I have an older L/H Bolt Action Savage Rifle that is 243 Win.
The Douglas barrel on the rifle needs replacing.
I was wondering what ideas people had in relation to which caliber to go to next.
I already have a 243 Win, 308 Win, 270/08.
I was thinking about something for shooting thin skinned game (100 to 400 yards range)and a bit of range shooting (100 to 200 yards range).
The rifle has a fixed 8 power Pecar scope at the moment.
Thanks in advance.

quote:

Originally posted by Bob from down under:
I have an older L/H Bolt Action Savage Rifle that is 243 Win.
The Douglas barrel on the rifle needs replacing.
I was wondering what ideas people had in relation to which caliber to go to next.
I already have a 243 Win, 308 Win, 270/08.
I was thinking about something for shooting thin skinned game (100 to 400 yards range)and a bit of range shooting (100 to 200 yards range).
The rifle has a fixed 8 power Pecar scope at the moment.
Thanks in advance.

I've been using a 7mm08 for a number of years and haven't found a short action calibre any better. JMO

7-08 or .260 rem. came to mind immediately.

quote:

Originally posted by Bob from down under:
I have an older L/H Bolt Action Savage Rifle that is 243 Win.
The Douglas barrel on the rifle needs replacing.
I was wondering what ideas people had in relation to which caliber to go to next.
I already have a 243 Win, 308 Win, 270/08.
I was thinking about something for shooting thin skinned game (100 to 400 yards range)and a bit of range shooting (100 to 200 yards range).
The rifle has a fixed 8 power Pecar scope at the moment.
Thanks in advance.

Well, you already have a 270/08, and a 308. The 7-08 doesn't do anything the 270/08 can't do.
If the 243 you want to rebarrel is a differnt 243 rifle than the one you say you already have, then, I'd go for something in the 25 caliber chambering. But, if the 243 in question is the only one you have, go for a new 243 barrel.
I don't own a 243, but do have a 244 Rem, and the two Nosler Partitions, the 95 grain and the 100 grain, are superb bullets in my rifle. They are GREAT killers too.

Perhaps a deep throated ,1 in 9 twist 22-250. roger

quote:

Originally posted by bartsche:
Perhaps a deep throated ,1 in 9 twist 22-250. roger

I like that idea. A fast twist 22-250 would be a death ray where varmints are concerned. Trust me, if a fast twist 5.56 can reach out 1,000 yards, a 22-250 can do it without being forced to the ragged edge.

My second choice would be the good old fashioned 250 Savage. It might not be the best 400 yard choice, but it's still cool.

338 Federal

quote:

Originally posted by ar corey:
338 Federal

+1 Love that round

Me too.

another one for the 7MM-08 or .260 rem.

I guess I would go with the one that ammo was readly available and one could buy the cheapest. 308

quote:

Originally posted by DMB:
I'd go for something in the 25 caliber chambering.

+1
25 Souper (25-08).

Bob,

You obviously need a 6.5 something - 6.5x47 pops into mind.....

Have Fun with this conundrum.

Why not another 243?

The deep throat thing sounds good, too, but I'm thinking of something different than Bartsche.

quote:

Originally posted by Gerry:
Bob,

You obviously need a 6.5 something - 6.5x47 pops into mind.....

Golly, Gerry, that sounds rather trendy. roger

I always liked the 284 Win., great performance from a short package. Another one that knocks them down is the 358 Win. but I don't think it will get you out to 400yds unless you are very good at compensating for drop.
Good Luck
bigbull

1:9" twist 22.250

I shot mine in a 1,000 yard F class rifle match last Sunday. Tough to manage the wind but a lot of fun.

Trade/sell the bloody thing and get a 375

How about a 6.5-284 as Savage allready makes those barrels so maybe you could get a great shooting gun for very little money

quote:

Originally posted by vines:
another one for the 7MM-08 or .260 rem.

+1.....actually +3!

A 22-250 or 6.5x284 would fit your description. If me, I'l go big - 358 Win.

Also, a little food for thought, the .250-3000 with a deep throat is a lot of fun and again with the right twist will nicely handle 120 grain bullets. roger

25 Souper or 257 rob improved

quote:

Originally posted by bartsche:
Perhaps a deep throated ,1 in 9 twist 22-250. roger

This would be my vote! But only cuz I want one BAD!

quote:

Originally posted by Bob from down under:
I have an older L/H Bolt Action Savage Rifle that is 243 Win.
The Douglas barrel on the rifle needs replacing.
I was wondering what ideas people had in relation to which caliber to go to next.
I already have a 243 Win, 308 Win, 270/08.
I was thinking about something for shooting thin skinned game (100 to 400 yards range)and a bit of range shooting (100 to 200 yards range).
The rifle has a fixed 8 power Pecar scope at the moment.
Thanks in advance.

280 Remington!

338Federal. Nice little round for 300yd hunting. You might stretch it to 400 w/ 185gr Barnes. You have quite a bit of overlap in the rounds you have. I love the 260 or 260ai but your 270-08 is tha same thing really.

260
358 Win
22-250

Why not go with a 338 Win Mag or the 22-250.

How about a 243 WSSM? Smoking varmint gun and long range deer/antelope/javelina/coyote rifle.

Chuck

+3 25 Souper

Thank you for all the ideas.
There are some options which I never would have thought about that look exciting.

quote:

Originally posted by Bob from down under:
I have an older L/H Bolt Action Savage Rifle that is 243 Win.
The Douglas barrel on the rifle needs replacing.
I was wondering what ideas people had in relation to which caliber to go to next.
I already have a 243 Win, 308 Win, 270/08.
I was thinking about something for shooting thin skinned game (100 to 400 yards range)and a bit of range shooting (100 to 200 yards range).
The rifle has a fixed 8 power Pecar scope at the moment.
Thanks in advance.

If it were mine I'd open up the bolt face (or buy a replacement head) and the rails and make it into a 270 WSM. I've used the other WSM's but for light skinned animals the 270 WSM has a lot to offer, flat shooting, very accurate, relatively light recoil etc.. It's more gun than the rounds you already have and would give you more punch at longer ranges.

just my 2cents...........................DJ

quote:

Originally posted by merlinron:
7-08 or .260 rem. came to mind immediately.

I thought the same. But since you have a 270-308, why not use that for your range work? I would go for a 358 Win to use on deer in wooded country.

quote:

Originally posted by fredj338:
338Federal. Nice little round for 300yd hunting. You might stretch it to 400 w/ 185gr Barnes. You have quite a bit of overlap in the rounds you have. I love the 260 or 260ai but your 270-08 is tha same thing really.

Yup.

338 Federal with the 185 MRX. Expensive bullet, but with the case capacity, need to maximise B.C. for longer range. I would limit that combination to 350 yards and is actually a long ways and challenges most shooters capabilities.

Great round, low recoil.

7mm/08 or 308, then you can also buy ammo over the counter...or even a 6.5/08 of course that one will take you off the over the counter list.

Easy answer, .257 Weatherby or .270 WSM (unless the 270/08 compares), pick your poison. Good shooting.

I'm with all those who have recommended a 22/250, especially because you already have a .243, a .308, and a 270/08. You don't need anything within that range. But a good .22 caliber is never a bad idea to add to your collection.

To make that 22/250 you won't have to alter the boltface or feed rails, and the 22/250 will give you a lot of excellent opportunities at the range as well as serve for a lot of small-creature hunting.

Moreover the 22/250 is not an exotic, so you will have no difficulty getting brass, bullets, loading dies, and loading information for it.

here's another option.....
anything you build will most likely be overlaping anything you already have in the medium bores and you pretty much have the distance thing covered with the .270-08 for deer types and the .243 for critter types . so why not go the other way and build something for close up deer/elk work and build a .358 win. or a .375-08 with a 22" tube and low power scope?

I'd vote for a fast twist 22-250 or a 6.5 of some kind.

quote:

Originally posted by bja105:
Why not another 243?

The deep throat thing sounds good, too, but I'm thinking of something different than Bartsche.