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223 22.250 or .243 rifle

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dennishoddy

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Part of the reason for thinking.243 is my wife wants something to deer hunt with I figured I could kill 2 birds with one rifle so to speak
.243 probably for the win, but I've killed several deer with a 55 grain 22-250 and the .223 with .55 grain.
It's all about the bullet you choose and how it performs on the deer.
 

dennishoddy

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Part of the reason for thinking.243 is my wife wants something to deer hunt with I figured I could kill 2 birds with one rifle so to speak
In your decision, some things to consider.... the .223 and .22-250 have 55 grain bullets that are constructed to be hunting bullets for deer.
The .243 only has varmint bullets in .55 grain. I've looked everywhere and talked to all the major manufacturers personally to find a bullet that is considered deer worthy by common standards, but it's all varmint rated.
That being said, the Buck I shot with a 55 grain .243 varmint bullet this fall didn't know the difference. No exit wound, but the innards were jelly.
I've killed many deer with the .223 and the 22-250, but for the one caliber of the three, I'd go with the .243.
 

dennishoddy

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I know a USFW Biologist that uses a 22.250 exclusively for killing deer and elk for testing/data collection. Members of the "kill team" have strict standards for quick kills and shot placement so that they don't ruin certain body parts needed for testing.
You can get a decent bullet for .22-250 in 55 grain. Is that the weight bullet they were using? Heck I read a story the other day of folks taking elk in the mountains with a .243. The only bullet I'd trust with an elk in .243 would be the Barnes TTSX 88 grain solid copper that won't lose any weight when it hits the animal. At typical elk ranges, I'd think that might be a little light to crash through heavy bones at long range. At close ranges I see no reason a .243 in the right place wouldn't take one down in a heartbeat.
 

Oklahomabassin

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You can get a decent bullet for .22-250 in 55 grain. Is that the weight bullet they were using? Heck I read a story the other day of folks taking elk in the mountains with a .243. The only bullet I'd trust with an elk in .243 would be the Barnes TTSX 88 grain solid copper that won't lose any weight when it hits the animal. At typical elk ranges, I'd think that might be a little light to crash through heavy bones at long range. At close ranges I see no reason a .243 in the right place wouldn't take one down in a heartbeat.
I believe but not certain he was using a Barnes 50 grain ttsx.
 

dennishoddy

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I believe but not certain he was using a Barnes 50 grain ttsx.

That would work.
I use Barnes in my 30-06 elk rifle. Recovered three bullets from 150-425 yards, and none have shed any weight. I've posted pics of those bullets on this forum in the past.
 

kwaynem

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She is going to get a TC compass cause she said that’s what she wants and it’s not up to me if it’s for her uggghhh I’ll be getting back to a couple of you that private message me thanks for all the help
 

druryj

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She is going to get a TC compass cause she said that’s what she wants and it’s not up to me if it’s for her uggghhh I’ll be getting back to a couple of you that private message me thanks for all the help

Good choice, cause if momma ain't happy; ain't nobody gonna be happy.
 

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