What's a Good Bolt Gun Caliber In-between 243 and 308?

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  • calicojack

    American Sporting Rifle
    MDS Supporter
    May 29, 2018
    5,348
    Cuba on the Chesapeake
    So I have 243 Win and a 308 Win bolt guns. I was thinking about a 7mm-08. But maybe a 260 Rem / 6.5 CM would be better? I guess I like the 7mm-08 as a nice do-it-all round. This would be hunting/informal shooting range toy. I am not anticipating shooting much past 250 yards. Not going to be shooting a Kodiak bear at 500 yards. ;)
     

    OLM-Medic

    Banned
    BANNED!!!
    May 5, 2010
    6,588
    If you're only going to be shooting at 250 yards I don't think it really matters much.
     

    outrider58

    Eats Bacon Raw
    MDS Supporter
    Jul 29, 2014
    49,810
    .270? What the frig is wrong with. 243? It's a very versatile round. It's my favorite deer round and I still don't own one.
    .243 is a great mountain sheep/goat round. Very flat shooting.
     

    outrider58

    Eats Bacon Raw
    MDS Supporter
    Jul 29, 2014
    49,810
    So I have 243 Win and a 308 Win bolt guns. I was thinking about a 7mm-08. But maybe a 260 Rem / 6.5 CM would be better? I guess I like the 7mm-08 as a nice do-it-all round. This would be hunting/informal shooting range toy. I am not anticipating shooting much past 250 yards. Not going to be shooting a Kodiak bear at 500 yards. ;)
    Not a thing wrong with what you have. Changing rounds won't make you a better killer.
     

    Uncle Duke

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 2, 2013
    11,662
    Not Far Enough from the City
    Ah yes, the "tweener" question. Amazing what one can rationalize when it comes to what cartridge to buy next.

    Like many, I rationalized .243 Win years ago as the perfect fit between my .223 and 30-06 at the time, as filling a slot as both a heavier varmint rifle, and as a heavy enough backup deer rifle.

    You don't need anything between .243 and .308. Ok, since that answer is clearly unacceptable.....

    My answer to your "tweener" question between .243 and '06 was a stainless .308, more for weather than anything. And then for more 'tween, later on a .260 Remington, but only because I roll my own.

    As a hunter, if you see yourself ever hunting heavier game than deer, I'd personally go with 7mm-08. If not, and if dabbling in the long range game might be in your future, you can certainly make the case for Creedmoor.

    Either one of these cartridges have plenty of long range capability, plenty of punch for deer, and the added bonus of being easy on the shoulder off the bench, when fired in a standard weight rifle.

    There....3 good reasons why you need one or the other.

    Or both...:)
     

    Speed3

    Ultimate Member
    Aug 19, 2011
    7,816
    MD
    I think you have things covered, if I was going to add to it, I'd look for something bigger 300wm (300wsm another good one) or the likes.

    .243 is a great round, plenty for deer. 6.5cm doesn't offer anything more than the 308 currently at the distance you're talking about.
     
    My vote goes for a 6.5CM. Their recoil is mild, they shoot really flat, can really reach out in distance and they have become extremely popular- so ammo is available everywhere. The other calibers mentioned may be a bit tricky to find in a pinch. I can't think of the last time I saw 7mm-08 or .25-06 in the ammo case at Wallymart. Conversely, they usually have 3+ flavors of 6.5CM in stock at any given store.
    Just sayin...
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,725
    Socialist State of Maryland
    6.5 Creedmore is a more modern cartridge and will be more available than 7mm-08 and 25-06. If you reload, 6.5 has more versatility and projectile selection as well.

    As for the .270, if you are only shooting out to 250 yards, the .270 wins hands down. It has somewhere around 500 lbs of ME over the 6.5 CM at that distance. (comparing bullets around 145gns.

    In my opinion, a medium size action beats a long action any day if the ballistics are close.
     

    GUNSnROTORS

    nude member
    MDS Supporter
    Jun 7, 2013
    3,620
    hic sunt dracones
    Always thought the .257 Roberts was a cool round. My maternal Grandfather used it in WV for deer, but "loved" the .25-06. I wouldn't kick either out of the gun safe. I hunt for deer at the undisclosed location mostly with .270 win and .270 wsm and never feel undergunned when I do.
     
    Last edited:

    davsco

    Ultimate Member
    Oct 21, 2010
    8,607
    Loudoun, VA
    you have the lower caliber side covered. how about a 300 mag, maybe 300wsm. if you ever go out west that will pretty much have you covered.
     

    Biggfoot44

    Ultimate Member
    Aug 2, 2009
    32,877
    You have to set your parameters .

    Inbetween Bore Size , or inbetween Recoil ?

    Recently introduced / Recently hyped vs been around , but common at real gun stores vs classic , but helps to be a handloader ?


    And as been hinted ; Declare .243 & .308 are close enough to sort of overlap . Then instead of trying to split the difference , do something Different . Go Bigger in bore, or power, or both . Or go Levergun specific .

    If you want to stay with same parent case , the .338 Federal or .358 Winchester .
     

    Augie

    Ultimate Member
    Sep 30, 2007
    4,504
    Central MD
    Everyone needs to mess with a 6.5 Creedmoor for awhile, really been amazed with the accuracy of this round.
     

    calicojack

    American Sporting Rifle
    MDS Supporter
    May 29, 2018
    5,348
    Cuba on the Chesapeake
    you have the lower caliber side covered. how about a 300 mag, maybe 300wsm. if you ever go out west that will pretty much have you covered.

    What are you hoping to gain that .243 or .308 can't do at those ranges?

    Good point on looking at the upper end. Funny you should mention that because there is a guy where I work who wants to organize a hunt out West, possibly Alaska.

    Yeah I guess there is no good reason to get a 6.5 CM or 7mm-08 unless I am hell bent on collecting guns. But who would do that? :innocent0
     

    Doco Overboard

    Ultimate Member
    7x57 Mauser/275 Rigby some will call it if you don't mind hand loading.
    It can be loaded with 100 up to 175 gr. bullets.
    I use 139's and 4350 for a decent hunting cartridge that's so pleasant anybody can shoot.
    Maybe PPU has factory ammo available these days but I never tried it.
     

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