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Old November 5, 2011, 03:12 AM   #26
briandg
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Okay. South dakota, and you said varmints.

first off, I don't like the 22-250. It's actually not good as a multi use cartridge, although many people disagree. Yes, it will kill prairie dogs, coyotes, hogs, and deer, but it's not optimal for deer or hogs, and it really requires a heavy barrel to wring out all of its accuracy. A sport weight 22-250, in my thoughts, is just a waste of FPS and powder. go 223, or heavy barrel specialty rifle.

South dakota? I'm thinking you mean prairie dogs, coyotes, jackrabbit, maybe bobcat, or other small critters. Maybe you intend to go for an antelope or deer someday.

Leave out the .260. Not right for prairie dogs, and even more than you need for other varmints, when a .243 will do in anything coyote or smaller very successfully. .243 with .75 grain match HP or polymer bullets in an accurate sport barrel will do 1" easily with the right loads, and that is prairie dog accuracy out to 200+ yards with a deer capable gun.

You can use the .243 on deer and antelope, although I advise against it.

So, I'd suggest a .243, as it fulfills all of your 50 pounds or smaller animal targets perfectly, and could do larger game as well, but I still suggest that you get a larger rifle to perform larger game hunting separately. If you go two rifles, well, a .260 would be adequate for smaller deer and pronghorn, and could be used for rodents as well, if you choose. a .223 would do for dogs and rabbits, and either one will knock coyotes over like a truck. you have plenty of usage overlap with those two, and better specialized usage as well.
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Old November 5, 2011, 04:45 AM   #27
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I had several 6.5's over the years and they are great. I still have a .260 and it is really hard on deer. I don't bother to reload for it, so I have only used 140 grain bullets. The Remington's work great. I never bothered to reload because the magazine well is not long enough for 160 grain bullets. I use 160 grain bullets in my 6.5x55 and it knocks them sideways on a broadside shot. I would think a .260 loaded with 160 grain bullets would be more than enough for even the biggest animal in the deer family.
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Old November 5, 2011, 08:40 AM   #28
Art Eatman
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Mostly varmints? Probably the .22-250. With proper bullets, the .22-250 will work on deer (within my usual self-imposed limits). Nothing wrong with a .243, but for prairie dogs and such, the .22-250 seems preferable.

I certainly wouldn't bother with a .260 for little critters.
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Old November 5, 2011, 10:19 AM   #29
dahermit
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Quote:
here's the safe contents, what am I missing?

1. 270
2. 243/heavy barrel
3. 243 sporter
3.7mm-08
4. 22-250
5. 220 swift
6. 223
7 223 wssm
You are missing an accurate count.
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Old November 5, 2011, 10:31 AM   #30
603Country
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If that list of rifles is what he has inventoried in his gun safe, it appears that the OP doesn't have a need for much of anything gunwise, and particularly not a 243 (two of them) or a 22 centerfire (4 of them). He has a 270, so he really doesn't need a 260. But, being a reloader, he might have a good bit of fun and interest in working with a 260. I enjoy mine.
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Old November 5, 2011, 11:18 AM   #31
ripnbst
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22-250. Easy choice.
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Old November 5, 2011, 12:05 PM   #32
TX Hunter
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I would get the .243 Winchester. I figure that when the other two are obsolite the .243 Winchester will still be on the shelves.
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Old November 5, 2011, 12:15 PM   #33
Archer 9505
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Quote:
here's the safe contents, what am I missing?

1. 270
2. 243/heavy barrel
3. 243 sporter
3.7mm-08
4. 22-250
5. 220 swift
6. 223
7 223 wssm
30-06 "The All American"
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Old November 5, 2011, 06:07 PM   #34
Daryl
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The .243 makes a great varming/deer cartridge. Good range, accurate, and easy to shoot.

The same could be said for the .260.

If deer are in the proposed species to hunt with this gun, I'd have to choose one of the above. Either one would do me just fine, but I already own a .243 so I'd probably choose the .260.

If it's for varmints only, then the 22-250 is the obvious choice for me. I once owned one, 'bout 25 years ago, and it was one very fine varmint/coyote rifle. Had a lot of good times with it, too. One day I'll have another, just because, but right now I get by very well with a .17 Remington.

I even still have the dies to load the '250, and I'll definitely have another one of these days.

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Old November 5, 2011, 10:02 PM   #35
mrbro
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Varmints? 22-250.
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Old November 5, 2011, 10:12 PM   #36
Brian Pfleuger
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I'm a little confused why 243 and 22-250 would even be on the list, since you already have both.
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Old November 5, 2011, 10:14 PM   #37
tahunua001
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I would get the 243. that's the cartridge I grew up with. I know the best ammunition for the job(for me anyways). I know it's limitations(which are pretty slim besides bullet weight) and I know exactly how comfortable I would be in taking an animal that is either smaller or larger than my targeted demographic.

all of this is based on personal experience mind you. I'm sure a 22-250 and a 260 are all very well suited to pretty much the same tasks but I'm just more familiar with the 243
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Old November 5, 2011, 10:58 PM   #38
Buzzcook
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.260 if you won't let me have a 6.5x55
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Old November 6, 2011, 09:59 AM   #39
Elkins45
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If you already have a 223 and 220 Swift then you don't really need another varmint round. You have a 270 so you're covered for deer. If that was my collection I would add a 300 magnum of some description for elk/moose just in case I ever got the chance to shoot one. After than I would add something I could shoot cast bullets in like a 358 win or 45/70.

Of the three rounds you mention I would pick the 243 for varmints.
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Old November 6, 2011, 11:53 AM   #40
BIG P
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My 2 cents 260 or 25-06
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Old November 6, 2011, 06:24 PM   #41
SDShooter79
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Ok, here's the dirt

This is going to a a coyote rifle...only. So, I have settled on the 243 and here's why. Yes, I have two other 243's; however, my heavy barrel 243 is a beutiful Savage put together by me strictly for prairie dogs and I don't really want it to get messed up hunting coyotes. My other 243 is a m700 ADL that's about 20 years old. Wood stock, sporter barrel, also a pretty gun that I don't want to get messed, but hunt deer with from time to time. All my other 22's are pretty near and dear to my heart as well accept the 22-250 that I've decided to give to my Dad. The 220 Swift is a number one and again, to beutiful to get beat up. The 223 WSSM is kinda the freak of the safe. Hardly ever gets shot. It's a m70 coyote with a medium barrel and laminate stock. Great performer, just don't know how much barrel life it will have. My 223 is a cheap little savage with composite stock that does a good job but just doesnt have the range a 243 will. So, there it is, it's going to be another 243!

What the platform will be is open for suggestion
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Old November 6, 2011, 06:33 PM   #42
jimbob86
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Quote:
here's the safe contents, what am I missing?

1. 270
2. 243/heavy barrel
3. 243 sporter
3.7mm-08
4. 22-250
5. 220 swift
6. 223
7 223 wssm
You are missing milsurps, Commie guns, hell, you don't even have a 30-06.......

I'd have gone with the .260, myself.

You already have the coyote caliber covered with the Poodle Shooter (.223).
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Old November 6, 2011, 06:47 PM   #43
SDShooter79
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Sorry jimbob, milsurps aren't really my thing. Also, IMHO, a 270 will get the job done on anything I want to hunt in North America. While the 223 is good, I have found that, here on the prairie the 243 rides the wind a little better.
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