Which calibre to change too?

[25 Sharps]

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.

.243 with a BC of .25 doing 3000 fps verses a .308 TTSX with a BC of .35 doing 3200fps or a 110 gr TTSX doing 3400 fps, the .243 is going to drop less?

How does that work then?

I tend to zero all my deer rifles 1.5-1.8” high at 100 yards, using the above 3 examples.



View attachment 291851

Barnes 130 at 3200 fps
View attachment 291852

Barnes 110 at 3400 fps


The .308 is far less drop at 300 (less than half with the 110), around double the energy and 400+ fps faster at 300 yards.

Why would anyone choose a brick shaped .243 over that?

 

[slider]

You won't "need" to change calibre as the law will change to allow sun 100gn ammo for larger species. But if you still "want" to change then .270 all the way.

 

[25 Sharps]

.243 with a BC of .25 doing 3000 fps verses a .308 TTSX with a BC of .35 doing 3200fps or a 110 gr TTSX doing 3400 fps, the .243 is going to drop less?

How does that work then?

I tend to zero all my deer rifles 1.5-1.8” high at 100 yards, using the above 3 examples.



View attachment 291851

Barnes 130 at 3200 fps
View attachment 291852

Barnes 110 at 3400 fps


The .308 is far less drop at 300 (less than half with the 110), around double the energy and 400+ fps faster at 300 yards.

Why would anyone choose a brick shaped .243 over that?

Barnes 110 data didn’t add!

 

[25 Sharps]

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.

Nope. Lead free often leaves small exits and poor blood trails.

Sometimes with lighter bullets not exiting at all.

(And that is from my experience and my shooting buddies’)

 

[25 Sharps]

.243 with a BC of .25 doing 3000 fps verses a .308 TTSX with a BC of .35 doing 3200fps or a 110 gr TTSX doing 3400 fps, the .243 is going to drop less?

How does that work then?

I tend to zero all my deer rifles 1.5-1.8” high at 100 yards, using the above 3 examples.



View attachment 291851

Barnes 130 at 3200 fps
View attachment 291852

Barnes 110 at 3400 fps


The .308 is far less drop at 300 (less than half with the 110), around double the energy and 400+ fps faster at 300 yards.

Why would anyone choose a brick shaped .243 over that?

Right I’ll try again with the attachments

 

[TringSaint]

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> ?>

www.dauntseyguns.co.uk

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> ?>

www.dauntseyguns.co.uk

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> ?>

www.dauntseyguns.co.uk

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!

Jeez, you do like to pick at the carcass!!

Ok, so my over simplification of ‘military’ calibre was aimed at calibres which are often used for target shooting, of which many are military calibres.

As for milsurp, who cares as long as it’s cheap to shoot, ie not custom made hunting stuff at £2 a go.

You could go for a bigger hunting calibre but if you shoot target then you might struggle to get cheap fmj stuff. No issue if you home load or don’t mind paying match ammo prices, but I wasn’t talking comp standard f-class, I was talking a normal range day where you might chuck 100 rounds down the range, so cheap ‘plinking’ ammo such as PPU /GGG etc.

Now have I quantified my response in sufficient detail to meet your general approval?

 

[25 Sharps]

Jeez, you do like to pick at the carcass!!

Ok, so my over simplification of ‘military’ calibre was aimed at calibres which are often used for target shooting, of which many are military calibres.

As for milsurp, who cares as long as it’s cheap to shoot, ie not custom made hunting stuff at £2 a go.

You could go for a bigger hunting calibre but if you shoot target then you might struggle to get cheap fmj stuff. No issue if you home load or don’t mind paying match ammo prices, but I wasn’t talking comp standard f-class, I was talking a normal range day where you might chuck 100 rounds down the range, so cheap ‘plinking’ ammo such as PPU /GGG etc.

Now have I quantified my response in sufficient detail to meet your general approval?

I was just confused by your reference to 6.5x55 being an ex military calibre being a benefit.

When what you meant was, a calibre with some availability of cheap fmj.

 

[bogtrotter]

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.

Or because some of us just happen to like .243

 

[TringSaint]

I was just confused by your reference to 6.5x55 being an ex military calibre being a benefit.

When what you meant was, a calibre with some availability of cheap fmj.

I thought my reasoning was fairly self explanatory.
The fact that most cheap fmj is also made for military calibre rifles was part of the reasoning, not that any of this has assisted the OP.

 

[25 Sharps]

I thought my reasoning was fairly self explanatory.
The fact that most cheap fmj is also made for military calibre rifles was part of the reasoning, not that any of this has assisted the OP.

No, but hasn’t it been fun?

Cheap fmj is made for military calibres, it also made for non military calibres, the majority is not necessarily made for military calibres.

PPU FMJ is made for .222, 6.5 creedmoor, 22-250, .243 etc. lots of non military calibres, your 'military calibre' point really is moot - maybe just pointing out it would be worth seeing what calibres S&B / PPU make FMJ plinking ammo for cheap practice, 6.5x55 being one of them, would have made more sense!

 

[Foxyboy43]

I wonder how long this particular fencing match will continue…….

 

[Ludders]

So this is what I’ve decided….
I got rid of the 22lr last year, so I’ve messaged Thames valley and asked if I can do a one for one and change to a 6.5mm something. With the intention of developing a non toxic load that will allow me to legally shoot all uk deer. (That’s my good reason). Not sure how they will feel about that but, I have 243 and 223 already so I can’t see a problem, but common sense does not always prevail with firearms licencesing.
Will keep you posted.

 

[TringSaint]

I wonder how long this particular fencing match will continue…….

Ended as I can’t be bothered to argue with a …t!!

 

[Alces Alces]

So at the moment I’m shooting a 243 with 100g Sierra prohunters.
Most of my stalking is muntjac and roe, but once a year I shoot red hinds in Scotland. Nothing I shoot in England goes into the game dealer so I’m still using lead. The reds in Scotland will need to be shot with copper.
If I’m going to change calibre what would everyone recommend??. If I change calibre I will move over to copper for all my stalking, to try and future proof my shooting.

Hopefully nothing that’s going to smash little muntjac to bits
.
I will be reloading my own ammunition.

Thanks in advance
James

.270 all day, every day!

 

[woody.1987]

Some greats in this list. Will depend on constraints.
Are you wanting a factory rifle or custom, these will have factory ammunition and can be loaded. All depends on ease of purchase of ammunition, components and lead free options.

6.5 creed and 308 win. With maybe 270 win. Depends what you can get and cost. What's readily available for you?

 

[Mungo]

So at the moment I’m shooting a 243 with 100g Sierra prohunters.
Most of my stalking is muntjac and roe, but once a year I shoot red hinds in Scotland. Nothing I shoot in England goes into the game dealer so I’m still using lead. The reds in Scotland will need to be shot with copper.
If I’m going to change calibre what would everyone recommend??. If I change calibre I will move over to copper for all my stalking, to try and future proof my shooting.

Hopefully nothing that’s going to smash little muntjac to bits
.
I will be reloading my own ammunition.

Thanks in advance
James

Find out what the RFD you use the most has the most reliable stocks of.

Anything between .243 and 300WM will work, but many can be tricky to source a consistent supply of the components you want.

I think for absolute fool proof ease, it’s probably very hard to beat .308

 

[TringSaint]

Find out what the RFD you use the most has the most reliable stocks of.

Anything between .243 and 300WM will work, but many can be tricky to source a consistent supply of the components you want.

I think for absolute fool proof ease, it’s probably very hard to beat .308

In the area where the OP is, there is a company called Case Prep Services (in Marston Moretaine) who stock a great selection of reloading kit for hunters and target shooters alike.
Paul also makes custom ammunition which is really accurate and is designed specifically around your rifle and what you want it to do - this is ideal for lazy sods like me who can’t be bothered to make their own but want something ‘off menu’!!

 

[Mungo]

In the area where the OP is, there is a company called Case Prep Services (in Marston Moretaine) who stock a great selection of reloading kit for hunters and target shooters alike.
Paul also makes custom ammunition which is really accurate and is designed specifically around your rifle and what you want it to do - this is ideal for lazy sods like me who can’t be bothered to make their own but want something ‘off menu’!!

Speaking as a lazy sod, that sounds ideal!

I hate everything to do with reloading, but reluctantly engage with it to get what I want…

 

[sy247]

I’ve never shot a 308, what’s recoil like compared to 6.5??

I've got a .308 F Class rifle with a mod, its like firing a .22 LR.

I've fired an iron sighted .308 unmoderated target rifle that didn't fit me particuarly well. That was unpleasant.

All depends on the weight of the rifle, the fit and whether it is moderated.

 

[Mungo]

I've got a .308 F Class rifle with a mod, its like firing a .22 LR.

I've fired an iron sighted .308 unmoderated target rifle that didn't fit me particuarly well. That was unpleasant.

All depends on the weight of the rifle, the fit and whether it is moderated.

Exactly this.

Moderated rifle that fits you will be very hard to tell apart from a .243