Help choosing a caliber

[bstomper]

I feel the need to buy another gun but I'm not sure which caliber to buy. I most likely won't hunt big game with it because I will just use my 7RM just so I have the confidence of the larger cartrage at further distances if I need to reach out. So i'm looking for something that will be cheaper to reload and have less kick and still have good accuracy for targets and varmint/predators at medium ranges (600ish yards). I have been tossing back and forth a few calibers but don't have any hands on experience with any of them, just what I have been searching online. The 243 win. 6.5 creedmoor and the 223 rem are the calibers that I have been leaning towards. To be honest, I have been leaning towards the 243 but keep changing my mind for what ever reason. As far as the 6.5 creedmoor goes, It will be roughly the same cost to reload as my 7RM, so I may as well just use the 7RM. The 223 and the 243 would definately be cheaper to load and have less kick, but I believe the 243 would out perform the 223 and if needed, I could always use it for deer. I guess it sounds like I have my mind made up but I would love to hear opinions from you guys with experience in these calibers.

 

[jasent]

243 is my fav chambering. Though 223 will be cheaper. Are you planning to build or buy?

 

[bstomper]

Buy. Looking at the Tikka

 

[gohring3006]

I reload 6.5 and .243, I don't see any significant savings from one or the other.
You might have specific bullets in mind that may be cheaper but I don't see a savings.
With that said, I love the 6mm but I personally believe the the 6.5 is a more versatile choice.

 

[Mercracing]

I am putting together a 224V build. That should fit the bill for what you need too.

 

[KyCarl]

If you buy one chambered in that .223 Wylde there is a boatload of really cheap
5.56/.223 ammo out there! Most likely cheaper than you can reload?

 

[stwcattle]

I am considering building a specific varmit/predator medium to long range rifle, and I'm looking hard at 22 creedmoor.
What I am using now as a "medium" range rifle is a 6 creedmoor which is excellent choice for predators at 600 yards and lethal on deer and antelope.
I own a 6.5 creedmoor as well and prefer the flatter shooting 6 creed over the 6.5 for the application you are describing.

 

[yobuck]

For me, there wouldn't be much deciding, id go .243 for a medium long varmit gun and use what you have for the longer shots.

 

[Weatherby Fan]

6mm Creedmoor would be my choice over the 243 but pretty sure Tikka doesn't chamber it so I would go 6.5CM.

 

[Hand Skills]

Everyone says the .223 is cheaper to shoot, and it is, if you're shooting surplus ammunition. There comes a point where precision ammunition is required, especially when shooting long range. At that point the cost savings is minimal, and performance handicapped when compared to other choices.

Gotta agree, 6mm Creedmoor is your best choice, followed by .243 Win

 

[Deleted member 107796]

Greetings ya'll, here for the first time.
Just another thought given you now shoot 7 RM... how about a 7mm-08?
I've been looking at some in the low-mid range cost offerings and found some dandy Rugers and a Tikka Hunter for a bit more. A bit cheaper to reload and you have something that can be loaded with lighter bullets

 

[Deleted member 25294]

TIkkas are great rifles but if you get one in 243 you'll be handicapped with a slow twist barrel.

if you are going with a factory rifle I would get the tikka in 6.5 Creedmore since it has an 8 twist barrel.

I was looking for the same type of set up that you're considering and recently bought a tikka 3006, and put a 7 twist 6mm rem pre-fit barrel on it. It'll cost you about $370 to re-barrel a tikka with a pre-fit from McGowen.

Euro optics has some pretty good deals on the t3's, just over $400
For a light recoiling long range target/deer/ coyote rifle it's hard to beat a 6mm, check out the 110 SMK's they're no joke.

 

[bstomper]

Thanks for all the replies guys. This is the kind of info I was hoping for. Only problem is now I have more to think of. lol

 

[corsair4360]

Cost of cartridges if you reload is really down to the different bullet prices and amount of powder used. You control that, in part other than the size of bore and case capacity. If you plan to shoot alot, then the 7RM barrel will go before say a 223 or another bore area to case volume cartridge that has a lower ratio. Go to the accurate shooter web site and read this article (http://www.accurateshooter.com/technical-articles/overbore-cartridges-defined-by-formula/) Yes I am the author of the article and have a substantial update pending.