Step up from 243 Win

[EdP]

You can do any of the "upgrades" that increase the MV of a .243 bullet but it will cost you barrel life and factory ammo availability will be questionable. There are those that will argue that you can take anything in NA with a high vel .22 centerfire. Regardless, you will find that outfitters, folks that see a lot of game taken by regular hunters, often recommend a .30 cal for elk and bears. If you want to step up in class of game, step up to a .30 cal. The old 30-06 is a great choice with manageable recoil, plenty of factory load choices, and a barrel life of about 5000 rounds. It truly will take any NA game for the average shooter even if some prefer a more powerful cartridge for the big bears. It won't extend your range over the .243 though. If you prefer a smaller step up, a bit less recoil but still adequate for elk, great factory ammo availability, and more reach that the .243, the .270 Win recommended by several others is a great choice. The .280 AI could be considered also. It has become very popular of late. Mine shoots great but it does NOT feed like a greased bananna like my .270 and .30-06 (to steal a saying from TaperPin).

 

[JDBAK]

Step up from .243 for range? Easy, get a .243 in a 1:8 twist barrel, cut and thread it, add suppressor and Rokstock.
While you're at it, get it throated long so you can really make the most of 108ELDMs and get reliable expansion to 700+ yds.
Or maybe do all that but with 243AI and get 800+ yds and no brass trimming.

 

[Mosby]

Keep it simple. 243 and a 300 WM. You can get ammo at any Walmart in the US.

 

[wpeach1912]

Not sure what you mean by “step up”. Whether it’s effectiveness on game or for target shooting. 6.5 PRC or creedmoor would certainly be a step up in effective range for target shooting or hunting with factory ammo. For hunting, I would probably not recommend trying to go out and shoot animals at 500+ yards with factory ammo and not a ton of practice. The best way to extend your range is going to be putting money into ammo (not another rifle) and getting good with what you have

 

[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.

This is stupid cheap and worth a try. Also 108 ELD-Ms which will reach ridiculously far.

 

[Hnthrdr]

Fellow Co guy our answer is 6cm with factory ammo… until hornady starts loading factory 108’s for .243