[Newt]

So, I've got my next rifle narrowed down to a 22-250 or a 7MM WSM or 7MM SA. Cal. doesn't matter as far as game goes. Either will do. Does anyone know where I can look at a good ballistics table of each? Which would you prefer for longer ranges?

[dakotasin]

don't have any ballistic tables for ya, but have a little experience, instead.

the 22-250 is a marvelous round (i adore mine, and wouldn't part w/ it), but it is pretty easy to outclass it for distance shooting. the little 22 caliber bullets suffer from low bc's, and they do get blown off course pretty easy (i do a lot of prairie doggin', and i don't take shots under 200 yards anymore, and have found the 250's practical limits).

for long range shooting, you have to first define long range. although the 22-250 is capable of delivering well placed shots beyond 500 yards, it gets increasingly difficult to do it.

as for the 7mm's...my all time favorite cartridge is the 7 rem mag. the 7mm's have awesome bc's. the 7 rem mag has an advantage over the shorty stuff because it will handle heavy bullets better. the shorts really shine w/ lighter bullets... a suitable gun to start w/ would be a sendero.

anyway, just trying to cloud the water a little! :D

could also check into the 7-08, 308 win, 300 win mag, 338 lapua, etc etc etc...point is, most will do it, some just do it a little easier...

[hps1]

The following site is an excellent ballistic calculator:

http://www.norma.cc/htm_files/javapagee.htm

Have fun!

Regards,
hps

[Newt]

OK OK... so after a bit of research, I may have changed my mind once again. This time I'm looking into a .243 Tikka Whitetail Hunter M595. May be my final decision. Input???

[dakotasin]

lol...isn't picking a rifle fun? just wait until you get to the scope part of it...

243 is a good solid round, really can't go wrong w/ it. don't know anything about tikka- don't have one.

the 243 is a great varmint and predator cartridge, and a fair deer cartridge as well. recoil is tolerable by nearly anyone. it does make a pretty good racket when shot, but you'd wear hearing protection at all times anyway. it is cheap to load, whether you are hand loading or buying factory, and it seems to be a pretty inherently accurate round. should you go 243, i'm sure you'll be happy.

now, have you considered the 25-06? it is everything....... :p

[Art Eatman]

I sighted in a Tikka .243 for a buddy of mine. Every three-shot group was inside one MOA.

I've been meddling with a .243 for some 30+ years. My little Sako 19" carbine has always shot groups averaging around 1/2 to 5/8 MOA for five-shot groups, with some three-shot groups at 3/8. I've taken some 20+ deer with it, all with the Sierra 85-grain HPBT.

Sweet little cartridge.

Art