Which centerfire caliber will win out ?

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Which centerfire caliber will win out ?

Post by Die Judicii » 26 Sep 2021, 12:36 am

Lets do a majority type count as to which centerfire caliber gains best overall votes for flat shooting/accuracy/knock down performance on medium game.

:unknown: :unknown:
For starters I'll promote the ever reliable 22/250
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Re: Which centerfire caliber will win out ?

Post by deye243 » 26 Sep 2021, 1:24 am

243 for varmints and 7mm mag for medium sized game
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Re: Which centerfire caliber will win out ?

Post by bladeracer » 26 Sep 2021, 2:58 am

Die Judicii wrote:Lets do a majority type count as to which centerfire caliber gains best overall votes for flat shooting/accuracy/knock down performance on medium game.

:unknown: :unknown:
For starters I'll promote the ever reliable 22/250


7mm-08 would be it for me, .22-250 is limited in bullet choice, especially in older barrels. A custom 7"-twist could be interesting but I think the .243 would still be better.

Flat shooting is over-rated unless you're spotlighting.
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Re: Which centerfire caliber will win out ?

Post by bigpete » 26 Sep 2021, 5:51 am

308 for me.
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Re: Which centerfire caliber will win out ?

Post by Bugman » 26 Sep 2021, 6:55 am

My trusty 243.
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Re: Which centerfire caliber will win out ?

Post by straightshooter » 26 Sep 2021, 8:29 am

Die Judicii wrote: flat shooting/accuracy/knock down performance on medium game.

To fit those fairly specific parameters it has to be a 25/06.
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Re: Which centerfire caliber will win out ?

Post by bigrich » 26 Sep 2021, 9:16 am

Die Judicii wrote:Lets do a majority type count as to which centerfire caliber gains best overall votes for flat shooting/accuracy/knock down performance on medium game.

:unknown: :unknown:
For starters I'll promote the ever reliable 22/250


on the given requirements of your post , 270 winchester . it fills all the requirements. i also have a 243, but it always stays at home cause the 270 can do the lot

7mm rem mag is a step up , 25-06 is a step down . i don't have either of these , but of people i've spoken to , great performing calibers . i could get by with my 243 , it's been rebarreled with a 1-8 twist and shoots 95 ballistic tips silly accurate . but the 270 just knocks stuff down far out , no fuss :thumbsup:
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Re: Which centerfire caliber will win out ?

Post by bigrich » 26 Sep 2021, 9:20 am

straightshooter wrote:
Die Judicii wrote: flat shooting/accuracy/knock down performance on medium game.

To fit those fairly specific parameters it has to be a 25/06.


very under rated caliber that could benifiet from a better range of projectiles . the range in 6mm is huge :thumbsup:
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Re: Which centerfire caliber will win out ?

Post by MontyShooter » 26 Sep 2021, 9:22 am

My 7mm rem mag is a laser.
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Re: Which centerfire caliber will win out ?

Post by on_one_wheel » 26 Sep 2021, 9:36 am

We probably should have defined "medium game" first.
Imo, rats, rabbits and birds = small
Cats, foxes, dogs = medium
Fallow, roos, goats, pigs = large ( roos blur the line between medium and large because their heads are soo light and are a head shot only species)
Red deer, buffalo, donkeys, horses, camels = big

Keeping that in mind

I'm almost on the fence between the .243 and .223 but mainly because my .243 likes 100g projectiles and I'm running heavy jacket Gameking, it typically pencils small and lightly built medium game.

The .223 with its 55g delivers 100% of its energy right where I want it.

By a nose I'll pick the .223 and save the .243 for more heavily built critters... at least until I find a 100g ballistic tip projectile with a light jacket.
Last edited by on_one_wheel on 26 Sep 2021, 10:01 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Which centerfire caliber will win out ?

Post by northdude » 26 Sep 2021, 9:58 am

my 6.5 06 for me
22 hornets and most things 6.5
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Re: Which centerfire caliber will win out ?

Post by bladeracer » 26 Sep 2021, 10:36 am

Foxes are small game. I would class cats as small game also, but they can be significantly more robust than foxes. Dogs, goats, pigs, roos, and small deer are medium game.


on_one_wheel wrote:We probably should have defined "medium game" first.
Imo, rats, rabbits and birds = small
Cats, foxes, dogs = medium
Fallow, roos, goats, pigs = large ( roos blur the line between medium and large because their heads are soo light and are a head shot only species)
Red deer, buffalo, donkeys, horses, camels = big

Keeping that in mind

I'm almost on the fence between the .243 and .223 but mainly because my .243 likes 100g projectiles and I'm running heavy jacket Gameking, it typically pencils small and lightly built medium game.

The .223 with its 55g delivers 100% of its energy right where I want it.

By a nose I'll pick the .223 and save the .243 for more heavily built critters... at least until I find a 100g ballistic tip projectile with a light jacket.
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Re: Which centerfire caliber will win out ?

Post by Oldbloke » 26 Sep 2021, 10:45 am

Die Judicii wrote:Lets do a majority type count as to which centerfire caliber gains best overall votes for flat shooting/accuracy/knock down performance on medium game.

:unknown: :unknown:
For starters I'll promote the ever reliable 22/250


Using this definition:
Medium Sized Game (CXP2) – Non-dangerous. Deer and pronghorns are the primary species in the US. Mount goats, feral domestic animals would also be considered. 51 to 300 pounds.
Sooo,,,dogs, pigs, goats, fallow, red deer.

I'd go 270. Over gunned for most but not Reds. Or if I wanted a short action, 243.

Me, I carry a 30.06 loaded with 130gr bullets.
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Re: Which centerfire caliber will win out ?

Post by northdude » 26 Sep 2021, 10:51 am

the other one for me would have to be my 6.5x55
22 hornets and most things 6.5
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Re: Which centerfire caliber will win out ?

Post by Blr243 » 26 Sep 2021, 11:03 am

Creedmoor I don’t own one ....or 243. Very difficult ro find a majority winner For dj when we state more than one cal.
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Re: Which centerfire caliber will win out ?

Post by mchughcb » 26 Sep 2021, 11:35 am

416 Remington Magnum. Never had a deer run off except when it was missing a leg.
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Re: Which centerfire caliber will win out ?

Post by Die Judicii » 26 Sep 2021, 12:25 pm

Blr243 wrote:Creedmoor I don’t own one ....or 243. Very difficult ro find a majority winner For dj when we state more than one cal.


:thumbsup:
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Re: Which centerfire caliber will win out ?

Post by bigrich » 26 Sep 2021, 1:33 pm

on_one_wheel wrote:We probably should have defined "medium game" first.
Imo, rats, rabbits and birds = small
Cats, foxes, dogs = medium
Fallow, roos, goats, pigs = large ( roos blur the line between medium and large because their heads are soo light and are a head shot only species)
Red deer, buffalo, donkeys, horses, camels = big

Keeping that in mind

I'm almost on the fence between the .243 and .223 but mainly because my .243 likes 100g projectiles and I'm running heavy jacket Gameking, it typically pencils small and lightly built medium game.

The .223 with its 55g delivers 100% of its energy right where I want it.

By a nose I'll pick the .223 and save the .243 for more heavily built critters... at least until I find a 100g ballistic tip projectile with a light jacket.


the definition of medium game has caused some confusion. i was thinking along the lines of OB and blade in that pigs, deer are medium game . goats are made of paper really . on your scale of medium game i would include goats as their no tougher than dogs in my opinion . i actually think for this game weight a project rifle i bin thinking of in 6x45 (6mm-223) would be fantastic with 75-87 gn projectiles . as a off the shelf caliber 243 with loaded 87 vmax would be my choice :thumbsup:
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Re: Which centerfire caliber will win out ?

Post by Shootermick » 26 Sep 2021, 1:38 pm

243 with 87g vmax for me too. I use my 243 more than my 223 these days.
.22, .22wmr, 223, 243, 303, 20ga, 12ga
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Re: Which centerfire caliber will win out ?

Post by bigrich » 26 Sep 2021, 1:54 pm

Shootermick wrote:243 with 87g vmax for me too. I use my 243 more than my 223 these days.


i remember back in the late 80's australia was in love with the 243 as a accurate affordable rifle that could do everything . it was/is a farmers favorite
i've had a bad shot on running pig one time with a 6.5x55 , so i went for something with more energy . i use a 270 when i'm going onto a property i haven't been before as it will deal with anything .way out too ;)
a 243 is a great thing on small pigs , goats , dogs , ect with more than enough smackdown for them . other old caliber's of note , 303-25 , 257 bob . they just work , but people just have to get the latest trendiest stuff at times ..... :roll:
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Re: Which centerfire caliber will win out ?

Post by bladeracer » 26 Sep 2021, 2:29 pm

northdude wrote:my 6.5 06 for me


What bullet weight and velocity are you making with this?
Just curious how far short the 6.5x58mm is.
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Re: Which centerfire caliber will win out ?

Post by animalpest » 26 Sep 2021, 2:33 pm

Well, I have .222, .223, 22/250, 243 and all are suited to the medium game you list.

But for flat shooting, knock em flat I would choose my 25/06 and day.
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Re: Which centerfire caliber will win out ?

Post by bladeracer » 26 Sep 2021, 2:34 pm

bigrich wrote:i actually think for this game weight a project rifle i bin thinking of in 6x45 (6mm-223) would be fantastic with 75-87 gn projectiles.


When I was a kid I put the 139gn steel-jacketed Norma 6.5x55mm FMJ bullets into .222Rem brass for key rings (simply because nobody could ever claim it was an actual cartridge).
I've always wondered how it might have gone as a cartridge though :-)
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Re: Which centerfire caliber will win out ?

Post by bigpete » 26 Sep 2021, 2:37 pm

bladeracer wrote:
bigrich wrote:i actually think for this game weight a project rifle i bin thinking of in 6x45 (6mm-223) would be fantastic with 75-87 gn projectiles.


When I was a kid I put the 139gn steel-jacketed Norma 6.5x55mm FMJ bullets into .222Rem brass for key rings (simply because nobody could ever claim it was an actual cartridge).
I've always wondered how it might have gone as a cartridge though :-)

I've considered this myself tbh
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Re: Which centerfire caliber will win out ?

Post by bigrich » 26 Sep 2021, 3:36 pm

bladeracer wrote:
bigrich wrote:i actually think for this game weight a project rifle i bin thinking of in 6x45 (6mm-223) would be fantastic with 75-87 gn projectiles.


When I was a kid I put the 139gn steel-jacketed Norma 6.5x55mm FMJ bullets into .222Rem brass for key rings (simply because nobody could ever claim it was an actual cartridge).
I've always wondered how it might have gone as a cartridge though :-)


there's a sako in 6.5x47 on usedguns at the moment . that's close ;)
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Re: Which centerfire caliber will win out ?

Post by bigrich » 26 Sep 2021, 3:37 pm

animalpest wrote:Well, I have .222, .223, 22/250, 243 and all are suited to the medium game you list.

But for flat shooting, knock em flat I would choose my 25/06 and day.


25-06 is one of the flattest shooting there is, going of ballistic figures :D
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Re: Which centerfire caliber will win out ?

Post by bladeracer » 26 Sep 2021, 3:37 pm

bigpete wrote:
bladeracer wrote:
bigrich wrote:i actually think for this game weight a project rifle i bin thinking of in 6x45 (6mm-223) would be fantastic with 75-87 gn projectiles.


When I was a kid I put the 139gn steel-jacketed Norma 6.5x55mm FMJ bullets into .222Rem brass for key rings (simply because nobody could ever claim it was an actual cartridge).
I've always wondered how it might have gone as a cartridge though :-)


I've considered this myself tbh


Just looking at ADI data for the 6mm-222Rem. It fires a 60gn bullet at around 3050fps, or a 100gn bullet at around 2200fps.
The lightest 6.5mm bullets I have are 90gn and 95gn, but being a little shorter than the .243 bullet should give a little more case volume. And as it'd have to be custom-chambered I'd want to cut the throat long to open up bullet choice. A 95gn 6.5mm VMax making somewhere around 2400fps would be nice. A 200m zero puts it about 110mm high at 100m, and 170mm low at 250m. And it holds its 1600fps design velocity to 300m.

But it's very easy to load any of the 6.5mm chamberings back to these levels, so it's not something I'd put money into.
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Re: Which centerfire caliber will win out ?

Post by bigpete » 26 Sep 2021, 3:54 pm

Nah,it would be something you'd make for a specific purpose really
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Re: Which centerfire caliber will win out ?

Post by solarpak » 26 Sep 2021, 4:23 pm

I have the pop corn in the microwave!!!!


Oh my vote - .270 Win

Pop corn is ready!!


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Re: Which centerfire caliber will win out ?

Post by SCJ429 » 26 Sep 2021, 4:40 pm

mchughcb wrote:416 Remington Magnum. Never had a deer run off except when it was missing a leg.

A very practical option but outclassed by the 416 Rigby or 416 Weatherby Magnum.

My pick is Roy Weatherby's favourite, the flat shooting and hard hitting 378 WM.
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