New to the High Road! Help me choose a new rifle.

[792mauser]

I'd take the 243. It will do more than the 556.
It can be loaded from 55gr screamers, 60 gr screamers, 75gr screamers, 100gr... you get the point.

I load a bunch of cheapo gunshow special 75 gr projos to 2700 fps with H414 for less wear and target shooting.

You can load down the 243 to just about 223 levels. With similar weight projectiles.

But I also have a Remington 223 700pss that shoots inside 1inch sticker dots at 150 yards with 68gr match ammo so...

 

[.308 Norma]

There is only 90 lbs of meat on a pronghorn. If you destroy both front quarters, you have about 55 lbs left.

90 lbs of meat on a pronghorn?!? Wow! You must have a lot bigger pronghorns over there around Cheyenne than we have around here!
Just kidding around NoHillForaHighStepper. I suspect you meant "hanging" weight, not "meat" weight - there's a lot of bone in big game animals.
Nevertheless, if you shoot a pronghorn in the front shoulders with a fast stepping 6mm (.243") bullet, you're going to mess up just as much pronghorn meat (or more) as you will if you shoot it with a bit slower moving 270 bullet - provided both bullets are well constructed of course.
But like I said, if you just want a new or different rifle, go for it! I can come up with all kinds of reasons for "needing" a new or different gun too - been doing it for years. But "a 270 is too much gun" for pronghorns??? C'mon!

 

[NoHillForAHighStepper]

I'd say for the state where you live you are missing a heaver elk rifle caliber (although the 270 will really do it all)

I have a 7mm Rem Mag that I use for elk (168 gr. Nosler Accubonds). I didn't list all my rifles. Just the 2 which I am finding a gap between.
I have taken elk with my 270 but I like the 7mm mag a lot better for elk. It just seems to hit them harder when the range gets out past 200 yds.

 

[NoHillForAHighStepper]

90 lbs of meat on a pronghorn?!? Wow! You must have a lot bigger pronghorns over there around Cheyenne than we have around here!
Just kidding around NoHillForaHighStepper. I suspect you meant "hanging" weight, not "meat" weight - there's a lot of bone in big game animals.
Nevertheless, if you shoot a pronghorn in the front shoulders with a fast stepping 6mm (.243") bullet, you're going to mess up just as much pronghorn meat (or more) as you will if you shoot it with a bit slower moving 270 bullet - provided both bullets are well constructed of course.
But like I said, if you just want a new or different rifle, go for it! I can come up with all kinds of reasons for "needing" a new or different gun too - been doing it for years. But "a 270 is too much gun" for pronghorns??? C'mon!

About 10 years ago, I shot a pronghorn doe at 75 yards with factory 130 grain bullets. If not for her backbone, it wouldvhave blown her in 1/2 just behind the front legs. I would say that's too much gun at that range.
Now if we are talking about shots on goats at 250+, the 270 would work well.
Yes, my last buck yielded dressed out at 125 pounds swinging...he was really fat. Got 75 pounds if wrapped meat out of him.

 

[.308 Norma]

About 10 years ago, I shot a pronghorn doe at 75 yards with factory 130 grain bullets. If not for her backbone, it wouldvhave blown her in 1/2 just behind the front legs. I would say that's too much gun at that range.
Now if we are talking about shots on goats at 250+, the 270 would work well.
Yes, my last buck yielded dressed out at 125 pounds swinging...he was really fat. Got 75 pounds if wrapped meat out of him.

Okey Doke. I hope you're happy with your new rifle, whatever it is.

 

[Bwana John]

I have a 7mm Rem Mag that I use for elk (168 gr. Nosler Accubonds). I didn't list all my rifles. Just the 2 which I am finding a gap between.
I have taken elk with my 270 but I like the 7mm mag a lot better for elk. It just seems to hit them harder when the range gets out past 200 yds.

OK then.... I'd say you need a 22-250... Or a 220 Swift

When I lived in NW Wyoming I had one rifle, a 7mm Mauser for everything, deer, antelope, elk (never did get a moose tag, and it only worked with head shots for grouse).... and wearing a 4X scope, if it looked too far away in the scope it just ment I had to get closer... It worked out well that way.

 

[WisBorn]

Op welcome to the forum!

Of the two you mentioned I like the Howa 243! If the guns primary use was pronghorn I would go with the 25-06. I always thought that the 25-06 was the perfect pronghorn cartridge. 257 Weatherby Mag a very close second (my opinion).

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

If the guns primary use was pronghorn I would go with the 25-06. I always thought that the 25-06 was the perfect pronghorn cartridge.

This. I've shot pronghorn with 25-06, .270, and 30-06. The 25-06 is head and shoulders above the others.

Also, check your state's regulations. In Colorado, the minimum caliber for any big game (including pronghorn) is .243

 

[Steve S.]

I would think that any of the calibers being praised are worthy of your consideration. I have used most calibers noted and they all do about the same thing - the absolute key is that the rifleman knows what he/ she is doing. For me, I am old school and use the .308, I shoot it very well. I cannot tell you that it is better or worse than other mentioned calibers but it works for me. I would say select what you shoot well and practice.

 

[NoHillForAHighStepper]

This. I've shot pronghorn with 25-06, .270, and 30-06. The 25-06 is head and shoulders above the others.

Also, check your state's regulations. In Colorado, the minimum caliber for any big game (including pronghorn) is .243

I had a hunting buddy that swore by his Sako 25-06. Personally, I have no experience with that cartridge.
Wyoming now allows 223/5.56, 22-250, 220 Swift, etc for antelope and deer. They still require 243 or bigger for elk and larger.