Choice .223/22-50/243/270 which one makes the most sense?

[BallisticsNut]

Ask the experts I say.  Here is my delima.  I have a .300 WSM and its awesome.   Looking for a good varmint rifle and will reload my own ammo.  So, I am not too worried about popular loads.  I will be buying a new rifle in the very near future.  Fact is the one I want is way to expensive (Tikka T3 Sporter/Sako TRG).  So, I will buy something less and use it primarily for varmint hunting next year.  The 22-250 is looking real nice about now.  Like the fact that it can "reach out and touch" something long distance.  The .243 is a good all around rifle for varmints, deer and other mid size game but the .300 well it handles mid game pretty well too.  I was thinking the .270 but think Ill pass.  Whats the right choice here?  A good 'yote rifle that maybe used for other small game.  ??  Any good advice??

[Sneaky]

.223 is a good choice because ammo is really cheap and widely available, but you don't care about that because you reload!

You don't need a different deer rifle than your .300, but maybe a .243 or .270 would be a good back up gun in case something happened to your .300?

.22-250 would be my choice if it was strictly a varmint gun.

[hoyt2002]

Id have to go with the 243. Its a good varmint rifle/backup deer rifle.

[JKEEN33]

I've been considering a 22-250 also. My question is I see a lot of 22" or 24" barrels. Somewhere I had heard 22-250 is more accurate in the 26". Any truth to that? What are the disadvantages to the 22 or 24?

Thanks,

[Bob33]

I don't think the 270 does much of anything that you're 300 can't.  If you're talking a varmint gun, the 270 is out of the running.

The 243 has one advantage over the 22 centerfires: it is legal for big game in Washington.  

If you're strictly talking a varmint gun, the 22 centerfires are the best choice in my opinion.  Between the two you mention, the 22-250 is faster; the 223 is cheaper to shoot.  If you really want blazing speed get a 220 Swift.

Of your choices, the 22-250 would be my pick for a varmint caliber.

[Bob33]

I've been considering a 22-250 also. My question is I see a lot of 22" or 24" barrels. Somewhere I had heard 22-250 is more accurate in the 26". Any truth to that? What are the disadvantages to the 22 or 24?

Thanks,

In general, shorter barrels are more accurate than longer barrels.  Of course every rifle is different.  The advantages of longer barrels are more velocity and more weight.

[carpsniperg2]

If you are reloading "which you have said you are" the winner of the mix "just for varmints" is the 22-250.

[JKEEN33]

I've been considering a 22-250 also. My question is I see a lot of 22" or 24" barrels. Somewhere I had heard 22-250 is more accurate in the 26". Any truth to that? What are the disadvantages to the 22 or 24?

Thanks,

In general, shorter barrels are more accurate than longer barrels.  Of course every rifle is different.  The advantages of longer barrels are more velocity and more weight.

Thanks Bob been eying the 22-250 xbolt, but wasn't sure about which barrel length to go with.

[JackOfAllTrades]

If you really are a ballistic nut..

243 Ackley, 22 BR, 6mm BR x.

-Steve

[toothfangclaw]

How can a shorter barrel be more accurate?  I know with old smoke poles the longer the better. Which is why they were 5 feet long. Lol I've always heard of longer barrels be more accurate. 

TFC/Matt

[Bob33]

Shorter barrels are stiffer, and thus flex less.  "In general". 

Here's an interesting read: http://www.tacticaloperations.com/SWATbarrel/

"Shorter barrels are actually often more accurate than their longer counterparts.  A rifle barrel is a cantilevered beam and as such they sag.  More sag results in more whip and vibration as the bullet travels down the bore.  Barrel sag induces longitudinal stress that can cause stringing of shots.  Using a shorter, heavier barrel minimizes reduces stress and accuracy-robbing barrel vibration.  A shorter barrel is stiffer and vibrates at a less. "

[BallisticsNut]

If you really are a ballistic nut..

243 Ackley, 22 BR, 6mm BR x.

-Steve

Yes, your correct.  I have checked the ballistics on both rifles and have to say the .243 is the better option.  I had the same discussion with my nieghbor and both of us were in agreement that it was down to the 22-250 and 243.  After reading these posts, I would have to agree and go with the better ballistics and versatility of the .243.    Just wanted to make sure there were no pitfalls with going with the .243.  Thanks for all the feedback. 

[Jamieb]

22-250

[ICEMAN]

Id have to go with the 243. Its a good varmint rifle/backup deer rifle.

 

[Special T]

Coyote fur is worth 0 so if you called in a bear or a couger??? If you just hunting yotes  then maybee a 22-250 but a 243 if you have a tag....