Predator cal. conundrum.

[GetLethal]

My current rifle is a t3 lite 300wm, great gun but it definitely packs a wallop making extended range sessions hard on the shoulder....and wallet.

This gave me the idea to get a smaller caliber in a left handed bolt for range practice as well as predator control. I cant decide which to get.

I like the flat shooting 22-250, but the .223 has some really cheap bulk ammo options. I always said if i got a .223 it would be something in a tactical platform like a TAVOR which would be fine for dogs but there goes the gun training aspect.

Ive also been toying with the idea of something like a 6.5x55 or 6.5 creedmoor as a second lefty bolt but thats more for long range than anything.

Basically I am just confused as to what I even want and was looking for some thoughts/opinions.

Cheers

[Corb89]

you can't go wrong with a .243 win

[Boner]

I loaded up some Barnes 130 TTSX's for my 300 wsm. I was very surprised at the lower recoil than the other heavier bullets I shoot out of that rifle. I can't remember the recipe for that particular load, but light recoil and multiple 3 shot groupings under 0.75" @ 100 yards. Kicking myself for keeping poor records that day of reloading. Makes me not wanting to bother buying a smaller caliber.

[Salty]

No centre fire will be easier on the wallet than a 223. Nothing wrong with having two rifles in 223 if you wanted a semi auto down the road too. A 22-250 is a great round but by the sounds of it you are buying ammo not reloading and you'll find it fairly expensive. I've shot my 223 target rifle a fair bit at a 500 yard gong and was pretty surprised by the accuracy I could get ;) That's probably a little far for killing wolves confidently just because of the energy level out there, but 300 yds would be no problemo

[GetLethal]

I loaded up some Barnes 130 TTSX's for my 300 wsm. I was very surprised at the lower recoil than the other heavier bullets I shoot out of that rifle. I can't remember the recipe for that particular load, but light recoil and multiple 3 shot groupings under 0.75" @ 100 yards. Kicking myself for keeping poor records that day of reloading. Makes me not wanting to bother buying a smaller caliber.

It never even occurred to me to try reduced recoil loads in the 300. I guess ive been to focused on the next gun I need haha

[GetLethal]

No centre fire will be easier on the wallet than a 223. Nothing wrong with having two rifles in 223 if you wanted a semi auto down the road too. A 22-250 is a great round as well but by the sounds of it you are buying ammo not reloading and you'll find fairly expensive. I've shot my 223 target rifle a fair bit at a 500 yard gong and was pretty surprised by the accuracy I could get ;) That's probably a little far for killing wolves confidently just because of the energy level out there, but 300 yds would be no problemo

I actually do reload my 300, but the convenience of buying 200 rounds for $130 is quite tempting.

[Salty]

Yes it is I've shot quite a bit of el cheapo Winchester white box out of mine :)

[okas]

i do not worry about pelts so a FN 308 works :redface: the 22-250 just sits now

[BCBRAD]

If you buy a 'precision' rifle like a Tikka T3, bargain or even good factory ammo that your rifle may not like, 223 ammo will frustrate you, especially at 500m on moa sized targets.

Handloading will get the most out of your platform.

If your going to do that , look at one of the 6mm's like a 6BR or Dasher.

[barry1974w]

I more or less stopped using my 22-250 just because of the noise. I know I should wear hearing protection while hunting, but it doesn't always happen. Maybe it was just that particular rifle, but it was absolutely deafening, and if you shot from prone the amount of debris flying around was impressive. But I did loose a wolf last year that may not have happened if I was using something with a bit more jam (or a better bullet).

[todbartell]

everyone needs a 223. Cheap to shoot, accurate at normal distances, ammo everywhere, effective on coyotes and wolves..deer with the right ammo. Nothing wrong with the 22-250 but the way I look at it, I can load about 75 more rounds from a pound of powder with 223 vs 22-250

[todbartell]

If you buy a 'precision' rifle like a Tikka T3, bargain or even good factory ammo that your rifle may not like, 223 ammo will frustrate you, especially at 500m on moa sized targets.

here is a 10 round 6.5" group @ 505 yards with factory Hornady TAP 60gr Vmax from a Remington 700 Tacticool 223, with 9x Leupold. 1.2moa from prone w/ bipod. Not a sexy group, but real world, minute of wolf :-)

https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/197105_10150143699182992_5415643_n.jpg?oh=06661f60 ed2b5e6e550bcaa3fc5de055&oe=58BA22AA

target was on far treeline, below the tallest spruce tree

https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/190549_10150126108042992_1851068_n.jpg?oh=bac84377 6b9a7692d84d24377f2a7619&oe=58B65641

[boxhitch]

...... That's probably a little far for killing wolves confidently just because of the energy level out there, but 300 yds would be no problemoA good hit at 500 and they will die, retrieval may be tough

[GetLethal]

here is a 10 round 6.5" group @ 505 yards with factory Hornady TAP 60gr Vmax from a Remington 700 Tacticool 223, with 9x Leupold. 1.2moa from prone w/ bipod. Not a sexy group, but real world, minute of wolf :-)

https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/197105_10150143699182992_5415643_n.jpg?oh=06661f60 ed2b5e6e550bcaa3fc5de055&oe=58BA22AA

target was on far treeline, below the tallest spruce tree

https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/190549_10150126108042992_1851068_n.jpg?oh=bac84377 6b9a7692d84d24377f2a7619&oe=58B65641
Nicely done!

[jimi g]

I'll give you a tactical perspective. If you are looking to practice more like you said- then you should buy exactly the same gun (tikka t3) in the new caliber. If you get to know one gun extremely well everything will be second nature and from a muscle memory perspective this will be as good as you can get practice wise. Familiarity with your firearm is key and will help a lot.

Thats just how i think. Boring I know.

I would grt a .223 in your case as it fits the bill for practice and varmints and is cheap to shoot/easy to shoot for the shoulder.

[scotty30-06]

My next rifle will be 223.. love the rem 700 platform...nice and simple bolt action

[GetLethal]

I'll give you a tactical perspective. If you are looking to practice more like you said- then you should buy exactly the same gun (tikka t3) in the new caliber. If you get to know one gun extremely well everything will be second nature and from a muscle memory perspective this will be as good as you can get practice wise. Familiarity with your firearm is key and will help a lot.

Thats just how i think. Boring I know.

I would grt a .223 in your case as it fits the bill for practice and varmints and is cheap to shoot/easy to shoot for the shoulder.

This was my original plan but a friend planted the seed that variety is the spice of life, which had me looking at other brands. I also was introduced to the idea of a 204 ruger as a really good all around cartridge, but it seemed like a pissing match between that and a 22-250.

Being a lefty my options are a little bit limited and tikka definitely has the widest range of lefty calibers.

[BCHunterFSJ]

you can't go wrong with a .243 win

I agree with the .243...!

[todbartell]

204 is a great cartridge, but wolf is not it's forte.

[Good2bCanadian]

I'm shooting a model 16 savage in 22-250. Topped it with a diamondback 4-12x40.
Its been a very accurate rifle considering there is nothing fancy regarding the gun or the scope.

[tipper]

Wolves are tough sobs and usually seen at long distance, another vote for the 243 here. Too many stories of hitting them with the 223 and then never finding them..

[todbartell]

I agree, 243 or bigger if going for a wolf at 300+ yards.

[BCBRAD]

here is a 10 round 6.5" group @ 505 yards with factory Hornady TAP 60gr Vmax from a Remington 700 Tacticool 223, with 9x Leupold. 1.2moa from prone w/ bipod. Not a sexy group, but real world, minute of wolf :-)

https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/197105_10150143699182992_5415643_n.jpg?oh=06661f60 ed2b5e6e550bcaa3fc5de055&oe=58BA22AA

target was on far treeline, below the tallest spruce tree

https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/190549_10150126108042992_1851068_n.jpg?oh=bac84377 6b9a7692d84d24377f2a7619&oe=58B65641

your ammo likes that rifle !

[swampthing]

I got lucky and just recently found a limited run left hand browning x-bolt laminate stainless compact in 243 at corlanes. The 243 still has a bit more muzzle blast than something like a 22-250 though. Using mine for all around use from coyote to moose though.

[GetLethal]

I decided on a .243, it came down to that and the 22-250 but I think the .243 has the edge everywhere except muzzle blast and recoil. WSS had tikkas 20% off, new stainless lefty on its way with a set of dies and bases for my diamondback 4-12x40 :)

[dd3boss]

Sounds like a great setup! Enjoy!

[kevan]

I'm ok with the 240 Weatherby, its hell on the hide but certainly plants the Wolf.

[RiverOtter]

I decided on a .243, it came down to that and the 22-250 but I think the .243 has the edge everywhere except muzzle blast and recoil. WSS had tikkas 20% off, new stainless lefty on its way with a set of dies and bases for my diamondback 4-12x40 :)
Have both, and unless the 22-250 is a 1-8" twist, the 243 is the way to go. Load it up or down with varmint, match or TTSX/GMX and there's really nothing you can't do with a modern 243.

[finngun]

I agree, 243 or bigger if going for a wolf at 300+ yards.

My vote for old,,,boring,,270win cal..works for bigbad,,,wolf too8)