salukipv1

So it's down to 3....

Once again I want a lightweight setup mainly for antelope, though I may use it for varmints and mule deer, maybe just as a backup on a mule deer hunt. I already have a .270 BAR semi auto, shoots great, just seems like overkill. So considering getting something in the .243 caliber, but which cartridge? Or should I not even get one and just stay with my .270? don't own a varmint rifle yet, do want a .22-250 though, however I don't hunt many varmints these days, so if i get a .243 it would be a good carry over round I can use on those varmints, though I wonder if I shouldnt even get a .243 just stay with my .270, and then down the road either get a .22-250 and/or a bigger rifle for bigger game before a .243?

So of the 3 rounds which should I get? and why? I don't reload, just yet btw.

Also If I take my .270 for mule deer, would you bring the .243 as a backup rifle or would you bring a .300 win mag as your backup? Though I really never plan to use a backup on a hunt, so which would you most want to takea muley with? a .243? .270? .300 win mag?

jeepkid

I would go with the basic .243 Win. Cheaper, more avalibility on ammo/brass. The other two are faster, but less rifle choices and ammo will be harder to find.

The .243 would be great between the 22-250 and the .270. Needed? Not really, but neither is the .270 if you have a .300 Win Mag, and the 22-250 would really be "needed" if you had a .243....

zrexpilot

If you think your bar shoots great, buy a .243 bolt and see what great is. Ive yet to see a .243 not shoot awsome out of the box.

salukipv1

I assume least plan for it to shoot as good, my bar 270 shoots about 1/2 moa.....1/2" 3 shot group at 100yds thats total area, so maybe thats actually like 1/3 moa from centers to centers. its crazy, in fact the holes have always touched at 100yds.

im really between the 6mm and .243 I think, at the moment leaning towards the 6mm, but ya i like how you can get way mor eoptions in the .243, particularly those 55gr for varmints etc....55gr at almost 4000 fps, its like a .22-250 on steroids ar eright there with the .220 swift.....

Do you think the 6mm is a fading/dying round? will it ever be dead? hornady loads a hot .243 that is comparible to a standard 6mm load. course they load a hot 6mm too.

zrexpilot

While I think the 6mm is a great round I think it's already dead. Just look at what guns are available in it. Not much, I think 2 guns are chambered in it.
Most .243 wont shoot the 55 gr very well. Take a look at the 85 gr HP in Federal. very flat shooting and bucks the wind better than any .22
I use a .243 mainly for deer, I dont need anything bigger for Texas deer. My choice for a smaller round was a .22 Hornet. Very quiet compared to the big .22's which is great in urban area's.
I dont know what to tell you, pick the caliber that moves you.
I know a .300 mag is way more gun than needed. My friend owned one for a couple of years but never really carried it much, way too much noise and recoil, not very fun to shoot. He ended up selling it and I talked him into the 7mm-08. Nobody around here uses the 7-08 and I wanted to see what all the fuss is about. Will see after a couple of years.

bronko22000

IMO and you can take it for what its worth but the 240WM is too much for you intended purpose. And if you don't reload the cost of ammo would probably force you to shoot it less. The 6mm is a better round than the 243 (a bit more case compacity and slightly higher velocities) but it won't do anything a .243 can do. Although the 243 can cleanly take a mulie, I would consider it a bit on the light side. But OK for antelope. But for these 2 critters, you can't beat the 270. Its flat and has ample energy for both at ranges beyond what most hunters can shoot.
If you have your heart set on a 6mm caliber chambering - I would opt for the .243 Win simply because of the access to ammo availability.

trailer

Check around for availability for both .243 and 6 mm ammo since you don’t reload. As previously mentioned try and find a new rifle chambered in the 6 mm. I know Remington had one in the VLS but it has been discontinued from what Remington's web sit shows. Good luck...

eldeguello

The 6mm Remington may be dead commercially. If so, too bad. But that makes no difference at all to me, as I can make cases easily for it from .257 Roberts or 7X57mm brass. In addition, I never use factory ammunition anyway. So nonavailability ofloaded ammo is no concern to me, because I can createusableammo for almost any chamberingyou can think of. And since I put my boxed hunting ammo in the same case as the rifles, bothwill arrive (OR FAIL TO ARRIVE) at the hunting camp together......

nchawkeye

Since you don't reload, I'd get a .243...It's the only centerfire I have owned since 1980...Use the Federal Premium 85gr Sierra GameKing HPBT...Velocity is listed at 3320 fps, sighted in 2 1/2 high at 100 yards it will be 2 1/2 to 3 inchs low at 300...I've used this for both varmits and deer for years..

zrexpilot

Lawerence have you ever handloaded the .243 win.
I read the link below and this guy is pushing a 115 gr out of a straight .243 win at 3150 fps, hows that possible ? It says it puts the .260 and 6-284 in the dust.
http://www.6mmbr.com/243Win.html