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Post by wilmsmeyer on Feb 13, 2011 7:57:25 GMT -5
Been considering a new center fire rifle rifle. We may go to rifles next year in my zone. I already have a .243 but it is cumbersome with it's beefy laminated stock and 26" bull barrel.
I am looking for something lighter with a shorter barrel. Caliber wise I am fine with the .243 and may stick with it since I have tons of brass and reloading accessories already. A nice shortened .243 with a normal thickness barrel would be great
Other choices on my mind are 6.5 Swede, 260 Rem, 7mm-08 and 25-06. Prefer a shorter cartridge so the 25-06 may be out. Not a decision I will make soon. I do not want an ultra-thin barrel
One of my friends acquired a Tikka 7mm-08 last year that seemed perfect in size and it shoots very well.
After shooting mighty loads in the Savage, it was weird shooting his 7mm-08...which kicked about the same as my .243 it seemed.
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Post by mountainam on Feb 13, 2011 9:23:51 GMT -5
All great choices. the 6.5 Swede is a great workhorse that kills a lot better than one would think looking at the re-loading data for it. They limit the pressures to 45,000 cup's for fear that it will be shot in an old '93 Mauser. I got to set one up for a friend in a CZ and was amazed at the accuracy. As good as any of my .22CF Varmint rifles. If you reload to 52,000 CUP's the rifle won't know what cartridge is in there and performance will kick tail on both the .260 Rem and 25/06. The only problem is that the Swede requires an '06 length action.One of the Mfr's is making a rifle in 6.5 Creedmore that I don't recall and it has some great science behind it and fits a short action. But if you're satisfied with your .243 then I'd say try a Rem mod 7. Also Remington is making this year's Classic 700 in 6mm Rem--My all-time favorite. Good Luck on your decision.
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Post by ozark on Feb 13, 2011 11:17:11 GMT -5
I am locked for life with my .243 but I am getting raves about the .260. A friend of mine gets a new rifle and a new girlfriend every year. He says the .260 is his choice for the rest of his life. He took a seven point buck with a perfect hit at just over 200 yards. But, he claims that each new girlfriend is the greatest also. Ben
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Post by dans on Feb 13, 2011 11:34:47 GMT -5
Savage has a new lightweight hunter out now in some of the calibers you mentioned. I beleive I would handle one of those before making my purchase.
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Post by youp50 on Feb 13, 2011 16:59:03 GMT -5
Sometime ago I was flipping back and forth between the 7-08 and the 260. I had told the man to order a 260 and that night I changed my mind and called in the morning to change to the 7 mm. I load most of my own stuff, but the flat out availability of commercial 7-08 fodder shifted my choice. The logic(?) went like this, if I manage to lose my ammo on an out of the area hunt, it is easier to find some 7-08 than the 260. Half the cost, too.
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Post by whyohe on Feb 13, 2011 17:25:43 GMT -5
wilms, what kind of distances will you be shooting? if you want a light small gun why not go with a lever action. or maybe even a single shot?
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Post by wilmsmeyer on Feb 13, 2011 19:38:48 GMT -5
Whyohe,
No lever gun for me. I want something for everything from 20 - 300+ yds in one package....
But the lever guns do offer a lot...especially with the new ammo out there.
I want a bolt
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Post by deadeye on Feb 14, 2011 8:18:50 GMT -5
have you ruled the .308 out?
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Post by pposey on Feb 14, 2011 9:51:31 GMT -5
I have 2 stevens 200's in 7mm-08,,, all the gun you need and both shoot very very well,,, If you are a accutrigger fan a different savage like the new light weight,,
the 7mm-08 will do anything a .243 will, and has a better bigger bullet capacity for larger tougher critters if needed
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Post by petev on Feb 14, 2011 14:12:11 GMT -5
Tikka has a great name. CZ is in high regard, but you have to be OK with a little heavier gun with a fuller stock, and Savage is now again respected in the bolt actions. On an all-round deer gun I like a 22" barrel. 308, 243 and 7mm-08 are all good, I just happen to like 308, and got it before I knew about the 7mm-08. What an accurate group of guns those 3 are! 308 will kill completely and accurately out to 500+yards. I can only attest to a DRT at 300 yards with one.
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Post by whyohe on Feb 14, 2011 16:49:49 GMT -5
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Post by wilmsmeyer on Feb 14, 2011 19:05:43 GMT -5
No...haven't ruled out a .308. Not sure I want a single shot....don't know enough about them. I like the way a bolt gun has a barrel that is screwed into the receiver and "bedable". Maybe a Ruger #1 is different...don't know.
Owned a couple of bolt guns and was very comfortable with them....they have all shot well.
Leaning for another .243 I think. I can't imagine why it wouldn't be totally adequate for deer with 100 gr partitions (Even the 85's).
Nothing wrong with any of the other choices....I'm just completely set up to reload for the .243.
Beware the man with one gun!
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Post by tcmech on Feb 14, 2011 19:07:01 GMT -5
I'm not sure where you are but if all you intend to hunt is whitetails and smaller a 243 is plenty of gun.
I think that anything on the 308 case is probably a good choice. The 308, 7-08, 260 Rem and the 243 are all good deer cartridges. I am kind of torn between 260 and 7-08 for my next rifle. That's probably a few years down the road though.
I personally use a savage 110 in 243 most of the time.
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Post by mdgroundhogger on Feb 14, 2011 22:55:54 GMT -5
If you check out my recent post Ive done alot of searching recently and I am choosing the 7-08. The sheer accuracy potential along with the killing power made my decision (already reloading for the 7Mag didn't hurt either). Im leaning toward the Savage Model 14 in 7mm-08. Check out this link sed88.tripod.com/rem7/compare.html . I also own a 6mm Remington and many other varmint type cartridges. That 6 is pretty good too. Not that Im a big metric nut...it just kindof worked out that way!! ;D
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Post by 153 on Feb 15, 2011 13:39:50 GMT -5
Wilms I have a Tikka SS Lite in 243. Lightwieght and the most accurate gun I own. I have tried five factory loads Federal 95 Fusion, Fed 85HPBT, Win 95 BST, Win 100PP and Fed 100 all shot MOA. With my handload with 85 HPBT Gameking over 44gr of H4350 or 44gr of 100V the Tikka will shot 1/2MOA. I have a BAR 06 and an A-Bolt in 270 but find myself using the Tikka more and more. This is the only gun I have that has not been to a gunsmith, the trigger was great out of the box and the action is silkly smooth. Not the prettiest gun I have but if I had to place a shot at 300 yards this would be the gun I pick up. Don't have my best scope on this gun but this may change soon as it now wears a 10 year old Burris 3x9x40 Signature.
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Post by whyohe on Feb 15, 2011 19:44:49 GMT -5
the only reason i recomend a single shot is cause they fit what you are looking for. they are short but not nessiarilly light. varries from model to model.
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Post by petev on Feb 15, 2011 19:52:03 GMT -5
I've intended for the longest time to run a poll and see which of the three- 243, 7mm-08 and 308 is more popular, but haven't gotten around to it. It seems like a pretty close race on this thread. Some of the attraction of the 7mm-08 may be it's newness, although I'm not decrying it, I have never even shot one. But, sometimes the 308 owners seem to be a quiet bunch- many people own and use them, and they are their go-to gun, but they just don't seem to say much about it. That's my impression anyway. The local gun store here says 308 is slowly slipping in popularity, and they only want to carry one or two of them. The last poll I read somewhere had 30-06 as #1, I think 270 as #2 or 3, and 308 as #4. Wilms, alot of these same discussions and comparisons came up in the "Best DRT bullets" thread I ran a few months ago. 25-06 is steadily gaining in popularity. On that thread 7mm of different types kept coming up. If you want a carry gun- short and good handling the Remington 7600 pumps are real good, and the short model 7 carbine bolt, Browning BAR, as well as lever actions. For close range I like 35 Rem., and many still use 30-30. I am convinced these 2, and 44 mag,. knockdown quicker and destroy less meat than the high velocity rounds. This is in my experience anyway.
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Post by wilmsmeyer on Feb 15, 2011 20:28:23 GMT -5
One thing about comparing a 7-08 to a 7mm Mag.....or a 260 Rem to a 264 Mag... I never get these comparisons? ? They shoot the same bullets at different speeds. Yes, A deer hit at 500 yds with a 7mm mag will be hit with slightly more speed as a deer hit with a 7-08 at the same range.. But a deer hit at 100 yds with the same bullet from a 7-08 will be hit harder then a deer hit with a 7mm mag at 300 yd. Yet this big magnum gets all the attention as a boomer. There isn't a bunch of real world difference between the 2 to justify the 7mm mag IMO.. I guess it just matters how far you want to shoot. In the woods or at feild edges, I can't imagine getting steady enough to shoot past 300 yds at most...and then it doesn't matter if you are shooting a 7-08 or a 7mm mag....or similar comparison between mild or magnum.
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Post by mountainam on Feb 16, 2011 7:56:34 GMT -5
Wilms, You are absolutely correct. Too many guys choose a caliber for that once in a lifetime shot on a once in a lifetime hunt instead of a workhorse. The evolution of cartridge ammo has brought us to smaller lighter calibers that will do the work of larger ones. My longest shot with my 6mm Rem on a white-tail was lasered at 321yds and I have no doubt that it could do it's job at an additional 80yds. After that it's beyond MY personal skill level. A lot of guys choose calibers for deer with more power to take the place of more SKILL. The .243; .260;7mm/08 and .308 have the same powder charge. So there's no way that a .308 or 7mm/08 will shoot as smooth as your .243. Also the smaller the caliber the less expensive the bullets. More shots for less money translate into more shooting and proficiency with the rifle. No sense overthinking it if you already have the equipment. Good luck on your choice.
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Post by ozark on Feb 16, 2011 12:35:10 GMT -5
I am following this thread with interest because there is much technical knowledge seasoned with common sense. I have been reading and listening about the pros and cons of the various calibers for many years. This led me to buy most all the calibers mentioned. I don't keep a closet full of rifles and when I have bought a new rifle I sold or give away what the new one was replacing. My latest purchase was a .243 Savage with the accu trigger. That was a few years ago. The rifle sold itself to me. It has enough recoil to let me know It does have power but recoil is soft and mild. Accuracy is fantastic. It has killed several deer from close in out to a little over 200 yards. It is a pleasure to find the entrance hole exactly where I called the shot. Many calibers equals the .243 in killing power but I haven't found any that performed equal overall. I don't shoot and wonder where I hit. I see the crosshair position at ignition and that is where I find the bullet hole. It is a confidence buiilding pleasure to shoot and suits me to a T. I have had several deer drop instantly and also have had several make a dying run of between 30 and 70 yards. I have experienced the same results with several calibers. Wilms, my vote if for the TWO FORTY THREE.
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Post by deadon on Feb 16, 2011 12:46:15 GMT -5
Trust me,You will end up with a 243 someday anyway so why waste time . the longer you own it the quicker it will become a part of you. "Beware of the man with one gun"
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Post by petev on Feb 16, 2011 14:30:30 GMT -5
Wilms, when comparing rifle calibers, I have learned to steer away from the book knowledge information, ballistic tables, etc. and go with what people are reporting from field experience. Otherwise the 50 cal T/C Hawken, 30-30, and maybe a 243 (?), never would have made it in popularity. Along with what mountainam said, I really never got into the magnums for deer hunting. The extra power seems unnecessary, and the ammo costs more. I will differ in one respect, I think ammo for a 308 and 243 costs about the same. I dont know for 7mm-08. A box of Winchester powerpoints 150 gr., for 308 costs $20. I have killed 3 deer with that bullet from 35 yds to 300 yards. It also allows the option of using a gun I am already familiar with for other hunting- moose, elk, caribou, if I should want to do that.
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Post by Rifleman on Feb 16, 2011 16:21:19 GMT -5
I have been giving seious thought to a 243 myself for sometime now just because of the recoil factor. However I have noticed folks keep mentioning ammo cost. For practice ammo a rifle in .223,308, or 30-06 makes sense because with a sharp eye one can still find very accurate, mil- surplus ammo sometimes even match grade for quite a bit cheaper then even .243 hunting ammo. Last time I looked Wal Mart was selling 243 for 18 bucks a box. At the gun shows sometimes you can still find 308 or 30-06 Lake City match for anywhere from 10 to 15 bucks a box. The brass is very good for reloading too as it is thicker Mil spec stuff. You even save a penny or two on powder cost when you reload it as the reduced case capacity will allow you to reach same velocitys with a reduction on powder charge. Ball ammo can be found even cheaper then that. It is nice to be able to go to the range and fire 100 rds and not feel like you are breaking the bank and not burning up reloads that you spent hrs on and loaded with expensive bullets. Let'er Rip , the practice will do you good.
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Post by boarhog on Feb 19, 2011 13:29:32 GMT -5
I have a 7mm Rem mag Mark X Mauser, that I bought some 30 years ago. With it, I've harvested well over 100 deer, and an uncounted number of hogs. Oddly, the longest shot I can remember with this rifle, was probably not much over 150 yards. When I bought the 257 Roberts Rem 700 Mountain Rifle, and the Ruger 44 mag Carbine (both stolen out of my truck 4 years ago), the 7 Mag has been mostly retired to the gun safe. The last 2 years, all of my Modern Gun hunting has been done with a 7mm-08 Savage Mod 10. Very light weight and handy, and I've made my two longest shots with it. A doe last year at 285 yds, and a hog this year at a bit over 250 yds. I still lust after another Rem Mountain Rifle, but I think I'm leaning toward 260 Rem, or another 7mm-08. Both make better short action rounds than 257 Roberts. Trouble is,,,,, I want em all!! The Bride doesn't understand this, but I must have a 243 also! Boarhog
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Post by petev on Feb 20, 2011 23:29:46 GMT -5
Gander Mountain is having its winter sale until Feb 26. Rifle Tikka is reduced I think $100, etc.
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Post by Rifleman on Feb 21, 2011 5:19:16 GMT -5
I was thinking of a cooper in 243, anybody own a cooper rifle?
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Post by mdgroundhogger on Feb 21, 2011 11:57:47 GMT -5
Gander Mountain is having its winter sale until Feb 26. Rifle Tikka is reduced I think $100, etc. The sale is $75 off Tikkas and $100 off Brownings. The sale only applies to in stock items, though. Those guns @ gander mountain are already overpriced anyway.
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Post by Rifleman on Feb 21, 2011 15:59:15 GMT -5
I saw on another forum a guy claiming a .243 made a good target round for 1000 yd shooting. Now I know they can make 223''s shoot at the 1000 with long for caliber high BC bullets fired from very fast twist barrels. But in my mind it is just a hat trick and of no real use other then to allow one to shoot the AR-15 in Service rifle competition at the 1000 yd line. I would think they are doing the same thing for shooting the .243 in F class competition. I was wondering though if maybe they had figured out to keep the .243 super sonic all the way to the 1000 yd line. The problem with a 308 is that with most standard match ammo like Lake City 173 gr or Fed Match 168 gr is that it goes sub sonic somewhere around 900 yds and gets kinda hinky. On the right day you can stack them in there, but on other days it can be very frustrating. Anyway I was wondering if anyone had any info on shooting the 243 all the way to the 1000 ?
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Post by mike3132 on Feb 21, 2011 17:42:36 GMT -5
Take a good look a the 6.5 or 260 Rem. Very hard to beat the ballistics of this round for long distance, plus its based on the .308 family of cartridges. Mike
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Post by Rifleman on Feb 22, 2011 5:33:14 GMT -5
Sure Mike, no doubt they are superior, but I was wondering about the .243 and what guys were doing with that round. The 243 has some advantages over the 260's, namely cheaper ammo for the non reloader and also some very light bullets going really fast for varmints. But every round has it's strong points and weak points. I just thought it was interesting to see what the guys knew about the 243 pressed to its limits on that end of the scale.
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