While looking at peoples preferred foxing set up, I have seen that a number of people choose the 22-250 over the .223 due to its speed and flat trajectory. However it’s got me asking the question, why not just have the .243? Pretty much identical if you choose a 58g bullet. I’d see it being more versatile and possibly easier to get ammo?
.243 vs 22-250
- Thread starter Sniper308
- Start date
depends , cant get 35, 40, 45, 50 grain 243 ! If you already have a deer rifle there is no point to getting a 243 win . 22 varmint bullets remain more available . I wonder how much harder it will become ( if there are any now uk available on the shelves indeed) to get none toxic fast fragmenting 6mm.
AndersGilton
Active Member
223 is really a good choice, lots of bulk FMJ and nice 62-69gr bullets for "long range foxes"
I got a fine workload 55gr Varmageddon for my 243win combined with 95gr Ballistic Silvertip.
I got a fine workload 55gr Varmageddon for my 243win combined with 95gr Ballistic Silvertip.
All I will say is, I started off with a "dual purpose" 243 Sako 85. Messed around for 3 years with different weight bullets for foxes / deer and never found a light bullet I was happy with. I know safe is safe but I didn't like the idea of shooting a 85grn bullet around after dark, in the end I got a 22 - 250 and never looked back. I have found the varmint bullets far more fragmenting in 224 than the 6mm.
samdk
Well-Known Member
A 55gr bullet in a 22-250 (.224) will have a higher BC and sectional density than a 55/58gr bullet in a .243, albeit only slight, which helps in wind and at range.
I shoot 22-250 and love it, but it needs at least a 24” barrel to get the most from it and is best to load your own ammo.
I shoot 22-250 and love it, but it needs at least a 24” barrel to get the most from it and is best to load your own ammo.
Len the dog
Well-Known Member
My 22-250 is only 20” and with Norma 50gr Vmax it is clover leafing at 100yds and still above 3600fps.
TBH, pretty much most factory ammo is less than 1 moa and with explosive terminal performance.
It is also a joy to handle with a 20” barrel.
samdk
Well-Known Member
It’s an amazingly accurate cartridge but you really need the barrel length to gain a worthwhile benefit.
You can get 3500fps with a 50gr Vmax in a 223 which shows the in efficiency of the shorter barrel on a 22-250. 3900/4000fps is achieved with a 24”+ barrel, with factory or hand loaded ammo.
You can get 3500fps with a 50gr Vmax in a 223 which shows the in efficiency of the shorter barrel on a 22-250. 3900/4000fps is achieved with a 24”+ barrel, with factory or hand loaded ammo.
Len the dog
Well-Known Member
I’m currently working up a load using 50gr Vmax, should be able to get around the 3800 mark which shouldn’t bring any complaints from old foxy.
Len the dog
Well-Known Member
No, this is my first foray into reloading, might try some 55s as I have a couple of tubs of CFE223 and I understand that favours the heavier bullets.
.22-250's are really designed for 45 to 55gr bullets. Unless you have a faster than standard twist. These punch through the negative effect of gravity and air much faster (and flatter) than a .243.
However .... they are loud.
The .243 throiws a bullet like an upside down banana in comparison and was developed as a medium/small game rifle with heavier bullets (60 to 100gn).
.22-250 for fox (makes a mess of Roe/Munty) can achieve 4000fps + and tends to be point and shoot out to 250/275M
.243 good for closer ranges. Pefect for woodland stalking of Roe/Munty and Fallow with the heavier bullets and for fox using the lighter end of the scale. (3250 with a 60gn, 2750fps with a 100gn)
However .... they are loud.
The .243 throiws a bullet like an upside down banana in comparison and was developed as a medium/small game rifle with heavier bullets (60 to 100gn).
.22-250 for fox (makes a mess of Roe/Munty) can achieve 4000fps + and tends to be point and shoot out to 250/275M
.243 good for closer ranges. Pefect for woodland stalking of Roe/Munty and Fallow with the heavier bullets and for fox using the lighter end of the scale. (3250 with a 60gn, 2750fps with a 100gn)
I just use 85gr .243 for both roe and fox. I can often shoot to 300 if I had to, but 9/10 it’s 100-150. Never felt the need for anything else.
Sorry but my 243 shoots nothing like this, and is quite flat out to 300y , 58g superformance
58gr .243 is a bonkers round
was with a chap who shot a fox at 310m
aimed dead on top of bib.
Drop is very little at 300m
Same round on a roe doe chest shot at 200 was surprisingly clean and it dropped to the shot
step up to a 75gr and the wind capability is immense
horses for courses but the cost difference in the ammo is largely negligible too
was with a chap who shot a fox at 310m
aimed dead on top of bib.
Drop is very little at 300m
Same round on a roe doe chest shot at 200 was surprisingly clean and it dropped to the shot
step up to a 75gr and the wind capability is immense
horses for courses but the cost difference in the ammo is largely negligible too
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