243 vs 223 vs 270

[thewhitebuffalo83]

Hey guys. I had another question and I am short on time. My Dad has found a rem. 770 in 243 for $200, He wants a bolt for my Mom and Sister to shoot. I am trying to talk him into spending some more money and buy a 223 bolt instead since he already has an AR and he wont have to add another caliber to his inventory. I realize that is a good deal on the 770 but what are the differences between 223 and 243? any help would be greatly appreciate.

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[DieselScout]

Hey guys. I had another question and I am short on time. My Dad has found a rem. 770 in 243 for $200, He wants a bolt for my Mom and Sister to shoot. I am trying to talk him into spending some more money and buy a 223 bolt instead since he already has an AR and he wont have to add another caliber to his inventory. I realize that is a good deal on the 770 but what are the differences between 223 and 243? any help would be greatly appreciate.

Punching paper or something else
Personally i would go for the .243. I am not a huge .223 fan. Does he handload? Also he may want to look into the 770, reviews can be mixed.

 

[Otter]

I think there is a huge difference. Recoil of a .243 is about twice that of the .223, so while not hard on the shoulder, it will wear on you after a while. I can shoot a .223 all day. Not so much with a .243.

Cost of ammo is going to be a lot more with the .243, unless you hand load. Even then the .243 is going to burn almost twice the powder.

The .243 is hard on barrels, as it is an over-bore caliber similar to the .22-250 and 7mm Mag. The only way I would by a .243 is it I planned to hunt deer with it. The recoil and noise are just too much for my liking as a varmint or target rifle. That is a heck of a good price though.

 

[Mark W.]

The difference is simple

with a 55 gr bullet the .223 will do 3100-3200fps

with a 55gr bullet the .243 will do 3900-4000fps

the average .223 will throw a 70gr slug accurately based on the twist used in most barrels

the average .243 will throw a 100gr slug accurately based on the twist used in most barrels

With my .243 using Varget powder and a 55 gr Nosler Ballistic tip bullet I am getting just under 4000fps with my rifle sighted in at 100 yards I get 5-6" of drop out to 500 yards That is about as flat a shooting as you can get.

The .243 has taken many many deer the .223 would be the absolute bare min on Blacktail.

The .243 is only hard on barrels if you run it flat out all the time. You can easily load the .243 down to close to the spec's of a .223 But you can't load a .223 up to the performance of a .243.

IHMO

 

[DEADTIME]

The 243 is so freaking sweet! It's not just a minor size difference over the 223 it's a whole different beast. The 243 started life as a wildcat round meaning non standardized home brew, it gained popularity with usmc snipers in Vietnam because it shot hot and flat.

I have a 243 Remington 700 that has been set up like my fathers rifle he used in Vietnam, it's simply the most usefull and easy to shoot rifle I have. I'd take a 243 over a 223 any day of any week.

 

[mjbskwim]

Northwest?

223 is not legal for hunting deer in Washington,if that was it's intended use.

 

[DieselScout]

Northwest?

223 is not legal for hunting deer in Washington,if that was it's intended use.

It is legal in Oregon, but I personally would never do it. I'd like something with a bit more punch down range. Heck, I can't even find a hunting load for my .22-250 that I am happy with.

 

[mjbskwim]

It is legal in Oregon, but I personally would never do it. I'd like something with a bit more punch down range. Heck, I can't even find a hunting load for my .22-250 that I am happy with.

All three are going fast enough as to destroy a heart,if you make a perfect hart shot,no bone.
I have a 270 as to make sure,but I throw sticks at deer.

 

[DieselScout]

All three are going fast enough as to destroy a heart,if you make a perfect hart shot,no bone.
I have a 270 as to make sure,but I throw sticks at deer.

I know it's got the speed, I just don't think I've got the talent. Besides, what's my .30-06 for anyway

 

[2506]

The 243 is so freaking sweet! It's not just a minor size difference over the 223 it's a whole different beast. The 243 started life as a wildcat round meaning non standardized home brew, it gained popularity with usmc snipers in Vietnam because it shot hot and flat.

I have a 243 Remington 700 that has been set up like my fathers rifle he used in Vietnam, it's simply the most usefull and easy to shoot rifle I have. I'd take a 243 over a 223 any day of any week.

JUst to add my $0.02, the 244 is even sweeter!

 

[motoman98]

All boils down to: What are you using it for? If a shtf gun, then he only wants one caliber to stock, no question: .223.
For ANYTHING else the .243 far outshines the .223.

 

[Biggreendiesel]

With my .243 using Varget powder and a 55 gr Nosler Ballistic tip bullet I am getting just under 4000fps with my rifle sighted in at 100 yards I get 5-6" of drop out to 500 yards That is about as flat a shooting as you can get.


IHMO

Uh, no. I assume this is a typo, because your estimate of 5-6" of drop at 500 with a 100 yard zero is absolutely wrong.. A 55 grain projectile leaving the muzzle at 4000FPS with a 100 yard zero, would be approximately 59.4" low at 500. That is 5 FEET, not 5 inches..
That being said, I would vote for the 243 if it is intended for hunting, 223 for plinking, or varminting.

 

[nitestocker]

the 243 is a necked down 308 like the 2506 and the 270 280 are necked down 3006 the 243 is a better round for hunting period compared to the 223 and for 200 dollars if he gets the 223 let me know where to get the 243

 

[thewhitebuffalo83]

Thanks for all the info guys. I am trying to aelp my dad make a good informed decision. His purpose for this rifle is basically if my mom or sister(23) wants to shot a bolt gun then he has another option over his mossberg 30-06. He doesn't reload and he knows about he cost of ammo. This is just going to be a plinker target rifle for my mom and sister. also I am going throw another wrench in the mix. I have a friend who just offered up a 770 in 270 for $200? so how about 223 vs 243 vs 270 for my dads intended purpose?

 

[mjbskwim]

The 270 will have about the same..............trajectory (big word before coffee!) as the other 2 but will carry more energy down range.243 may be a little flatter,but the 270 will take elk at greater distances than the 243
Not a popular elk gun,I guess but adequate.The 223 and 243 not being much for elk

(waiting for the "I've taken elk at 274345 yards with a 243,and a 223")

 

[Mark W.]

Uh, no. I assume this is a typo, because your estimate of 5-6" of drop at 500 with a 100 yard zero is absolutely wrong.. A 55 grain projectile leaving the muzzle at 4000FPS with a 100 yard zero, would be approximately 59.4" low at 500. That is 5 FEET, not 5 inches..
That being said, I would vote for the 243 if it is intended for hunting, 223 for plinking, or varminting.

Yep your correct I should have typed 300 yards not 500. As the drop is -5.8" with a 100 yard zero at 500 yards it is -29.2"

 

[DieselScout]

Thanks for all the info guys. I am trying to aelp my dad make a good informed decision. His purpose for this rifle is basically if my mom or sister(23) wants to shot a bolt gun then he has another option over his mossberg 30-06. He doesn't reload and he knows about he cost of ammo. This is just going to be a plinker target rifle for my mom and sister. also I am going throw another wrench in the mix. I have a friend who just offered up a 770 in 270 for $200? so how about 223 vs 243 vs 270 for my dads intended purpose?

For your Dad purpose I'd still take the .243. Even if I thought I may hunt with it I'd take the .243. But then again, I've got other hunting rifles and a .270 isn't drastically different from what I've got.

Punching paper, for 200 bucks to train some people who to shoot a bolt action.....the .243 is still the winner.

 

[thewhitebuffalo83]

He has decided to stick with the 770 in 243. Thanks for all the help, I relied all your great advice and info back to him and he feels comfortable with his decision. Thanks again this is a great community.