.223 or .243

[joshawa91]

hi, I'm looking at getting a .223 or .243 in a stevens 200. don't know which to get. they're both in the same price range, and i know there has been in the past a shortage of .223, both have barely any recoil. what do you guys think. it will be mostly for longer range shooting (500yrds). dont need a new deer gun, i already have a blr in .30-06.

[jman841]

For distance, .243 in my opinion. For plinking, .223. .243 u can use some heavier grain bullets and the trajectory is pretty much a laser gun with lighter weights.

[ndking1126]

the stevens 200 has a 1-9" twist in .223. This is good for bullets up to 69gr. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but you can shoot 500 yards with the 69'ers if you don't need match-level accuracy.

Cheaper ammo and distance.

[88KEYS]

I agree with the above post.

I have both and the 243 is a great long distance round and you can load light 65 gr. or over 100 gr., mine in Ruger M77 with a trigger replacement shoots dime size groups @100.

[88KEYS]

I agree with Jman.

The other post is correct also 223 is used for High Power @600 yards. I load 77gr. 75,69,68, they say 1-9 will top out at 68-69 grain, 1-8 is 77,75, grain twist.

I have not been shooting long to know, High Power is new to me. It is true 223 cost would be much lower even if hand loads. I just like the power of the 243 for a light gun it has some real power. I bought my son one also hoped he would go hunting with me, no luck. He lives Soccer! Plays year round and it cost me more then if he was shooting, hey thats what he wants.

You can not go wrong with either both good rounds.

[DiscoRacing]

i have two .223... no .243... and i shoot my 700vlss a lil over 400yds right now....which is as far as our two hilltops are apart

[crghss]

Save on the cost of ammo. If you're just punching paper the paper won't know. I don't really see any advantage over the .223 by the .243.

[joshawa91]

ok, thanks. any info on the rifle?

[emcon5]

The other post is correct also 223 is used for High Power @600 yards. I load 77gr. 75,69,68, they say 1-9 will top out at 68-69 grain, 1-8 is 77,75, grain twist.

For what it's worth, the I have a 1-9 twist barrel that shoots Hornady 75 grain AMAX bullets very well. It does seem than anecdotally, it could go either way on that though, some people say it works fine, others insist it doesn't.

The .243 will let you shoot heavier bullets with a higher BC faster, but at the cost of higher component costs, (~20gr more powder per load, just under 2X the powder charge per round, 6mm bullets cost a little more than .224, brass is more expensive), higher recoil, and likely shorter barrel life. If you are buying ammunition rather than handloading, be prepared to squeal like a pig with decent quality .243 ammo.

[crghss]

any info on the rifle?

Thought you where set on rifle. But since you ask the stock is reprehensible. I couldn't believe someone would sell something like that. Looks like the little 1" high plastic toy soldier I got in 25 pack as a kid. :barf:

I've thought about getting one and maybe putting another stock on it. Since the gun is so cheap and from what I've read they're very accurate.

But hey, if it saves you money to use for other things and you don't mind then fine. To each his own.

[ndking1126]

I recently bought a Stevens 200 in .223. Came with the tan stock. The tan stock is much more tolerable in appearance, IMO. The rifle is pillar bedded from the factory. The front end is flimsy and can be bent with your hand. All in all, plan on replacing the stock if you are looking for accuracy. Having said that, it's nicer than I thought it was going to be and therefore I pushed that down on the list of upgrades. I started by installing a Rifle Basix trigger, set at about 2 lbs. For the money, it's a decent rifle. I'm happy with my purchase.

Having said that, unless you just have a love of tinkering (which I do), I would recommend you consider the 12fv or 10fp by Savage. For around 2x the cost, you get a rifle that is basically ready to go out of the box. To upgrade the Stevens to the same specs will cost more than just buying the Savage to start with, depending on which heavy barrel you choose to replace the sporter that comes on the Stevens.