.243 Gas Gun?

[shields shtr]

I have been stewing over an AR-10 Platform for a while now and trying to decide on a caliber, and a manufacturer. Primary use will be for hunting coyotes and the occasional hog when I get the chance. I read a lot about 6 creeds and 6.5 creeds, but not much about the trusty ol .243. I shoot quite a few NRL/Practical rifle type matches and honestly, pretty much all of the long range gas guns I see seem to always have some type of feeding issue, especially the 6.5s. I am thinking .243 for a number of reasons:
1. Wide choice of ammunition
2. Great flexibility for different applications
3. A little bit of "long range" potential with the heavier projectiles

I am looking at the Rock River Arms Predator HP, and the F4 Defense SF10. Anyone have any experience with these manufacturers and the caliber?

 

[redneckbmxer24]

I’ve had a couple, nothing to write home about. I wouldn’t call 243 ammo selection great unless you’re only talking about hunting ammo. Match ammo selection sucks for 243 whereas it’s great for 6 creed and there’s enough 6 creed hunting anmo to find something your gun likes.

Tune your gas system right and run good mags like KAC or Lancer and you won’t have feeding issues.

I personally really dislike large frames for a number of reasons. For your uses IMO you won’t gain anything over your typical 556 AR15 other than another rifle. If you want more gas for hogs then a 300BLK or 308 is a better answer. 556 works just fine though, especially with a good bullet like a Barnes or even the Federal fusion.

 

[mercracing]

I had one for years. Like he^ said, hunting ammo has a decent selection but match ammo selection blows hard. I rebarreled mine to 308

 

[DRAM40A1]

I hate to contradict the experts around here but I just finished building this 243 two weekends ago. I do not shoot factory ammo but have loaded 87 VMAX, 90 Scenars, 105 BTHP. I ran across a deal I couldn’t refuse on a Seekins Precision fluted barrel and this is the result. I’d say 243 Winchester is a coyotes worst nightmare, especially with light, fast varmint type loads.

 

[DRAM40A1]

However, I also have two 6 Creedmoor uppers. This one a 22” JP barrel and matches velocity with exactly one less grain of H4350 than the 243. The other one is a 20” Bartlein from Craddock.

 

[beretta682]

It says you have seen plenty of 6.5 have problems. That is not true I've been shooting a 65 Creedmoor in my gas gun it eats everything I put in it ,you might wanna do some more research,