Currently I own a remington 700 chambered in a 243. Win that I was debating on throwing a little money it's way! Just throw a nicer stock on it, blueprint it, recrown, trigger job and so forth. Now I have also always wanted a good 6.5 cal something either a. 260 rem or a 6.5 creedmoor. Now ballistically these two 6.5 are basically identical so let's just say I choose the 260. I have toying with the idea of building one and leaving the 243. as is for now. A buddy keeps saying that running a 105gr pill or bigger out of my 243. Win pushed at normal to high speed will easy stay with or out run the 260. Because I'm new to the 6.5's and been doing research on a bunch of them I was curious if that sounds right. A 260. Running a 130-140 vs a 243. Running 105+. As far as wind the heaver 6.5 will do a touch better but barely and for drop the 243. Win does better. Are my numbers right or am I seeing something different?
243. Win compared to 260. Rem
- Thread starter Matt_3479
- Start date
Well I have both... and ill say I will take the 260 anyday. Im actually about to rebarrel the 243 into something else... if that tells you anything... ive has great luck with the 6.5 calibers... they buck the wind fairly well. I am not worried about drop of a bullet... as I can easily dial my turrets to compesate for that. Bullet drop isnt something I worry about as much. I personally habent streched out either one long range yet as I just got my 260 a few weeks ago. The 260 will reach out further though more accuratly. Im running a 140 gr berger bullet with my 260 tactical chamber..
I like the 243 round, but I havent had good luck with it as I have with others.
If you do a 6.5 cal there is 3 to choose from 6.5x47 lapua, 260, or 6.5 creed.... they are all great. My benchrest buddy just started running a 6.5x47 lapua as his competition gun... hes had good luck with it over the 6mms...
Personally im sold on the 6.5 calibers. Ive been very happy with each one ive gotten
I like the 243 round, but I havent had good luck with it as I have with others.
If you do a 6.5 cal there is 3 to choose from 6.5x47 lapua, 260, or 6.5 creed.... they are all great. My benchrest buddy just started running a 6.5x47 lapua as his competition gun... hes had good luck with it over the 6mms...
Personally im sold on the 6.5 calibers. Ive been very happy with each one ive gotten
Thanks for the reply! Realistically I don't think I can go wrong with either. Right now I have had awesome luck with my 243 and that's why I'm having a hard time saying no when it comes to building a new 6.5 cal or working with my 243.win. I guess if I build both, load for both, shoot both. I will always have a back up and can smack them yotes way out there. I'll start with the 243.win since it's cheaper for now as it's already shooting under 1/2moa out too 300 yards. And I haven't spend enough time with that cal to know what it's doing
What kind of velocity you getting with the 140 bergers
Last edited:
The big question is what twist you have in the present barrel?
To beat a new fast twist for 6.5, you're going to need a fast twist in .243.
Traditionally .243W was in the 1-10" range.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
To beat a new fast twist for 6.5, you're going to need a fast twist in .243.
Traditionally .243W was in the 1-10" range.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
I have a 243 and a 260, both w/ 8 twist barrels. Can't really tell the difference- 115 DTACS at 2950 in the 243 and 140 SMK's at 2780 in the 260. Both are extremely accurate with recoil not an issue. Barrel life of the 260 should be 2 to 3 times that of the 243 according to the experts. Flip a coin they are both great calibers.
duh…Keep the .243 and shoot it. If it does what you want, fantastic!
If you shoot out the barrel, and still want a 260, rebarrel then.
It's a win-win.
I will say, I am personally looking at getting into 243 for a couple of reasons.
TTR
If you shoot out the barrel, and still want a 260, rebarrel then.
It's a win-win.
I will say, I am personally looking at getting into 243 for a couple of reasons.
TTR
Right now my barrel is a 1:9 twist barrel. I'm hoping she will take the 105's and stabilize but don't have any hope for much heavier. Just have to wait for a couple things to come Into play and I'll test the 105's out and if they work well I'm going build up on that. When it comes to buring the barrel out , maybe then I'll rechamber it to a 260. Just I between ranges right now and can't test loads till I become a member. Like I said, if everything pans out I'm going work up that gun properly.
built a .243 out of a Remington varmint its not a fast twist but it runs 95grn bergers no problem I cut it back from 26-24" and installed a Holland QD brake. in a Manners T 3 stock. you can shoot targets at 70 yards and watch impact the recoil is like shooting an air rifle basically zero.
I think its a great round.
I think its a great round.
I have both and like both. I don't do a ton of high volume shooting and give my barrels adequate time to cool down between strings, so I'm not to worried about barrel life differences. If you are heating them up in long fast strings, your going to burn the .243 faster.. just physics.
For me the .243 is just more fun to shoot, couldn't tell you why, but I just really like it. You can't go wrong with either and it really depends on the type of shooting you do. Out to 1K you won't be able to tell much difference. If you already have everything for the .243 I say stick with it and try to see how heavy you can go with the 1-9 twist you have.
If you want to try the .260, go grab a Savage to test the waters.. if you don't like you can always sell off pretty fast.. look at it as a $100 rental.
Best of luck
For me the .243 is just more fun to shoot, couldn't tell you why, but I just really like it. You can't go wrong with either and it really depends on the type of shooting you do. Out to 1K you won't be able to tell much difference. If you already have everything for the .243 I say stick with it and try to see how heavy you can go with the 1-9 twist you have.
If you want to try the .260, go grab a Savage to test the waters.. if you don't like you can always sell off pretty fast.. look at it as a $100 rental.
Best of luck
