Bigger than 243 but a bit different?

[Claret_Dabbler]

The 6.5's are better all around deer rounds than the 243. However, if you are keeping the 243, then step right up to a bigger 7mm or 30 cal. I would go with a 7x64 or a 30/06. You are then well covered for pigs and maybe even a trip to Africa if the notion ever takes you.

 

[LJT40]

6.5x55 will deal with all deer in the UK comfortably but is very much a personal choice!

 

[flyingfisherman]

Spend a bit of time doing your research, i find it like browsing in a shop! Im not going to tell you what i would have because at the end of the day it boils down to personal preferences, any calibre above your .243 will kill deer.. thats a given, if its just for stalking then terminal ballistics and long range performance aren't a consideration. It all comes down to what you want. People are always going to be biassed because of what they shoot or what they perceive to be 'slow' or old hat or a barrel burner.

Ive given in.. My personal short list of calibres for a multi role stalking/vermin/LR rifle would be 6.5x47lap for 130gn class bullets, 6.5x284 for 140gn bullets and 7mm SAUM for 180gn class bullets. The reasons are from the research ive done on the web and by talking to various shooters from different disceplines and what floats my boat..

 

[caorach]

If I were in your situation and looking for something a bit different but still useful then I really have a fancy for a 300H&H.

It would be suitable for UK deer and I'm sure you could load it down a bit if that was what took your fancy plus you would have something that was a bit of shooting history. It might even be possible to get a 2nd hand one in a nice rifle for the money for a new custom in some of the other cartridges you might consider.

On the down side it will not really offer anything in practical deer shooting terms over a 30-06 or even a 308 but it would be fun to say you own one.

 

[JabaliHunter]

.25-08 ?
I went with the 6.5x47

 

[Martin M]

.257 Weatherby shoots flat and is different or 7 STW shoots flat and is also different..

 

[Msnwillo]

I've quite a few different chamberings, had many more and the best in my mind for the uk is the one I started with, .308 shooting 125grns @ 3125fps, muntys to big royals they all go down without fuss

 

[deeangeo]

It's got to be said, .25-06Rem, 6.5x47Lapua & .260Rem (All shoot flat & similar velocities) are not at all like .243Win.
They all have considerably more punch and are therefore most suitable for all UK deer of either sex.
Of course, all the other calibres mentioned are suitable too, but they all have greater recoil than any of the three I mention.
Of the 3 mentioned, 6.5x47Lapua is the most recently introduced calibre and I've seen how they perform first hand, when used for stalking Reds. Very impressive indeed.
Personally, I've shot many Reds, Sika too - hinds in particular, but stags as well with my .25-06Rem.
Given the choice to buy again, I wouldn't hesitate with 6.5x47L.
Cheers.

 

[brenneke]

The 6.5mms clearly have an advantage now over the .257 cals due to available projectiles. The bullet makers are able to make the 6.5mm bullets longer than the .257, so for the same weight bullet the 6.5mm can actually be higher BC despite the larger cross-sectional diameter. Personally, i think all serious deer hunters who are currently in the market for a new rifle would be crazy to go past the 6.5mms unless you are regularly hunting bigger animals. I would also add in the 6.5x65 RWS.

 

[User00003]

the 6.5x55 doesn't seem to be able to shake off its mantra of being a rainbow shaped ballistic curve that is just dreadfully boring..the Volvo of calibres one might say. not sure why to be honest, my father has shot one for over 40 years and taken most game straight down up to 200yds without qualms.

I often get my mind in all sorts of knots about wildcat chamberings for the excitement factor and to have something 'differerent', but at the end of the day, whatever calibre you have, as long as its 'big enough', the same shot in the same place from the same distance with the same type of bullet will probably have pretty much, guess what, the same effect and the same outcome.

I digress...

 

[Hornet]

I've been shooting more fallow of late and and contemplating something with a bit more punch than the 243 - mine loves 90gn bullets, so it's probably a bit on the small side for a large fallow buck - perfectly capably when I put the bullet in the right place I know, but nice to have a bit in reserve if the shot isn't quite perfect! I reload, so don't mind something that is not readily available, in fact I really fancy something a bit different.

Trouble is, I don't know what!! 6.5x47, 260 etc are all just a bit similar ballistically to the 243 to really make it worthwhile running a second calibre. I'm not going to be firing thousands of rounds, so something a bit "hot" doesn't worry me and if I want something that shoots a bigger bullet as flat as my 243 then it's going to need to be quick...

.25-06 death ray mate.

 

[jase kaye]

308 good for anything 125g fast & flat / 150 g good for any species in the uk

.270 110g faster and flatter/150g still faster and flatter than the .308 and good for any thing in the uk.

 

[Muir]

Why not chose a rifle you really like and then chose caliber? One that fits you well and has qualities you like.

That said, I like the 6.5x55 for myself. Bullets up to 160 grains. With 120 to 140 grain bullets it is lethal on deer.~Muir

 

[Tim1]

.257 Weatherby shoots flat and is different or 7 STW shoots flat and is also different..

In my opinion, these are the only cartridges suggested so far that sit well with the 'something different' criterion. Alternatively how about a .270 Roy? The problem is of course that if you go too different then you're into custom or semi-custom territory together with the associated costs. At least last I looked, Remington are chambering to the .257 Roy which is likely to be available at a reasonable cost.

Regards,

Tim

 

[JabaliHunter]

.303 Epps on a nice Hagn action single shot...

 

[pierred]

7mm08

 

[375 mag]

Stick with the 243 but use 100g or 105g bullet heads when your shooting fallow !!!!!!!!!!!

 

[floyd]

270 wsm, versatile, hard hitting, fast and flat with 110 and 130 gn, fairly swift sledge hammer with 150gn.

I've used mine from roe thru fallow to reds, and as the Kelloggs Tiger say "they're gggrrrreat!"

 

[MONGOOSE]

Swede readily available factory ammo also reloading supplies easy to get hold of and many factory guns available

 

[Axe]

30 06

most versatile calibre in history. does it all from muntjac to red stags.