In between 243 and 300 Win Mag

[stownsend]

I am thinking that I need another rifle in the safe and thought that something between what I have now would be a perfect fit. Looking for ideas. Currently I have a Remington 700 in 243 and a Winchester Model 70 in 300 Win Mag.
I was thinking along the lines of a 270 or 7mm-08. This would primarily be a whitetail gun, with ranges up to about 300 yards for most shots.
I love the 300...but ammo is expensive, and recoil can be harsh. I like the 243 for varmint, and have used it on whitetail, but think that a little bit bigger would be nice.
What are everyone's suggestions? Experiences?

 

[ricebasher302]

You can't go wrong with a .270. 7mm-08 would be fine as well, but so would a .308 for your purposes.

 

[pikid89]

+1 for .270...that is probably amongst the most versatile loads on the planet...cept maybe the .30-06

 

[IdahoSkies]

+1 on the .270. I love mine.

 

[ArmedBear]

6.5mm-06 Ackley Improved

 

[7.62 Nato]

There is no reason to not use the .243 for hunting deer here in Michigan. I would go with the .308 Win if you want to add another caliber to the stable, but I may be prejudiced.

 

[Dirtpile]

They're fairly close ballistics-wise with only a slight edge going to the .270 with about 75-100 FPS @ 130 Grains and a slighly better SD. This isn't enough of an advantage to make a noticeable difference inside of 300 yards.

It really should only come down to whether you prefer long or short action.

 

[Maverick223]

Easy...one of the following: .260Rem. (best of the bunch IMO), 6.5x55mmSwede (bigger, but a little better), 6.5Creedmoor (still pretty good, but the aforementioned are better), or 7mm-08Rem. (most available, almost as good as the 6.5s). The .280Rem. is also a good intermediate cartridge, but doesn't fill the gap as well IMO.

 

[PT1911]

I would go .260 or .270. Would definitely complete your trio of rifles...

That said, the .243 is capable of much more than most give it credit for and is a damn near perfect deer round... a .260 or .270 will extend your range a bit and hit harder when they get there but be much easier on your pocket and your shoulder than the 300...

JMO...

 

[skiking]

I would get a 7mm-08, a .270 Win or a .280 Rem.

 

[CoRoMo]

I'll add one to the .270 column. I'm .270 to the bone. My blood-type is 270.

 

[Nico Testosteros]

I vote .270 or .308.
Ammo is fairly plentiful and either packs a punch.
The slightly flatter trajectory of .270 is nice.
The availability of cheap FMJ for .308 for plinking, punching paper is a factor in its favor.
So...flip a coin?

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

.280 Remington. In a T/C Icon.

 

[Float Pilot]

6.5 x55 Swede Mauser

 

[Kawabuggy]

You don't reload.. That makes it an easy choice-the 270! There is ammo for it on every shelf across the nation. Hard to find a .270 that won't shoot well right out of the box.

If you were a reloader, I'd say get the 7MM Rem. Mag!

 

[Red State]

I would vote .270 or 7mm-08. Both are versatile rounds that will meet your needs nicely without getting too exotic. Slight edge to the 7mm-08 for being kind on the shoulder and available in short action rifles.

I don't know much about the 6.5s, so I can't comment there. As mentioned by others, the .308 would work fine, and it would allow you to buy FMJ plinking ammo for $10 per box.

 

[Abel]

7mm-08 or 308.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Between the two you listed, I'm for the 7mm-08. I love the 7mms.
If I get to make my suggestion, I'm with Dr Tad. I love the .280 Rem. And mine is just in a NEF Handi Rifle. Imagine how much more I'd love it if it were in a decent rifle like a Remington 700 or a Browning X-Bolt.

 

[627PCFan]

Are you reloading? That can play a major factor-

 

[WYcoyote]

I have a 25-06 and a 7mm Rem mag in between my .243 and .300 Win mag.
Why just one?

 

[Daveboone]

I would vote .308. Performance almost identical to the .270, but in a short action, and ammo is everywhere. If you reload, some of the components work also in the .300 (180 grain bullets, primers) to simplify things.

 

[Casefull]

Get a Kimber montana in 308...5.5 lbs of lightwt accuracy.

 

[Runningman]

Hard to go wrong getting a 270 Win.

 

[Col. Plink]

In days past I would have said 30'06. I can still recommend it because it is still so popular and comparable in price to the .308, but .308 has more applications (read: load variations) esp. in finding milsurp ammo.

.308 goes back a long way too. I have a pump Remi 760 in 30'06, but theu made 'em in .308 for almost as many years.

I have both, but if I could I'd get a 300 WinMag and a .243 as my next two rifles!

 

[KevinR]

Fisrst choice 270
Second choice 7mm-08
Third choice 308