243 vs 17

[eastsidemallard74]

So I just came into some money, aka tax return. I have been wanting to buy a yote gun to replace my 270 I currently use. I would like comments suggestions about HW members experience with both if possible. I know the pricing is about the same, but range is a little different. And rounds are close to the same cost.

[HntnFsh]

For yotes. If your stuck on those 2 calibers. .243 all the way. You would be extremely limited with the .17

[nwwanderer]

Apples and oranges, to different to compare.  Stick with the 243, full metal jackets if processing pelts.

[Karl Blanchard]

I know some guys will swear by them but my personal experience with 17's is they are fun for shooting at paper and clay's on a VERY calm day but completely worthless for coyote killing.  Limits your range, packs zero punch, if the wind is blowing then forget about it, etc, etc.  Go with the .243 and blow some holes in some fawn killers!

[jrebel]

.243 if those are the two to pick out of, and you can hunt deer with it too.

Others to consider...

.22-250
204 ruger
.223

[Brad Harshman]

.243 if you those are the two to pick out of, and you can hunt deer with it too.

Others to consider...

.22-250
204 ruger
.223

High Quality Advice!
Do some more research and see if one of the above calibers have any appeal.  I don't think you'll find too many votes for .17hmr.

[Bofire]

I bet he is talking 17 Rem not HMR.  I use a 243 alot for coyotes, so that is my choice!!
Carl

[mountainman]

Killed many coyote and 2 Bob's with my 17 Fireball (assuming the OP meant centerfire. 17's), but would still agree with the 243.

[fastdam]

17 hmr is not a reliable coyote round.
you already have a great deer gun so you dont need a 243 win.
 Why not go with a .223 is as stated above. Then you can get more versatility out of your arsenal.

[coachcw]

.243 all the way !

[eastsidemallard74]

.243 if those are the two to pick out of, and you can hunt deer with it too.

Others to consider...

.22-250
204 ruger
.223

The other thing I'm looking at is pricing, and these 2 are in expensive. But like everything, you can spend alot of money on them. I don't pelt hunt either, thats why I started with the 270. But ammo is too damn expensive for shooting them with that thing. I never thought about the versatility of the 243(deer hunting,ect.) I was at Cabelas and looked at both these, and for 250-300 you can get a nice gun, some even with a scope.

[Special T]

Since you live out where LOoong shots are possible I would say the 22-250 for a predator only gun. Ive hunted with a buddy that has one and they reach out a long ways for those coyotes  in the basin area. If you want "cheep" plentiful ammo then its hands down 223 They still reach out there but i think you really need to hand load to get all the potential out of them.

I started off with my 06 w ball ammo pretty good practice... even still about 2-3x the cost of 223 bulk reloads in ball ammo

[Jingles]

If you want the rifle for something other (larger) than yotes go with the 243 if you are after something smaller than yotes < ( fox, bobcats, sagerats, small thin skinnd critters go with the 17.
If you are after a caliber that can be used on both still be fun and inexpensive to shoot go with the 22-250, especially if it is going to be a dedicated coyote gun put a 6 to 18 or 6 to 24 glass on it and have a field day

[carpsniperg2]

If you are for sure wanting one of those two get the 243. If you are open to calibers get a 22-250 one of the best all around coyote gun calibers out there. Good choice in bullets and very flat shooting.

[bobcat]

If you're just wanting to save money, stick with the 270. It's no more expensive than the 243 to shoot. You can buy decent ammo for $20/box.