243 or 6.5x55 or 270 please help
10-02-2013, 04:50 AM
#1
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 4
243 or 6.5x55 or 270 please help
I have 2 rifles sako hunter in 308 and tikka t3 in 22.250
I am still deciding which caliber I should pick as a middle rifle in sako 85 hunter not any other brand.
I want it be in between the two I have.
I'm thinking between 243 270 or even 6.5x55 to compliment my other two and will be using only norma factory loads.
I only want one caliber of the 3 mentioned above.
308 (.... ? ....) 22.250
I am using factory ammo Norma soft point 180gr for 308 and Norma soft point 53gr for 22.250.
I would really appreciate your expert opinion on what caliber I should get in sako 85 hunter to compliment my 2 rifles.
Many thanks in advance.
I live in Australia Queensland.
Strictly hunting and rarely range shooting.
Hunting from wild cats,foxes, wild pigs and dingos, kangaroos,deer,camels,buffalo.
I am still deciding which caliber I should pick as a middle rifle in sako 85 hunter not any other brand.
I want it be in between the two I have.
I'm thinking between 243 270 or even 6.5x55 to compliment my other two and will be using only norma factory loads.
I only want one caliber of the 3 mentioned above.
308 (.... ? ....) 22.250
I am using factory ammo Norma soft point 180gr for 308 and Norma soft point 53gr for 22.250.
I would really appreciate your expert opinion on what caliber I should get in sako 85 hunter to compliment my 2 rifles.
Many thanks in advance.
I live in Australia Queensland.
Strictly hunting and rarely range shooting.
Hunting from wild cats,foxes, wild pigs and dingos, kangaroos,deer,camels,buffalo.
10-02-2013, 02:06 PM
#5
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Kansas
Posts: 3,915
So you can hunt camels in Australia? Did not know that... Kangaroos either.
Out of the 3, I guess a few thoughts. The .243 bridges the gap well between the .22-250 and the .308, a little nicer on your smaller game. Complication: Having a .308win already, you might benefit from being able to make brass for either cartridge from the same brass if you reload. On the other hand, it's infinitely frustrating to get into the field and find out you have .243 ammo when you're holding a .308, or vice versa.
.270win is pretty similar to the .308win in overall power, a bit lighter weight bullet, but not significantly so on mid-sized (under 600lb) game. Doesn't count as a "gap bridger" in my book though.
6.5 Swede, same game as the .270win, high end power, not really a 'gap bridger', but better in my book.
Personally, I'd take the .270win off of the list, and between the swede and the .243win, I'd look at how much time I spend hunting big vs small game. I spend more time hunting small game, so I'd go for a .243, but if you spent more time shooting buffalo and deer (which I'm assuming your buffalo are pretty big), then I'd look at the 6.5swede.
Out of the 3, I guess a few thoughts. The .243 bridges the gap well between the .22-250 and the .308, a little nicer on your smaller game. Complication: Having a .308win already, you might benefit from being able to make brass for either cartridge from the same brass if you reload. On the other hand, it's infinitely frustrating to get into the field and find out you have .243 ammo when you're holding a .308, or vice versa.
.270win is pretty similar to the .308win in overall power, a bit lighter weight bullet, but not significantly so on mid-sized (under 600lb) game. Doesn't count as a "gap bridger" in my book though.
6.5 Swede, same game as the .270win, high end power, not really a 'gap bridger', but better in my book.
Personally, I'd take the .270win off of the list, and between the swede and the .243win, I'd look at how much time I spend hunting big vs small game. I spend more time hunting small game, so I'd go for a .243, but if you spent more time shooting buffalo and deer (which I'm assuming your buffalo are pretty big), then I'd look at the 6.5swede.
10-02-2013, 02:06 PM
#6
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Alberta Canada
Posts: 1,081
You can't go wrong with either the swede or the 270. I am partial to the 270 personally. It shoots flat and just plain works. It also has a little more horsepower than the 6.5x55. Either way, I don't think that the critters are going to be able to tell the difference between them.
10-02-2013, 04:21 PM
#9
What he said! ^^^^^ How damn cool is that?
As Nomercy said, and a few others did as well...the true bridge caliber is the .243...the Swede and the 270 more closely compete with the 308...I personally like all 3 calibers for different reasons and I am a huge fan of the .277's...but if you want a true gap filler, go with the .243, it's a great caliber, very versatile with the capability to shoot bullets between 55 and 110 grains. You will never regret owning a .243 ...or a Swede or 270 either for that matter...so I say go buy all 3? hahaha
As Nomercy said, and a few others did as well...the true bridge caliber is the .243...the Swede and the 270 more closely compete with the 308...I personally like all 3 calibers for different reasons and I am a huge fan of the .277's...but if you want a true gap filler, go with the .243, it's a great caliber, very versatile with the capability to shoot bullets between 55 and 110 grains. You will never regret owning a .243 ...or a Swede or 270 either for that matter...so I say go buy all 3? hahaha
