250 is better, laser shot, more so than a 243 even, less recoil, absolutely no hold over on any target out to 300 plus yards even. I would do that.

By the way, are you saying that factory cost 22.250 ammo is cheaper than 243? I find that hard to believe...

 

[atlanticfire]

I have a 22-250 for varmint puntang, and its VERY effective.

 

[Grey Morel]

By the way, are you saying that factory cost 22.250 ammo is cheaper than 243? I find that hard to believe...

Yes. Economy brands of 22-250 are about $2 per box less than 243 on the internet. In local stores they are essentially the same.

 

[Speedo66]

Since you already have .308 ammo, and perhaps reloading equipment(?), why not stick with a .308? Will handle all your needs.

Ammo is certainly available everywhere, and relatively cheap.

 

[ArmedBear]

Muskrat Susie, Muskrat Sam
Do the jitterbug out in muskrat land
And they shimmy
And Sammy's so skinny

And they whirled and they twirled and they tangoed
Singin' and jingin' the jango
Floatin' like the heavens above
It looks like muskrat love

 

[bpl]

With the 75gr, the .243 will shoot essentially as flat as the 50gr 22-250 and slightly flatter than the 55gr 22-250. With a 58gr pill, the .243 will shoot flatter than either 22-250 round. If you go to the 40gr pill in the 22-250, you get a slightly flatter trajectory than the 58gr .243. The difference in trajectory between the .243 and 22-250 seem to be about 0.5-0.75 inch at 300 yards, and 1.3 inch at 500 yards. Pretty minimal difference in "flatness." The .243 hits harder though for the larger animals, ie. hogs, etc.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

What bpl said - yep.

 

[Kernel]

For coyote the .243 is clearly superior. With respects to The Captain & Tennille, their 1976 hit song “Muskrat Love”, and ArmedBear, probably, a bit overkill for muskrats.

 

[LeonCarr]

Go for the gusto....358 Winchester.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[wheelgunslinger]

You could probably dig one up in .257 Roberts or .250-3000 if you were willing to deal with a now sunsetting caliber or get into reloading for them.

I like the .243 for an easily found round for what you're doing.