7mm08 or 243AI?

[XTREM HTR16]

Hello,

I am leaning toward rebarreling a Kimber Montana from 257 Roberts to 243AI. Mainly to take advantage of and shoot the 105 AMax and VLD. This rifle will be purely a deer hunting rifle, will shoot anywhere up to 1000 yards for fun, but not that far at deer.

I am also considering just using a Kimber Montana in 7mm08 with the 150 NBT or 162 AMax. I can get the 150 to 2,800 and the 162 to 2,700 fps. This rifle would be mainly for deer, but could also be used for larger animals if needed.

Any views one way or the other? I believe the 7mm08 barrel will last more rounds than the 243AI - is that correct?

Thanks!

 

[2Shots]

Re: 7mm08 or 243AI?

Only had a 243AI for a short time, shot the throat out, but on a hunting gun it won't get shot that much and it's a screamer so maybe, but bullet choices?. The 7-08 is a safer and nice deer choice, you can't get it up to 3100 fps but you can go heaver and shoot a long way for deer and lots of good hunting bullet choices. My 2 cents worth.

 

[turbo54]

Re: 7mm08 or 243AI?

708 is the clear winner as far as I'm concerned.

It's far more efficient, meaning the barrel will last and doesn't need to be LONG like the 243 or 243AI. While not as flat, 708 is great to 1000+ yards, will give better trace, better impact splashes, and hit deer and steel much harder.

But, I'm a 7mm fanboi'

 

[CanSniper]

Re: 7mm08 or 243AI?

Dr Evil would call the 243AI a "fricken laser", but the 7mm gets my vote for barrel life and energy on target.

 

[rubicon_unlimited]

Re: 7mm08 or 243AI?

Just picked up a 7-08 700 XCR!

 

[pbrainey]

Re: 7mm08 or 243AI?

I thought about rebarreling my 7mm-08 to a 260 not too long ago and looked through my reloading books and decided to stay with 7mm-08 better knock-down power on deer and its nearly as flat. but as my name states I'm a little biased to the 7mm projectile. never owned a 243 of any sort but I used to own a 250 savage and I never had a deer run more than 20 yards after impact, but I don't know how it would have performed at longer distances. I shoot the 139g hornady btsp @ over 3000fps and it slays em every time. I say 7mm-08 and you dont have to fireform brass.

 

[SScott]

Re: 7mm08 or 243AI?

My vote is for the 7mm08, because that is what I have my Sako TRG22 rebarreled to for shooting comps. With 162 grn Amax bullets the ballistics are outstanding.
The 243 AI sounds like a cartridge but you will shoot out the barrel in a short time.
SScott

 

[tylerw02]

Re: 7mm08 or 243AI?

I think guys spend too much time and money chasing the ideal cartridge when in reality, practice will pay off more in the end. .257 won't kill em less dead than the .243 or 7mm-08 with the right bullets and shot placement.


If you want to shoot to 1k at targets, let me recommend a target rifle to supplement your hunting rifle.

 

[AIS]

Re: 7mm08 or 243AI?

Kidding right? rebarrel a BOB for deer hunting? I dont have my book right in front of me but the bob shooting 100 gr pills rocks deer! berger makes a 115 gr vld for the .257 not as high as bc as the 6mm or 7mm but still works well. I have both 257 roberts and a 25-06 so i have shot both and find myself looking at a new winchester super grade in 257 rob cause that is one fine piece of work. My vote keep the bob for hunting and get urself a differant LR paper punching rig.

 

[craigp40]

Re: 7mm08 or 243AI?

I have both the 7-08 and 243AI set up as tactical rifles. For what you want to do, go with the 7-08. It's a great cartridge for both hunting and LR target shooting. Using the 162's, I've shot steel with it at 1200yds and hammered deer at 500. Not as flat as the 243AI, but more energy for the animals and to see impacts during target shooting.
The 243AI with 115's is an awesome target rifle. It's a laser and can easily hit targets at 1000 and beyond. Only downside I've seen in matches is seeing your impacts at long range to adjust your shot. It's also more of a pain in the ass to load since you have to fire form brass.
My vote is 7-08. But like mentioned above, your 257 is a good hunting cartridge as well. But I can understand wanting something new to play with...

 

[Grand]

Re: 7mm08 or 243AI?

I say split the difference and build a 7-08AI.

 

[5RWill]

Re: 7mm08 or 243AI?

I'm with Grand that or a .260. I love the .243 but harsh reality is well barrel life, especially on a AI... then again idk i like all the cartridges mentioned. 115gr DTAC or VLD should be a screamer out of a .243AI, 7mm might be heavier this and that but as far as drop is concerned the .243 wins. Then again the longer barrel required for the .243 to attain those speeds might be a negative. Idk really it's up to you.

A question for 7mm-08 owners/fans whats the usual velocity reports on the 168gr Berger VLD?

 

[XTREM HTR16]

Re: 7mm08 or 243AI?

I'm looking at a 22" barrel on either rifle.

Limited to 2.82 to 2.825" max cartridge length due to the Kimber magbox. So it's very hard to load .257 cal 115 grain VLD's in that length.

 

[HillBilly_Sniper]

Re: 7mm08 or 243AI?

I just got done going thru trying to decide what caliber a couple months ago try taking some time to look at the 260AI with the 140gr amaxs not to back on the pocket book to shoot and still have great energy for down ranve punch at longer distances. I am happy as can be with my 260ai and glad I went with that caliber........but if your stuck om the two id agree with a couple guys above go with the 7-08AI

 

[mwroseberry]

Re: 7mm08 or 243AI?

7-08.... But I'm a die hard fan. Bucks the wind much better and especially at longer ranges. Cor-bon now makes 168 berger factory ammo that's listed at 2700fps. I don't see why it's not possible with hand loads but I'm getting 2780fps with a 162BTHP. I prefer them over the a-max because at longer ranges 1k+ it's more stable. Out until 1k the A-max and bthp are identical.

PM me with any questions you may have.

Good luck,
Merritt

 

[donovan]

Re: 7mm08 or 243AI?

243AI in the package you are talking , barrel life on a hunting rifle isnt a concern and even you shoot it alot still be awhile, have ran a 243AI alot and have another in the works.....