What calibre to choose

dev110

Well lads,

Ever since I got rid of my .223 to finance getting into FTR I have missed a hunting rifle to just throw across my shoulder and head out for a walk.

I am thinking of building another rifle on a Remington action.

I am caught between a few calibres as I can't decide if I want a deer calibre or a varmint calibre.

I was thinking of .308, .223, .204, .22-250 or a .243.

If I was going to get into deer it would only be for the freezer so ~3 a season so I could just use my FTR rig for it as it is not that heavy and have brought it out a few days to see what it would be like on the shoulder.

Ammo cost is not an issue.

What would you guys pick and why?

vixdname

Did you consider a .270 considering you have a .308 in you list of calibers (Deer) ??? Have one and love it.
Was hitting 16'' X 16'' steel plate at 600yrds earlier today with it, would have gotten to 800yrds but conditions deteriorated so we couldnt seen the target with the rain !!!

You dont have to pay a fortune for rounds now either since a lot of the rfds are stocking the Privi Partisan rounds for between €17 and €18 for 20.
I was using them today and they done the job no problem

dev110

A .270 doesn't appeal to me at all tbh.
Its one calibre I never really took too.

My .308 now is used for target shooting (800-1000 yards).

johnfaul

I'd go for a semi custom .204 ruger with an 1-11 or faster twist, something different from the .223 and great out to 500 yards

Glensman

:rolleyes: Obviously, it goes without saying that .270 is the greatest calibre ever made, but as you've ruled that out...

I would go for a semi-custom .204 optimised for 32gr SBKs

It's fast and fast = flat

declan1980

I'd have to agree with johnfaul and Glensman, a 204 would be a good choice for a varminting rig

dev110

For the .204 would it be better to set it up for the heavier bullets like the 40gr v-max or should I stay with the 32gr-39gr?

ssl

Dev decide first if ya want a deer or vermin caliber. It'll shorten your list

steyrman2

dev110 wrote: »

For the .204 would it be better to set it up for the heavier bullets like the 40gr v-max or should I stay with the 32gr-39gr?

Hi dev 32 grain and 39 are your best choice trust me

rowa

.243 , not too big for foxes and not too small for deer, rifles/ammo available from any manufacturer worth bothering with, not too loud and low recoil , whats not to like ?

johngalway

.243 for me as well.

declan1980

dev110 wrote: »

For the .204 would it be better to set it up for the heavier bullets like the 40gr v-max or should I stay with the 32gr-39gr?

I'd say go for the flattest shooting round, since you do a good bit of target shooting, your wind reading should be pretty good

dev110

I'm gonna do some more research on the .204 and .243 and make my decision from there.

It wasn't me!

Going to throw a screwdriver in and say .25-06. Build it very light (aim for about 7.25 pounds scoped), with a very light 26" barrel and you've got a serious hunting machine, as good a deer round as the .270, a better foxing/vermin round and less recoil. You've got 115-120gr bullets at the top end for deer, which are awesome, and with 85gr bullets at the low end, it shoots flatter than .22 centrefires and I'm betting you're going to make orange splash out of any fox you hit with it. The best of the cross-overs, to my mind, but it's badly served in factory rifles, with barrels too short. Building from scratch however, go lightweight and long barrel and you'll never look back.

Glensman

IF I was going for a .243 I would consider a .243 Ackley Improved

I would Nearly sell the .270 and the .223 to fund one...

FISMA

dev110 wrote: »

What would you guys pick and why?

In the states I always go with and recommend the 30-06. It's stopping power is more than enough for all game in Ireland even at the greater distances you may be shooting.

It's performance and ballistics are fantastic. The range of bullet masses will give you more combinations than you'll likely figure out when reloading becomes legal.

However, in Ireland, I usually advise against it due to the cost of ammo. With that said, my 700 in Ireland is a 30-06. Fine for me, since most of the time I am in the states. I can practice to my heart's content with the cheap ammo States-side and then return home to shoot during the season with the game day Hornady Super Max stuff.

In Ireland I recommend the 308 and then 270.

But since you said

dev110 wrote: »

Ammo cost is not an issue.

I am leaning towards the 30-06.

Considering cost, I would go .22-250, 308, .243, and .223

With that said, I have never only have the 223 from the above list so I have only anecdotal support.

I am hearing great things about the 243. Is she deer legal in Ireland? She may be a nice compromise round.

I'll have to get the 22-250, I've just heard so much about it.

Slan

4200fps

Glensman wrote: »

IF I was going for a .243 I would consider a .243 Ackley Improved

I would Nearly sell the .270 and the .223 to fund one...

Most of the yanks claim the Ackley Improved has 1500 rounds less barrel life compared to the Winchester as it will burn out the barrel that much faster? They claim there's aprox 4% velocity gain. I'm just reading this from forums in the states. 1st time to hear of such round. Sounds good to me. The 243 is not border line for deer hunting.

declan1980

It wasn't me! wrote: »

Going to throw a screwdriver in and say .25-06. Build it very light (aim for about 7.25 pounds scoped), with a very light 26" barrel and you've got a serious hunting machine, as good a deer round as the .270, a better foxing/vermin round and less recoil. You've got 115-120gr bullets at the top end for deer, which are awesome, and with 85gr bullets at the low end, it shoots flatter than .22 centrefires and I'm betting you're going to make orange splash out of any fox you hit with it. The best of the cross-overs, to my mind, but it's badly served in factory rifles, with barrels too short. Building from scratch however, go lightweight and long barrel and you'll never look back.

The 25-06 is a reloaders caliber, it doesn't reach it's full potential with factory loads.

.243

Glensman wrote: »

:rolleyes: Obviously, it goes without saying that .270 is the greatest calibre ever made,

can open,worms everywhere !!!!

Glensman

4200fps wrote: »

Most of the yanks claim the Ackley Improved has 1500 rounds less barrel life compared to the Winchester as it will burn out the barrel that much faster? They claim there's aprox 4% velocity gain. I'm just reading this from forums in the states. 1st time to hear of such round. Sounds good to me. The 243 is not border line for deer hunting.

Only a 4% gain?
Probably not worth the hassle. I see they are quite popular with the long-rangers in England, I was expecting a better performance- I have no direct experience of the calibre.

.243 wrote: »

can open,worms everywhere !!!!

:D:D

leupold90

Go with the .204 Dev. You know you want to!

Nice to have something just a little different calibre wise.

johnfaul

If you didnt have the .308 as the lads said .243 would be an excellent choice but since you do a varminting caliber would be a better choice in my opinion best of luck

garv123

Glensman wrote: »

Only a 4% gain?
Probably not worth the hassle. I see they are quite popular with the long-rangers in England, I was expecting a better performance- I have no direct experience of the calibre.



:D:D

I see on other forums its doing 4200fps.. Thats pretty impressive coming out of a .243. Id imagine it must be very flat at long range.

virminhunter

In a perfect world .22-250 1in8, .20practical/tactical 1in10.

If the biggest your shooting is foxes .243 is to much(imo)

So for me I'd be looking at .220 swift, .22-250 or .204, feck all wrong with a .223 either:D

dev110

Thanks for all the replies. I am still jumping between calibres and can't settle on one.

I think I will stick with a varminting calibre. At first I was thinking a .243 as it would do everything but for the amount of deer/goats I would be shooting the .308 would do that. It would be a little heavy and awkward but with the 31" barrel I could shoot them anywhere once I know the distance and know my wind.

At the minute a wildcat calibre wouldn't interest me but when I do go for one it will be a 6.5x47!

It is a toss up between a .204 or a .22-250.

What ever calibre I choose it will have a 26" barrel.

ormondprop

Do you have a deer license for your .308 now?
what i was planning on doing before i found a cheap .204 was get a .22-250 as my station allowed it for vermin and its prob one of the best vermin rounds, then apply for a deer license with it when i picked up a few permissions and once that was granted for that calibre i'd upgrade to a .25-06 or 243 as they are great dual purpsose cartridges, but seeing as you have a .308 you can use that to get your deer permit and once you have that you could get a .243 or 25-06 for hunting as it will knock anything in ireland within reason and then leave your .308 for target and target alone

dev110

No I haven't applied for my deer license yet. Not sure if I will yet. All the deer around me travel and never stay in certain areas so it would be difficult to get a license on that.
I have to get out and find an area that there is deer and knock on doors.

rowa

dev110 wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies. I am still jumping between calibres and can't settle on one.

I think I will stick with a varminting calibre. At first I was thinking a .243 as it would do everything but for the amount of deer/goats I would be shooting the .308 would do that. It would be a little heavy and awkward but with the 31" barrel I could shoot them anywhere once I know the distance and know my wind.

At the minute a wildcat calibre wouldn't interest me but when I do go for one it will be a 6.5x47!

It is a toss up between a .204 or a .22-250.

What ever calibre I choose it will have a 26" barrel.

+1 , i hear the 6.5x47 is excellent , but isn't lapua loading it now commercially ?

http://www.lapua.com/en/products/sport-shooting/centerfire-rifle/17

dev110

I would want reloading to be in before I went for the 6.5x47 as they can be difficult to get right and take a nice bit of development.

.243

dev110 wrote: »

I would want reloading to be in before I went for the 6.5x47 as they can be difficult to get right and take a nice bit of development.

if you are going to end up home loading down the line and are looking for the exotic go for the .243 ackley and just push factory rounds through it till reloading comes in

Vegeta

dev110 wrote: »

It is a toss up between a .204 or a .22-250.

What ever calibre I choose it will have a 26" barrel.

Of all the calibers listed, which one has readily available factory ammo that provides the best ballistic performance?

dev110

From what I can see from the Hornady website the .204 40gr V-Max holds more energy from 300 on and has less drop compared to .22-250 40gr V-Max.

I wouldn't know about availability but James McBride carries a lot of ammo so say he has a supply of most things.

popgun

Anyone find the 204 very loud, even with a mod?

johnfaul

Have you any idea what scope your hoping to mount on the gun?
And if your doing a semi custom what your building it on?

dev110

I'm going to build off a Remington action, 26" barrel, not sure on trigger, probably just a boyds stock.
Will work out the finer details when money becomes available.

I will just swap over my 10-50x60 Sightron for the time being.

raymonjdevine

.243 as it's the best all round calibre out there unless it's for wabbits