.243 versus .223

[sakoson]

What is quitest with same mod and barrel length ?, who has both that could give a viable answer?

 

[finnbear270]

Afternoon!, I used both, .223 with a quality mod such as an ASe Utra is far and away the one to go with, shoot weights up to 69 grain with a fast twist, Steve.

 

[sakoson]

Afternoon!, I used both, .223 with a quality mod such as an ASe Utra is far and away the one to go with, shoot weights up to 69 grain with a fast twist, Steve.

Hi steve
What barrel length and twist rate you got ? Have seen 1 in 8 and 1 in 12 with .223
James

 

[njc110381]

.223. Smaller bullet and half the powder give or take a few grains. They're very different cartridges if you put them side by side.

 

[Overlay]

I use both for foxing and muntjac 222 and 243, I use the deuce to reduce noise near houses etc, for foxing a light round in the 243 will do the job a lot further out providing noise isn’t an issue

 

[ColinBr]

Hi steve
What barrel length and twist rate you got ? Have seen 1 in 8 and 1 in 12 with .223
James

Go with the 1 in 8 if you want to shoot much above 55gr bullets.

I have a 223 with 1 in 8 twist shooting the 69gr TMK's beautifully. I've also shot the 77gr TMK's just as well.

Good moderator on and its a fair bit quieter than a 243.

69gr's are going at 2820ft/s out of its 20" barrel

 

[Andyquadra]

I've previously has a Tikka T3 .223 and now have a Tikka T3 .243, both the same mod as it fitted both and both a 20" barrel. The .223 will be quieter

 

[JTO]

What is quitest with same mod and barrel length ?, who has both that could give a viable answer?

Do you mean the 'same' mod or the 'same make' mod in the appropriate calibre?

 

[norcan]

Assuming the moderator is sized appropriately, .223 will be quieter by a considerable margin (less powder = less noise).

 

[sakoson]

Do you mean the 'same' mod or the 'same make' mod in the appropriate calibre?

Just trying to evaluate Like for like to find out which calibre is the most quiet

 

[Andy RV]

All other things equal the 223 will be quieter.

 

[norcan]

Just trying to evaluate Like for like to find out which calibre is the most quiet

Then it’s .223 without any question.

 

[DVS1]

Just a side note...depending what you intend to shoot further down the line it may be worth going 243 route and saving time later when you want to take deer and then have to wait 10,854,245 days for your variation to get a 243 as well as a 223 wish I had lol

 

[One on top of two]

My .223 AI shooting 75 grn eld m @2900 and ase utra CQB it’s perfect .

 

[Stumpy2]

.223 is quieter

 

[PhilSN12]

If you can only afford one rifle and you want to take deer as well, get the .243.
If you can afford more than one rifle get .223 (if only for foxes lots on here use .222 & .204, so ask advice on those too) and a .243 or bigger for the deer.
Enough money left for something else? I am a big fan of .17HMR.
Only my opinion, I have no experience of .243 but have friends who love theirs.

 

[ChesterP]

Classic combo to cover all UK species has been .223 and .308. Between those two you can do it all from vermin control to boar hunting, deer, fox etc.
That's what I started out with and have no regrets.

 

[hybridfiat]

If you can only afford one rifle and you want to take deer as well, get the .243.
If you can afford more than one rifle get .223 (if only for foxes lots on here use .222 & .204, so ask advice on those too) and a .243 or bigger for the deer.
Enough money left for something else? I am a big fan of .17HMR.
Only my opinion, I have no experience of .243 but have friends who love theirs.

I find my .243 to be less 'friendly' to shoot but far more versatile than my .223s.
For Australia it is the 'one stop shop' that can handle rabbits at 300m, deer, roos and pigs (100gn+ progees).

 

[HonestJohn]

Classic combo to cover all UK species has been .223 and .308. Between those two you can do it all from vermin control to boar hunting, deer, fox etc.
That's what I started out with and have no regrets.

or better, .222 and 7x57!

 

[Heym SR20]

I have had a 243 since the mid 1990’s and a 223 for about 4 years. 223 is a lot quieter.

Terminal effect on Roe deer is pretty much the same. And would suggest that choice of bullet has far more effect on end carcass damage. I cannot see any terminal difference on Roe between a 51gn 223, and a 75gn 243 Peregrine VLR4 bullet. Perhaps if I took out a micrometer and very accurate scales I could tell the difference. Ditto on crows. I have yet to shoot a fox or a muntjac with these bullets, but suspect similar result.

I must admit to really liking the 223. Its easy to shoot, cheap to run and deadly. If it wasn’t for the legalities, I wouldn’t hesitate to use it on bigger deer at closer ranges (100 or so metres).

The 243 however is a big step up in power, noise, recoil etc. It is at the bottom end of 308 series of cartridges and with 75gn to 100gn bullets will and has pretty much been used all over the world.

South of the border you can use the the optimum 80 to 90gn bullets whether lead or copper on any deer and it just plain works. In Scotland we are slightly hampered by the 100gn min, which for lead free means Peregrine VRG3 bullet, which is not really an issue unless you are into long range sniping on big deer, and 243 is not the job.

If you are just shooting vermin and small deer (muntjac and CWD south of border, Roe in the north) then go with 223.

If you want one rifle for everything 243 or to be honest these days, the 6.5cm or 308 may be a better option.