22-250 and 243 for "small" plains game

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DelRock83

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Hello everyone hope everyone is doing well I was just thinking about a scenario whereas I was talking to my wife about joining me on a plains game hunt...she is a beginner hunter and I bought her a rifle chambered in 243 Winchester but myself also own a rifle chambered in 22-250 I know the calibers may be marginal for anything maybe bigger than impala and she said she would be more than happy to take any of the canines (jackal or spotted hyena) because she just wants the experience of african hunting, she's a little twitchy when it comes to anything bigger than a 270 Winchester....what are you guys opinion on 22-250 or 243 for animals up to springbok or hyena max, or do we approach it like coyote hunting here in America
 
I would say no to the 22-250. The small antelopes like Steinbok you would tear them in half. Impala would be marginal. The .243 would work. As far as Hyena, no to both. That is a top tier predator and 150 pounds of solid muscle. Respect them.
 
Use the right 100 gr bullets and limited her to medium antelope and smaller antelope and i think you’ll be fine with 243. I would not consider using a 243 on a hyena as a trophy. Males are smaller than females, but a big female hyena is big and very solidly built. My largest I’d put every bit of 250 lbs of muscle.
 
DelRock83 said:
Hello everyone hope everyone is doing well I was just thinking about a scenario whereas I was talking to my wife about joining me on a plains game hunt...she is a beginner hunter and I bought her a rifle chambered in 243 Winchester but myself also own a rifle chambered in 22-250 I know the calibers may be marginal for anything maybe bigger than impala and she said she would be more than happy to take any of the canines (jackal or spotted hyena) because she just wants the experience of african hunting, she's a little twitchy when it comes to anything bigger than a 270 Winchester....what are you guys opinion on 22-250 or 243 for animals up to springbok or hyena max, or do we approach it like coyote hunting here in America
Click to expand...

Use heavy FMJ bullets so you don't rip the tiny-10 in half from the gas bubble around the bullet. A .22 Hornet is ideal so I'd try to load those rifles to achieve that lethargic KE and I'd use non-expanding bullets.
 
375er said:
I would say no to the 22-250. The small antelopes like Steinbok you would tear them in half. Impala would be marginal. The .243 would work. As far as Hyena, no to both. That is a top tier predator and 150 pounds of solid muscle. Respect them.
Click to expand...
A lot depends on the bullet choice. Barnes bullets in a 22-250 might be a good choice on small antelope. The make tiny holes in everything I shoot with 223 Rem but still impart a lot of energy compared to a FMJ.
 
I have used a wonderful 22-250 for decades on varmits and long distance ground squirrels wearing out a couple barrels in the process. But vote no on small antelope. If she is recoil shy you might consider a 25/06
 
I have used a .22-250 for the following animals, Steenbok, Reedbuck, Red Lechwe, Warthog, and
Tsessebe

Just shoot behind the shoulder, they will drop.

Can´t say what bullet as they were reloads from my outfitter.

Not for a hyaena, I used a .270 for that.

I did use a .243 on a Duiker, and made a mess of it, almost blown in half, I guess it just depends on the bullet used.
 
Some suggestions here are illegal calibers for certain game......why would one want to use an illegal caliber?

Sell the 243 and buy a 7x57mm or a 7mm-08
 
The standard twist for the 22/250 can't handle a heavy enough bullet. A custom fast twist barrel would be needed but still can't perform up to 243. The 22-250 peters out at 90 grains with same velocity as 243 by Hodgdon data, but the 243 can go to 115 grains at 2800 fps. Go 7mm and have room to spare.
 
DelRock83 said:
Hello everyone hope everyone is doing well I was just thinking about a scenario whereas I was talking to my wife about joining me on a plains game hunt...she is a beginner hunter and I bought her a rifle chambered in 243 Winchester but myself also own a rifle chambered in 22-250 I know the calibers may be marginal for anything maybe bigger than impala and she said she would be more than happy to take any of the canines (jackal or spotted hyena) because she just wants the experience of african hunting, she's a little twitchy when it comes to anything bigger than a 270 Winchester....what are you guys opinion on 22-250 or 243 for animals up to springbok or hyena max, or do we approach it like coyote hunting here in America
Click to expand...
Think about a 6.5x55 , 7mm/08 0r 7x57 light recoil & enough power.
 
I’m no expert here. Having seen the internals of impala, warthog, steenbok, duiker, blesbok, and springbok though I have my opinion which is worth what you paid for it. I’d load up a .243 with a good Barnes bullet and go have fun. I wouldn’t hesitate to take any of the medium antelope or small ones like steenbok with a Barnes bullet in a .243 win. Another option is look to buy her a 6.5 creed or a 7/08 rem. Or even a 7x57 if you would feel more comfortable. Even better yet through a suppressor on any of the above mentioned and enjoy.

My next trip over I’m taking a .223 rem. Loaded with 63gr hammers for shooting smaller sized antelope like steenbok and duiker and .300 win mag for the bigger stuff.
 
My wife's deer rifle is a .243 and she loves it.
She hunted with a 30-06 while in Africa but the recoil was a bit much for her.

I have hunted with a 22-250 from everything from chipmunks (yes chipmunks!) to groundhogs but nothing bigger. I suppose I could kill a deer with it but wouldn't due to concern about energy.

Err on the side of a round that suits your wife recoil-wise AND you can get in a rural USA hardware store or in a shop in a foreign country.

Between the two I would say it's .243 hands down.
 
Not all about energy. Bullet construction is key.
Quite a few guys using 223s here in NZ on deer. Some using Hammer projectiles and they work very well.
55gr soft points the general but 64gr winchesters and up to the 70+gr eldm etc.
Wouldn't have a problem on appropriate deer type animals but still a bit iffy on something like a hyena from what most of you are saying.
 
I’ve used .243 on several safaris and killed PG up to Roan. Barnes TTSX bullets. I also brought a .375H&H for a Hippo on my last Safari.

I have a .22-250 and may bring it to hunt more Tiny zen and small cats…

NIGHTHAWK

Thread 'SOUTH AFRICA: Waterberg SA Safari - Progress'

I’ll try to make this more up to date than previous posts. This being my 5th or 6th safari to hunt with Boseveld Jacobs Safari and my old friend Riaan Jocobs I’ve lost count. Several animals on the list: to include, Hippo, Roan, small cats, Lechwe, remaining Tiny Ten, any interesting warthogs, and whatever else presents in the way of old mature animals that I’ve not hunted. The goal is to hunt a Hippo on land and maybe another buffalo, depending on the circumstance. I think I’m in country for 14 days… Nice thing about Riaan is if he hears about something special or interesting, we’ll pack...
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I would go with the 243 hands down.

When you talk to your outfitter, see what rifles they offer you to rent and if they have a suppressor on them. That suppressor not only makes it easier on the ears but also acts like a muzzle brake to reduce recoil.

Then if she gets interested on something larger she may have access to a larger caliber for the animal.
 
Another .243 Safari:

NIGHTHAWK

Thread 'SOUTH AFRICA: .243 On Safari In The Waterberg Mountains!'

I Booked this trip in January this year at Vegas SCI after my dear friend Steve (he’s in his 70’s) showed interest and finalized it after confirming a New Zealand hunt was not available (at the time) for this year. Side note: most of the NZ outfitters that were there had US reps in their booths and were noncommittal for this year.

Having hunted 3 times in SA with two other outfitters, and hunting most of my desired animals over these previous trips, I honestly had no great desire to go back before I hunted other countries/continents. The exception would be that I knew I would once again...
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I would think the .22-250 is small for use on game. I have the .22-250, .243 and 7mm-08.
The 7mm-08 and similar are light recoiling but you own a .243
Maybe hire or take the .243 choice is yours.
I had no idea how big a Hyena is
 
CBH Australia said:
I had no idea how big a Hyena is
Click to expand...

I've watched a couple of TIA shows where they are hunting hyenas and they are using 7mm Rem mags and up on them
 
I wouldn’t be afraid to take a Hyena with a .243. Practice, practice, practice. Off sticks too!
 
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