Looking for a .223 Any Suggestions

[BeerHunter]

I am looking to start doing a little coyote hunting and was thinking of getting a .223 (could also use for deer up north, i dont have a rifle). The only reason for the .223 to the

22-250 would be cost of ammo and the gun itself, from what ive heard.

I am wondering if any of you could help me with ideas of where to look for an affordable used gun with or without a scope, i have a simmons 3x9 that will work.

I would greatly appreciate the help.

Thanks

Greg K

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[stretch]

the .223 is a good round and the ammo is some what cheaper than a 22-250. i like both guns but i like the 250 even more. the reason why is it has a little bit more knock down power and you can shoot a little bit further with it too. if you want to use either gun for deer i would suggest getting a .243. it's a great deer and coyote gun.

as for picking out a gun i have had gread success with my savage w/ accu-trigger, it's a nice light weight gun for the price. also remmingtons and winchesters are also very nice guns. it's hard to tell you what you should get cause everyone has a prefernce on guns and also you didn't say what price you are looking to spend. i would look around the $400-$600 price range for that gun.

[paul pachowicz]

Boy, I just LOVE these discussions on caliber selection. It just kinda gives me some insight on how a hunter/shooter mind works. I was that same way when I decided on a .270 decades ago after shootin a .06 thru my formative years and then deciding on a .243 for another type of shooting. Asking these questions is the best way to get ideas. Another way, and I'm a staunch proponent of, is reading reloading manuals and studying ballistics. Few people really have a true appreciation of what happens after the "BOOM". Kinda like knowing a car other then where to put the gas. Personally, I think a .223 is below the acceptable killing range/power for deer. There are several calibers that fit the varmit/larger game category. Anything in the 6mm (.243, 6MM, 257 Roberts, Ackerly/ improved, 7mm.08, 25.06) will handle both as well as wider bullet weight selection for economics. I don't take much stock in what magazines print about calibers, it's a commercial ploy to push a product. That's why I say read the ballistics values rather then reading a sales pitch. One other thing I advise guys is to call a libary and see if they have or can get the book Pet Loads. Guns are what I call an investment rather then a expense. They'll last ya a life time. Do some research and choose wisely, my friend. By the way. That scope wil fill your need quite nicely.

[morefishplease]

A good performance .223 for an affordable price would be a Tikka. I hear they are a very accurate out of the box rifle.

[picksbigwagon]

If you are thinking of a predator gun only, the 223 would be great. IF you are thinking predator and deer, move up to the 243. yes 223 ammo is cheaper, but if you are going to use it deer hunting, 243 is what you should be considering.

Savage Accutrigger is a great trigger and gun to boot. You can usually get combo's for about 400 with a scope.

[Tom7227]

Can anyone add info about the punch at the end. I remember reading someplace that it takes X foot lbs to put down a deer with a decent shot. If the original poster had that info for say the 223, 243 and 270 he or she could maybe make a more informed decision. I just can't put my finger on the info right now.

[picksbigwagon]

ugh, what is the minumum foot pounds......Great I was gonna go to bed now too........bullet choice makes a big difference here as well. a .224 hornady vmax is not gonna be a good deer bullet, but a barnes ttsx would be a dandy in the 65+ gr. if someone makes that. If you are gonna do both, go with the 243 or the 25-06.

[sparcebag]

If your funds are low Try Pawn shops,get the cal.that best fits your price. I think the 223 will be out with better loads for deer now that their reconized as big game weapons.

They DO put deer down shot placement is important with any cal.rifle!

[harvey lee]

In regards to the .223 for deer, I shot one a few years ago in North Dakota and it dropped within 3 steps. Now, with that being said, I had a good load in the gun and shot placement is key.

I would not recommend this caliber to any one to use for deer but, it will get the job done.

Personally, I would find a used 223 for the yotes and if you can find one with a heavy or bull barrell, that would be even better.

If you would like a gun for deer and coyotes, I would favor a .243 and you could shot the load needed for each animal.

Good luck in your seasrch and keep asking the questions to make sure you get the right gun for you.

[dan z]

would also go with a 243 a better range of bullets and it works better for both species that your after. I would shoot a 55gr at yotes and anything over 80gr for white tails. good luck on finding you firearm!

[Cooter]

I believe that WI requires 1000ft-lbs at 100 yards as min.

Not to get off subject but I'll echo Harveys comments on the .223 for deer.

[BeerHunter]

Thanks for all the help. I am looking for more of a Yote gun since i normaly deer hunt in a shotgun zone, but if i was wanting to go north with friends i would have a rifle.

I was told that the .243 may be to big for coyotes and fox, since it would put to big of whole in the pelt.

I am looking to spend between $400 and $600, depending on what is out there.

Thanks for all the help, very informative, keep it coming

Greg K

[JeffB]

You may be able to get by with the .223 for deer if you are nearly positive you will make a perfect shot. What does it take to be nearly positive. 1. Not take any shot you are absolutely sure of and be willing to pass up a nice buck if you don't have the perfect in range broadside shot. You must practice often with your rifle. You should have shot enough deer to know you wont fall prey to buck fever. Since it sounds like this is your first deer rifle I would lean towards the larger cal. I think I would have lost my first deer had I been using .223 That was over 25 seasons ago and although most my deer since have dropped right away I still don't think I'm confident enough to switch to my .233 for deer. Great gun but I'll save it for fox and yotes. Good luck finding a nice gun and enjoy it.

[JeffB]

Beer hunter I didn't see your last post before I wrote mine so excuse the preaching. If your pretty much looking for a fox and yote gun I think the .223 is a great choice. Economical ammo and a ton of great gun choices. Pick up a bunch and see what feels good and fits your frame. Don't rule out the .243-.25 cals. though if you select the right bullet you wont notice any larger hole. A non expanding round will not put much more hole in a fox. But I totally understand why you want the .223 and maybe in a year or 2 you can buy a deer rifle and have the best of both worlds. I love the tikka for the money. They have a lighter trigger pull than many of the others. Like I said good luck.

[Cooter]

You gonna spend more time coyote or deer hunting? Myself I'd rather be overgunned for coyotes/fox than undergunned for deer. As stated above, with the right bullets a more standard deer caliber isn't gonna destroy a hide - holes can be sewn up and you're not gonna make a dime on hides anyways. Good luck, fun hunting for sure.

[BeerHunter]

Well the funny thing is i was interested in getting a .243 right away, but was told it wasnt a good yote gun. What am i looking at for difference in price of shells between the .243 and .223 over the counter?

I really like the idea of the .243 since i have shot one before and liked it alot, just dont know much about rifle cartridges and performance between grain and hp and solid since i shoot sabot slugs and thats about it.

Thanks

[picksbigwagon]

Wow, where to start.....not really sure if there is that much price difference right now. It used to be that 223 was cheaper but everything has gone way up lately. If you are gonna be using factory loads, 223 will be cheaper. If you reload, 223 is still cheaper but you can reload 243 in many many different grain bullets for your situation. That being said, what ever you choose, Hornady makes great factory rounds. My AR-15 loved their 55 gr. vmax (they like my reloads a little bit better) and my 243 savage will shoot 58 grain vmax one hole groups at 100 yards. I still haven't duplicated that yet, but I am getting close.

a 243 with an 90-100 grain bullet will kill a deer and drop a coyote. if you can find 85 grain barnes factory loads, those will do wonders on deer as well. most ammo makers make light grain loads for varmints and heavier grain loads for deer sized game. I think if you are looking for one do all, the .243 is your gun. Look at savage. FF and GM, even wallyworld on line has the savage combo for under 400 bucks with a scope. the gun is a blue barrel with a black syn. stock, but you won't break the bank either. the scope is no Zeiss, but it gets you in the door.....Some people will disagree with this, but the accu trigger is a great trigger. You can adjust the trigger pull yourself and there is no gunsmith needed to drop in an aftermarket trigger. My buddy has a Remington model 7 stainless 243 and Luepold scope that he dropped well over 1000 bucks for the set up and I am still trying to get a load to settle in his gun. He laughed the first time we were at the range at my "Cheap Savage" until I put 3 shots touching. He then tried my Savage with the accu trigger and muttered as he walked away in disgust, "I need a new trigger, mine sux"

Okay, enough typing, my wrists hurt

[Cooter]

I'd get what you want that will serve you best and not worry about ammo prices. Unfortunately, unless you're very good, you aren't gonna get many shots at yotes.