Another 223 or 308?

[Jon79]

Ok here’s my problem lol....

I have a PTA for a centrefire sitting here that will expire in a couple of weeks so I’m thinking of getting something I already have but in a varmint barrel

I was thinking 223 or 308, I use my 223 a hell of a lot more than the 308 although since we finally got some rain out here the pigs are about again and there’s a ton of deer here so I could be using the 308 more

What do you guys reckon I should go with? Is there any great benefit in going with a caliber I already have but with the heavier barrel?

I already have a 223, 243 & 308 in centrefire and have thought about going for something in between those but the ammo cost are a lot higher for not a lot more gain in anything...... or do I just let the PTA expire?

[duncan61]

7/08 best of both worlds

[bladeracer]

Ok here’s my problem lol....

I have a PTA for a centrefire sitting here that will expire in a couple of weeks so I’m thinking of getting something I already have but in a varmint barrel

I was thinking 223 or 308, I use my 223 a hell of a lot more than the 308 although since we finally got some rain out here the pigs are about again and there’s a ton of deer here so I could be using the 308 more

What do you guys reckon I should go with? Is there any great benefit in going with a caliber I already have but with the heavier barrel?

I already have a 223, 243 & 308 in centrefire and have thought about going for something in between those but the ammo cost are a lot higher for not a lot more gain in anything...... or do I just let the PTA expire?

If you are building two rifles for two different purposes perhaps.
But I would go with a 7mm-08 myself.

[bigfellascott]

Get a 300WM and smack the pigs and deer in style at long ranges.

[tom604]

30-30 or a 270??

[Urbanbushman]

John79, tom604 has the right idea, 30-30 for 50-150mt and the king of all hunting calibre the magnificent.270(IMHO!!) for just about everything else. Certainly here in the U.K. both rounds are relatively easy to source although the .270 runs about £1 a round. It’s great you have a gap to fill in your cabinets!!

[solarpak]

.25-06!!!!
CK

[straightshooter]

Jon79
Your original thinking is quite sound.
I would suggest something along the lines of a heavy varmint configured 223. If possible with a target quality barrel and chamber to ensure reliably repeatable and consistent accuracy.
It will relieve an itch that nothing else will scratch.
Forget all the suggestions of this or that wonder calibre. As you have correctly observed there is not a lot to differentiate between them at even longishly acceptable hunting and varminting distances.

[TassieTiger]

Watched the beginning of a series on Netflix last night - a take off of the shooter movie with Mark Wahlberg in it.

It was meant to be technically accurate but 10 mins in “the guy who sold you this .223 should have told you it’s not good enough to kill anything larger than a squirrel...”....righto...technically accurate my ass!
Heavier barrel = better consistency...equates to more fun.

[bigfellascott]

Jon79
Your original thinking is quite sound.
I would suggest something along the lines of a heavy varmint configured 223. If possible with a target quality barrel and chamber to ensure reliably repeatable and consistent accuracy.
It will relieve an itch that nothing else will scratch.
Forget all the suggestions of this or that wonder calibre. As you have correctly observed there is not a lot to differentiate between them at even longishly acceptable hunting and varminting distances.

Isn't the rifle for hunting? I can't see any reason to cart around any extra weight for no real-world tangible results, this does not make any sense to me.

[JimTom]

Me neither. I’d go and get something else that tickled your fancy. Plenty to choose from.

[TassieTiger]

338 LAPUA - go big or go home !

[Jon79]

The original thinking was for something to use shooting from the vehicle, my other rifles have the lighter sporter barrels so they’d still be fine to carry around the scrub.

I did consider the 270 I used to really like the caliber but I can cover it pretty well with the 243 & 308 and the ammo is a lot cheaper (I’m not reloading yet), I have thought about a 22-250 but is there really much it can cover that the 223 can’t and again the ammo is a lot dearer

[duncan61]

I have a .222,.243 amd 7mm Rem Mag which I will be using Saturday morning at 500 Yards.This collection covers all shooting needs.so your choices are 6mm 6.5mm or 7mm.Perhaps make a target rifle in 6.5x284

[Sergeant Hartman]

338 LAPUA - go big or go home !

Lol I was gonna say 50bmg.... but yeah 338, why not

Apart from the why not another gun logic, maybe let it lapse or get something completely different like a lever (btw I see you don't have a 22lr, but that's cat A)

[Jon79]

338 LAPUA - go big or go home !

Lol I was gonna say 50bmg.... but yeah 338, why not

Apart from the why not another gun logic, maybe let it lapse or get something completely different like a lever (btw I see you don't have a 22lr, but that's cat A)

yeah mate got a 22lr I have

22 air
22lr
12G (Adler)
223
243
308

[snag]

Another vote for .25-06. Once you own one, you'll wonder why you didn't get one years ago.

[duncan61]

Do you reload????

[Jon79]

Do you reload????

I will eventually I think.... I bought one of those Lee anniversary kits but haven't got round to buying the dies etc needed, been saving my brass just in case

[bigfellascott]

In all honesty mate I can't see any reason to buy the same/similar cals that you already have, what about a 45/70?

[TassieTiger]

Do you reload????

I will eventually I think.... I bought one of those Lee anniversary kits but haven't got round to buying the dies etc needed, been saving my brass just in case

Perfect then. .338 lapua it is!!! Your going to love it!!!

[SCJ429]

In all honesty mate I can't see any reason to buy the same/similar cals that you already have, what about a 45/70?

I love the way you think, 45/70 is a great little big bore and you would have lots of fun with it. Do yourself a favour and live a little.

[Faedy]

I love my 300 wm for a bit of a change from the 308

[duncan61]

I just looked up the ADI load data for 7mm Rem v Win Mag and your load is 10 gn more of 2213sc with a 168gn pill.How is the recoil on that bad boy

[duncan61]

I would love to build a 6.5/284 for field rifle but the 7mm does the job if I am good enough

[duncan61]

I love topics like this as I study all the load data and learn so much about different cases.The 284 Win is so similar to the .270 Win in performance and the 7/08 is in there as well.The reason my first post suggested 7/08 is you all ready have the 308 cases for reloading and I am sure they will just neck down .62 in a die.Correct me if I am wrong.

[bladeracer]

I love topics like this as I study all the load data and learn so much about different cases.The 284 Win is so similar to the .270 Win in performance and the 7/08 is in there as well.The reason my first post suggested 7/08 is you all ready have the 308 cases for reloading and I am sure they will just neck down .62 in a die.Correct me if I am wrong.

Yep, just run them through the FLS die as you would with 7mm-08 brass, then trim to length.

[duncan61]

The 6mm-284 looks very interesting with 95gn Matchkings going at 3200-3300 it would be very competitive in a good barrel

[Bruiser64]

I suppose it all depends what you are shooting. I think a heavy barrel .223 for foxes, rabbits and Roos from a vehicle is a good call. It will sit steadier on a rest than a lighter barrel. You already have the lighter rifles for stalking, so why the hell not?

[Kumaabear]

I have no idea where people are getting the idea that 308 or even .243 ammo is cheaper than either .270 or 30-06

It just is largely not true, not in Australia anyway it seems like one of those things that makes sense on the surface and everyone believes it but nobody bothers to check the prices.

Cheap stuff for all of them is $30-$35 mid range is $40-$50 and high end stuff is $60-90 for all of them pretty much