Encore caliber dilemma in Ohio

[markallen]

I have a dilemma. I have some, soon to be in my pocket tax refund. And I'm looking to get a rifle barrel for my Encore.
I have the big bores covered in other rifles. What I'm looking for is intermediate cartridge for long range, and varmint.
I have thought of the .223. But I would like something with more down range thump, in case I hunt in another state for deer.
I thought of the .22-250, and the .270, but this caliber is close enough to my .308 that I think I'll pass on it. I'm leaning toward the .243. But I know nothing about this caliber, and I don't know anyone that shoots it.
If anyone shoots this caliber, I would appreciate any feedback you have on it.
In Ohio it will be used for groundhog, and when the occasion occurs coyote.
How available is ammo? I will be buying factory ammo, till I get a collection of brass, then I'll reload.
Is there a more versatile caliber, larger than .223, but smaller than .308?

Thanks.

 

[rbernie]

243 is a fine choice. Ammo selection is good and reasonably priced. It's good for coyote with varmintin' bullets and can be used for deer successfully with robust big-game bullets.

For handloading, brass and 6mm/243 diameter bullets are quite plentiful from many manufacturers.

In a standard T/C barrel (non-custom), another choice might be 25-06. But frankly, for more varmintin' than deer I'd probably stick with the 243.

 

[Shawnee]

You will be delighted with the Encore in .243.

GREAT performance. Surprisingly easy to handle. No ammo availability or selection problems. And if you handload the 87gr. Honady BTHP you will be delighted with that too.

An Thas 'sa Fac, Jac !

 

[highorder]

the .243 is great!

but for sake of argument, so is the .257 Ackley improved. you can shoot factory .257 Roberts; every pull of the trigger produces perfectly fireformed .257 AI brass...

sorry to stir the pot...

 

[HOLY DIVER]

.243 is a great round recoil is low plenty of thump to kill a deer down range its great.....plus your going to have it in a encore with that combo you can't go wrong!!!!!!

 

[Wildfire]

+ 1 on the .243

Hey there:
I give the .243 a thumbs up. Some loading manuals warn against 100 plus grain bullets with certain brass. But other then that this is an awesome choice.
Good Varmint round very low recoil and can be extremely accurate. I have tuned some good bolt guns for this round and always get at least 1/2" groups at 100. Not what I call a long range deer caliber but within reason it will do a good job. Good on coyotes also. I also shoot the Encore in the .50 cal. But will soon add more barrels. .223 is my best choice but I have used that round so much I know it well. And that will likely be my next barrel . But the .243 will also end up on that gun sooner or later. The 85 grain Hornady V-Max is also a good Varmint round and veryt accurate. Put a GOOD scope on it and a harris Bi-pod and you end up with the best Varmint rifle money can buy.
The .22-250 is a long range Varmint round but when shooting P-dogs all day it can wear on you. And they make heat fast.
I am an Accuracy nut , and hang right in there when shooting P-dogs out west with the guys using the 22-250s. The 22-250s have a lot more noise and some more recoil and after a full day of shooting long distance some of the guys using that round seem to loose some accuracy because of the extra bang and bump. That .243 will also wear on you if you plan on firing a couple hundred rounds a day at long range Varmints, but if that is not your intension it will be a very good round for that gun. Have fun with it.

 

[TheLaxPlayer]

If they make a barrel for 6.5x55 Swede, look into it. Flat shooting, great terminal performance, and minimal recoil. Essentially the same performance as a .260

That said, there's nothing wrong with a .243 or .257 either.