.223 or .243 for Yotes in Washington

[demontang]

If you hav a ar15 already look and the 243 wssm uppers for it

[Rudy]

   and dont forget to send me a PM when you get to Yakima.  Thats only about an hour and a half from where I'm out, we cand efinatly hook up and kill some dogs.

[Intruder]

Both are fine.  243, as many have pointed out, gives you versatility to hunt big game and more giddy-up.  223 is much cheaper to shoot and better for other varmints (ground squirrels) etc.  Really comes down to what's more important to you. 

[Wile E. Hunter]

I looked at both of those calibers, and ended up getting the 25-06 instead of the .243 because it seemed to be a better "combination rifle" for long range Coyotes, and light deer. I also did end up getting a flat top for my match AR, that has become my "go-to gun" for pelts with a 40 grn blitzking. One other consideration.... If you get an AR, you get a lot quicker second shot when you pull in a double, or triple...

Wile E.

[Straight Shooter]

I looked at both of those calibers, and ended up getting the 25-06 instead of the .243 because it seemed to be a better "combination rifle" for long range Coyotes, and light deer. I also did end up getting a flat top for my match AR, that has become my "go-to gun" for pelts with a 40 grn blitzking. One other consideration.... If you get an AR, you get a lot quicker second shot when you pull in a double, or triple...

Wile E.

Great advice.  I went the .243 route (back-ordered one from Cabelas last Saturday), but I'm already looking at getting a .25-06 for the reason you stated above (I know, another reason to buy another rifle  ).  I'm running 40 gr V-Max's (Fiocchi) out of my two ARs... the A3 bull barrel will print "1/4 groups and the M4 will do "1/2 from the same load.  With a #3 Timney trigger on the A3 bull barrel, you're talking about a fast-shooting and accurate rig. 

[Wile E. Hunter]

Might want to consider cancelling the back order if you're truly considering getting a .25-06. The .243 and .25-06 are so similar in the ballistic dept. it's not worth having both, in my opinion. I think the .25-06 wins out, and that's why I have one instead of the .243. Mine is a 700 Sendero, but they don't make it in that caliber anymore. Your call, but I don't have enough room left in my gunsafe to have both. Hmmm, maybe it's time to buy a second gun safe!   

Wile E.

[Special T]

Sundance   Or anyone else Where does it say you cannot use FMJ rounds for hunting in this state? I just got done looking in the regs and couldn't find it anywhere? is it one of those WAC that aren't posted in the regs? I would think that it might me illegal for big game, but didn't read it anywhere???

[Straight Shooter]

Might want to consider cancelling the back order if you're truly considering getting a .25-06. The .243 and .25-06 are so similar in the ballistic dept. it's not worth having both, in my opinion. I think the .25-06 wins out, and that's why I have one instead of the .243. Mine is a 700 Sendero, but they don't make it in that caliber anymore. Your call, but I don't have enough room left in my gunsafe to have both. Hmmm, maybe it's time to buy a second gun safe!   

Wile E.

I hear you.  I went and "put the cart before the horse" and picked up 6 boxes of Hornady 58 gr V-Max loads for the .243... so, I'm going to press on with the purchase.  Cabelas has the Marlins on sale every few months for $259.99, so I'll probably pick up a .25-06 down the road.  I bought my dad a Winchester 70 Coyote in .25 WSSM two years ago and gave him back a Ruger 77 in .257 Roberts (that he gave me when I was stationed in Texas 12 years ago)... hopefully, I'll be driving down to San Diego in the next few month... and at least, bum the Roberts back from him.     You're definitely right on about not having room but, buying guns is my sickness and I can't stop... I NEED HELP! 

[Oldguy]

Sundance   Or anyone else Where does it say you cannot use FMJ rounds for hunting in this state? I just got done looking in the regs and couldn't find it anywhere? is it one of those WAC that aren't posted in the regs? I would think that it might me illegal for big game, but didn't read it anywhere???

I too question the FMJ not legal for hunting in Washington. I'm a H.E. instructor and have never heard of this one.

[carpsniperg2]

fmj bullets are legal here we do not have any bullet restrictions other than must be .240 or bigger cal from what i know. my 223 ar-15 works well for me when i do most of my yote hunting i don't shoot over 250y because hit % goes down past that and i dont like to shoot just to shoot but the 243 works good also i have shot allot with a 243 as well

[demontang]

FMJ realy is practical or ethical if you ask me. Theres just to high of a chance you will just wound the animal.

[jasnt]

i love my .243   real accurate round  and good distace too

[Pathfinder101]

I think a Remington 700 in .243 is a good choice.  Whether or not you get the bull barrel should be determined by how much you plan to hike, how good shape you are in, and how much weight you want to carry...  Here's the question:  Will you look at a ridge and think to yourself "I'll bet that would be a good place to go, but I don't want to lug this thing all the way up there."...?  If you think you may do that, then just get the standard barrel...

[fishnate]

.243 hands down love it for yotes! Mine is a sythethic with fluted heavy barrel model 70.  It is heavy but just man up and when I switch to my lighter deer rifle it seems so light and I am ready to go

[Special T]

I'm guessing from the lack of response ball ammo must be legal... I also looked for it in the regs... but i think 30-06 ball isn't gona leave to many wounded yotes limping around....