Step up from 243 Win

[coloradoan]

For someone proficient with the 243 and looking to extend their range, what would be the next cartridge that would be an appreciable step up? Bonus points if it’s something chambered by tikka.

Shooting ELD-X bullets, I’m not sure 6.5 CM really gets you much further. I’m thinking the 6.5 PRC might be the answer.

I could play around with ballistic calculators all day, but I’d like to hear from people who have hunted with the 243 and other calibers and taken them out to the limits of their effective range.

 

[Dan Carey]

I think you picked it. The PRC is a great choice.

 

[satchamo]

How far are you trying to extend it? 243 hand loaded with 108s goes to 700 before it drops under the 1800 fps mark.

 

[TaperPin]

6.5 PRC or 270 Win are very compatible, and either is a great pairing with the 243. I had a 243 first, then a 270, then a number of other cartridges, but the 270 does a good job for 90% of anything it’s pointed at. I eventually moved from the 270 to a 7 mag, but it was still important to have the 270 first, and it’s always a good idea to have a 243 for plinking/training/smaller stuff.

 

[K9kodi]

300wm or 338 win mag. Should be the next step up for ya.
Haha in all seriousness, I’d look at the 270 or prc, maybe even a 280. But is the ballistic advantage worth the money? Unless that’s not an option. I like having a caliber that spans majority of the range, 223, 270, 30-30, 35, 300wm and 338. I understand the step up, but if performance is negligible, why not jump up and have two diff rounds vs 2 similar ones?

 

[dreadi]

If you're already into ELD-X and considering 6.5 PRC, Seekins PH2 or PH3 will do you good.

 

[Ajsomp]

A fast high bc 6mm is easy to shoot and has great ballistics. 6.5 PRC isn’t nearly as fun to shoot. But shooting a 147 gives you a lot of range behind it.

6.5 creed is cheaper and factory ready in a tikka. I am going to shoot my 6.5 PRC another season and rebarrel my tikka to 6 creed or build a separate 6 creed and sell the PRC. It kills and shoots great but it’s substantially more recoil for not that much performance gain - at least for my personal limits and ranges. YMMV

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

I’ve taken 243 “to its limits” with dozens of big game kills.

I don’t think you realize that a 108 ELDM handload in 243, with hunting barrel length, say 20”, will maintain reliable killing wounds out to around 750 yards depending on hunting DA.

In saying that, in my opinion, the amount of hunters that should be taking a 750 yard shot at an animal is insanely small.

You could step “down” to say a 22 Creedmoor with 88 ELDM and gain around 100 yards of killing range over the 243 to around 850 yards.

The next choice is to step “up” to a large capacity and hot loaded 6.5. Something like 6.5 PRC, 6.5-7PRC, etc. using a 147 ELDM, again, in hunting length barrel, you’ll get to around 950 yards.

You could also stay in the 6mm game and rechamber to a “hotter” 6mm cartridge and gain some killing yardage.

 

[Jrkotz]

6mm UM would give you the velocity to extend your range. I've been happy with a few 25 PRC (6.5 necked down to 257) builds. I have really enjoyed going down in caliber, and shoot mostly 257, 6mm and 22 cal at game these days.

 

[coloradoan]

Thanks all. I don’t hand load and even though I might in the future, I want to make my decision based on factory ammo.

6.5 PRC or 270 Win are very compatible, and either is a great pairing with the 243. I had a 243 first, then a 270, then a number of other cartridges, but the 270 does a good job for 90% of anything it’s pointed at. I eventually moved from the 270 to a 7 mag, but it was still important to have the 270 first, and it’s always a good idea to have a 243 for plinking/training/smaller stuff.

What does the 270 have to offer versus the 6.5 PRC?

I’ve taken 243 “to its limits” with dozens of big game kills.

I don’t think you realize that a 108 ELDM handload in 243, with hunting barrel length, say 20”, will maintain reliable killing wounds out to around 750 yards depending on hunting DA.

In saying that, in my opinion, the amount of hunters that should be taking a 750 yard shot at an animal is insanely small.

You could step “down” to say a 22 Creedmoor with 88 ELDM and gain around 100 yards of killing range over the 243 to around 850 yards.

The next choice is to step “up” to a large capacity and hot loaded 6.5. Something like 6.5 PRC, 6.5-7PRC, etc. using a 147 ELDM, again, in hunting length barrel, you’ll get to around 950 yards.

You could also stay in the 6mm game and rechamber to a “hotter” 6mm cartridge and gain some killing yardage.

Yeah, my desire for longer range is mostly hypothetical at this point. Mostly I’m just trying to justify getting a new rifle lol.

The 22 ARC and creed are both interesting, but I’m in Colorado and I’d like to be able to use this rifle on big game.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Thanks all. I don’t hand load and even though I might in the future, I want to make my decision based on factory ammo.


What does the 270 have to offer versus the 6.5 PRC?



Yeah, my desire for longer range is mostly hypothetical at this point. Mostly I’m just trying to justify getting a new rifle lol.

The 22 ARC and creed are both interesting, but I’m in Colorado and I’d like to be able to use this rifle on big game.

If you’re going with only factory ammo, for me, in a pure hunting/killing gun, I’d have a smith rechamber to 6CM and shoot factory Hornday 103 ELDX and be done.

 

[jaredg]

Have you considered a 6 ARC? I know you might not consider it a "step up", but my 20" 243 bolt gun using my preferred load (Sako gamehead 100gr) hits 1800 at 475yds. My 16" FN Scar 6 ARC hits 1800 at 600yds using Hornady 108 ELDM.

Sp if you wanted to move up a little from you 243, look into the 6ARC if the 22ARC appealed to you.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Also, UM, Copper Creek, and others will hand load 243 for you with whatever bullet you want.

 

[nm.otter]

If you’re going with only factory ammo, for me, in a pure hunting/killing gun, I’d have a smith rechamber to 6CM and shoot factory Hornday 103 ELDX and be done.

Agreed. 6mm Creedmoor has ~6% less powder capacity than .243 Winchester, but factory chambers and factory ammo both support long, high BC bullets.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Agreed. 6mm Creedmoor has ~6% less powder capacity than .243 Winchester, but factory chambers and factory ammo both support long, high BC bullets.

Exactly. I’d just hand load that 243 and be done but OP wanted factory munitions.

 

[TaperPin]

What does the 270 have to offer versus the 6.5 PRC?

They are neck and neck for the most part. A number of folks have said velocities for some brands of ammo in the 6.5 are less than advertised, but that can be said for most cartridges. There are a wider variety of ammo for the 270, but that’s not a big deal unless you want a bullet not loaded for the 6.5, but is available in the 270.

270 ammo feeds like greased bananas, but many times a year guys with the PRC will post feed issues, or clicker issues from the extra straight sides. The PRC has less taper than anything else on the market which doesn’t mean cases automatically hang up causing clickers, but there are many posts about fixing clicker issues. The PRC can be put in a short action if that’s important to you.

I have both and like the history of the 270 so gravitate to it, but if someone just likes the 6.5 for some other reason there’s nothing wrong with that. You can’t go wrong either way.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

For me, the “step up” from .243 is totally unnecessary, since you can kill anything in North America with it out past where most people should be shooting. If you want an excuse for a new rifle, I recommend 6.5x55 or 7mm08.


____________________
“Keep on keepin’ on…”

 

[nm.otter]

270 ammo feeds like greased bananas, but many times a year guys with the PRC will post feed issues, or clicker issues from the extra straight sides.

I suspect much (perhaps most) of that can be attributed to actions and magazines (or unfortunate pairings of thereof).

I have seen (both in person and online) enough high-dollar LR rigs which regularly fail to feed that I just shake my head at the prices.

 

[K9kodi]

Thanks all. I don’t hand load and even though I might in the future, I want to make my decision based on factory ammo.


What does the 270 have to offer versus the 6.5 PRC?



Yeah, my desire for longer range is mostly hypothetical at this point. Mostly I’m just trying to justify getting a new rifle lol.

The 22 ARC and creed are both interesting, but I’m in Colorado and I’d like to be able to use this rifle on big game.

No need to justify, just do it. It’s hard to legitimately justify a need for a new rifle/round when what you have is perfectly fine for just about anywhere in the lower 48. With that being said, and you have your solid go to, stretch your legs and have fun. Just remember some of those odd calibers may be hard to come by in a pinch if at all if need be. Of course, geographical location varies.

 

[Deere_Man]

270 or 30/06. Cheap factory ammo. Tikka T3X chambers for both!