243 Win or 260 Rem?

R

Ruger Savage

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I have been contemplating a Savage model 11 trophy xp package gun in either 243 or 260. This will be a multi purpose rifle for deer and varmints. The idea is it will be versatile, reasonable to shoot $ wise and have moderate recoil. Something I can become more than proficient with. Initially I will be shooting factory ammo then, step into reloading for it.
My question is which is the better all around caliber? I have a super accurate 22 mag for relatively short ranges and a thumper in 444 for deer. I'm looking for an all around cartridge for longer range varmint and whitetail. I will choose loads accordingly for purpose. Your opinions will be appreciated of course.
 
I really like the looks of a 6.5 in many flavorings...and 6mm pills too.

I'd never be without one of each.

In this case, I say start with the 243 win. Wide variety of bullets available and it will do all you are asking of it here.
 
If your gonna be running factory fodder I'd say 243. Besides it's not like you cannt just go to gunshack.com and buy a 260 barrel for 189 buck right? Lol. Cake and eat it too. If it were me personally if look at a long action caliber and just buy a 243 barrel. I saw a savage 3006 on back age for 350, think I could get it for 300...hmm
 
Savage lists the twist rate for the 243 as 9.25 and the 260 as a 8twist.That being said I would go with the 260 because the 8twist is going to allow you to shoot the heavies if you feel the need.I think either one is a win win.
 
I prefer the .260 my self. I own both and have shot deer and coyotes with both. They both work equally well on coyotes, but the .260 using 120gr bullets seems to me to hit deer with more authority. The recoil difference between the two seems null to me also.
 
I'd vote the 243. My brothers, father, and I have used it for most everything. Small enough for the coyote hunts, but large enough for the 10 point (total points) whitetale buck my father dropped a few weeks back. Didn't make it 10 yards from where it was shot. The round has never failed us, and theres always plenty in stock, and in a wide variety. Plus the new Savage rifles are great out of the box rifles.
 
From what I've seen, NC deer aren't huge in the body like most of the northern brutes. A 9-10" twist 243 will easily run varmint weight bullets in the 70-87gr. range and possibly lighter while letting you shoot the shorter bodied 95-100gr. big game bullets for deer with some 105-107gr. possibilities. That should more than suffice to cover everything from groundhogs to deer and even hogs. Lots of factory fodder out there to feed it and wide variety of components once you start reloading. IMHO, 260 is a nice round, just not hugely popular in the factory ammo department like the 243win, especially for true varmint loads. I've never really considered a 95gr. 6.5mm bullet a varmint size
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Originally Posted By: ARCOREYFrom what I've seen, NC deer aren't huge in the body like most of the northern brutes. A 9-10" twist 243 will easily run varmint weight bullets in the 70-87gr. range and possibly lighter while letting you shoot the shorter bodied 95-100gr. big game bullets for deer with some 105-107gr. possibilities. That should more than suffice to cover everything from groundhogs to deer and even hogs. Lots of factory fodder out there to feed it and wide variety of components once you start reloading. IMHO, 260 is a nice round, just not hugely popular in the factory ammo department like the 243win, especially for true varmint loads. I've never really considered a 95gr. 6.5mm bullet a varmint size
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. I have both and the 243 is by far a more vesatile cal. and a lot cheaper and easier to find factory ammo for. Until you do start reloading, do yoursrlf a big favor and go 243.
 
Let me know if you figure it out, thinking that Savage myself. I haven't been able to make my mind up which one of those two either. I have a suppressed Howa 1500 in 223 but feel the "need" for another rifle.
 
I own a 243 Win and a Rem 260.

If I had to have just one rifle I would go with the 243 Win.

I may shoot 40 to 80 rounds a year at coyotes.

For deer hunting I usually only shoot about 5 to 8 rounds a year and that is counting shooting at paper.
 
Given your criteria, I would go 260, though the 243 guys have valid points. The biggest reason is seeing that you mention longer range whitetails. No flies on the 243, but I would rather have the heavier bullets for deer at extended ranges, and if/when you get into reloading your heavier game bullet options in 260 look better to me than the 243 options.
 
ever think about 25-06???? i shoot 75g vmax aat 3740fps for coyotes with a 250 zero. I picked up some 120g remingtons factory ammo for deer and they were dead on at 200y with no scope adjustment. Both rounds shot half moa. Savage LRH in 25-06.
 
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Just do what I did and buy both. Although I might have done it backwards and went with the .243 for the long range its a Savage 12 LRP and got the .260 for a dedicated deer rifle in the Savage 10 Predator Max with the black fluted barrel. Long story short it's just better to have both!
 
Aren't we talking about a Savage here?

The best choice is BOTH! Buy the rifle in 6.5 and then get a .243 barrel ........ switch the barrels.

I finally got my first .260 barrel a few weeks ago .......... I've been searching for a long time. I have waded right past a LOT of .243 barrels along the way.

Buy the harder to find and get the "easy" to buy barrel off a forum ......... Savageshooters.com comes to mind!

Three 44s
 
Cant go wrong with either one. I shoot a 6mm Remington and really like the 105gr A-max bullets for Deer. No need to switch back and forth between light and heavy bullets, just shoot coyotes with your deer load.
 
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