Thread: 223, 243 or 6mm?

Looking at moving on my 270WSM for something a bit more versatile and with less kick as I already have a 7RM for long range hunting.

Want something I can put the missus and nephews behind to kill some bunnies and goats, but still carry in the bush and drop a deer out to 300m. Would look to chop the barrel to 18-20”

Heard lots of good things about the listed calibres, I’ll reload for it so ammo price isn’t a massive issue for me.

What’s people experience and opinions on them? I’m more of an over caliber than “it’s enough” sort of guy. So if one hits a bit harder than the other I’d prefer to go with that for when I take it into the bush.

Any opinions and advice appreciated!

1:8 223rem.

Bunnies, goats then Deer to 300 metres and you like “ over calibre” and you want one that “ hits harder” than the others………

Go 243 with 95g Gamekings or BT projectiles.

243…… 85gr Sierra hpbt
Bunnies , Goats , Deer all tip over in varying degrees using that combo

As above. 243 has great versatility and has excellent performance with negligible recoil. A 6mm or 6.5 Creedmoor would be the more 'modern' alternative.

Originally Posted by 7mmsaum

Bunnies, goats then Deer to 300 metres and you like “ over calibre” and you want one that “ hits harder” than the others………

Go 243 with 95g Gamekings or BT projectiles.

Impossible wish list but if anybody out there has the knowledge, this is the place

25-06

6mm ARC, friendly on the shoulder, impersonates factory 243 ammo when handloaded. Easy on the ears

Some sort of 6mm.

243, dont tell the animals its old fashioned and they will still fall over

243 or 6 creed prolly easiest factory option.
I'm doing 6gt myself. Similar performance though more expensive to set up.

6mm quite versatile. My Savage 1:9.25 twist .243 will shoot 58gn V-max at 3500 fps like a laser, but also shoots up to 105 A-max well also. Recoil bugger all compared to 7mm and 308, esp. shooting the 58gn. In an ideal world I'd love a 6mm with a faster twist barrel, but nothing wrong with the 243. Definitely deer to 300m within its capability.

fast twist 223 would also give you options, but maybe not quite the same legs...

25 Creed?

I reload so I'd just go with a tikka in 243Win with a 1/8t barrel.

If you shoot a lot, 223 probably last a few thousand rounds longer vs the other options - I belive.