243 or 223

[pablo.222]

With the impending lead ban on 6mm and above bullets im contemplating a calibre shift from 243 to 223 to keep with lead for vermin. Plus roe since I’m in Scotland.


Currently got a tikka m595 in 243. Which is housed in a GRS stock. This could be for sale or would an option be to rebarrel in 22-250?
Or swap it out for a 223? In 1in8 twist for future. Howa/tikka just something cheap.
As the kids are getting on now (13) so his chance to possible use it not so distant future would be beneficial to have low recoil.
Keep the 243 and just use copper for everything?
Or whats really happening is i have an itch for something new……..

Whats the thoughts?

 

[Will the chippy]

Fast twist 22250.

 

[Brighty3006]

243. Brilliant

 

[One on top of two]

22-250 fast twist.

 

[Sniper308]

I would say a swap to 5.5 will be a good idea. As for which one, it’s a matter of personal choice. Not reloading? Definitely.223, or if you do reload maybe something like 22-250 or 22 creedmoor

 

[Greenmist]

I have a Tikka M595, in a GRS stock with a 1:9 barrel in .22-250, its my go to rifle

 

[JeffreyL]

Almost anything which has 220Swift stamped on the barrel!!!

 

[Penyard]

I am really comfortable with the move to LF for deer but not really ready or inclined to make the move for vermin. So, I get your line of thinking and would be looking at a .224 CF. Which one depends on if you reload and, if you do, I think a fast twist .22Creedmoor or ARC looks like the sensible choice these days. If not then .223 or .22-250 seems to be your better bet for ammo availability.

 

[wildfowler.250]

I’m very much a lead fan but seems a big effort. As a side note, the new .22’s as above do seem interesting.

 

[Heym SR20]

I have both 243 and 223. They are really quite different cartridges. The 243 is really an all round large varmint (wolf, coyote, fox) and deer cartridge, whereas the 223 / 222 are varmint cartridges that can be used on smaller deer with a good bullet and correct shot placement.

The 223 is substantially cheaper to run than the 243. Regardless of lead / non lead 223 bullets are substantially cheaper and you use about 20 grains of powder as opposed to about 40 in the 243.

 

[Heym SR20]

I would not be moving to 223 just so you can continue using lead. The actual legislation has to go through parliament and I wouldn’t be surprised if there is a complete ban. Crows, rabbits etc shot with fragmenting lead bullets and left in the field will still poison other wildlife.

A 1 in 12” 223 will shoot well enough with lighter lead free bullets but going faster twist will give more options.

 

[20-250]

Crows, rabbits etc shot with fragmenting lead bullets and left in the field will still poison other wildlife.

I haven't noticed anywhere around here littered with poisoned wildlife.

 

[d4nny1975]

With the impending lead ban on 6mm and above bullets im contemplating a calibre shift from 243 to 223 to keep with lead for vermin. Plus roe since I’m in Scotland.


Currently got a tikka m595 in 243. Which is housed in a GRS stock. This could be for sale or would an option be to rebarrel in 22-250?
Or swap it out for a 223? In 1in8 twist for future. Howa/tikka just something cheap.
As the kids are getting on now (13) so his chance to possible use it not so distant future would be beneficial to have low recoil.
Keep the 243 and just use copper for everything?
Or whats really happening is i have an itch for something new……..

Whats the thoughts?

Have both , lol why not !

 

[Shabz]

I haven't noticed anywhere around here littered with poisoned wildlife.

That sounds like the sort of logic that gets completely ignored when making legislation.

 

[Bowland blades]

With the impending lead ban on 6mm and above bullets im contemplating a calibre shift from 243 to 223 to keep with lead for vermin. Plus roe since I’m in Scotland.


Currently got a tikka m595 in 243. Which is housed in a GRS stock. This could be for sale or would an option be to rebarrel in 22-250?
Or swap it out for a 223? In 1in8 twist for future. Howa/tikka just something cheap.
As the kids are getting on now (13) so his chance to possible use it not so distant future would be beneficial to have low recoil.
Keep the 243 and just use copper for everything?
Or whats really happening is i have an itch for something new……..

Whats the thoughts?

Firstly i should Clean the bore to bare metal and try a few brands of copper ammo . Barnes and Hornady first. BTW i havent yet bothered to check out what the idiots in government have been making up trouble wise , but 243 win rifles will be taking deer well after we are all dead and buried . If they ban 6mm there is going to have to be a compensation payment !

 

[moeggesit]

Just stick to what you have until you have to switch. If you’re shooting a lot and the ban comes into effect as proposed, the 223 ammo versus copper 243 will pay for the change very quickly. Neither 223 nor 243 has much of a resale value at the moment so you may as well keep what you have or just add a spare.

 

[Bogmoor]

Who will Police the ban?

 

[Rake Aboot]

I just bought a .223 but I’ve kept my .243. Very different indeed.

 

[Brighty3006]

Just shoot Barnes 80 grain ttsx in your .243. Utterly amazing

 

[Acm]

Foxing and deer shooting here with hornady 80grn all copper. Comes in at under £2.50 a bullet. Cheap fox.
Say your .223 costs £1.50 a bullet, your still going to have to shoot the best part of 2000 foxes to be any better off. Also, this lead ban will be the start of somthing not the end. The smaller calibres will follow suit.

However if you just fancy another calibre that’s a different thing altogether, but do buy it in a spec that can cope with lead free bullets.