I hunt with a Howa Mini 6.5 Grendel with the 22" factory taper barrel. It was in a MDT LSS gen1 chassis but it was kind of heavy so I just bought a Stocky's Carbon stock for it and am still waiting for my DIP bottom metal to try it out. MDT is now making bottom metal for the Mini but, if you can...
I haven't read all the replies but I will say I used to be a .243 supporter but...... I have forsaken it in favor of the 6.5 Grendel. The Grendel does everything the .243 does and more using less powder. I have stated elsewhere that it hits harder than a .243, bucks wind better than a 22-250 and...
I've been using 7828SSC in my .243 for years with 87gr Bergers and Hornady's and it works great. It had the best velocity and accuracy of all the powders I tried in my Savage. I got it from an old Berger reloading info email I got from Berger before they did their manuals.
CFE 223 is my favorite with 8208 running a fairly close second. 123 SST's, Federal 205 primers and just under the max (32gr) CFE 223 make for a super accurate load @ 2704 out of my Howa Mini. 40 rounds over the chrony and I got an ES of 12 fps, I have never seen numbers like that before this.
From Bullberry regarding 7.62x39 in it's Contender barrels,
** Custom barrels chambered in 7.62 x 39 will be built on a true .308" groove barrel. This does not allow for use of ANY re-manufactured or factory-built ammunition regardless of bullet diameter used. These products are commonly made...