Torn between 243/260. Which do you prefer and why?

[McKinneyMike]

I am building a new LR rifle for varmints and paper punching. I am torn between the 243 and the 260 for 1000yd shooting and less. I will be using a Brux 28" in a medium varmint contour.
The ballistics are quite similar, recoil similar, etc. I would imagine that the 6.5 caliber would have slightly better barrel life, all things being equal, but not a great difference. Too many options and too little time to shoot them all. Thoughts?

 

[watercam]

My opinion: having shot the .243 and 6XC in Long Range competition and a 6.5/284 as well I would choose the .243 over the 260. BCs of the 140-142 6.5s are a bit better but the 260 in a 28" barrel would be in the 2700-2800 fps range as opposed to 2950-3100 range for the .243 w/ 115 gr. bullets in the same barrel length. I have a Lilja barrel in .243 with 1500 rounds through it and it is still accurate. Unless you are burning 2000 rounds a year through your barrel it will last a while.
Pro choices? John Whidden shoots (and wins) with a .243, Sherri Gallagher won the Long Range comp at Perry w/ a .260 but I believe it was with a 30" barrel.

 

[fordwrench]

the 243 is a good pick of the 2 concerning good brass selection. they both will do what you ask but in my opinion the neck is on the short side for target work. the freebore needed to keep the base of the bullet in the neck and out of the donut area is short. as the throat erroads you have painted yourself into a corner . if you do decide from these two i would pick out several bullets you intend to shoot and buy a reamer from pt/g set up for your bullets. take a good look at the 6.5x47 lapua and 6x47 lapua offerings. i dont think youll miss much in performance and gain a lot in from the better design of this case all-around. good shooting!

 

[HPMike800]

I've shot a fair amout of 260 at 600 yds, If I were to continue I would look to 130's not 140's. May be even 123's. I have shot some of my best scores with the lighter bullets. FWIW.

I'm moving to a 243 SuperLR (SuperX) using 105-108 bullets for 1,000yds. I just shoot 100gr bullets better.

 

[McKinneyMike]

I've shot a fair amout of 260 at 600 yds, If I were to continue I would look to 130's not 140's. May be even 123's. I have shot some of my best scores with the lighter bullets. FWIW.

I'm moving to a 243 SuperLR (SuperX) using 105-108 bullets for 1,000yds. I just shoot 100gr bullets better.

That 6mm Super LR looks very interesting to say the least! Love the longer neck and 30 degree shoulder. Where can I find reamers for this cartridge? I am seriously interested in this as I can just full length resize the 243 cases! More info please

 

[HPMike800]

Robert Whittley has FL dies, JGS and PTG have reamers.

6mmAR.com for info. Search 6SuperX on this site. With slow powders people are reporting good barrel life as well. See also some dicussions on the 6CM - which is very close.

 

[1000yardstare]

There was quite an extensive thread on the 6 Super LR a few months ago. When my 6AI F Class rifle is shot out at the end of this Summer, the 6SLR will be my next cartridge.

Check out the previous thread at http://www.accurateshooter.com/forum/index.php/topic,3742044.0.html