Favorite cartridge.

My favorite varmint/predator cartridge is the 223 Rem., we have a bunch of them.

My favorite big game cartridge is the 280 Rem. I dig the 35 Rem. as well.


Top pic; Remington 700 5-R 223 Rem. Leupold Vari-X3 4.5-14x50mm scope.

Bottom pic; Remington 700 Classic 280 Rem. Leupold VX-2 3-9x40mm scope. It's in a B&C Stock. I switched it back to the factory wood stock, which I bedded.
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You guys using the lighter weight 58-75gr .243 bullets…what barrel twist do you have? I’m considering a Tikka, but I think they have a 1:8
 
greengt88 said:
You guys using the lighter weight 58-75gr .243 bullets…what barrel twist do you have? I’m considering a Tikka, but I think they have a 1:8
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Tikka T3x 1:8 twist

Shoots 55gr NBT, 58 & 75gr vmax very well. 75 gr vmax have proved to be more fur friendly than 58 gr vmax. 55 NBT remains to be seen.
 
jmeddy said:
58's at 3470 rarely exit for me
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Me either. Hornady Superformance 58 gr vmax. They’re rated at 3920 from 24” barrel but I haven’t a clue what I get from my 22” unsuppressed 8 twist? More splashing on entry is what I’ve experienced compared to 75 gr HSM loads rated at 3300 fps. I’m thinking the fast twist factors into it. What’s your twist rate?
 
The 58gr VMax has been a good bullet for me out of the 6x45 and 6mm-204 bothe 1-10 twist. I never chrono'd the 6x45 but the 6mm-204 I ran around 3600. The 55gr NBT both leaded and lead-free have been out standing and I run them a little faster in the 6mm-204.

I do have a 6mm ARC with a 1-7 twist but haven't gone lower than 75gr HPs. I've killed a few coyotes with it but they've been facing me for lengthwise shots and all have stayed here n with bang flops.
 
hunt0168 said:
Me either. Hornady Superformance 58 gr vmax. They’re rated at 3920 from 24” barrel but I haven’t a clue what I get from my 22” unsuppressed 8 twist? More splashing on entry is what I’ve experienced compared to 75 gr HSM loads rated at 3300 fps. I’m thinking the fast twist factors into it. What’s your twist rate?
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1 in 9 Ruger Bob. Splash or 'rip open' long angle shots do get ugly I will admit but shallow angles just make a neat quarter inch entry
 
jmeddy said:
1 in 9 Ruger Bob. Splash or 'rip open' long angle shots do get ugly I will admit but shallow angles just make a neat quarter inch entry
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Well, Mike, I’m just saying I seen more damage with 58’s than 75’s. It isn’t anything that I really care about. 58’s killed fine, they just made bigger entry holes more frequently. I used them last season which wasn’t a high numbers year for me. I had a couple boxes so ran them just to see how things went. Angles didn’t seem to matter. I don’t take pics of gore so can’t provide proof, but the majority weren’t pretty! Lol…

Now I have caught shoulder with 75’s quartering towards that resulted in catastrophic damage in a big way! 😬 I was surprised at how few exited on broadside shots honestly. After many a coyote killed with 35gr Bergers from my 204’s and only ever having 1 exit, I thought hopping up to a 243 with 75’s was going to be devastating. Far less damage than expected.
 
hunt0168 said:
For coyotes...
243Win 75 grain max has been very lethal.
204 Ruger 35 gr Berger Flat Base Hollow Points (40 gr NBTs are a close second)

Currently awaiting terminal testing of 243 with 55 gr NBT's as they shoot very well. Just gotta find a few test subjects!
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243 with 55 nosler BT are an absolute killer!!! Killed 70+ dogs with them last year. They just work! 45 grains varget I put in them fyi
 
Still loving my .204 with home loads, with the Hornady 45 grain soft point varmint at around 3,500 fps. Has done very well for me over the years on coyotes. Every now and then I break out the .223 with Hornady 55 grain soft points but that's a rare occasion, I like my .204 too much!
 
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