.243 all around or split .223/.308?

B

Brian Newbill

New member
I am looking at getting a NEF Handi-rifle and having other bbls fitted to it. But I am currently having a problem deciding what to do. I plan on using this rifle for some deer hunting in the South east, definitely coyote/other varmit hunting. I wanted to get something cheap and light. I currently have rifles in .223 and .308 (Military type) so I have plenty of ammo lying around. However I am currently short on cash (just got married). I was thinking if I got the .243 HB I could use it for both applications and thus save $75 on fitting the .223 barrel. But I would have to purchase .243 ammo. If I get the .308 and have the .223 bbl fitted I don't need to purchase ammo. (I have hunting ammo for both of the military rifles, I just don't like to use the silly 5 rd magazines for hunting, state law and both guns are long and heavy.) What is everyone's opinion?

Option 1: .243 one caliber, 2 different loads, 1 scope.

Option 2: 2 calibers, 2 scopes, $75 cost, 1 less type of ammo to stock.

Option 3: Something I am missing?

Thanks for all the help.
 
Well, I've eaten a lot of Bambi off a .243, and I've noticed that the same 85-grain bullet which does in Bambi is ruinacious on coyotes.

I must say I don't understand the problem with your dislike of a five-round magazine for hunting--when you're considering a single shot! Duh? :)

If it wuz me, since you already have a couple of rifles, I'd keep saving for a "real" rifle. You can always put a scope on your .223 and do in coyotes quite happily. My style, back when I poor-boyed it--which was a bunch of years--was mooching around gunshows, looking for a good used something. Or watching for ads in newspapers.

Heck, I did pretty good getting a bank loan to buy an entire collection, wholesale. Then, I'd get a gunshow table and do my best to retail out what I didn't want, and keep what I DID want--and wind up with a freebie.

Think "Entrepreneur".

:), Art
 
Art's posted in several threads over the months about the excellent performance and flexibility of the .243. My first "long rifle" was a Rem. VS in .223. It's a tackdriver and I still love to shoot it; however, last year I bought a VLS in .243. The .243 action is now installed in my VS stock, and the .223 in the VLS stock.

With .243, you can shoot varmints way on out yonder with 55-60gr. hi-speed zingers, or you can go on up to 100 gr. or so for deer hunting. It's really hard to find a common caliber with such flexibility. My particular .243 does best with 70-75gr. bullets, which are still fine for varmints.

If I had bought the .243 first, I probably wouldn't own a .223 now, except for my Bushy, of course.
 
Art's fave .243 is an 85 grain (Speer or Sierra, if I recall) - mine's an 87 gr'er (Hornady - as if that really makes any difference other than what my [or his] rifle "likes") - push that at 3000fps+/- & nothing within what a .243 will do very nicely will ever know the difference.

I've been killing things from deer on down since '64 w/a .243 & they all died on the spot & all using the same bullet/same loading.

If deer, & SE'ers at that, is the largest you will want to "do" with this rifle, consider yourself having one of the finest calibers you can have.

Yes, yes, there are others that will do it too (& will "do" bigger stuff as well & maybe "better," yada, yada, ... ) .... you will be satified with .243 Win as your choice for what you want to do.

I'd pick an accurate loading in the 75-90 grain bullet weight, sight your rifle in & be happy for all game considered in your initial post.

"Beware the man who only owns one rifle - chances are he knows how to use it." Yeah, old quote, but does have more than a bit of truth to it.

I've rifle calibers of .22LR, .223 Rem, .22-250, .243. 270, 7mm-08, .308 & .30-06 & a pistol or two in "rifle calibers" as well .... the only reason my fave caliber is/are .308/.30-06 is I hunt elk as well & realistically need a bigger "all-round" caliber."

If deer was max-sized critter + I wanted to do varmits whenever, I'd choose that "old stand-by" 87 gr .243 Win for everything ....

'Course, as Art mentioned (sorta), you've already gotcher bases covered with your current .223 & .308 ...

... sumbuddy lookin' for an excuse to buy another rifle? ;) ...

... BTW, that's plenty excuse enough in my book ....
 
I guess I need to give a little back ground. I have several rifles that I could use but I want something that would kill several birds (and other things) with one stone (or gun). I am currently on a budget, although I could save up and get something nice, I really need something that I can use for several different things. I figured that if I got the NEF I could also get a .410 and 20 ga barrel as well as a deer and varmit caliber (or combination) barrel. I could use the rifle for varmits, my wife (who hates all my other rifles, too big, too heavy, to complicated, etc) could use it for deer hunting, and when we have that son (or daughter) in a few years I can start them off with the NEF to train them in both shotgunning and rifle hunting. And like Labgrade said, it is a good reason to buy another rifle. As for what Art said, I guess he is right about the 5 round mag thing. But there is something about hunting with a M1A or an AR-15 or AK that just seems strange to me. (And to most of the local game wardens) But maybe I am just strange. Thanks for the help guys. I am leaning toward the .243.
 
As a generality, the most important thing in shotgunning is 1) Fit; and 2) Balance. A shotgun which is not tailored to its primary user is commonly a disappointment.

What fits most guys doesn't fit most women--and no smart remarks. :D

I suggest taking your wife to a major sporting goods store, with many options for feeling and fondling various bolt action rifles, from .22 rimfires on up to "real huntin' rifles". After all, there are a number of relatively inexpensive rifles of reasonably light weight. And bolt actions ain't complicated critters.

Let HER do some decision making, or providing input.

:), Art
 
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