.243 vs. .223 for coyotes/prairie dogs

[varminthunter-243win]

I'm going on a trip to a friends ranch to hunt 'yotes and prairie dogs. .243 handloads are getting expensive but I don't know if my .223 can reach out as well as the .243 both kits are fairly good

.243 Ruger M77 MkII w/ Leupold Vari-x III 4.5-14x40. .55 grain sierra blitzking bullets
.223 model 70 w/ same scope as above and Federal 55gr bullets.

[chris matthews]

The 223 has plenty of punch at extended ranges. For comparision, most so called experts say the 17 Rem is good to 200 yards with a 25 gr bullet. Try to explain that to the dead coyotes taken at 350-450 with my 17?
I have taken prairie dogs out to 600 with a 223 and coyotes almost as far. However the 243 will have the advantage in high wind if you use a heavier bullet like a 70 to 90 gr BT.
If you don't have the needed confidence in the 223, use it for prairie dogs (the 243 will overheat really fast) and save the 243 for the coyotes. In which I still recommend the heavier bullets- that stubby 55gr has a horrible BC.
The key is to be familiar with the rifle and put the bullet where it belongs.

[ 07-04-2004: Message edited by: chris matthews ]

[Dave King]

Like Chris I've killer critter a long way out with a 223. Groundhog at 504yards and many in closer.

Of the two (2) bullets you have listed and the chamberings I'd opt for the 223 over the 243.

[varminthunter-243win]

I went to the range today. the scope on the .223 is broken and won't be back for atleast another month. now the decision is what bullets to load for the trip. if anybody can help me with some good choices and ballistics info (mainly muzzle velocity)
I could sure use the help. thanks

[Aussie]

Try the 70 gn Nosler Ballistic Tip and Varget . My manual suggests you start at 38gn for 3340 fps and may be able to get up to maximum of 42 gns for 3620 fps . I use 42.5 gns in my .243 AI as a fireform load for 3550 fps . Accuracy is really good . The Nosler is pretty strongly constructed in my experience . [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

[CouesHunter]

Chris:

I don't know what "experts" you're listening to, but if you go over to www.coyotegods.com and click on the link to that Discussion Board there's guys like Blaine Eddy who post there that have forgotten more about .17's and coyotes than most people know, and he's killing coyotes at 150 yards with a 12 gr. bullet from a .14 Walker.

Most .17 "experts" parrot whatever they've heard in a gunshop somewhere; if they'd actually shoot one for a while they wouldn't be saying all that stuff.

[jb1000br]

OT, but interesting-- A fellow i shoot with in PA is using a 17mach IV and homemade 37gn bullets to shoot in williamsport 1k matches, as well as groundhog matches to 500yd -- it is scary! his best at 1k so far is 8" for 10 shots -- man i'd hate to be spotting his target [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

JB