New Long Range Caliber?

[top hat 45]

try to stay with 1-8 twist. my 243 ai is 1-9 and doesnt like anything over 95 gr. at 2900 fps. the 1-8 will let you stabilize to 115 gr.

 

[Fyjimo]

How about a 7MM Mag? Very good round and flat shooting.

 

[sgreen3]

I'm sure you can find ballistic charts to go either way, as both are excellent options. The reloading and components are non issues for me. Another thing for me is I have 3 260's and I have so many rounds down range with one I can figure dope on the fly (I have never used a calculator) and I'm very close. For me I feel the 260 is more forgiving, but I will admit I've only got 1000-1500 rds of 243 under my belt, so with more time behind one I might like the 243 just as well.

Ah I got ya. Well I reload as well so either way I will be fine as far as ammo goes. Its like mentioned just picking out the cal I want more I guess. Since this will be probably my last high end rifle build/purchase for a while I want it to be a good one. So Vette since youve shot both how would you compaire recoil of the two calibers 260 Vs. 243?

 

[sgreen3]

How about a 7MM Mag? Very good round and flat shooting.

Very good cartridge but a little more recoil in that one than I want, lol

 

[42769vette]

Ah I got ya. Well I reload as well so either way I will be fine as far as ammo goes. Its like mentioned just picking out the cal I want more I guess. Since this will be probably my last high end rifle build/purchase for a while I want it to be a good one. So Vette since youve shot both how would you compaire recoil of the two calibers 260 Vs. 243?

The 260 defintally has more recoil, but its no where near a hindrance, espicailly on a heavy target rifle. Either option will be a lot less recoil than a 308.

To put it in numbers, if a light weight 338 is a #10, and a 22lr is a #0. I would call a 243 a #3, and a 260 a #4. A 308 would be about a #6.

Im not sure where Scottsburg is, but if you want to shoot a 260 just let me know.

 

[sgreen3]

Good deal thanks buddy. Im about 30 miles north of Louisville Ky. From all the reading Ive done an the stuff you guys have told me I may just have to go with the 243. It seems to be right on with what Im wanting the rifle to do. But yes Id love to shoot a 260 to see.

Im kinda looking at the Savage Model: 12 Long Range Precision in 243. Would this be a good platform to go off of for starters you think? I know the twist rate is not completley ideal for the heavier bullets but would it be effective out to 1k for punching paper. Or should I go a different route?

 

[42769vette]

Good deal thanks buddy. Im about 30 miles north of Louisville Ky. From all the reading Ive done an the stuff you guys have told me I may just have to go with the 243. It seems to be right on with what Im wanting the rifle to do. But yes Id love to shoot a 260 to see.

Im kinda looking at the Savage Model: 12 Long Range Precision in 243. Would this be a good platform to go off of for starters you think? I know the twist rate is not completley ideal for the heavier bullets but would it be effective out to 1k for punching paper. Or should I go a different route?

I would probably start with a stevens 200 (or other savage), and screw on a barrel that is exactly like you want.

 

[avboiler11]

IMO

If you're gonna go with the 12LRP (its a fine rifle), get a 6.5 Creedmoor or 260.

 

[sgreen3]

I would probably start with a stevens 200 (or other savage), and screw on a barrel that is exactly like you want.

Yea that would be the way to go for sure! But those Steven's rifles are getting pretty tough to find from what Ive seen.

 

[sgreen3]

IMO

If you're gonna go with the 12LRP (its a fine rifle), get a 6.5 Creedmoor or 260.

You think so... You wouldnt go with the 243 in it? Im assuming due to the twist rate?

 

[avboiler11]

Yea that would be the way to go for sure! But those Steven's rifles are getting pretty tough to find from what Ive seen.

There's one for sale in the INGO classifieds with a Choate Tactical stock...save me from myself and buy it

You think so... You wouldnt go with the 243 in it? Im assuming due to the twist rate?

Yes, due to the twist rate. It should work with 105gr Hornady A-max/HPBT or 107gr SMKs, but is kinda marginal if you look at stability. 105gr Berger Hybrids would be a no-go.

If you're gonna spend close to a grand, you might as well get the optimal twist rate.

 

[sgreen3]

There's one for sale in the INGO classifieds with a Choate Tactical stock...save me from myself and buy it



Yes, due to the twist rate. It should work with 105gr Hornady A-max/HPBT or 107gr SMKs, but is kinda marginal if you look at stability. 105gr Berger Hybrids would be a no-go.

If you're gonna spend close to a grand, you might as well get the optimal twist rate.

Its already sold or I would have bought it

I couldnt agree more. So if Im wanting to shoot the heavier stuff out of the 243 ie 115gr (which I would say is what Id need for the longer range shooting) stuff Im assuming Id need a barrel in the 1:7.5 twist range?

 

[42769vette]

I couldnt agree more. So if Im wanting to shoot the heavier stuff out of the 243 ie 115gr (which I would say is what Id need for the longer range shooting) stuff Im assuming Id need a barrel in the 1:7.5 twist range?

7.5, or 8 will serve you well.

 

[sgreen3]

Awesome thanks for the info fellas. Now to find a Savage/Stevens action and a barrel, lol

 

[avboiler11]

A 11 Hunter XP (NOT TROPHY XP), or an older 11FC, is a nice donor.

Also:
Stevens 200 SA 4.4" CF action / Timney trigger - Long Range Hunting Online Magazine

Tony, the guy in that LRH link, is good people...done a couple transactions with him in the past.

 

[sgreen3]

Awesome thanks. Ill keep that in mind.

 

[kludge]

I know most of these have already been listed...

.260 Rem, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5x55 Swedish, 6.5-.284 Norma
7mm-08 Rem, .284 Win, 7mm WSM

I think that for your purposes, as long as you are getting a custom barrel... the .260 Ackley Improved would top my list, and get it throated for the specific bullet you want to use, or do my own 6.5mm wildcat. Another thought is the 6.5x55 Ackley Improved.

 

[sgreen3]

Well I think as for right now I'm probably leaning toward the 243. But I honestly like what I've been reading about the 6mmBR. Since were I'm at I would have more chances to shoot at 600yrds than a 1k. It seems that round is one of the tops for that particular range of Bench rest shooters.

 

[top hat 45]

have you been on AccurateShooter.com to read all the different 243/6mm rounds? the 100 guns of the week is pretty cool to see what other people shoot at the different length ranges and many awsome rifles.

 

[avboiler11]

6BR is an *excellent* choice; a 26" barrel can drive a 105/107 around 2850fps, which will beat a good number of 308 Winchester loads in drop/drift.