Another right calibre post: .17hmr, .223 or .243?

[albravo2]

Before I even post my question I will profess that I did go back 15 pages in this forum, all the way to 2010 searching for a similar question without any luck. I'm not looking for a calibre for one of my kids and I'm not looking for my first gun. Apparently I can't figure out the search tool because every search I do comes up with 'no matches found'. So, if this is a repeat I apologize.

I have a 7mm Rem Magnum, a Marlin 45-70 guide gun, a shotgun and a very old .22. I would like to get a good varmint gun and also a gun that I can use to improve my shooting skills. Someone once told me that I might not be afraid of recoil but my subconscious probably is, and I think that has translated into a bit of a wince/flinch as I squeeze the trigger. My wife really enjoys shooting too, but my two big rifles are too loud and ornery for more than 15-20 enjoyable shots. I live very close to a range and I'd like to shoot a few thousand rounds between now and the next hunting season.

So, I'm looking for a recommended calibre for putting good time in at the range and also something that will be good for cougar, lynx, wolf or coyote.

I'm just starting to reload so please factor that into the recommendation. Last, my budget for a rifle and a scope is around a grand. Of course, that's $500 if you're talking to my wife;-)

[The Dawg]

If you are thinking cougar or wolf, 17hmr is out. 223 would be stretching it. 243 is what I would pick out of your list

[russm86]

I'd suggest a .223 or even .22-250. I haven't got the .223 yet but I have a .22-250 and enjoy it for all the purposes mentioned above. They are somewhat similar rounds but .223 seems to be a little more popular and has a few more options and setups available IMO. Also, aside from the reloading you can buy bulk military surplus .223 pretty cheap for putting through lots of rounds.

[Steeleco]

If I were buying one of the three it would be a .223 and loaded with varmint grenades.

[Marlin375]

Is there a reason you don't have a 22-250 on the list?

[The Dude]

The Search Engine on this site is developmentally disabled (vBulletin)
Try typing "Youth kids women Gun rifle calibre etc" and you get some hits


http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/showthread.php?78438-Looking-for-the-right-starter-calibre-for-my-kids

www.huntingbc.ca/forum/showthread.php?90987-Centre-fire-rifle-for-my-little-girl

Lotsa reading there. Good luck!

[Drillbit]

Get a 223. Ammo's around $8 a box for good fmj.

[Mr. Dean]

I vote for the .223


You're more likely to be shooting yotes w/ the kid and it'll learn YOU to shoot also when at the range.
Ammo is uber cheap and readily had w/ lots of bullet choices for various critters.

[Marlin375]

or the new .17 win super mag....it looks pretty cool. Rimfire that shoots a 20gr vmax at 3000fps........ 100 yrd Turkey head shot sniper round.

[albravo2]

Is there a reason you don't have a 22-250 on the list?

Nothing against the 22-250 or the 222 or the Hornet etc. but a friend has dies for reloading 223 so if I'm going to go 22 centrefire it will probably be 223.

Appreciate all the answers and feedback.

[Hillbros_96]

I would not make a reloading die a purchase decision criteria as you will end up buying your own in the future. You will shoot this rifle a lot more (more rounds per sitting not neccesarily more sittings) then any other rifle you own, so your reloading is going to be much more then the other rifles. With that said, if you do make it a purchase criteria, I would go with the .223. I am going to be buying a rifle like this as well this year, but I am going with the 22-250. I reload as well, and there is something about breaking 4000 fps that sounds so much like fun.

[Onesock]

Agree on the 22-250. Great round.

[416]

.223 would be the most economical to shoot, .243 would be the most versatile....varmints to smaller big game. That said, l have a .22/250 that is a laser beam. Its (.22/250) a great varmit round but wouldn't be my first choice if l was looking for a caliber that could keep as many hunting opportunities open as possible. The 17hmr.........fun but expensive plinking round, reloading would probably be cheaper for one of the .22 calibers and give you more gun to boot!

[albravo2]

now you've got me thinking. i don't NEED 4000 fps but it would be cool. i didn't NEED a 500hp car either but it sure was a blast.

is there a good 223 vs. 22-250 thread anywhere? i'm back 15 pages in the 'gun talk' forum and nothing yet and nothing comes up when i search for '223'

[Hillbros_96]

You would be better off looking in other predetor or varmint forums to find some threads. Alberta forums would have more as well as predetor hunting is bigger out there.

Unless you are planning on running surplus ammo through it all the time, it is really a mute point as you would have to re-sight the gun in when you shot anything else.

It really depends on what you find as acceptable performance out of your gun. I always strive for sub-moa out of every rifle I own. There is only one gun we have not gotten that low, and it is the most expensive gun in the safe, although my new sako is close to the most expensive. I always get the accuracy so tight as it helps make up for the "me" factor when shooting. The more consistent the gun shoots the better the chance of my influence not being as bad.

Beside, half the fun of shooting is reloading and playing with the loads to get what you want out of the gun. The options are so much larger (and cheaper) then factory ammo.

Either way both cartridges are good, it will come down to the gun you buy, and your new reloading skills. I have finally got around to weighing my brass, and only using the same manufacture and weight of brass. I was surprised how much my groups changed when I went to the "out of spec" brass. Oh the joys of reloading and the good times of shooting.

[buck nash]

now you've got me thinking. i don't NEED 4000 fps but it would be cool. i didn't NEED a 500hp car either but it sure was a blast.

is there a good 223 vs. 22-250 thread anywhere? i'm back 15 pages in the 'gun talk' forum and nothing yet and nothing comes up when i search for '223'

You can certainly find a lot by googling 223 vs 22-250. I find the search feature of this site very frustrating and have had better luck googling "huting bc" followed by whatever subject.

If you intend to put thousands of round downrange you should probably go for a 223. You can easily get milsurp ammo for under $400 for a thousand. 223 is well suited to the tasks you mention and is quite capable of handling big game as well. 223 is also very easy on a barrel. I've never owned a 22-250 but I've heard that they are harder on barrels. I've shot over 500 rounds of 223 in an afternoon and never noticed recoil. Lots of semi-autos around in 223 if thats what your into. Your friend owns one so you can split on 1000 lots or lend one another ammo in a pinch. Your wife can shoot it all day long without worrying about the recoil or the price of ammo.

My next choice would be 243. It is a very proven do-all calibre. Many say it is a minimum calibre for deer, black bear etc. (I'd be comfortable with a 223 here) but just as many say they've cleanly taken moose and elk with a 243. I probably wouldn't take my 223 moose or elk hunting but if an immy moose walked by, gave me a good shot and it was all I had I'd shoot. Good hunting ammo for 243 is about the same as 223 and its only slightly more to reload a 243 but for centre fire plinking with store bought ammo, the only thing cheaper is 7.62x39 but that doesn't meet your other criteria.

[Singleshotneeded]

.223 I'm thinking, cheap shooting and minimal recoil, .243 will give you more range on the wolves and cougars
if you're seriously going to put in the effort to hunt them...

[albravo2]

thanks to all. bought a .223 Rem 700 with the short heavy barrel. Have already put a few hundred rounds through it and can say my shooting is improving.

appreciate everyone's feedback.

[brian]

.223 would get my vote

[REMINGTON JIM]

Is there a reason you don't have a 22-250 on the list?

X2 :-D 22-250 One of the Finest Cartridges out there ! RJ