Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: eastsidemallard74 on February 16, 2015, 08:21:48 AM

Title: 243 vs 17
Post by: eastsidemallard74 on February 16, 2015, 08:21:48 AM: 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.
Title: Re: 243 vs 17
Post by: HntnFsh on February 16, 2015, 08:31:09 AM: For yotes. If your stuck on those 2 calibers. .243 all the way. You would be extremely limited with the .17
Title: Re: 243 vs 17
Post by: nwwanderer on February 16, 2015, 08:34:06 AM: Apples and oranges, to different to compare. Stick with the 243, full metal jackets if processing pelts.
Title: Re: 243 vs 17
Post by: Karl Blanchard on February 16, 2015, 08:35:32 AM: 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! :tup:
Title: Re: 243 vs 17
Post by: jrebel on February 16, 2015, 08:37:39 AM: .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
Title: Re: 243 vs 17
Post by: Brad Harshman on February 16, 2015, 08:53:05 AM: Quote from: jrebel on February 16, 2015, 08:37:39 AM
.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
:yeah: 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.
Title: Re: 243 vs 17
Post by: Bofire on February 16, 2015, 09:25:37 AM: I bet he is talking 17 Rem not HMR. I use a 243 alot for coyotes, so that is my choice!!
Carl
Title: Re: 243 vs 17
Post by: mountainman on February 16, 2015, 09:36:32 AM: 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.
Title: Re: 243 vs 17
Post by: fastdam on February 16, 2015, 09:41:01 AM: 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.
Title: Re: 243 vs 17
Post by: coachcw on February 16, 2015, 10:10:11 AM: .243 all the way !
Title: Re: 243 vs 17
Post by: eastsidemallard74 on February 16, 2015, 11:11:01 AM: Quote from: jrebel on February 16, 2015, 08:37:39 AM
.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.
Title: Re: 243 vs 17
Post by: Special T on February 16, 2015, 11:25:21 AM: 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
Title: Re: 243 vs 17
Post by: Jingles on February 16, 2015, 12:00:30 PM: 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
Title: Re: 243 vs 17
Post by: carpsniperg2 on February 16, 2015, 12:02:53 PM: 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.
Title: Re: 243 vs 17
Post by: bobcat on February 16, 2015, 12:18:05 PM: 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.
Title: Re: 243 vs 17
Post by: kodiak 907 on February 16, 2015, 12:27:12 PM: I have always had good luck with my 22 wmr. Coyotes, fox, cats, coons. 100 yards or less tho. Shot placement is important with any round IMO.
Title: Re: 243 vs 17
Post by: CAMPMEAT on February 16, 2015, 12:41:00 PM: Look at the 17 WSM, rimfire. Beats the crap out of the 17 HMR, 22 lr and that little fat 17 HMR. Can't think of the name of it off hand.
22 mag is a very, very good choice for coyotes out to 150 yards from my experiences.

All of the above mentioned guns can be bought for under $400 with a scope if you shop around.
Title: Re: 243 vs 17
Post by: Bofire on February 16, 2015, 03:10:21 PM: :) :) .17 Remington makes all other 17s look pathetic, 4200 fps easy. BUT small bore fouls easy, heats up, wind blows it around and slows down fast. 243 is far better for real use, but as other said if it is dedicated for coyotes or varmits, 22-250 is wonderful.
Carl
Title: Re: 243 vs 17
Post by: T Pearce on February 16, 2015, 03:53:30 PM: Quote from: Bofire on February 16, 2015, 03:10:21 PM
:) :) .17 Remington makes all other 17s look pathetic, 4200 fps easy. BUT small bore fouls easy, heats up, wind blows it around and slows down fast. 243 is far better for real use, but as other said if it is dedicated for coyotes or varmits, 22-250 is wonderful.
Carl
:yeah:
Title: Re: 243 vs 17
Post by: CAMPMEAT on February 16, 2015, 04:24:30 PM: I think the OP needs to clarify what 17 he's looking for. We can guess all day, but until he states what it is, there is no need to have the topic.
Title: Re: 243 vs 17
Post by: Spawnstar on February 16, 2015, 04:41:15 PM: 243 but I don't see to much difference between the 270 and the 243 on coyotes, I would get 223 or 22-250 probably leen more towards 223 just cause ammo is cheap.
Title: Re: 243 vs 17
Post by: fastdam on February 16, 2015, 04:56:42 PM: If he has only one rifle i'm going to assume he doesn't handload. .223 would probably give him the best variety of factory amunition to choose from. 17 rem will be very limited in ammo selection and may be hard to find locally in some rural places.
Title: Re: 243 vs 17
Post by: Curly on February 16, 2015, 05:24:48 PM: .204 would be a sweet coyote round, but ammo price would be similar to .243 or .270. Like others said, .223 would probably be the best choice if ammo cost is a factor.
Title: Re: 243 vs 17
Post by: CAMPMEAT on February 16, 2015, 05:25:40 PM: Quote from: fastdam on February 16, 2015, 04:56:42 PM
If he has only one rifle i'm going to assume he doesn't handload. .223 would probably give him the best variety of factory amunition to choose from. 17 rem will be very limited in ammo selection and may be hard to find locally in some rural places.

That's one reason why I've never bought one, even though I reload.
Title: Re: 243 vs 17
Post by: jasnt on February 16, 2015, 05:27:14 PM: 243 of course. IMO it's the most versatile one mentioned. From sage rats to black bear I use mine for everything
Title: Re: 243 vs 17
Post by: JJD on February 23, 2015, 07:58:23 AM: Quote from: jasnt on February 16, 2015, 05:27:14 PM
243 of course. IMO it's the most versatile one mentioned. From sage rats to black bear I use mine for everything
:yeah:
Title: Re: 243 vs 17
Post by: AWS on February 23, 2015, 08:15:23 AM: 22-250, someday you might realize that everyone of those winter coyotes "you don't care about the fur" is a tank of gas or a winters worth of ammo for coyote hunting.

50 round boxes of 22-250 are pretty reasonable and the White Box Winchesters actually make a pretty fair coyote load.
Title: Re: 243 vs 17
Post by: pianoman9701 on February 23, 2015, 09:28:12 AM: .243. You can use it now to hunt yotes and then pass it on for someone's 1st deer rifle.
Title: Re: 243 vs 17
Post by: Gringo31 on February 23, 2015, 09:36:52 AM: I'd stick to the 270.

The savings in money is an excuse and not reality when it really comes down to it. If you want to buy a new gun, go for it but it's not going to be about savings. The best reason to stay with the 270 is it will only make you more confident and comfortable with that rifle. Its amazing the difference in confidence and feel going from one AR to another. They all just feel different and take some getting used to as similar as they may look and feel.....they're different.

Can't go wrong with an AR in 223.... but hey... Whatever scratches the itch! :twocents:
Title: Re: 243 vs 17
Post by: mountainman on February 23, 2015, 12:50:21 PM: Quote from: Gringo31 on February 23, 2015, 09:36:52 AM
I'd stick to the 270.

The savings in money is an excuse and not reality when it really comes down to it. If you want to buy a new gun, go for it but it's not going to be about savings. The best reason to stay with the 270 is it will only make you more confident and comfortable with that rifle. Its amazing the difference in confidence and feel going from one AR to another. They all just feel different and take some getting used to as similar as they may look and feel.....they're different.

Can't go wrong with an AR in 223.... but hey... Whatever scratches the itch! :twocents:
true Gringo! As the saying goes, "Beware the man with one gun..He probably knows how to use it!"
Some will say the bullet is more important then the headstamp. Others say it's not so much the bullet, as an fmj will kill anything when we'll placed. And there are those that will claim both, depending on which discussion is taking place. (Can't figure that one out..) :dunno: truth is, it is best to be familiar with, and be accurate with, whatever you are shooting at the time! :twocents:
Title: Re: 243 vs 17
Post by: AWS on February 23, 2015, 01:20:50 PM: The FMJ may kill but it is so unreliable as a DRT round that many of the dogs shot with it can't be recovered. Case in point, in Vietnam for a while I ran the base trash dump and one of my jobs was to cull stray dogs do to rabies. The most it took was seven rounds of 223 FMJ to the chest to drop one dog most took more than one, couldn't have wounded dogs running around the base. Canines have a much higher tolerance to pain than humans. I ended swapping the 5.56 AR for a M-14 and things got much better.
Title: Re: 243 vs 17
Post by: mountainman on February 24, 2015, 04:32:47 AM: Exactly! People can quote high school math to promote a given bullet or caliber. Usually with no, or at least not much, actual experience on game.
Title: Re: 243 vs 17
Post by: rasbo on February 24, 2015, 05:25:14 AM: I have the 243,17 hmr and 17 wsm,I love the .17 wsm..that being said I like to call them in close and head shoot, I killed several bobcats with a 270{headshots} quarter size exit hole out of the data bank..Keep the 270 and use the money saved for ammo and fuel
Title: Re: 243 vs 17
Post by: mountainman on February 25, 2015, 08:23:54 PM: Quote from: rasbo on February 24, 2015, 05:25:14 AM
I have the 243,17 hmr and 17 wsm,I love the .17 wsm..that being said I like to call them in close and head shoot, I killed several bobcats with a 270{headshots} quarter size exit hole out of the data bank..Keep the 270 and use the money saved for ammo and fuel
and hunting winter fur with it will keep you primed for big game season!!
Title: Re: 243 vs 17
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on February 25, 2015, 08:42:48 PM: I have both bought them for the kids, daughter got a deer with the .243 this year, and I've have gotten a bobcat with the .17 HMR.

The .243 will be the better yore gun, but you could get a center fire .22 caliber that would be good too. :tup: