SussexSteve
Well-Known Member
Keep what you have and use the estate rifle. If not 6.5 or 308
Which calibre to change too?
- Thread starter Ludders
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Norfolk Deer Search
Well-Known Member
Probably the best post yet
I occasionally like to stretch the legs on my rifles and take them out to distance, with something shaped like that it ain't gonna happen as easily 
I unfortunately shoot across a valley and 9/10 the winds are extremely strong. It has a massive bearing to hold off with something actually shaped like a bullet, not a brick. It's always bloody windy here so that is a factor I look for.
I'm out now as it happens, just no deer
I unfortunately shoot across a valley and 9/10 the winds are extremely strong. It has a massive bearing to hold off with something actually shaped like a bullet, not a brick. It's always bloody windy here so that is a factor I look for.
I'm out now as it happens, just no deer
Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
The factory load is doing just under 3,000 fps. BC will be around .25 or so. Or in other words about the same as a typical light for calibre bullet. Think 50gn in 243, 110 in 308.
They will shoot flat enough that with usual 1” and a bit high at 100 yds or 4cm high at 100m you will be within the boiler room with a centre of chest hold out to 200.
And they hit hard.
If you want to shoot bigger deer at longer ranges, you need a different cartridge - its not the job for the 243.
There are plenty of red and sika hinds being shot at the moment with these bullets.
Where are you finding 50 gr in .243, 58 maybe but - the difference is the velocity for 55/58 gr in .243 (3600+3900 fps) and 110 gr in .308 (3350-3450) makes up for the poor BC, BC is also determined by speed so a lower velocity means a lower BC - waht velocity is the brick's BC measured at?
a 58gr from a .243 dropsaround 4.2" at 300 yards with your 1" high zero, the Brick 10.8" - you are not comparing apples for apples.....
I'm sorry but there are better copper bullets out there that perform ballistically and on game, there's simply no need to be shooting bricks at anything!
Rebarrel to a creedmoor ( you can even use your .243 brass) or .308 and shoot bullets that work well for drop and wind.......
Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
I am not at all suggesting shooting at 300m. I am talking about 200. And the velocity is 3,000 fps, so not exactly slow.
Even a 10” drop at 300 is workable if you know the range and drops of your load.
But 300 is pretty much irrelevant for the vast majority of deer. Most are shot well within 200.
And as for rebarreling - you looking at not a lot of change out £600, 700 or even more.
And agree there better ballistic bullets out there, but we have legislation that has a min of 100gn for all deer other than Roe.
If the OP is only occasionally coming northwards fir the odd stalking trip, there is no point spending the money on a rebarrel when there is a perfectly good solution already in place. But like everything in life it is a compromise
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Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
And of course your suggestion of a 308 is good, but typically a 308 or any other deer legal stalking calibre will drop 7 to 10” at 300, depending of course on your bullet, cartridge, initial velocity and actual zero.
Norfolk Deer Search
Well-Known Member
big ears
Well-Known Member
Had one
Had one for 14 years. Most accurate rifle I own
Norfolk Deer Search
Well-Known Member
TringSaint
Well-Known Member
Ex military means fmj factory ammo is readily available.
Try buying factory fmj for a 25-06!
Sonicdmb73
Well-Known Member
Possibly because this is what a lot of forces try push on new applicants. They certainly tried that in my area in fact I have friends in three adjoining forces areas that were steered towards 243 regardless of what they actually asked for.
You might be surprised by what different RFD's stock. I travelled a lot for work and whenever I could called into various gun shops. One had more 6.5 Creedmore than the rest put together, others varied between the common calibres.
TringSaint
Well-Known Member
You won’t get milsurp in anything other than 308.
But……. Any rifle chambered in a military calibre modern or old will have fmj readily available in order to cater for the service rifle and target shooters.
For this reason, if you fancy popping off some deer and in the nice weather chucking lead down a range then any military calibre rifle will give you both good hunting options and fmj target options, usually at a good price.
Didn’t realise I needed to spell that one out, but hey ho!
The only issue I gave with mine is that it came with a 22” barrel which is a pain as I like to carry muzzle down, but all good other than that, I can see the bullet strike whereas I couldn’t with .308, but that might be just me. I’m sure you will enjoy whatever you get, so have fun looking!
Well no, 7.62x54 is available as milsurp, 7.62x39, 7.5x55 GP11 and good old 5.56 x 45 to name a few.
The vast majority of calibres that are available as factory loads will have fmj or match target options.
So why recommend 6.5x55 on the basis that it’s an ex military round? When you can get fmj/target ammunition for most popular calibres?
Et voila
243 WIN. – FMJ (V330762) – 80 GRS – Sellier & Bellot
www.sellier-bellot.cz
NORMA Jaktmatch .270 WIN 130gr FMJ - NewAvon Arms
In 1925 Winchester introduced a .30-06 case necked down to a bullet diameter which until then never had been used any British or other European manufacturer: .277”. The result was to become one of the most popular hunting cartridges in the world. When introduced it offered better long range...
newavon-arms.co.uk
Dauntsey Guns, Wiltshire, Wiltshire's Friendly Gun Shop: 6.5mm Creedmoor, FMJ
Wiltshire based gun and shooting equipment shop serving the Chippenham, Swindon, Bath and Bristol area, Wiltshire Rod & Gun, Wiltshire Rod And Gun6.5mm Creedmoor, FMJ</title> ?>
Dauntsey Guns, Wiltshire, Wiltshire's Friendly Gun Shop: 6.5mm Creedmoor, HP
Wiltshire based gun and shooting equipment shop serving the Chippenham, Swindon, Bath and Bristol area, Wiltshire Rod & Gun, Wiltshire Rod And Gun6.5mm Creedmoor, HP</title> ?>
Dauntsey Guns, Wiltshire, Wiltshire's Friendly Gun Shop: .260 Rem, Match
Wiltshire based gun and shooting equipment shop serving the Chippenham, Swindon, Bath and Bristol area, Wiltshire Rod & Gun, Wiltshire Rod And Gun.260 Rem, Match</title> ?>
A few examples of non military, popular stalking rounds, with target options available for practice.
The point being that the fact the 6.5x55 is an ex military round gives it no advantage at all for practice ammunition. In fact fmj choices and supply are fairly limited compared to some other calibres!
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.308 with a spitzer, boat tail bullet of 150-175 gr at the speeds it is capable of is going to drop less and carry more energy than a .243 firing a 100 gr brick. Likewise a 126 grain yew tree at 3100 fps + is going to be better ballistically and terminally.
Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
Yes it will carry more energy. But differences in drop will be minimal. Perhaps an inch or two.
Foxyboy43
Well-Known Member
Yep - of the order of c.2,000 joules (wotever they are) against c.1,400 for the .243 at 300m according to Sako and about 2/3 cms drop in favour of the .243 at that distance.
billy_boyle_2010
Well-Known Member
Oddly enough lead free could work well in 243 for reds.
Its much more likely to exit. bleed out quicker and you get a blood trail.
No personal experience though.
Its much more likely to exit. bleed out quicker and you get a blood trail.
No personal experience though.
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