If I have a 243 Winchester do I need a 223 Remington

[OLeveraction]

Sanity check.
My goal is really to have a lever rifle in all the calibers I shoot.
I have a Finnwolf in 243, most accurate rifle I own.

I have Reminton 700 ADL in 223rem accurate if you can get past the 10 pound trigger.

I have shot them both at the 600 yd range and they preformed beyond my skills.

Had a Brain Fart yesterday looking at a box of 58g V-Max 6mm a friend gave me.
58g is only 3 grains more than the 55g 224. Mmmmmm. And the 243 also shoots heavier bullets....
Why do I need the 223, I've thought about the Long Ranger but now...why.

Varminter to Speed Goats in a nice lever rifle.

 

[Bill Norris]

The 243 will do anything the 223 can do but better. Just my Opinion though.

 

[OLeveraction]

Seems so obvious now. I've fretted over this for years and now I feel so free.
What/Why was I not thinking.

I can unload a rifle and the ammo.

 

[std7mag]

And you may get more for the ammo than the rifle right now.

 

[David Milisock]

Sanity check.
My goal is really to have a lever rifle in all the calibers I shoot.
I have a Finnwolf in 243, most accurate rifle I own.

I have Reminton 700 ADL in 223rem accurate if you can get past the 10 pound trigger.

I have shot them both at the 600 yd range and they preformed beyond my skills.

Had a Brain Fart yesterday looking at a box of 58g V-Max 6mm a friend gave me.
58g is only 3 grains more than the 55g 224. Mmmmmm. And the 243 also shoots heavier bullets....
Why do I need the 223, I've thought about the Long Ranger but now...why.

Varminter to Speed Goats in a nice lever rifle.

I use the 223 in situations of shorter range, lower wind and where the report could be an issue.

I don’t have a 243 but I do have a 6mm Remington, it significantly out paces the 223 at longer ranges and in bad weather.

 

[varmintshooter]

I have a couple of each. You should have at least 1 of each if you shoot very much. The 1 thing a 223 barrel will do that a 243 won't is last a long time.

 

[ebb]

Yes you do need a 223

 

[jelenko]

On a more serious note, for questions like this, I find it helpful to also ask - 'why' do I/would I need it?

 

[jackson1]

You can never have to many rifles. For informal range sessions, 2 rifles work well, as one barrel can cool while shooting the other rifle. Sako Finnwolf, very interesting rifle, only seen one or two of them in my life.

 

[mongo chicago]

In short - NO. Get rid of the 223. I have two 6mm rifles. One set up for mid to short ranges (150 to 600) and one set up for long ranges (out to 1,000). I also have a 22 magnum for 100 yards and less. Started out with a 22-250. Then I trans calibered to 6mm and have been extremely happy.

 

[ebb]

I cost way more to load for a 243 than a 223. The range is littered with 223 brass free for the picking up, 243 not so much. Much less powder is needed to make 223s.

 

[ebb]

Check out barrel life on a 243 as compared with a 223.

 

[clams243]

If I was having trouble thinking which way to go 223 or 243 I woild pick 6BR but don't know about lever action availability, 6BR = less powder than 243 longer barrel life and better accuracy... just my 2 cents

 

[OLeveraction]

As a hunting rifle I'd be very lucky to shoot out the barrel on the Finnwolf.
I'll never shoot the 1500-2000 rounds in the few competitions I may use it in during the year.

 

[SecondsCount]

I enjoy shooting 223 but I have some nice rifles chambered for it, and it makes more sense for all the reasons mentioned...cost, recoil, barrel life.

The ADL sounds like it could use some upgrades to make it more fun to shoot.

On edit- I like 6mm, and have a 243 but it sits collecting dust. I like the 6BR and 6X47L better.

 

[10XSHOOTER]

Have a Timney or Trigger Tech trigger put in the .223 set about 1.5 lbs, and go shoot it.

 

[K22]

My first center fire rifle in the late 60's was a Winchester 243 Model 70 equipped with a 3 x 9 Redfield scope. I hunted varmints, foxes, and eastern white tail with this rifle using factory ammo, i.e. 80 grain for varmints and predators, 100 grains for deer.

I never found this rifle / caliber lacking. In fact, using one all purpose rifle had a distinct advantage. I became very familiar with the rifle's capabilities, gained confidence and developed into a excellent field marksman. When I began reloading in 1970, I realized even more improvements in accuracy. There is something to be said for simplicity.

I still have and shoot four 243's and if I was forced to have only one rifle it would be the 243 Win. It can do it all for me if necessary.

However these days I shoot a lot more 223 Rem (bolts) than any other caliber because the 223 Rem is more than adequate where I hunt varmints for the available shot opportunities. I also do a lot of range practice so the 223 Rem with it's longer barrel life fits my needs better these days. There's also the cheaper costs to reload the 223 Rem versus the 243.

The 243 is the consummate all purpose cartridge for the varmint / predator / deer hunter especially if you are on a limited budget. Reloading can also enhance its serviceability.

If you spend a lot of range time a 223 Rem would be a nice addition as a practice rifle and could also served as a medium range varmint / predator rifle.

I like them both. Obviously the 243 has a huge advantage over the 223 Rem for deer size game. However for the last 20 years or so I've used a 308 Win for deer. Not because I ever lost a deer to the 243 Win but I like to have a little extra energy in case I encounter that once in a life time buck which I did in 2007.

 

[drover]

If you are

Sanity check.
My goal is really to have a lever rifle in all the calibers I shoot.
I have a Finnwolf in 243, most accurate rifle I own.

I have Reminton 700 ADL in 223rem accurate if you can get past the 10 pound trigger.

I have shot them both at the 600 yd range and they preformed beyond my skills.

Had a Brain Fart yesterday looking at a box of 58g V-Max 6mm a friend gave me.
58g is only 3 grains more than the 55g 224. Mmmmmm. And the 243 also shoots heavier bullets....
Why do I need the 223, I've thought about the Long Ranger but now...why.

Varminter to Speed Goats in a nice lever rifle.

If you are only going to shoot game animals, the occasional coyote, or rock chuck the 243 will work fine. If you are going to shoot PD's, or plan on some shooting with an extended amount of firing then keep the 223. Recoil on the 243 is minimal for a big game hunting rifle but a day of extended shooting can wear a person down, and is hard on barrels. Barrel life of a 243 is about 1500 rounds, barrel life of a 223 is around 6000 - 8000 rounds.

From a different perspective - keep the 223 because if you sell it this time next year the money will be gone and you will have neither the gun or the money. If you keep the 223 it will be worth more next year and you will still have it should you decide you need something to shoot more economically.

With some careful shopping you can find a replacement trigger for around $100 and solve the trigger issue in the ADL. And as mentioned the 223 is a lot less expensive to shoot and in general more fun for extended shooting.

drover

 

[OLeveraction]

There is a lot to be said for just keeping the ADL, moth balling it and piutting it in the back of the safe for a bright Grandchild to find and ask about. It was always intended as a project rifle.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

The 243 will do anything the 223 can do but better. Just my Opinion though.

Maybe. I have 2 243's, and one 223/556 bolt gun and 2 AR's. The 243 sits in the safe most of the time.. 223 bolt gun goes everywhere with me...