OK..I should know better than to ask you guys, but Im cooking up a new build. This will be a SA Remington , preferably a 22 inch barrel, and will be used for larger deer sized critters....just feeling the itch.
I have cartridge choice narrowed down to 3:

.243 ( which I already have all the loading stuff for..

.260 Remington

7mm-08




What'll it be?

260 Rem... it's right in the middle of your choices. Should replicate the old Swede easy enough and be a bunch of fun to shoot as well.

It does fill a niche, and would be my new " Big Gun"....

I can't see anything to not like about it. I don't imagine you care too much about 2" long Bullets and most of the 120's and 130's will fit in there fine.

I've got a 70 Featherweight Swede and it's just a darned blast with about anything you put through it.

Well, 7x57 vs 7-08 vs 6.5x55 vs......go 260..... LOL

I'm thinking the 260 would be a fine choice.

donsm70

Pretty much preference. They will all do fine on deer with the right bullet. With the wrong bullet you will curse out all 3. Bullet selection is best in .243 and worst in 6.5. But still plenty of good choices. If it will also be used for varmint, the 243 shines.

KenMi,

Am very curious why you rate the 6.5 the worst for bullet selection.

Not shot much 6.5 in the past 20 years?

.243,you already have the components for it.

Trying to save us taxpayers a little bit of money.

I suspect he also missed Ingwe post where he said the rifle would be his new "Big Gun." This implies big game, and Ingwe does not lack for varmint rifles.

Ingwe, you need a bob. I know your wife has one but you should build one

Of the three, the 7/08 has the biggest bore (slightly lighter than other two)bigger kick, and does not give up much in trajectory, more fun....

My vote goes 708

I don't deer hunt much anymore but the last few I did whack were with the 7-08. I love it as a deer cartridge. I don't think it gets much better.

There are plenty of great 6.5mm bullets available and the list is getting longer.

I would vote for the 7mm08 at a big big game rifle. wide variety of bullets and bullet weights available to reload as well as other components. the 7mm08 covers a wide range of big game. any thing from small deer to elk as well as African game.

7/08...no doubt about it for me based on my history with the round. Just another opinion and worth exactly what you paid for it.

Best of luck with your ultimate choice.

This was my first thought and is now tattooed on the front of my brain. I still have a dozen or so brain cells surviving there.

d

T'was me, it'd be 7-08.

ANNNNDDDD There we go! I was wondering how many posts it would take before someone recommended something that wasn't amongst the choices...

Yep, and Im leaning towards .243 for a number of reasons..
1) Im comfortable shooting elk sized critters on down with a .243

2) I already have all the "stuff"
and
3) Im cheap and looking for a new take off Remington barrel in .260 isn't panning out...yet...

With those choices above, why not a 308?

AND there we go again!

.243

Surprised Dumb Don hasn't shown up to tell you to sell it and get a Kimber or a Pre-64 M70, so you have that oh so important CRF for when you have to shoot that charging whitetail while on your back.....

Why not try a .243 A.I. I really enjoy mine, and it will kill what ever I chose to hunt. and does it with ease. Rio7

Considering you like the 223 for deer and you desire a big gun, I would consider the next step up, a 243 as your big gun.

Therefore I vote the 243. Of course you will need an 1/8 twist.
You can use the various 105gr slugs and slay deer at long range, with better ballistics than a .223 bullet.

And by chance if an elk accidentally crosses your path while deer hunting you can put the hurt on him with confidence!

You have answered hour own question. You have components, you are comfortable with it, your leaning that way. 243

you can get a new 24" stainless 243 take off for $100 shipped.

My vote is 243. But I knew you'd love the out of context recommendation lol

After more thought, I'm going to say .338.

Got three of them...and Im going to do some stunt shooting with one next week

Got to fit on a short action
And its got to fit the parameters of the three choices given.


I have this on-going communicative problem.....

Have a suggestion Ingwe,buy a .243 Win.

270/08

Already have one. A damn good one at that!


But you know there needs to be no rhyme or reason.....

You will smoke a turd in hell for that...

I like anything that's based on the 308 case including the 308 but since it's not on the list and you have the equipment I'd go with the 243.

So says the Gentleman with a 6.8 SPC.

The 6.8 spc is cool...cause its metric, not 'metrosexual'....

You're probably going to look a long time for a decent take-off .260 barrel, because .260 people don't tend to let them go--unless they're worn out.

.243 take-off barrels are abundant, in fact I believe there's one on the Classifieds right now....

Yeah JB...Ive found a ton of them, and zero .260s

You see guys...I made the mistake of accumulating three scopes, with no guns under them. Then to compound the felony, I just bought a stock..simply because it was a good price......

Im gonna go shoot an oryx with the 6.8spc

Great,it's about time you use a .270 for something.

7-08 is a modern 7x57
7-08 is pretty much a 270 short, and the 270 is awesome.

260 is just like the coolest kid in school, Creedmoor.
260 has all those super cool slippery bullets

I have zero use for a 243

Now you're going to need a .375.

It's true, I read it here.

If you read it here then,you're GTG.

358W

Only my two cents, but the 260 Rem has served me well. I like the 129gr Hornady SP over RL15. It kicks about like a 243, with a little more pop on game. Buy a Shillen CM barrel and have it cerekoted. PM if you want the name of my cerekote guy. His turnaround time is under 1 week.

I have always thought that serious BG cartridges start wih the .264" bores.
The 6mm's are, to me, big bore varmint rigs.

6x45

6.5 Grendel

Seeing you already have not a .243

F

I've had fun burning up a couple 243 tubes. Ordered a new tube for my latest, but going to chamber it in 6 Super LR just because. Had a few 7-08s and thought they were dogs with the heavies, so didn't see the point.

Id say 243 only because you're set up for it...otherwise Creed'.

You already have a 243, so get one of the other two.

I'm with Mathman. Get something you don't have. A 7-08 is bigger fun. I really like mine. There is the amazing, lighter kicker 120 NBT on one end, and some great ballistics in some of the 160+ class.

Geez Rommel's "dad",

Do you have a safe with empty space in it too?

Sounds like you may need more than just one more rifle with all those "extra" scopes.

Geno

.243 for logistical reasons.

AND another one...

AND another one...


My communicative problem continues...

I have a great idea Ingwe.....get a .243 Win.

For what it's worth,(and that isn't much) my suggestion is the 7mm-08. Not much you can't do with one.

Simply because of this: "will be used for larger deer sized critters."

7mm-08

260 Rem is what the cool kids shoot

.260, Lapua Brass, and 123 grain Scenars for the win!

No walnut. It's time you went modern.

No worries..the new stock is synthetic...

GeoW,

".243 for logistical reasons."

?????

When did 'logistical' have anything to do with rifle loonyism?

Just go ahead with the .243.
I am sure there will be future itches to scratch that can fill what ever voids the .243 leaves behind. Not that I would expect such.
If I dwell on something tooooo long, it loses its glitter.
jmho
Tim

The 7 08 is a big rifle! Modern equivalent to 7X57. Known slayer of elephants, unless you are trying to fit in to the Kool crowd, then a 260.

243 is only good for women and kids.

What are the details on the stock?

Pretty basic B&C Ti knock off, Ive got a few of them...l cant post a pic right now Photobucket or someone hacking it has deleted all my pics..

Don't know if you made up your mind yet,get a .243.

My little gun is a 223, my BIG gun is a 243, guess it is not hard to figure out which way I lean. And yes, it will kill an elk.



drover

Time to get out of your comfort zone and do a .260. You can always do a 7-08 next week, and another .243 the week after that, and by that time another stock will come available in the classifieds and you can come back and request stupid answers to your questions again...

Isn't that what you were really after anyway?

Bob

260 with 120 TTSX
or
7mm08 with 120 TTSX

This.

Since you have 3 scopes and 3 cartridge possibilities, the answer is obvious - you need 2 more stocks......

Here to help

If you're set on changing the tube, .26-08.

Dang, I really enjoyed the ones of your wife and dog....

Yep and its easy to get them here!

6mm Creedmoor. Everything the 243 does with a better twist rate from the factory. If you decide you don't like it, ream it out and you'll have a 243 1 in 8" twist.

Whats not to like?

If I ever shoot out my 243AI, I think it'll come back from re-barreling as a 6mm Creed.

Ooops. Forgive me.. I made an awful mistake ;(

Will try to do better.

7mm08 Ingwe, hands down!

G

And let that be a lesson to you!

I think the answer is obvious. Since Tom can't get the rest of the Campfire to choose among the three choices he listed, he should build rifles in every possible short-action cartridge based on the .308 Winchester or 6.5 Creedmoor cases.

Then he should ask the Canpfire what he should build next. This will open up a world of new answers, no doubt including several to buy a longer action, or maybe 17 longer actions.

There is no wrong answer here, but every deer season I am reminded of how well the 7mm-08 works on 100-200lb stuff, with cup/cores at moderate speeds and mono-bullets at higher speeds. Then again, I've had some good results as well from the 6.5's, just less experience. My main two deer rifles these days are a lightweight 7mm-08 carbine for toting and a heavy 6.5mm for sitting. So I like them both......

You're a lot of help JB.....you're an enabler, for one thing, and you know the depth of my sickness, and like to probe it...

Few rifles make me go blah more than a .243. Maybe a .270?? Between the .260 and 7-08, flip a coin. I think a 7-08 shooting a Partition would be a great, big deer rifle.

7-08

I like the 243 and 260 a bunch, but the 7-08 says "Ingwe".

A good .243 pill will put down the biggest of deer species, but a .264 127LRX or 125NPT would certainly give me the warm fuzzies between the two if I had an expensive hunt on the line.

Darrik,

I was actually surprised when Tom listed the 7-08 as a possibility, since he's Mr. 7x57. But you never know when some, ah, older rifle loony might consider catching up to the modern world....

The 7-08 is just cooler to say when someone asks what you whacked that big buck with, or in Ingwe's case that last dink, but you get the point.

Say them all rather fast...243, 6.5, 708. The cool factor is just there with the 708. It's obvious.

That's only if one uses the abbreviated form. If it's pronounced with its full moniker it sounds like the speaker is forgetful and trying to remember what comes after 7.

7, mmmm, oh! 8!

So maybe the 7mm-08 would be more fitting...

Im shooting a 6.8spc for Gods snake...it don't get no more modern than that!


But it is in a bolt gun.....Jim Zumbo told me not to warm up to the AR platform...that it was just a fad....

I'd go 260 or 6.5 Creed.

You need a little variety in ya life!

I've noticed his wisdom has increased over the past few years...

I looked at Nosler's selection of bullets and loading data for the .260 when it first came out. Was especially liking the 100 grain .264 partition @ about 3350+, which mimics my old favorite .25/06 load. All in a short action and less noise & kick.

What is not to like?

No flies on the .243 either ....

It's 7:08....

A .243 launching 80s at 3350. Monos for elk and BTs for everything smaller.

Expat

If we're talking monos at higher speeds, the 6.5gr 100TTSX boattail casts a decent shadow on the 6mm rifles with their 80-90gr monos at fairly similar speeds. BC's are pretty close too. Recoil is lighter on the 6mm, but a 6mm can't launch 120-140gr stuff if you want it to.

Stop it SamO! You can't have all the fun.

My vote is 7mm/08.

Nicely played SammO !

Poobs,

Me not being a stunt shooter, I usually figure the bigger the hole going in and out, the more leakage.

I've prolly killed mo' stuff with a 7mm-08 than any other single chambering!

Loaded with the 140 gr. Accubonds, it's hard not to like IMHO.

ya!


GWB





PS: Pix to follow if need be!

Is it better to be lucky or good?????


ya!


GWB

Ingwe
Since you are retired, you need to live a little- Build yourself a 270 on a Mossberg action, slap a Bushnell on that sucker, buy a Hot Seat and a Butt Out tool from Midway and go hunting!

Oh, and you might want to get one a them there 'thingies' that slide over the stock to hold some extra bullets.

Gentlemen, thanks for all the input..I now have the germ of an idea that may fester into a full blown infection....and its looking more and more like .243.....we shall see!

Turn in your man card then.......

Well, in lieu of a .270 Ingwe (which won't fit in a short action) I could offer you an attractive deal on a 1976 model Ruger #1B - in .243. I'd probably discount it some if you take the salt wood stock with it.

Thanks Patrick, but Im a 1-A fan ( used to have one in a .243...) but my idea will be similar in that it will be "old school"...hope to have it for the pig hunt next spring!

There actually is a .303 British #1A on GB right now, with nice wood....

not that I'm trying to enable, or anything...

Boo, Poobs! Once you go .260 you'll never go back.

Ours have been mild, accurate and killed everything they've been pointed at (after trigger squeeze).

Haven't recovered a bullet yet from any game using 120 BTs out to 350 yards. Most have dropped at shot.

Going to handload some 100 BTs at about 2,800 for a mild short range woods load this year.

That's if I'm not using a RAR Ranch 5.56 or SAS Special .22/250...

Too late MoFo! I just bought a .243 barrel!

so what stock are you gonna nestle this new build in???






Remington model 7, McMillian, 6 x 47






GWB

You wont believe it till you see it Geedub!

Its something only a mother could love...and I've been called a "Mother" a number of times!

It'll be awhile till the unveiling!

Well sir,

If' I've not assumed room temperature b4 the next hog hunt......

and I do understand about butt ugly rifles.......



steyr pro, 376 Steyr


ya!


GWB

So,the unveiling will be after your pilgrimage from San Fransisco,you know,to get the right vibe to paint your stock.

thats a nice little rifle.

Since you are alluding so something ugly, does anyone know what happened to that god-awful McMillan stock that was brown and white in the flame pattern that showed up on here a couple of years ago? The one that looked like schit on a stick? I haven't seen any pictures of it lately.

I sold it to George in Louisiana. I hadn't seen it surface again. Just for your viewing pleasure....the McShitstick.

That really is hideous...not classy and Uber like the McFlame!

Your McFlame deer is horny-er than mine.



I've become a little more conservative with stock colors lately and I'm getting bored with the blandness. I think it's time to order a few that bring sexy back. I need to order a few with colors that really pop!

The deer probably died from laughter,not a bullet.

Shoot, Ingwe: I was going to see if you wanted me to send some 150-gr NBTs and 175-gr NPTs back.



MD, I think he's lost that title.

Your spelling is slipping, sirrah! You trumped on too, but mangled MauxFaux!

Can't wait to see the new rig!

Jealousy is a sick passion.....

Words hurt....

But you may be right, the Torch has been passed to you...whilst I fill in the #1 Slot as " Stunt Shooter"...headed to Texas Saturday to slay mighty beats with little guns, and let the legend grow....

Yup,just shameful.

Congrats on buying a .243 barrel,I knew you were very smart.

Darrick, you're the one that filled my head with the McFlame idea!! Cant wait toes your next color scheme, as long as it doesn't look like the " Septic Tank Swizzle Stick" you posted earlier!

Hell , I just bought another one..one with sights and one without, to see which I liked best. ( The sights are a hint at the old school styling Im going for....)

Iron sights,umm......

Septic Tank Swizzle Stick! Couldn't have described it better myself. Just glad I didn't have any beer in my mouth when I read that or my keyboard would have gotten drenched!

Not me, Ingwe, I just happen to have the rifle that made you Mr. 7x57. I'm sure there are others that are more looney about it than me. On the other hand, looking around my loading bench the only thing I see is 7x57 brass and .284 bullets.

But I do want to see the fruit of your upcoming Stunt Shooter stint. Good hunting!

That thing is hideous!

Good choice on the 243!

I was impressed with your zebra stock. How bout another?

Too much work..and I found out the white stripes get dirty easy!

Did one for Dober, and thats my last one...


Though I did buy a spare stock for my new Tikka........

A classic for a classic. Would not want to get too modern.

Ingwe - stick with a 7mm-08. Has a bit of the panache of the 7mm Mauser but w/o the "modernity" (is that even a word?) of either the .243 or .260. Homesteader

OK...remember when I posted this? Well a decision has been made to go in a slightly different direction...but its going to be a .243...stand by....

Waiting on pins & needles!

You might like it.....since you shoot rabbits with a .460 I'm going the other way...elephant, hippo, rhino for the .243!!

Not sure I understand this. You have 3 scopes with no guns, and 3 options for a new build. 3=3 doesn't it?

Thought Mathman would be all over this obvious equation.


Clyde

Had many 7/08's, and 6.5x55's, then built a 6.5-08, then had several 260's and later a Creedmoor. Now down to a Lapua, which would work well for Poobah.

Now about that man card thing. Isn't the 243 for beginners? Like women and children?

Now a 6BR, that's a thinking man's round. Killed deer to a 1/4 mile myself. Ask Bigstick

So all that aside, only you can decide. If you want to get grow in Loonyism, do a 264-BR

I still think the Coyote Bomber is one of the best. Had this one built in 2005






Still love my ocean flame

Like a .410 shotgun, the .243 is for experienced shooters...not beginners. Like my other .243, this will be my "BIG" gun....

Scott, after blowing a knee out and falling down because of it...repeatedly...and landing on the McFlame and the rocks..Im starting to see the value in a McMillan stock!

Love the ocean flame too!

There.........fixt......

Gott im himmel!

[quote=ingwe]You might like it.....since you shoot rabbits with a .460 I'm going the other way...elephant, hippo, rhino for the .243!![/quote]

Nice stocks, Steelhead.

Yes, very nice.

Ingwe, no doubt, I never felt handicapped when using a 6BR on deer and based on what my former RSI 20" 243 did on a Hog with 85 XBT, the BR will replicate it's performance on game. Those using various 6's and 22's on large game, often know about bullet selection and placement. All else becomes moot.

I always wondered what everyones hesitation is on things like the .243...it will put a hole through a rock chuck you can shove your fist and arm through. Put the same hole in a deer's lungs and fire up the BBQ!

Cause it's a girls/beginners cartridge.

Right?

I've wondered the same about people's aversion to fast twists.

I got over mine....with a little help.......

Isn't that special.

Just because it will put a fist sized hole in a rock chuck, doesn't mean it will do the same to a deer. I've shot both and the results were definitely not the same....

Tom,

I thought you hinted elsewhere about open sights. I have some classic old school pieces if this is the case.

Ed, I did..but my fickle rifle looneys has taken another detour....

Again?

260 is the way to go, I've had all 3 of the rounds you mention.

If it's a big game rifle the 260 gives you slippery BC's for longer shots, and you still have 123 gr Lapua's for messing even further if you want to go lighter.

Sheister, my son put a grapefruit sized hole thru a deer at 300 long paces, using an 85 Sierra BTHP GK, from a Browning Low Wall, broadside..........Plenty damage.

I have drilled shoulders of an 8pt WT at 100 yds using the 95 BT, and look at the pics on this link of a hog I dropped in it's tracks at 240 yds........

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth...ger_1_International_Who_has_#Post3091822

Yep, a 243 is just too small.............Lol.

Hint: for those of you on the edge of your seats..I just ordered an English Red Pad for it.

English Red goes with anything.....

Good choice amigo. You'll find that 85grn TSX is the shizzle, just like the 62grn .223 and 100grn .257.

It will blow the guts out of anything less than three feet thick.

Tease!