[ExAgoradzo]

What are your fave cals in this group?
I want to consider esp:

Relative ease of finding ammo (as long as I can get it online at worst: don't reload yet)
Cost of ammo
cool factor is in the mix :)
Nice bolt action that won't break the bank
I'd like a round that is known for being accurate
Use will be hunting with the largest game being small/medium deer up to 300 yards
The 243 is included in this group, but I already have a 270

Thanks again!

[68wj]

Either one meets all criteria except cool factor. These are both boringly common and effective cartridges.

[MrDig]

For a cool factor you might want to try that. It is also a nice flat shooting distance round.
Maybe not so much cool as it is different.....

[stuffisgood]

257 Bob! Fantastic deer cartridge out to 300 yards and falls right between the two you mentioned.

[hardluk1]

I don't do or think cool so probably can't help there.

Rifle . T/C venture would be high on my list. Ruger american, after that anything that might be cool is gone when cost is figured in. Hunting tools that just work " rifles", Stevens 200, mossberg, maybe a walmart rem 700 or basic savage or and anything used that fits the bill.,,,, After these cost goes up.

Cartidge. I would pick a 308 over ether the 243 or 270 and be done. With bullet weights from 125gr to 180gr it will do about anything you might ever need and 308 ammo tends to run cheaper than ether and all but ,223.. You will find every shop in american that sells ammo will have 308's. You can allways shot 7.62x51 nato ammo for mess'n around too.

[Texaszach]

Sounds like a perfect role for the 243 but as said its boringly common.
I own both .243 and .270 and if I were picking one in between I'd go with a .25-06

Not everyone has one but it is still a common round

[303tom]

I am going to have to go with the .25-06 myself...................

[valnar]

The only modern bolt-action I own is a 6.5x55, so that would be my choice. The coolness factor goes up when you buy it a Swedish Mauser to mate it with in the safe.

[ExAgoradzo]

Love the three suggestions: I'll check into them. Pretty sure I've seen a Sweed for sale at one of the stores in town. My FIL had a 25-06: I kept the 30-06 b/c it is more 'practical' I don't know anything about the Bob, but that won't be true for long :).

[sansone]

I'm fond of .243win .. shorter OAL than .270 or 25-06

[allaroundhunter]

When I am in the situation that you are, the M70 .243 comes out of the gun cabinet.

[Texaszach]

243 is the perfect gun for the bill I believe still.
And it is still a good round if you like to varmint hunt or just shoot for fun.
It is in a whole different category than my .270 and .30-06.

I can't comment on the recoil of the .25-06 but I have considered rebarreling my .270 to one considering I dont usually hunt anything larger than deer and if I did I'd just like to use my .30-06

[TonyAngel]

I'll be honest and say that I've never really shot a .270 for accuracy. I've only hunted with them and they're easily accurate enough for dear out to 300 yards (generally speaking). Although I shoot a .308, I do know a guy that likes to shoot prairie dogs at 600 yards and he uses a .243. I'd say that's pretty good accuracy potential.

[precisionrifle14]

A Howa 1500 with the Hogue stock in .25-06. Thats what I've got, and It shoots moa every time I do my part.

[sixgunner455]

There's a lot of nice rounds in that group. I like the .243. It's easy on the shooter, nice and accurate, very useful, inexpensive to load for or buy ammo for, and you can find the ammo on the shelf most of the time.

.257 Roberts, 6mm Remington, and .250 Savage all tempted me when I was shopping for a rifle in this category last year, but I bought a .243, and so far, I'm pleased as can be with it.

[MachIVshooter]

.25-06. Pretty much unsurpassed as a deer cartridge, and usable from varmints to elk.

[scchokedaddy]

25 06 fur sure. Bought one in a Marlin XL7, less than 1 inch groups out box with Winchester 120 pep( positive expanding points). Was really surprised with performance on white tails.

[mattmann]

I love my weatherby. 270. It is a very effective deer rifle and shoots amazingly flat

Sent from my DROID RAZR

[Cemo]

In the .243-.270 cal. range for up to 300 yard deer hunting the .25-06 would be an excellent choice. In a short action rifle the .260 Remington would be another. However the .243 provides the best option for finding ammo just about anywhere.

[elrowe]

Another vote for Bob from me - as long as you're a reloader - factory options either are heavy snails (117gr. corelokt at 2700 fps) or about $2 a shot. 100 gr. Nosler ballistic tips at 3000 fps for 73 cents each from my bench really even the playing field with the more common calibers. Almost no felt recoil either.

[ExAgoradzo]

I'm really appreciating these suggestions...
Looking into them; love more...
Ex

[Striker]

I'm enamored with the 250 Savage (250-3000) after picking up a Rem 700 Classic in the caliber.

[Steve H]

25-06 or maybe the 6mm Rem

[ExAgoradzo]

What do you all think of the 6.8 SPC as a hunting round?

[batmann]

The .257 Roberts is a fine cartridge, but for me it's the 7-08. Flat shooting, good BC and a proven game getter.

[Samclrk]

Don`t underestimate the .243.
http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/z325/steamgog/Wenesday1.jpg
http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/z325/steamgog/Wenesday2.jpg

[shooter_from_show-me]

I am going to have to go with the .25-06 myself...................
What I was thinking myself.

[MachIVshooter]

Don`t underestimate the .243.


Accuracy has nothing to do with the round, and everything to do with the rifle and the load.

That's some good shooting, though. Bravo.

[2ndtimer]

If you already have a .270 Win, I wouldn't consider a 25-06. They are too similar in performance and platform. I would want something decidedly different, which given your parameters, would probably mean a nice .243 Win. The next best option would be something in a .260 Remington, which I would prefer in a nice sporter configuration with a 22 to 24 inch barrel instead of the super lightweight short barrel carbines that seem to proliferate in that chambering. Ammo is nowhere near as plentiful, economical and varied as that available in the .243 Win, (or .270 Win, for that matter) but it is available in some variety on line. Myself, I currently have a .270WSM, and a
.243 Win and to add something different added a 6.5x55 Swede a while back. I wish I could swap it for a .260 Rem. or a .257 Roberts Ackley Improved with the 40° shoulder. Since I already reload, my cartridge options are a little more broad.

[68wj]

What do you all think of the 6.8 SPC as a hunting round?
Love it. Unfortunately it is difficult to find a decent bolt action chambered in it. There are some Remingtons and Rugers floating around, but you likely won't find one sitting on your dealers rack.

[sixgunner455]

My buddy has a carbine upper in the 6.8, and uses it for his hunting rifle. Light, short, handy, accurate, and it's tumbled everything he and his wife have shot with it, one shot each - since last summer when I started keeping track, they've gotten between them 2 deer, 2 javelina, several coyotes, a couple of foxes, etc.

I consider it a short .270 that fits a standard AR lower. I don't think I'd put it in a bolt action, unless it was in something like that nice trim little CZ they chamber for .223 and 7.62x39.