New rifle need advice on caliber

[Jhedges]

Hello all,
I just recently within the last year had my first semi custom built, 700 action with an hs sporter, and 23.5 inch pac nor 3 groove 1 in 9 twist barrel in the #5 sporter contour. Also I installed a leupold vx3 3.5-10 Cds and timney trigger at 1.5# caliber is 308. This is my primary do all hunting rifle.

While I love how the rifle turned out I am itching for another one to start with. But I would like a smaller caliber for target shooting and hunting. Preferably a Remington 700 short action because I have a 700 HS stock in the pro series police in the safe. I also have a bushnell elite 4200 4-16 x40 in the safe to start on the rifle until I upgrade to something else.

I've been looking at the sps varmint line in 243 win or 223 for the availability of ammo and versatility. This weapon would be used on targets hopefully out to 500 yds and also for varmints and predators. I currently do not reload but will soon.

Help me out with some advice on what weapon to go with because I am torn between the two. My wife has a 243 savage and I have a 204 in the pro hunter platform but I want another 700 to play with.


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[MoBoost]

223 1:7.5 twist

 

[sharpshooterbr]

I think a 243 would fill your bill nicely, and while you're not yet reloading, you will have a great selection of factory ammo to choose from.

 

[Smithcollector]

+1 on a fast-twist 223' as long as you're about to start reloading. Plenty capable at the ranges you mention, easy to load, low recoil - perfect compliment to a 308.

 

[Jhedges]

What's the standard on the remington 223 is that 1 in 12? What is the heaviest it is supposed to stabilize accurately? I don't think I would want a new barrel to start out with, I'd like to send a couple thousand rounds through the factory one first..


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[MoBoost]

SPS Tactical comes in 1:9 twist and will shoot 69s and might handle 77s.

Savage FTR and VLP (#18464) are 1:7 twist and will shoot whatever.

 

[Alaskashooter]

My vote goes to the .243 once you start reloading you can get some awesome grouping with a good barrel and trigger.

 

[valkyries]

Out to five hundred yards, varmint and predator hunting. Id go .223. But if you ever want to shoot at longer ranges the .243 will trounce the .22 in ballistics, serve well in the varmint/predator hunting, and its also a fully capable deer cartridge. I think id go with the .243. It is just way more versatile than the .22. Light bullets at ultra high velocity for varmint grenades and heavies for big game/targets.

 

[Rogue111]

My vote is the 223, put a brake on or suppress it & there is very little recoil. Cheap to reload for too.

 

[BoilerUP]

1:9 will stabilize 75 HPBT & 77 SMK/CCs just fine.