Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Montana 243 VS 7mm-08?

A couple thoughts

Nosler manual #7
243 Winchester, 100 gr. Partition (similar to typical cup and core in ballistic co-efficient)
BC: .384
MV, 2900 FPS
200 yd. zero 1.7� high @ 100 yds., 7.3� low at 300.
7mm-08, 140 gr. Accubond (my favorite in the 7mm-08)
BC:.485
MV: 2800 fps
200 yd. zero, 1.8� high @ 100 yds., 7.7� low at 300.. I�
I don�t know how the terrain is in your part of Alabama, but here it is thick. That taken with the fact that I am a meat hunter I almost never shoot past 300 yds. Additionally due to the fact that if an animal is not DRT, he many times is not found. A hole going in and one going out gives one two chances to find a blood trail. Conseqently I prefer a heavier bullet, usually 6.5 mm and up for hogs and deer.
Now as to kissing the lands.
It is my understanding that the chambers on production rifles are cut to SAAMI specs. Factory ammo is also loaded to SAAMI Specs. That means that any commercial ammo should chamber in any production rifle of the same caliber. I�ve owned many rifles from A to Z. It has been my experience on most that if one was to load the bullet out to where it kissed the lands, sometimes the base of the bullet does not even touch the case, much less fit in the rifles magazine. Typically magazine length is the most common limiting factor.
Here is an example.

This is the detachable magazine for a Sako 75 Varmint, chambered for the 260 Remington. Sakos are generally accurate and their chambers are not known for sloppiness. Notice the Maximum OAL of the cartridge that can be loaded in the magazine is 2.940. I don't know how you are, but I prefer to have a little wiggle room in the magazine/cartridge box.





The SAAMI max OAL cartridge length for the 260 Remington is 2.800�. I�ve developed a load for my Sako at 2.900 inches. This particular cartridge measures 2.902.




If I do my part the Sako will put three in a ragged hole at 100 yds.




Next, using my Stoney Point OAL gauge and a 125 gr. Nosler Partition, here is the cartridge �kissing the lands�


As you can see, to load this round with the bullet �kissing the lands , the rifle would have to function as a single shot.

Good hunting and best of luck with whatever you choose.

Best,

GWB

IIRC one should have at least one cartridge diameter purchase or in this case

Clark, given the parameters you have stated, the wife and kids and you don't reload. I'm guessing you haven't done a lot of shooting or hunting (not a slam). I'd pick the 243 over the 223 and the 7-08, and not worry about all the rest.

Added - I wouldn't pick a Montana for a first rifle either.

Good luck with your choice.

AJD

Thanks but I own several very nice rifles and have killed truck loads of deer with factory ammo. I do plan to start reloading and I do shoot more smallbore than centerfire. I don't need a rifle. I just want an ultralight weight that I can play with and that is well capable of deer at 200 or under yards. I thought a 243 was a good idea but Boxer has me thinking about heavier bullets in a 223 since they would only be 10-15 grains lighter than what I would shoot in the 243 anyway and use less powder, recoil less and give longer barrel life.

I've heard this rule too, but it makes loading anything for the .300 Winchester Mag impossible. which makes me skeptical of the rule, bc my .300 win mag seem to work pretty well (other than the excessive noise & recoil ...).

RHC,

If going the .223 route, twist will be important. On the Kimber's (1-9), it seems to be hit or miss on whether they'll stabilize the 75gr. A-Max.

Unfortunately, my Montana is a miss with the A-Max. I've got some 69gr. Scenars and 62gr. TSX I'm going to test this weekend in the Montana.

If nothing else, the 55gr. TTSX shoots very well in my rifle, and kills deer and feral hogs with aplomb!

Thanks but I own several very nice rifles and have killed truck loads of deer with factory ammo. I do plan to start reloading and I do shoot more smallbore than centerfire. I don't need a rifle. I just want an ultralight weight that I can play with and that is well capable of deer at 200 or under yards. I thought a 243 was a good idea but Boxer has me thinking about heavier bullets in a 223 since they would only be 10-15 grains lighter than what I would shoot in the 243 anyway and use less powder, recoil less and give longer barrel life.

Sir,
respectfully

here is a 300 Win Mag factory cartridge, 150 gr. Tipped Barnes bullet. COAL is 3.305" SAAMI Max is 3.340OAL.




Note the pix. there are two markings on the 150 gr. Ballistic tip (green tip). The mark closest to the tip is COAL 3.340" the second closest to the case mouth is 3.305". This would allow for a minimum of .490" of bullet purchase, significantly more than .308"

The second bullet is a 200 grain Nosler Accubond. By my measurement there will be approx. .813" of bullet inside the case at a COAL of 3.340".

Best,

GWB

Do you have just as much confidence on deer and hogs with the 223 as a 243 with an 80 or 85 grain TTSX or an 85 grain Gameking?