Next step after 243

Thanks for all the replies. Some great options out there. Again, my shooter if fairly small framed, tough, but small framed. I want to set him up for success. I had 25-06, 270 and 308 on my mind and these came up a fair bit.

I will continue to dig into some of these options as I have some time. I do reload and will continue to do so, as factory ammo is crazy expensive. It also gives me something to keep my brain and hands busy and helps take my mind off of work.

Happy to hear more thoughts and opinions also.
 
2506 is the next step up over the 243. The 270 is also a great choice. There's something to be said about similar actions. If the 243 is working get the same rifle in 708 or 308

2506 is the next step up over the 243. The 270 is also a great choice. There's something to be said about similar actions. If the 243 is working get the same rifle in 708 or 308
Back when I upgraded from a .243 as my hunting rifle (savage99), I went to a Ruger No1 in .338. I then bought a Ruger No 1 in 22-250. My thinking was that could shoot the 22-250 all summer (gophers) then come fall when hunting big game, all that practice all summer remained relevant since the rifle I was carrying for big game felt exactly like the one I shot all summer on the cheap (compared to .338) and the difference did not become apparent until tje bullet has already left the barrel (recoil). To be fair the .338 doesn’t kick all that hard but, of course it’s more than the 22-250. Anyways, just another thought on the familiar action idea.
 
Back when I upgraded from a .243 as my hunting rifle (savage99), I went to a Ruger No1 in .338. I then bought a Ruger No 1 in 22-250. My thinking was that could shoot the 22-250 all summer (gophers) then come fall when hunting big game, all that practice all summer remained relevant since the rifle I was carrying for big game felt exactly like the one I shot all summer on the cheap (compared to .338) and the difference did not become apparent until tje bullet has already left the barrel (recoil). To be fair the .338 doesn’t kick all that hard but, of course it’s more than the 22-250. Anyways, just another thought on the familiar action idea.
I find some newer shooters have trouble moving to a long action if used to a rimfire or short action. Personally I don't notice a difference i rack the bolt back till it stops then go forward but some ppl only go back far enough to eject a shorter round
If I were to start over again 2506/3006/35 whelen all in the same rifle would be my path
 
308, if you don't use a suppressor keep the barrel at 22"-24". Light rifle + heavy scope makes her recoil straighter and nicer to shoot.
edi
 
I find some newer shooters have trouble moving to a long action if used to a rimfire or short action. Personally I don't notice a difference i rack the bolt back till it stops then go forward but some ppl only go back far enough to eject a shorter round
If I were to start over again 2506/3006/35 whelen all in the same rifle would be my path
The rifles you mentioned in the post you quoted are Ruger #1's, single shot falling blocks , not bolt actions.
They negate the worry about long and short actions and cartridges that fit in them or cycling a bolt 😁
As far as cartridges go, it has already been mention- plck the rifle then the cartridge .
If wanting to "move up" from a 243 there is the option of simply rebarreling the existing rifle to any number of cartridges, including and none would because bad choice .
Cat
 
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I’ve got a 7-08 also. With the original post mentioning moose and elk I went 338 Federal. Gives you a little more punch for the elk. Don’t let the price of ammo get in your way on the 338 Federal. In the big picture it’s insignificant.
 
The rifles you mentioned in the post you quoted are Ruger #1's, single shot falling blocks , not bolt actions.
They negate the worry about long and short actions and cartridges that fit in them or cycling a bolt 😁
As far as cartridges go, it has already been mention- plck the rifle then the cartridge .
If wanting to "move up" from a 243 there idxthe option of simply rebarreling the existing rifle to any number of cartridges, including and none would because bad choice .
Cat
That was me, not brybenn that talked about Ruger No 1’s.
 
He quoted your post , I inserted his post above mine .
Cat
My reply was meant to mean staying with similar rifles leads to similar muscle memory. In the case of the op if they're used to a bolt 243 staying with another short action would be familiar. Moving to a long action may or may not lead to not fully racking the bolt
 
My reply was meant to mean staying with similar rifles leads to similar muscle memory. In the case of the op if they're used to a bolt 243 staying with another short action would be familiar. Moving to a long action may or may not lead to not fully racking the bolt
I never really noticed any difference personally, but I suppose it could happen.
Of course if the rifle is in an action like a M70 , 1898 Mauser or a Tikka, it's a moot point
Cat
 
For me it's the ability to reach throw a larger controlled expansion bullet faster. I consider the 243 with factory twist a varmint to deer rifle. While some may disagree I personally like the added weight and diameter of a larger and faster cartridge for larger game. While keeping recoil in mind for a younger shooter.
A 300wm would pair nicely for a 243 but that might be out of the recoil bracket. A 270 with a proper bullet can kill fine for likely half the recoil.
That's the reason behind my suggestions
 
For me it's the ability to reach throw a larger controlled expansion bullet faster. I consider the 243 with factory twist a varmint to deer rifle. While some may disagree I personally like the added weight and diameter of a larger and faster cartridge for larger game. While keeping recoil in mind for a younger shooter.
A 300wm would pair nicely for a 243 but that might be out of the recoil bracket. A 270 with a proper bullet can kill fine for likely half the recoil.
That's the reason behind my suggestions
If you want cheap and plentiful rifles and ammo without going all the way to 30-06, a 270win is a great option.

I like 7mm08 personally but rifles and ammo are certainly less available than 270win.
 
2025 and people still refer to buying a hunting cartridge from the point of view of access to avilbilty of purchasing ammo the days of buying ammo a corner stores or even hardware stores are gone
the pitching of ammo and buying a rifle are two of the same
As far as the next step in a hunting rifle for all big game would be the 270 win flat shooting soft recoil the 140 gr load is capable of all big game
I second .270 😊
 
6.5cm will catch a .270 at 600 and burn a dozen less grains, and have more sd when it gets there, if you think he will be a bit of a gun nut and set up modern (ie; solutions for going past mpbr, ballistic rangefinders, reticle or dialling) a 6.5cm a top future thinking cartridge that is the 21st answer to the 308 in terms of how long it will be around and amount of ammo that will be on shelves for next 100 years....308 a very close 2nd choice imo, modern bullets change the game, no need to burn 50+ gr of powder anymore to kill shat well past where 98% of stuff is kilt. 6.5cm prolly adds another 100-200 yards to 1800 fps than 308 spitballing without running numbers but a 20" 308 with factory 168gr eldm is 550 yards to 1800 fps. I chose 308 as I simply didn't want to own another 6.5 as already a few in the house. It recoils with it's heavier bullets like a .270 with it's lighter bullets about the same to me. A 6.5cm recoils a few lbs less than them and will be easier to shoot well than 308/270. You couldn't go wrong between 6.5cm/308, both as future proofed as you could get
 
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