Tough Decision; >243 or .260

utahpredator_7

utahpredator_7

New member
When I fell in love with the Tikka T3, I thought that my decision of .243 vs 260 was over! I thought they didn't make it in .260, but they do! I need help, I would use the gun mostly for coyotes, and I figure if I use the right bullets for the .260 it would be ok for them. But the .243 would be more ideal for yotes, and it has more loads, and federal loads TSX's for it, and I really love those bullets, and can't afford to reload (I'm 14) On the other hand, I could kill anything I can imagine I'll be hunting within 10 yrs w/the .260, love the cartridge, and I also figure that federal will soon load the TSX for it. Help!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 
I'd just stick with your plan and get the .243 because you'll end up getting another rifle of a different caliber sooner or later. A .243 holds a special place in everyone's arsenal. Good luck!
 
Yep, stick to the .243. You'll shoot more and that will make you a better shot. Being a better marksman will allow you to kill more critters. Harvesting more animals will make you more of a he-man in the eyes of those good looking gals. Being admired by the weirder sex will make you happier. Getting the .243 will make you happier.

Seriously, the .243 will see a lot more use, especially if you don't reload. Ammo is cheaper and there is a wider choice of bullet selection in factory stuff. It will kill anything short of the really big game (moose/elk) very nicely.

It might not get you a girlfriend, but if you find one that you can convince to go shooting, she will probably be able to shoot it without any problem.
 
The .260 looks good to me also. It is what I DON'T read about it that bothers me. The caliber doesn't get talked about much, and I often wonder if it will become obsolete like some of the other great calibers have.
 
243 will do anything you want it to. A buddy of mine hunts everything with his, from yotes to whitetails, and if you've never seen what a 243 ballistic tip will do to a whitetail just put jello in a blinder.
 
A 243 is the rifle I carry in my truck when I'm in the pasture. It is great on coyotes, hard on p-dogs, very good on deer, and on elk - I would take a careful shot & not worry. I load 100 gr bullets just to be safe, tho.
IMHO 260 loads are scarce if you do NOT handload, but 243's are available almost as easily as 30-06's.
(WDM "Karamojo" Bell used a 6.5 X 54 MS to take many elephant, and it is a little weaker than the 260 )
"To each, his own"
Mark
 
Lets see, 14, can't afford to reload...limited income, 243 without question. You'll regret the 260 everyday you can afford to shoot it. Get the 243 and when you feel the need to buy another gun, the 260 will still be available, it was a wildcat for many years before it became a commercial round.
 
As much as I like the 260 and am not a huge fan of the 243, I would go with the 243 in your situation. I also wouldnt get your hopes up on Federal ever chambering the TSX in 260, let alone any 260 round.

Buy the 243 and you'll be a happy camper...
 
I can't take it anymore.
Never owned a .243, but can't see that it will do anything better than the 260 Rem.
I know the "Not a reloader yet," is cause for concern, but the 260 does it better than the .243.

Heavier bullet choices are just the tip of the iceberg if you want to go after bigger game.

If your girlfriend won't shoot a 260, she's probably not gonna shoot the .243

Clayman
 
Quote:

If your girlfriend won't shoot a 260, she's probably not gonna shoot the .243




Thats very true right there....a 260 aint much different than the 243 for recoil.

I do agree that overall a 260 would be a hell of a better choice for being able to shoot heavier bullets, etc for big game. I guess it all comes down to what you want to do with it most. If you dont reload, find someone who does, and buy them some dies and components, and have them load for you....thats another option...
 
I bought my son a Ruger 77 compact in 260 Rem. for Christmas when he was 12. I downloaded some reloads for him, he shot it and loved it. He is now 14 and I love the fact that he is deer/bear hunting with me now using a 140 gr. bullet. Bullet choice options are plentiful, shoots like a dream. Just my 2 cents worth, Rich.
 
I have no experience with the 260.I do love the 243.It is a great little cartridge,that i would recomend to anyone for everything from ground hogs to deer.
 


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