compass cal choice

chetc · November 27, 2018, 08:28 PM

looking to get a rifle to carry and yet with some power, so i was thinking 243 win, then after got thinking more about trajectory on out to about 6-700yds the there may be better choices in calibers available in the compass line, don;t want 30cal, going to put a brake on it, how would the 7mm-08. 8.6CM and the 243 rank in order from number one to 3 not a fan of recoil but i figure a brake would make these 3 calibers easy to shoot,
chet

Art Eatman · November 27, 2018, 09:08 PM

Hey, welcome to the playpen!

Hunting use? Unless you are quite experienced as a rifleman, anything beyond 300 yards or so is well up the learning curve. The .243 is plenty of power for deer; I've known of bang-flop kills to 300 and 400 yards, although I've generally limited my shots to around 200 or so. (7-pound Sako 19" carbine.)

I've been happy with my 6.5-pound 700Ti in 7mm08. Haven't hunted with it much, though.

For a sort of all-around deer and varmint cartridge, I'd take a .243 over most other choices. (Handloading is my long-time deal.

)

jmr40 · November 27, 2018, 09:41 PM

The 243 is fine for deer, even borderline for larger game with careful bullet choices and shot placement. It is actually quite popular for long range target shooting. Just for reference in a typical rifle 243 will have about 11 ft lbs recoil.

Rounds like 6.5 CM, 260, 7-08 and 308 are great deer rounds too, but are also suited for game larger than deer if you ever decide to hunt larger game. For someone who knows what they are doing I have no problem with shooting game at longer ranges. But everyone has to know their limits. For me 300-400 is the max, and even then only under perfect conditions. Any of those will kill most anything at 400 yards If you want to shoot targets beyond 600 yards the 6.5 CM is the clear winner. It is still in the game at a mile, and with factory rifles and factory loads. A 243 will do it too, but not with factory rifles and factory loads.

The 6.5 and 260 have recoil much closer to 243 at around 12 ft lbs, but can shoot heavier 120-140 gr bullets vs the 243 which is best with 85-100 gr bullets.

The 7-08 and 308 are suitable for deer and anything else in North America. They can shoot much heavier bullets typically in the 140-165 gr range, but 175-200 gr bullets are an option.

Most people find recoil tolerable, about 14 ft lbs for a 7-08 and about 15 for a 308. But for some that is just too much, especially from a light rifle.

It sounds like 243 is a good option for you.

GarandTd · November 27, 2018, 11:19 PM

Jmr40, that is a great caliber breakdown. Thanks!

std7mag · November 28, 2018, 05:20 AM

I would also ask where you live?
Some states have caliber restriction on certain game.

Example PA requires 27 cal or greater for hunting elk.

chetc · November 28, 2018, 08:19 AM

hi JRM 40

good report, i had a 243 40yrs ago, i do have a heavy barrel 6.5cm 28" 8 twist mainly set up for varmint and bench shooting not a carry gun what so ever maybe 14-15lbs, i do have alot of bullets ect for the 6.5cm, maybe rather than have to buy new dies ect for another cal, maybe a brake on the compass in 6.5 will do

chet

Art Eatman · November 28, 2018, 11:00 AM

Been a long time since I've been to a gun show. What are used dies selling for, these days? Many of my sets of dies were bought at shows. Absent abuse, they don't wear out.

For that matter, I hear that bolt guns are plentiful at many pawn shops, and in like-new to little-used condition. During my 30 gunshow years, I enjoyed "tweaking" trade-ins to make very good shooters of them.

hounddog409 · December 7, 2018, 01:32 PM

i think the 7mm-08 is the best deer cartridge there is.

ballistically its the 7mm mauser in a small package and more accurate than I will ever be.

Plus l can shoot it all day w/o killing my shoulder.

I have a T/C Venture in 7mm-08. i can "clover leaf" at 100 yds every time I do my part.

plus I can use it for any deer type animal in the world.

November 27, 2018, 08:28 PM	#1
chetc Junior Member Join Date: December 11, 2015 Posts: 10	compass cal choice looking to get a rifle to carry and yet with some power, so i was thinking 243 win, then after got thinking more about trajectory on out to about 6-700yds the there may be better choices in calibers available in the compass line, don;t want 30cal, going to put a brake on it, how would the 7mm-08. 8.6CM and the 243 rank in order from number one to 3 not a fan of recoil but i figure a brake would make these 3 calibers easy to shoot, chet

November 27, 2018, 09:41 PM	#3
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,809	The 243 is fine for deer, even borderline for larger game with careful bullet choices and shot placement. It is actually quite popular for long range target shooting. Just for reference in a typical rifle 243 will have about 11 ft lbs recoil. Rounds like 6.5 CM, 260, 7-08 and 308 are great deer rounds too, but are also suited for game larger than deer if you ever decide to hunt larger game. For someone who knows what they are doing I have no problem with shooting game at longer ranges. But everyone has to know their limits. For me 300-400 is the max, and even then only under perfect conditions. Any of those will kill most anything at 400 yards If you want to shoot targets beyond 600 yards the 6.5 CM is the clear winner. It is still in the game at a mile, and with factory rifles and factory loads. A 243 will do it too, but not with factory rifles and factory loads. The 6.5 and 260 have recoil much closer to 243 at around 12 ft lbs, but can shoot heavier 120-140 gr bullets vs the 243 which is best with 85-100 gr bullets. The 7-08 and 308 are suitable for deer and anything else in North America. They can shoot much heavier bullets typically in the 140-165 gr range, but 175-200 gr bullets are an option. Most people find recoil tolerable, about 14 ft lbs for a 7-08 and about 15 for a 308. But for some that is just too much, especially from a light rifle. It sounds like 243 is a good option for you. __________________ "If you're still doing things the same way you were doing them 10 years ago, you're doing it wrong" Winston Churchill

November 27, 2018, 11:19 PM	#4
GarandTd Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2016 Location: Rural PA Posts: 1,639	Jmr40, that is a great caliber breakdown. Thanks! __________________ 22lr, 20 gauge, 8mm Mauser, 35 Remington, 30-06, 5.56x45/223, 9mm, 380acp

November 28, 2018, 05:20 AM	#5
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,609	I would also ask where you live? Some states have caliber restriction on certain game. Example PA requires 27 cal or greater for hunting elk. __________________ When our own government declares itself as "tyrannical", where does that leave us??!! "Januarary 6th insurrection". Funny, I didn't see a single piece of rope...

November 27, 2018, 09:08 PM	#2
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	Hey, welcome to the playpen! Hunting use? Unless you are quite experienced as a rifleman, anything beyond 300 yards or so is well up the learning curve. The .243 is plenty of power for deer; I've known of bang-flop kills to 300 and 400 yards, although I've generally limited my shots to around 200 or so. (7-pound Sako 19" carbine.) I've been happy with my 6.5-pound 700Ti in 7mm08. Haven't hunted with it much, though. For a sort of all-around deer and varmint cartridge, I'd take a .243 over most other choices. (Handloading is my long-time deal. )

November 28, 2018, 08:19 AM	#6
chetc Junior Member Join Date: December 11, 2015 Posts: 10	hi JRM 40 good report, i had a 243 40yrs ago, i do have a heavy barrel 6.5cm 28" 8 twist mainly set up for varmint and bench shooting not a carry gun what so ever maybe 14-15lbs, i do have alot of bullets ect for the 6.5cm, maybe rather than have to buy new dies ect for another cal, maybe a brake on the compass in 6.5 will do chet

November 28, 2018, 11:00 AM	#7
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	Been a long time since I've been to a gun show. What are used dies selling for, these days? Many of my sets of dies were bought at shows. Absent abuse, they don't wear out. For that matter, I hear that bolt guns are plentiful at many pawn shops, and in like-new to little-used condition. During my 30 gunshow years, I enjoyed "tweaking" trade-ins to make very good shooters of them.

December 7, 2018, 01:32 PM	#8
hounddog409 Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2015 Posts: 115	i think the 7mm-08 is the best deer cartridge there is. ballistically its the 7mm mauser in a small package and more accurate than I will ever be. Plus l can shoot it all day w/o killing my shoulder. I have a T/C Venture in 7mm-08. i can "clover leaf" at 100 yds every time I do my part. plus I can use it for any deer type animal in the world.