Help me pick a caliber!

[stevescg80]

I have a short rem 700 in 243 win and the barrel is toast and want to rebarrel it very soon what caliber would you guys build? I want it to be a repeater.Will be a long range rifle for varmints/deer/antelope. I favor the ackley line of cartridges and other wildcats and I have a 280 ackley being built right now

Here's the calibers I already have
223---cooper 21
6mm-06------custom rem 700 28" hart barrel w/brake
300 win mag---custom rem 700 shilen barrel w/brake
270 win----custom rem 700 shilen barrel w/brake
22-243 ackley----custom howa action 30" hart barrel w/brake
338-06 ackley---custom mauser shilen 28" barrel w/brake
222 rem---savage
243 win--remington 700
30-06---encore
308 win--custom model 70 action w/brake
260 rem---custom xp-100

 

[sambo3006]

How about the 260 AI or the 6.5-284? I don't know if the mag is long enough to shoot the 6.5-284 without deep seating the bullets and the feed rails might need to be opened a bit but in any case the 260 AI would be close behind. There are some pretty impressive 6.5 mm bullets out there such as the .600+ BC 130 gr and 140 gr VLD bullets by Berger not to mention the 142 gr Sierra match king.

 

[shiredude]

The 243 ackley would definately be suitable for deer/antelope sized game. I dont believe you could use it as a repeater with the long 107's and 115's, but the 87 gr VMax would be a great option.

 

[tscott]

The 25\06 or one of the 257's would be a good addition and make a great antelope or deer gun.

 

[6BR4ME2]

You have a great selection.... go with a 6.5-284....243 AI .... or 6 br

 

[winmagman]

6-6.5x47

 

[J E Custom]

Steve

Looks like you don,t have a 7mm and the 7/08 or the 7/08x40
would work with out any changes in the action or the bolt face
and just a rebarrel.

Both rounds are capable of 1000yrd shooting and 6 to 700yrds on
big game, and are extremely accurate.

My 2 cents
J E CUSTOM

 

[davewilson]

7wsm.

 

[PFCSkoug]

I would have to put in a vote for a 257 roberts AI

 

[stevescg80]

I have it narrowed to 6br 6.5-284 257improved

 

[efw]

257 Bob Imp!

257 AI is the way to go in my opinion. Easy on the shoulder for shooting, will reach out there, and won't break the bank on reloading. As someone early on said, I'd go there.

6.5-284 would be my next choice, personally. I currently am in the end stages of a 257 AI build, about to start a 338'06 A-Square, and am thinking about a 6.5-284 or 270 WSM next.

270 WSM would be a great choice for you also.

 

[Long Time Long Ranger]

That 243 rem700 is a short action so your bound there. The 243 AI is as good a cartridge as I have ever shot for accuracy and efficiency. It is an awesome varmint/deer/antelope round. Larger calibers get pretty expensive shooting varmints a lot. Lots of really good choices in any caliber off that blown out 308 case though.

 

[Buzzsaw]

my .02

7mmWSM, 180gr Berger VLD @ 2800FPS Leave the case prep, fire forming, neck turning etc. to the benchrest guys.

 

[Supermag]

Slow twist 22-243.