Looking for caliber/rifle advice..

[wapiti25]

I recomend a 223 in a bolt action for out to 300. you can use the old 12 twist to that range with 55gr bullets. my daughter moved up to the 223 in a bolt gun from a 22lr and could shoot 100 rounds at time without getting beat up. When she went deer hunting she used a 243 and was familiar with bolt rifles. I think savage offers model's that wont break the bank. When you shoot more you look to the target lines but they cost more. I used to be a Winchester mod. 70 and Remington M700 fan but I've heard that the quality has droped down on the Remington's, Winchester has gone back into production but I have no experience with the new rifles. Tika/Sako make nice rifles. The old Rem 700 BDL varmiter in 222 Rem will work out to 300 yds. I have a 6BR that I built and it is a neat cartridge. You could have a Rem 700 short action with the .473 bolt face (243, 308, ect.) re-barreled to a 6BR. Good shooting

 

[aussy .243ackley]

Want a caliber you can shoot varmits to boar and deer with buy a .243 and ackley it ,you can choose from 55grn hard hitting varmit fodder to 110 grain long range stuff,the most versatile rifle you can ever own,i have 34 rfles in 16 calibers and when i go to my safe i reach for my old .243AI,i go to my reloading room and choose the cartridge in .243 for the game i am going to hunt.its simple save money because you wont need to buy any other calibre unless you are hunting some man eating animals you have over there.mike

 

[js223]

You asked about barrel life expectancy of the .243, from what I understand it's kinda short. It's parent the .308 has much longer barrel life, also the 6BR which is derived from a special .308 case has longer barrel life than a .243.

 

[wapiti25]

When you want to go fast you pay in barrel life. Most of the time when you go faster or more powder at the same or more pressure you will burn the barrel faster. It's like car's fuel economy, engine life, ect. go fast and pay. Do you plan on shooting in matches or are you going to shoot paper for your own fun?

 

[Palamedes]

Initially it will certainly be for my own fun.. I'm learning.. I still don't know how to reload my 8mm yet.. gonna be looking to do that this weekend..

 

[wapiti25]

I loaded for my step dads 8X57 98 mauser. For deer I loaded 150 Hornaday's using IMR 4064 and that load shot very good for hunting rifle- about 1 1/8 or better @ 100yds 3 shots. That was the original military barrel. Good luck