Which is the best all round Caliber

[CWMMAN3738]

.308

 

[Brithunter]

This one ........................ ->

 

[liongeorge]

Sorry to high jack the thread a bit as I was thinking of getting something bigger than my .243.

To all the .308 fans out there what are the benefits of this calibre over 30-06? Does the 06 not have a bit more versatility bullet weight wise and can push them a bit faster if required. I am no expert , this is just what I've been told.

 

[Taff]

Taff, whilst I'm sure the .22LR has killed, and will continue to kill, more game of all sizes than any other round worldwide, our laws don't allow it. The .243 will do well, but the bigger rounds will give you more flexibility. The .243 will kill boar if your shot placement is right, but the .270 carries a bit more energy downrange to help it get through the heavier bone if your shot is less than ideal. I use a .243, but am thinking of upgrading to the .270, just to give a bit more flexibility for the hill stags.

​
Matt I have gone that route, most of my deer are fallow, I bought a BSA cf2 in 270 last year, and have used it on roe, red and fallow, it's a great round, my 243 is gathering dust at the moment.

 

[andymarsh]

As it's mostly reds I shoot I have used a .270 for 20 years and can fault it (the only issues have been pilot error) I have used it on roe and fallow and never had a problem although it's all about what bullet you use. Shooting roe with a 110gr vmax is not a good idea as it can make a hell of mess, however 130gr siver tips work well as do 130gr rws t-matels. As to recoil I've never been worried about it, the most recoil I have had out of a .270 was a T3 lite, it wasn't so much the recoil but the muzzel flip, this was sorted with a mod.

IMHO

Andy

 

[ejg]

overall, 7-08, then again if pigs came in or woodland shooting it must be the 308.
Possibly the most balanced and efficient cartridge of the last century.

edi

 

[FGYT]

As a noob myself ive decided the best for me would be .260 remington

however it has some disavantages mainly on avalibility of Rifles and Ammo in UK so a custom build and handloading is more likly so a high start up cost is the main disadvantage
where as second hand .243 are readly avalible and cheap (can be rebarreled to 260 but adds £500-£1000 )
So mainly anything in the 243 up to 308 isgoing to be fine as will the faster magnums etc

 

[Double four]

I have vacant a slot for a .270 and very nearly sold my .243 and bought one a few weeks ago , im glad it didn't come off as this has given me chance to try some 85 nosler partitions I had loaded for the girlie gun and they are the dogs danglies shot five deer with them now and all but one have all dropped on the spot with h/l minimal damage and good exit
Im a big fan of the .243 and its done the business on everything but sika which is the only species of deer on the isle haven't killed with it , its normal diet was 87 vmax and I have had great success with them very fast killing but you can get a fair bit of bruising on chest shots.
Don't let people put you off, I have found its a great calibre if you mainly shoot from foxes to fallow, I have killed reds with mine but not chest shots, I belive the partitions I am using now would do just fine though. DF

 

[wayneinthepub]

Hi Bob

Does John have the 85 nosler partitions in stock ? They sound like I need to give them a try.

​How are you loading them up ?

 

[terrier1]

308 all day long

 

[bobjs]

I'm a 243 fan as all i shoot is munty roe and the odd fallow, fox is there from time to time with the 243 and again i can't fault it, sadly not stalking again so my 243 is on its way out the door, but if i was staying in stalking it would not be going anywhere.

bob.

 

[Double four]

Wayne they are loaded with 38 varget rem brass and primer, I got the last 100 from johns but I blew quite a lot off faffing with bullet seating and powder charges to find a load that duplicated my 87 v max's poi.
I have just ordered some more from cliff's, there on the way right now I was lucky he had some in stock. DF

 

[RPA 6MM BR]

6.5x47 Lapua would be my choice for the best all round calibre. Great for everything from Foxes to Reds, very, very accurate too!

 

[bornfree]

I would say 25-06 its a great round.

 

[Heym SR20]

nowt wrong with 243 or anything in between up to 30-06. Personally I like the 7mm calibres - 7x65R which is what I use, but in a bolt 7mm-08 or 7x57. Minimal recoil and good for everything. Steer clear of the magnums or other very high velocity calibres unless you are having to shoot across long ranges - high velocity, light bullets and sub 100 yds equals lots of mess from bullet blow up - fne on vermin but not so good on deer.

 

[biker1]

.50 fat mac with a new barrel every 100 shots

 

[BenC]

I have vacant a slot for a .270 and very nearly sold my .243 and bought one a few weeks ago , im glad it didn't come off as this has given me chance to try some 85 nosler partitions I had loaded for the girlie gun and they are the dogs danglies shot five deer with them now and all but one have all dropped on the spot with h/l minimal damage and good exit
Im a big fan of the .243 and its done the business on everything but sika which is the only species of deer on the isle haven't killed with it , its normal diet was 87 vmax and I have had great success with them very fast killing but you can get a fair bit of bruising on chest shots.
Don't let people put you off, I have found its a great calibre if you mainly shoot from foxes to fallow, I have killed reds with mine but not chest shots, I belive the partitions I am using now would do just fine though. DF

I'm not one to normally get into these calibre threads as whatever you find works for you is good enough and it doesn't matter what others think as long as you're happy with it but after all the anti .243 on here at the moment I will add here that I agree with double four for those that are doubting that their .243 is up to the job. 243 will do anything you ask of it on deer, runners have never been a problem for me with any species as long as the bullet choice is correct. I started with a .243 went up to 6.5x55 and then ŵent straight back to .243 although I have since had it Ackleyed. I use it for everything with no problems and I shoot a reasonable amount of deer of all species.
​I'm not saying it's the only calibre but it should certainly not be dismissed as merely a starter calibre to be upgraded from as soon as possible.

 

[Psyxologos]

.308 all day long...

 

[6pt-sika]

for anything in the uk, and a 'mixed bag' including targets to a good distance, except for maybe boar, the 260rem is an excellent choice, ie. for varminting, targest, roe/sika, up to and including the largest red stags.

I am planning to re-barrel my .243 sako into exactly 'that', unless I change my mind again.

I'll second that !

The 260 REM is one of those cartridges I hold near and dear !

Never had the oppurutunity to shoot Roe , but I have killed a Sika or two with the 260 REM NO PROBLEM !

I wouldn't be adverse to shooting one of those Red things you guys have over there with the 260 either as long as I was using the Nosler 140 PT .

 

[pwinnall]

.260 rem no small primers like the 6.5x47 and it's good with the 140's