Mid-range calibre???

J

Jmiverson

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Hey all,
I own 2 rifles, a .223 and a .300 WM both bolts. I am getting tired of the gap between calibres, i want a mid range cal good for big game in Sask. I know the .243 is a good choice, but what do i put through it? Do any other cals match up for punch and ballistics? I kinda wanted to hear from guys/gals who use the tools, not just read the ballistic charts... So im thinking anywhere from 6mm to .280, and availability of rounds will be a cincher
 
I have the thought about the same thing and have a 223 and a 300 rum so after seing all the news on the 6.5s I went with the 6.5x55 and very glad i did shoots mice to moose at resonable ranges .If you reload this caliber really performs couldnt be more happy
 
.308 plus .224 = .532/2=.266...looks like you need something with a 6.5mm or .264 bore to be truly in between your 223 and 300 Win Mag...a 6.5x55, 260 Remmy or a 264 Win Mag will fill the bill...or you could do what thousands of others have done and buy a 270 Win....
 
If you wish to use it for Coyotes and antelope possibly deer The 243 would be fine, I prefer the 270 load 100-110gr. for long range coyotes and the ever impressive 130gr. for deer and antelope soft recoil and if you don't reload there's a good choice of factory ammo . I left out the 257 Roberts it is a great little cartridge I shot many deer and coyotes with one but you definitely have to hand load.
 
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I assume (always a bad thing) that by mid-range you're not actually talking about a caliber that is half way between the 2, but something as an all-around caliber. .308 would be my choice. In size it's the same caliber as your 300, but recoil, etc. is significantly less. Ammo is plentiful and gives good choices of bullet weight. You can get it in just about any configuration from bolt to semi. I grew up in Sask. and used mine on just about everything, including gophers occasionally.
 
I'd look for a .257, 6.5x55, or 7mm-08/7x57 myself. They will easily take big game out to any sane range. My personal experience would suggest the 6.5x55.
 
Do you reload? If so, you've got a wide assortment of choices - most of which are mentioned above, plus lots of different wildcats to boot. If you don't reload, stick to what you can get factory ammo for in a wide enough variety to fill all of the niches you're hoping to fill with the rifle.
 
I have shot big and little game with both the 270 and the 243, as well as several others, but my choice would be between the 243 and the 270. When it was legal to shoot ground squirrels in this province, I quite often went with the 270, and it was fine for that. As a matter of fact I think I got more long range "gophers" per shot with the 270 than I did with the Ruger 243. I have also shot deer with the 243 and have seen moose and goat shot with it. For big game I would definetly use a premium bullet, like a Nosler, in 100 grains.
Everything said about the 243 will apply to the 270, only the 270 does it in spades. I use a Nosler partition with the 270, also, for game. I've had bang flop with 150 grain Nosler in an elk, while a 130 grain run of the mill bullet exploded so bad on the ribs of a bull elk, that I was very lucky to get the elk.
There are a lot of things to consider, when buying a new to you, different calibre rifle. The cost and availability of ammunition and bullets is a major consideration.
There will be no difference in cost of ammo for a 243 as compared to a 270. However, the 270 will be available in places where the 243 will not. The 270 is actually easier to reload for, than is a 243. Maybe splitting hairs here, but a 270 is more forgiving. The only difference in cost between the two for reloading will be a bit more powder for the 270, maybe about five cents a round more for the 270, and possibly a cent or two more for the bullet.
I too, have shot deer and moose in Saskatchewan, so for everything you want to shoot, I would go with the 270, as several have already suggested.
 
Had the same thought myself as I have a 223, 308, 30-06. So I bought a 250 Savage in a Savage 99F. I handload so price of ammo is not much of a consideration and bullets in .257 run from about 87 to 120 grains. Have some 117 loaded up and taking it out this weekend to see what it can do. Nice little lever to boot.
 
A caliber I never saw mentioned was the 25-06. It's a great cartridge and it is found almost anywhere. I have a Tikka T3 Varmint in 25-06 and it is wonderful to shoot. I tend to use Nosler Partitions or Barnes tipped TSX. They work great.
 
Jmiverson said:
thx guys for all the productive input, Pretty sure i can make up my mind now.
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LOL. I bet you will lose sleep at night thinking about it!. As soon as you walk out with what ever gun you choose you will get that sick feeling in your stomach and wonder if you made a wise choice.
 
IN between the .223 and the 300WM you have the .260,.257, 7-08 ..

.22-250 or .243 is too close to .223, and most of the 06 based cartridges are too close to the .300WM (although you could make a case for the 25-06)
 
On the low end, I own three 22centerfires with a 375cal at the big end.

In the middle, I have a 257Roberts, 270Win, 7mm Mauser and a .308. You would be well served by any of these or any similars in that range.

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Being a handloader or relying on factory fodder is a big factor for consideration as well.

A non-loader would be hard pressed to do better than a 270Win.

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