22-250 and 243 for "small" plains game

[DelRock83]

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

 

[375er]

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.

 

[375Fox]

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.

 

[rookhawk]

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

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.

 

[375Fox]

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.

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.

 

[375er]

Since a .243 is on the table I would toss the 22-250. The .243 would work. Since you mentioned she can shoot a .270 I think that is best answer. As @375Fox and @rookhawk mentioned bullet choice is key no matter what you choose. Heavy for caliber tough bullets get the nod always.

 

[Happy Myles]

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

 

[Nyati]

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.

 

[IvW]

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

 

[DrBob]

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.

 

[rdog]

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

Think about a 6.5x55 , 7mm/08 0r 7x57 light recoil & enough power.

 

[Elkeater]

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.

 

[BigSteve57]

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.