Help... .22-250 or .243 for Yotes?

[bearpaw]

I guess I don't understand how recoil is an issue until you get up to .284 or larger.....

Actually most any of the calibers discussed here will kill the dickens out of any coyote, just depends how well you hit them. Coyotes are tough and unless you hit them well, it don't matter what you are shooting..... I actually think the scope and lots of practice shooting is a bigger consideration when coyote hunting....

Come on, Bearpaw.....you are a professional outfitter.  Recoil is always a factor.  Recoil greatly impacts the ability to watch bullet impact, follow through, shot recovery, etc.  Not to mention that violent cartridges are much harder to shoot accurately when compared to less violent catridges, regardless of ability.    In a game (Varmint Hunting) that involves high volume, faced paced action when compared to big game hunting, recoil would rank as my #1 variable to mitigate.  

I'd put my little Cooper .204 against any rifle in the field.......not cause it kills any better or is anymore accurate.  It's because I get all the high performace and flat trajectory of a "big banger"  will virtually zero recoil.  I can watch bullet impact, recover quickly for follow-up shots(mulitiple dogs), and shoot from ANY position without worrying about "clutching" my rifle to escape the dreaded "cresent moon" above my eye at extreme shooting angles.  This leads to increases confidence, concentration, accuracy, and ultimately, success.

While the .243 has more recoil than the .204, for the versalility and extra hitting power, the extra recoil is worth performance "gains".  Most serious 'yote hunters will agree that   the .24 calibers are the breaking point in reasonable recoil for strictly varmint hunting situations.

I totally agree that recoil can be a factor, but I have not really witnessed recoil being a factor on calibers smaller than .284. I have shot my .257 WTBY at varmints round after round. There's very little recoil as compared to larger bore diameters. I know guys who shoot .270's at varmints, they also have little recoil. Now noise is a different story, if noise bothers you, better opt for a smaller catridge case...

I mostly notice recoil being a factor when hunters are shooting the 7mm and 300 mags or larger guns. Some hunters are not comfortable with that kind of recoil. But I will agree, if a 25 caliber is uncomfortable for you to shoot, you would be better off with a smaller caliber.

[jjhunter]

My point was not that recoil hurt, or was uncomfortable......my point was that recoil greatly limits "sight" and "feel" at the shot which is imperative to following through and making a good shot.    The greater the perceived recoil, regardless of amount or type, the greater impact on "sight" and "feel".

This is mostly important for running shots, which some don't take, but for me, account for a majority of my coyotes.

Maybe I'll buy some time from you one of these days and we can test our hypotheses in the field    Montana 'yote hunt?   

[Special T]

Do you think Ball Ammo for the 243 would keep from destroying the fur? Do they even make a light ball boattail round in 243?

[Bofire]

too many opinions, You gotta get BOTH!!
Carl

[FALFire]

I shoot 223, 22-250, 243WSSM and 25-06, when I don't want to take chances of losing a wounded coyote, I take the 243WSSM or the 25-06. My 25 is a Tikka T3 and it simply an outstanding carry rig.

How does your .243wssm shoot?  Do you handload?

Hillbilly,

My 243WSSM is on the AR15 platform and it shoots awesome, as a matter of fact I just shot my 300 yard target tonight and it's printing one on top of the other, makes me all warm and fuzzy inside

[denali]

too many opinions, You gotta get BOTH!!
Carl

kinda like tools ... do you have enough tools? no of coarse not? buy both

[257 Wby Mag]

Perhaps a mod can make a sticky thread, labeled, "243, king of coyote killers when loaded with a 55 grain nosler BT" so we don't have to go through this every month?

[mossback91]

Perhaps a mod can make a sticky thread, labeled, "243, king of coyote killers when loaded with a 55 grain nosler BT" so we don't have to go through this every month?

cause thatd be a lie!! 

[Red Dawg]

agreed 

[Jamieb]

I use a 22-250 for most of my yote hunting. I'm pushing a molyed 50gr. V-max at 3900FPS and thats not leaning on it. It will do all I need for yotes out to 500 yards and my 22-250 doubles as a sage rat rifle.

[Bigbuckhunter_1996]

i would say the .243 with 55 grain ballistic silvertips about the same trajcectory as a .22-250 & but way more knock down power & its also a legal deer gun

[calib]

i bought the stevens model 200 in .243 and i love that gun    i am shooting 85 grain sierra hpbt's  dam accurate at 4 shots under a nickel          the reason for the .243 was to buck the wind a bit better    never had one before   and  probably wont get rid of it now

[norsepeak]

why does it have to one or the other?  just get both!

[Straight Shooter]

why does it have to one or the other?  just get both!

 

[Kent Hunter]

I'd get the 22-250. I shoot a .220 Swift and a couple of my buddies shoot 22-250's. They are pretty darn close as far as ballisitcs go. Plus, they are just darn fun to shoot.