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Hi Guys.
I currently have a 223 Rem with a 1-12 twist which up to 300 yards is very accurate. I don't really want to mess around and try and find a 1-8/9 twist 223 but would like to target shoot out to say 600 or 800 if i got the chance, i am a member of a club where i can do that. I have been looking at a 308 and a 243 with a heavy barrel. In your opinions which would be the best option. I do load my own ammo.

Top Hunter wrote:Hi Guys.
I currently have a 223 Rem with a 1-12 twist which up to 300 yards is very accurate. I don't really want to mess around and try and find a 1-8/9 twist 223 but would like to target shoot out to say 600 or 800 if i got the chance, i am a member of a club where i can do that. I have been looking at a 308 and a 243 with a heavy barrel. In your opinions which would be the best option. I do load my own ammo.

Of those two for target I would go 308 less barrel wear and oodles of options, I'm sure there will be someone along shortly saying the opposite
Alan

Neither....look at a .260

Or a 6.5x47 or a 6.5x55 or a 7-08 or a ....... yes, the suggestions are endless but a 308 will do all you want.

With it being a choice between two on offer, one factor is the make of 243. The SAAMI rifling pitch is one turn in 10-inches and that's what most factory rifles have. Of the big manufacturers, Remington is odd man out using 1 in 9". The 10" rate is VERY limiting on bullets for the target shooter as it won't stabilise most 95gn HPBTs very well and simply doesn't work at all with most mid and long-range competitors' default choices, the 105-108gn models from Berger, Sierra, Hornady and Lapua. The Remy 1 in 9 rate doesn't widen the choice that much as it still doesn't work with 105s. There are lots and lots of expanding bullets for the 243 of course including a very nice little 87gn Berger VLD which is marketed as a dual-purpose 'hunting' / match design, but as it's a 'Hunting VLD', no can use here except where authorised in the FAC on suitable game species.

Ther 243's barrel life is somewhere between 40 and 50% of that of the 308, usually around 2,000 rounds. That of course may provide an incentive to rebarrel it in order to try something else after a season or two. It does make the round count and barrel condition of the rifle as being sold pretty important though.

Out of the two you've mentioned then a .308 without a shadow of a doubt. But I would consider some of the others mentioned by the gun pimp.

Given the choice solely between a .308w and a .243w for target shooting its an absolute no brainer for numerous reasons.

.308w every time.

.308, .308 or a .308

.308 win.
There are masses of second hand ones on the market, the choice in reloading components is exponentially larger as its a more main stream calibre, and the barrel life is much better than .243. It's a hugely underrated calibre these days in bench rest competitions but is more than capable out to past a 1000 yards and is where most people "cut their teeth".

Not to mention the ease of off-the-shelf ammo available at many places.

mullen7 wrote:Out of the two you've mentioned then a .308 without a shadow of a doubt. But I would consider some of the others mentioned by the gun pimp.

My 'suggestions' were a bit 'tongue in cheek' - the guy asks a sensible question - "308 or 234" but then gets a load of other 'flavor of the month' cartridges suggested.

The answer to his question is '308'.