Should I get a .243 or a .260?

J

johnstonblake

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Aug 1, 2010
217
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Texas
#1
Looking to get a new bolt gun and can't decide between a 243 and a 260, it'll be used primarily for hunting. I don't reload as of yet, so ammo cost favors the 243, as well as selection and availablility. i know the 260 is a superior round, but is it what i should go with?

also, the wife would use it from time to time, and i don't know much about the recoil on the 260. how is it compared to the 243?
 
#3
Re: Should I get a .243 or a .260?

A lot of us really love the .260, good bullet selection and decent barrel life and great accuracy. But if you want low recoil and better factory selection the 243 is a good choice. I would be hard pressed to choose one, but if you want my 260, better bring a load of cash! Personally I think the 243 hunting bullets are a little light, I like 123 grains or more for deer, but you choose! Good luck.
 
#4
Re: Should I get a .243 or a .260?

If you want to make it a long range hunting rifle, the .243 will need a fast twist (8 or 7.5) to stabilize the heavy, long, and high BC bullets.

The .260 will probably be a better all-arounder, without having to specialize too much regarding bullets and twist rate.
 
#5
Re: Should I get a .243 or a .260?

Recoil shouldn't be much of an issue. They feel about the same and if your wife has ever shot a 308 then she will easily be able to handle either of them. As stated above, the bullets for the 243 are a little light. As far as your two choices are concerned they are about perfect for what they are both capable of, but you wont reach true potential for either unless you reload. I love my AW 260 and chose it solely based on bullet selection and the performance numbers. And it is boringly accurate inside of 300m.
 
#6
Re: Should I get a .243 or a .260?

My vote is for the .243 all around. Numberous Elk have been taken with a .243, so no worries about it being able to do the job. Since youf wife will be shooting it as well, I would DEFINATELY go with the .243 over the .260.

Price and availability of the .243, as well as a HUGE selection of great bullets and cheap brass... I wish I would have bought my .243 a LONG time ago. I have been nothing but pleased.

DK
 
#8
Re: Should I get a .243 or a .260?

Im a fan of my .243 but for tactical style shooting .260 is where its moving to and where its at to be honest. I would say factory .260 ammo would be fine for deer hunting. Recoil is a wash both are about the same.
 
#9
Re: Should I get a .243 or a .260?

I have had both and prefer the 260(I have 4 of them). Recoil is a little heavier with 140s but not by much. My wife shot a 10pt buck with 140 hornadys. Never felt the recoil.
 
#10
Re: Should I get a .243 or a .260?

I say the 260 is more versatile. Ballistically they are very similar with the edge going to 243. Recoil is similar with the edge going to 243. Obviously a brake would mitigate all recoil concerns, but perhaps you're unwilling to hunt with one?

I know you can probably even take an elephant with a 243 with proper conditions.....but I still prefer "enough", plus a bit extra. Again, my point is the 260 is more versatile in what it can deliver.

Ammo availability is similar too - again the edge goes to 243, although "typical" available 243 ammo is lame.

I choose 260 in this faceoff, but it sure seems like I've sold a 243!
 
#12
Re: Should I get a .243 or a .260?

I choose the .260 especially once you get your reloading going. .243 is what I will build for my little girl's first rifle... considering it kicks like a skinny fag and won't be shot very much. But note I say "build" this way I get the right twist to shoot the heavies so no issues there.

Another choice is a 7mm-08. A huge slew of factory ammo to choose from at walmart. And meets more in the middle of a .260 and a .308.
 
#13
Re: Should I get a .243 or a .260?

the 260. rem is probably the superior round but when it comes to off the shelf ammo with still very good and capable for hunting, the 243. win is really hard to beat. I picked one up last year, in a remington 700 sps varmint. I purchased the cheapest ammo i could find to break it in and it shot 1/2 groups or better at 100 yards! i couldn't believe it. I picked up some 85 grain seirras and they work and shot wonders!! With this bullet, its cheap, fast, and acts like a much larger round! i would also strongly suggest 87 grain vld's, 95 grain partitions/ballistic tips, 100 grain partitions. All these bullets seem light, escpecially the 85 and 87 grain bullets, but they are truely amazing rounds and would highly highly suggest them!!
 
#14
Re: Should I get a .243 or a .260?

+1 for 260. Doesn't kick anymore than a 308 and you'll be able to find a factory gun with the correct twist to support any bullet weight. Plus if you ever want to use it on larger game in the future you have that option.
 
#15
Re: Should I get a .243 or a .260?

dang, you guys are making my decision hard. sounds like most would chose the 260, but not much bad to say about the 243. i guess i'll just hunt for both of them, and get what ever the best deal i can find.
 
#17
Re: Should I get a .243 or a .260?

The other thing to consider. Are you going to hunt where you have to make off hand shots. Or are you going to have a rest. If you have a rest you can always get a savage with a bull barrel in the .260 and tame recoil and muzzle jump even further.
 
#19
Re: Should I get a .243 or a .260?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Sendero_man</div><div class="ubbcode-body">are you looking at factory rifles or getting a custom ?</div></div>

factory rifle, this is going to be a budget build.
 
#20
Re: Should I get a .243 or a .260?

To be honest, the .243 will meet all of your criteria, BUT, you already know that.
Just go with the 260, it has more down range energy, and is a great caliber for hunting and long range target shooting.
BTW, I shooot a 7mm08, but lets not bring another caliber into question.
Enjoy,
SScott
 
#21
Re: Should I get a .243 or a .260?

No choice in factory 260s. Every company makes a 243. If you are looking at heavy barrel rifles you might look at Rugers 77m with the laminated wood stock and 28 inch varmint weight barrel. Its available 6.5 Creedmoor (same ballistics as 260,good ammo available for that) or 243. I've had 3 Remington 260s but if I wanted a rifle for target/deer hunting, it'd be a 243 shooting 105gn bullets
 
#24
Re: Should I get a .243 or a .260?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: rich56</div><div class="ubbcode-body">No choice in factory 260s. Every company makes a 243. If you are looking at heavy barrel rifles you might look at Rugers 77m with the laminated wood stock and 28 inch varmint weight barrel. Its available 6.5 Creedmoor (same ballistics as 260,good ammo available for that) or 243. I've had 3 Remington 260s but if I wanted a rifle for target/deer hunting, it'd be a 243 shooting 105gn bullets </div></div>

Good point, 260 isn't a factory gun cartridge. An older Savage Tactical or a DPMS Panther are the only choices I'm aware of.

Also, if 260 is on the table, a 6.5CM should be considered.
 
#26
Re: Should I get a .243 or a .260?

I have 2 factory Savage models in .260
grin.gif
 
#27
Re: Should I get a .243 or a .260?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: hank440</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have 2 factory Savage models in .260
grin.gif
</div></div>

which ones hank? and how do you like them?
 
#28
Re: Should I get a .243 or a .260?

If you don't reload yet and looking at a Savage then also look at the 6.5 Creedmoor offering in the Model 12 Long Range Precision. The 6.5 Creedmoor offers excellent factory loaded ammo for a good price. Usually around $23 per box.
 
#29
Re: Should I get a .243 or a .260?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BoilerUP</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Savage and Tikka both currently make multiple models in .260 Rem. </div></div>
Thanks, I stand corrected. I was only thinking my favorite (Remington, no I'm not too biased). I did love my 260 Remington 700s ADL, CDL-LTD and VLS but never shot a factory load out of them
 
#30
Re: Should I get a .243 or a .260?

Oh buddy, I love the .243 a whole bunch, but that said I feel the .260 Remington will probably do a little better on deer sized game.
 
#31
Re: Should I get a .243 or a .260?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BoilerUP</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Savage and Tikka both currently make multiple models in .260 Rem. </div></div>

Which 260's are they actually importing? To my knowledge they havent brought any in, the only ones I have seen are the new laminate sporters listed on gunbroker and I dont think they are even in the country yet.
 
#32
Re: Should I get a .243 or a .260?

I have both. But I have three .243's vs one .260.

Wife is recoil sensitive and while not that much of a difference between these two, she prefers the .243.

Both do paper and hunts just fine.
 
#34
Re: Should I get a .243 or a .260?

I just converted my Savage to 260ai, but in your case I would go with 243. With hunting being its primary duty, barrel life can take a back seat to ammo availability. Lower recoil is another plus with you bringing the wife on board.
 
#36
Re: Should I get a .243 or a .260?

The .243 is way lighter to shoot than the .260 rem.They are both quite manegable for recoil but the .243 wins everytime.The 260 normally shoots heavier bullets hence heavier recoil.I have both,however I really like the 260 for its balistic supremacy with the lighter bullets.If you shoot 140's with the 260 it recoils similar to a 308.
 
#37
Re: Should I get a .243 or a .260?

I suspect it will be a lightweight sporter if it will be used for hunting. If the deer and distances in TX are like the ones in TN, and MS then I'd go with the .243 and not look back. You can get ammunition from any sporting goods, or hardware store. If you get your wife involved with the decision and she falls in love with "her" new rifle then it's a lot easier to justify that heavy barrel range gun a bit farther down the road. At least it works for me! Good Luck!
 
#38
Re: Should I get a .243 or a .260?

+1 for the 6.5 creedmore. It would be the best of both worlds. On that hand though a 6.5 Grendel would be a very nice cartridge for an all around gun as well, but that's another topic really.

Out of either I'd go 260 as I always like to have alittle more in the bag than is necessary! The 243 is a good all around gun though...it can be alittle more limited on range depending on what you end up with. I'm just not much on the 243. I always think of some kids first rifle when I hear that caliber for some reason. Not trying to bash, I know it's the same as the 6mm and that they can get way out there, but generally not without substantial mods. Either way, I think you'll accomplish what you want with either caliber, one will just take alittle more work then the other.
 
#39
Re: Should I get a .243 or a .260?

My preference is 260 Rem over 243 Win, mainly because of longer barrel life, and greater power downrange (heavier bullets).

Barrel twist 1:8" is still advisable so that heavier bullets can be properly stabilized.

My $0.02.
 
#41
Re: Should I get a .243 or a .260?

I've got both, and I like both.
But if I had to pick one, especially for hunting, it would be the .260 for the heavier bullets.
 
#44
Re: Should I get a .243 or a .260?

I vote the .243, I have a Savage and love it! Works on everything around here that we hunt from Groundhogs to Coyotes to the small whitetail. I prefer the 95gr nosslers for deer and usually use the 55gr hornady for the small stuff. Deadly accurate, the wife loves it and ammo is cheap and plentiful!
 
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