700 yard groundhogs 243 vs 260

[gregw83]

which caliber would be better, I'm torn between the two. I have seen this topic posted plenty times before, but over 3/4 of the comments are a suggestion of different calibers, and then a debate between two or three calibers that people threw in the posts. I am buying a factory rifle because I can't afford a custom rifle at the moment, and these are the two caliber offered, so a suggestion of a different caliber is not an option. I live in ohio, which is a slug gun only state as far as deer go, so this will be strictly a varmint/recreational target shooting rifle. I know the 243 is capable of flatter trajectories, with the lighter bullets, but the 260 usually has a higher bc on the 100+ gr bullets. how does wind play with the two calibers with 75-87 gr in the 243, and 95gr in the 260. the 243 has the option of 58 gr. bullets for some real splatter power which is tempting, but I handload a 110 gr hp in 30-06 for that.

 

[westcliffe01]

What twist rates can you get in the factory barrels ? That will be a big decider, since I don't know of a factory 243 with a 1:8 twist. With a 1:9 or 1:9.25 twist barrel you can forget about shooting 95gr or 105gr VLD's with any accuracy. If you can get a 260 with a 1:8 barrel from a factory you might be better off. Otherwise get a short action savage and put a good quality 26" 1:8 prefit on for $320 and go shooting.

 

[Jud96]

which caliber would be better, I'm torn between the two. I have seen this topic posted plenty times before, but over 3/4 of the comments are a suggestion of different calibers, and then a debate between two or three calibers that people threw in the posts. I am buying a factory rifle because I can't afford a custom rifle at the moment, and these are the two caliber offered, so a suggestion of a different caliber is not an option. I live in ohio, which is a slug gun only state as far as deer go, so this will be strictly a varmint/recreational target shooting rifle. I know the 243 is capable of flatter trajectories, with the lighter bullets, but the 260 usually has a higher bc on the 100+ gr bullets. how does wind play with the two calibers with 75-87 gr in the 243, and 95gr in the 260. the 243 has the option of 58 gr. bullets for some real splatter power which is tempting, but I handload a 110 gr hp in 30-06 for that.

I would like to start by welcoming you to the site first before we get to business!

Now for the business, I have a Remington 700 ADL Varmint chambered in .243 Winchester and absolutely love it. It has a 1-9 1/8 twist that stabilizes 87gr V-MAXs amazingly well. It shoots one hole groups and is well under MOA at 700yds where my range card ends. For wind, that little 87 grainer bucks it well going 3250 at the muzzle with a BC of .400 and it also blows stuff up so its the best of both worlds. This deadly versatility is what led me to buy a .243 for all around varminting from 0-700yds. I have no desire to shoot big VLDs in it because its a varmint rifle so a high speed, explosive bullet with a good BC like the 87gr V-MAX fits the bill perfect for me. No other bullet caliber overs such a great varmint bullet as the 87gr V-MAX, it does it all, high BC, accurate, fast, explosive just perfect. This is why I consider the .243 Winchester matched with 87 grainers the most effective all around varmint getter.

 

[JOHNNIE WALKER]

Savage rifles chambered in 260 come with a 1-8 twist. I have the predator hunter max 1. Its a very nice shooting rifle. My hand loads are under .5 moa.

 

[rcairflr]

260 Remington and don't look back

 

[johnnyk]

Greg,
Welcome to Long Range Hunting. I've owned both calibers but have only used the .243 in a varmint role. It performs better, the farther out you go, with heavier bullets. I started low (58gn) and ended up shooting the 95gn Ballistic Tip. Shots out to 6-700yds are doable (for me) with this setup. Didn't have a chance to shoot much further.
The .260 I had in a Remington Mountain Rifle and it was strictly used on deer. With 120gn Ballistic Tips, it did its job well. As a heavy barreled varmint round it would/will do anything the .243 can do and probably a little more. If you get a 1-9 twist you'll probably be limited to the 120gn, with a 1-8 twist you can shoot the 140's.
Yeah, the light pills are fast and impressive, but they peter out quick and can't stay the course in the wind. Regardless of the caliber, get a fast twist barrel and launch the heavies at 'em. Happy hunting. JohnnyK.

 

[gregw83]

Thanks for the input guys. I've decided on the .243 after some suggestions and from searching midwayusa and other sites seeing how there is a much larger bullet selection for the 6mm over the 6.5. unfortunately as jud pointed out, I am buying a savage model 12 lrp, and it offers both the 243 and 260 only with 9.25 twist rates, but the 87gr v max as mentioned in the replies has a .4 bc, and should stabilize well in that twist rate barrel. the rifle is also offered in 6.5 cm with a 1-8 twist, but it seems to me that the 260 shoots the heavier high bc bullets a bit faster, meaning a bit flatter. since a woodchuck isn't a steel plate at a known distance, I'd opt for a flatter shooting round.

 

[cowboy]

At this years SHOT show Remington announced they will be producing the .260 in 2014 in their SPS line, 24" tube with 8 twist.

I have a Savage in .243 and it is a good shooter using 95 gr bullets. It just doesn't handle the wind after 400 yds. This is a problem because we get wind 364-1/2 days a year.

After a couple thousand rounds out of a .243, when this barrel goes south, it will get a new .260 tube. Besides, you may get a chance to come out west someday to hunt and the .260 will handle anything we have. I'd go .260.

 

[jt183]

For the last four seasons my go-to rockchuck shooter has been my .243. It's a 24" barrel with a 1 in 10 twist which stabilizes up to a 100 grain Hornady BTSP just fine. My long range bullet is the 87 gr V-Max. However, 55 gr Ballistic Tips, 60 gr Sierra HPs, 58 gr Z-Max, and 55 gr Sierra BKs all shoot to virtually the same point of impact and I use them for the closer distances. With the Varmint Hunter reticle in my VX-3 I have solid holdovers out to 600 yards. Anything farther than that I have to dial.

This is a picture of a first round hit at 725 yards with an 87 gr V-Max this spring.



These were taken with the lighter bullets out to 400 yards.


The only good thing about coyote season coming to an end is the fact that rockchuck season is just about to begin!

 

[Creedmoor shooter]

Thanks for the input guys. I've decided on the .243 after some suggestions and from searching midwayusa and other sites seeing how there is a much larger bullet selection for the 6mm over the 6.5. unfortunately as jud pointed out, I am buying a savage model 12 lrp, and it offers both the 243 and 260 only with 9.25 twist rates, but the 87gr v max as mentioned in the replies has a .4 bc, and should stabilize well in that twist rate barrel. the rifle is also offered in 6.5 cm with a 1-8 twist, but it seems to me that the 260 shoots the heavier high bc bullets a bit faster, meaning a bit flatter. since a woodchuck isn't a steel plate at a known distance, I'd opt for a flatter shooting round.

The difference between the 2 is so small that its really not even worth mentioning. A Creedmoor can be loaded up hot enough to match a 260 anyway so the 260 doesnt really have any advantage there. But i think the 243 is a good choice for you especially since your only shooting varmints. Those 87 v-max bullets will make soup out of them

 

[Jud96]

The difference between the 2 is so small that its really not even worth mentioning. A Creedmoor can be loaded up hot enough to match a 260 anyway so the 260 doesnt really have any advantage there. But i think the 243 is a good choice for you especially since your only shooting varmints. Those 87 v-max bullets will make soup out of them

+1. the .243 is a great varminter. I have shot mine out to 700yds with the 87gr V-MAX and it shot excellent and bucked the wind surprisingly well. Its great for shorter ranges and works well even out to 700yd. If you were strictly doing 500+ shots then a 6.5 Creed or .260 would be better suited with high BC 123s-140s. For your purpose, which is the same as mine, the .243 Winchester is the way to go.

 

[Jud96]

For the last four seasons my go-to rockchuck shooter has been my .243. It's a 24" barrel with a 1 in 10 twist which stabilizes up to a 100 grain Hornady BTSP just fine. My long range bullet is the 87 gr V-Max. However, 55 gr Ballistic Tips, 60 gr Sierra HPs, 58 gr Z-Max, and 55 gr Sierra BKs all shoot to virtually the same point of impact and I use them for the closer distances. With the Varmint Hunter reticle in my VX-3 I have solid holdovers out to 600 yards. Anything farther than that I have to dial.

This is a picture of a first round hit at 725 yards with an 87 gr V-Max this spring.
View attachment 31553


These were taken with the lighter bullets out to 400 yards.
View attachment 31554

The only good thing about coyote season coming to an end is the fact that rockchuck season is just about to begin!

Nice shooting! That .243 did a number on those chucks! If it ever warms up here in WV and PA, I want to start putting a dent in the groundhog population with my .243 and also the coyotes.

 

[Jud96]

At this years SHOT show Remington announced they will be producing the .260 in 2014 in their SPS line, 24" tube with 8 twist.

I have a Savage in .243 and it is a good shooter using 95 gr bullets. It just doesn't handle the wind after 400 yds. This is a problem because we get wind 364-1/2 days a year.

After a couple thousand rounds out of a .243, when this barrel goes south, it will get a new .260 tube. Besides, you may get a chance to come out west someday to hunt and the .260 will handle anything we have. I'd go .260.

I don't have any problems in the wind shooting 87s at 3250 and getting hits out to 700yds.

 

[Rem700]

Accurateshooter.com has a article on the 243win and the test they did vs the 6.5's where it beat them with less drop and less drift at 1k yard than them. If it was Ackley improved it was able to equal the 7wsm. It's a true performing classic that will never die. I just bought a box of 95gr Berger Classic hunter for my 243 and 6br. Hopefully I can test them soon.gun)