[Bison]

I took the time to review your work and I noticed that this (243 win) was on the chart but I was wondering how YOU felt about this round. Is there any pitfalls or anything I should beware of using this round for long range shooting? I have also been giving the 260 rem some thought. Is one necessarily better than the other? Thanks

[Zak Smith]

With the right bullets and barrel twist rate, the .243 is a good long-range target round. There are three problematic factors:

1. almost no factory barrels have twist sufficient to shoot 110gr + VLD-style bullets. (1:8)

2. there are very very few - like one or two - bullets with a BC close to 0.60

3. barrel life will be significantly less than .260 Remington when loaded to full power because it has the same powder volume but a lot less bore area

_Bullet_           _BC_ _MV_         0     250     500     750    1000    1250 | YARDS
243WIN 115 DTAC   0.585 3000 >    0.00    2.89   12.31   29.61   56.51   95.14 | wind (inches)
243WIN 90         0.450 3150 >    0.00    3.56   15.48   38.07   74.52  128.15 | wind (inches)
260 140 VLD       0.620 2900 >    0.00    2.85   12.11   29.04   55.22   92.55 | wind (inches)
6.5-284           0.620 3000 >    0.00    2.72   11.53   27.61   52.45   87.90 | wind (inches)

243WIN 115 DTAC   0.585 3000 >    0.00    0.60    2.20    4.30    6.80   10.00 | drop (Qt mil)
243WIN 90         0.450 3150 >    0.00    0.50    2.10    4.30    7.10   10.90 | drop (Qt mil)
260 140 VLD       0.620 2900 >    0.00    0.60    2.40    4.50    7.20   10.40 | drop (Qt mil)
6.5-284           0.620 3000 >    0.00    0.60    2.20    4.20    6.60    9.60 | drop (Qt mil)

[Bison]

Oh I see... Thanks for the information. Like several others in this forum I am fairly new to extended range marksmanship, so I am trying to get all the information I need before spending a considerable amount of money.

I am very comfortable and competent with my two factory setups (.308 and .270 win) out to 600yrds but I will soon lose (donate) them to two friends that are new comers to the shooting sports. I figure this is as good a time as any to spoil myself a little and upgrade my equipment and challenge myself a little.

If I haven't worn out my welcome would you please give me your top 2or3 6mm/6.5 mm round choices and preferred platform for that round. I should warn you that I am new to reloading (only experience is with .308 win) and I will probably use this rifle for small/medium game as well. I have no immediate plans to compete (yet) but I would like a worthty "set-up" in case I change my mind. This will be my only rifle for a while so my budget is pretty flexible. I just want a precision shooter that is rugged and reliable to fill dual roles.
P.s. I am BIG fan of the m40 A type rifles.

Thanks

[Zak Smith]

article | Practical Long-Range Rifle Shooting, Part I - Rifle & Equipment

.260 Remington is the way to go, unless you need a true 1500 yard gun. Then 7mm RM or WSM.