.223, .243 or .308

[Goose25]

I've got my eyes set on another rifle... But I'm not sure what cartridge I want. I need your help deciding between the .223, .243 or .308 cartridge.

CRITERIA

use: No big game hunting, 2% varmint, 98% Bench
average shooting distance: 100-200yrds
Do I reload: yes
Currently Own: .22's, .30-30, .30-06, 7mm RM

 

[catnthehatt]

Easy one for me, .223!
Cat

 

[Airborn_69]

Have you considered .223, 6.5x55 & .308 instead

 

[todbartell]

223 all the way

 

[BCWILL]

98% Range time at ranges under 200 Meters ?

Get a 223 !

 

[Gatehouse]

223

 

[Airborn_69]

$$$$ .223 also

 

[Amphibious]

.223 easy choice

 

[Goose25]

Have you considered .223, 6.5x55 & .308 instead

I've wanted a .260 or 6.5x55 for a while, but the rifle Im looking at is not available in those cartridges.

98% Range time at ranges under 200 Meters ?

My shooting range is 200 yards max, therefor 95% of my shooting is done at 200yards or less.

$$$$ .223 also

Although a lot cheaper to shoot, the Lack of felt recoil is a slight turn off for me...

 

[Splatter]

You already buy .30 cal bullets and large rifle primers, go for .308, the 100 grn V-Max works excellently on little animals, and if you ever get into casting bullets, .30 cal is easier to make than 6mm or .22 cal.

 

[the_big_mike]

definately 223.

want to do biggame? 308 otherwise stick with 223

 

[mylesrom]

If you are not going to use it for hunting, definately a .223

 

[t-star]

again with the 223- half the expense of the 308, powder-wise- 25 grains vs 40 plus- buy your bullets in bulk, and get about a 1/9 twist so you can use ALL the bullet weights, with the exception of the really heavies- for an all- around though i'd go 308- the 243 might be a slightly speedier option, but again you're running into the more powder thing

 

[Scott_N]

I'll join the club and say 223.

 

[Woodsman]

.243 if you want a little more bang and kick (than a .223).

 

[Goose25]

I should have expected these results. .223 and .308 being usual crowd favorites.

whats wrong with the .243? I think deep down inside I was hoping someone would have tried their best to convince me to go with the .243. There has got to be a couple .243/6mm lovers out there?

 

[Will I Am]

.223 for varmints and targets. With the money you'll save on ammo alone you'll be able to buy all kinds of gadgets or another rifle in .308!

 

[Slimbo]

I am a huge fan of the 243. Great plinking cartridge, and an effective hunting round when loaded with heavier bullets. I have taken deer and elk with the 243, all one shot kills. My father also shot a decent size blackbear with his 243. I will admit it wrecks more meat than a 30 cal will, but hey go for a head shot. I've had 223's and got bored of them quick, to me it starts feeling like your shooting a 22LR after awhile.

 

[todbartell]

243 is great but 200 meters isnt far, and all you'll be doing is burning more powder

 

[Splatter]

.243 has a lot of potential, useable to 1k, great on varmints, decent on bigger game; but it just doesn't make the kind of logical sense that the other 2 choices do.