OzFclass

Thinking about buying a new Tikka T3x but not sure which caliber to go for. The main purpose is hunting with some SH range shooting - I just can’t decide on 243, 6.5CM, 260 or 7-08.
I have a fair idea on the theoretical differences between each of these, but I was hoping for some feedback from those who shoot any of these. I am particularly interested in accuracy to about 500m, so love to hear some experiences/recommendations?

The 6.5mm options are very similar in real world performance. The 7mm can use much heavier projectiles and the 6mm much lighter ones. They will all work to hit a target except the 6mm may be marginal on bigger animals ?

I think an important factor is are you willing to reload? If not the 260 and 7-08 are pretty much out due the low availability of good factory ammo. If I wasn’t going to reload I would get a 6.5CM. If I was, I would get a 260. It offers a good bit more velocity over the creedmore without affecting barrel life too much. The 708 is fine but I don’t think it gives you many of the 7mm Advantages as it lacks case capacity. The 243 is very comfortable to shoot but barrel life will be significantly less then the others. That might not mater if you don’t shoot much. What are you going to hunt?

Thanks fellas. I am a hand loader and actually shoot FClass (STD & FTR), so I love the 308 win caliber, but wanted something a bit different. Primary game is small - medium ferals (foxes, goats, pigs & medium size deer) and having a bit of fun on the range after our normal fullbore club shoot (300m -800m).
I am leaning towards 6.5CM and 260 but I have read that 7-08s generally shoot brilliantly. I actually haven’t seen any evidence yet as to how accurate a 6.5CM is - any more experiences out there with any of these calibers ?

creedmoor for me ....very accurate from 300 out to 1,000yds..cheaper to run as well case and barrel life better than most .....why because i have one ....1/4 inch groups at 300 nd still a 5inch group at 1,000... case life still going at 15 loadings without annealing...barrel 3,000 rounds nd still a quarter inch ....

Lone Ranger
Foxes, goats and pigs. Yep, pretty hard to go past the pope's 243 as a hunting rifle, but I would say it might be a it light shooting med sized deer ( not that I've ever shot a deer). But Target shooting with a 243, not my choice. Hunting and target are 2 very different rifles, who wants to carry a hunting rifle with 1.25" bartlein barrel, and who wants to shoot 5 shots accurately with a sporter barrel? I'm thinking a rethink might be on the cards.
Just my opinion .
Cheers
Mozzie

I'd go the Creedmoor, factory ammo is available and accurate, barrel life is pretty decent and as far as reloading goes, it's pretty easy to get working. Components galore out there for it too.

Sorry I didn’t see the other posts, I’ll look more closely at your groups

260 for me, I have a Tikka T 3 Varmint very versatile. 85 gr Sierra hollow points hit dog or fox and massive exit wound projectile has disintegrated, no more lead flying around paddock , Put a 140 gr pill in it pigs and deer are done. I shoot f class , when I have had good run out of 308 cases simply neck them down to 260 doesn't matter if you get a bit excited on the hogs and leave some shells in the paddock because you have all you use out of them . 260 will shoot as good as any of them ,Vermin and Ferals won't know the difference what they have been hit with .

Ballistically there’s not much between 260 and 6.5 creedmoor, however the creedmoor offers excellent match grade ammo reasonably priced to cheap plus the benefits of decent case design for reloading, 260 apparently feeds as well as 308, I find the creed slithers out of an aw mag no worries, accuracy will be more dependant on barrel/chamber quality than case design

If you handload 260
If the Tikka has a generous mag length 260
260 will handle heavy pills better and hit hard

I’ve had 260 now coming on 18 yrs , Remington with a new benchmark 1:8.5 tw drives nails

Brass is easily available and cheap to form from ex-308

Thanks gents - love Benchmark barrels, I have had a few in 308 win and they were all tack drivers.
I do like the idea of a 260, does anyone have any plot groups of 260 or those other calibre ?

Well I ended up ordering a Tikka T3x Forest in .243 Win. Always liked this calibre and I don't really need a long range calibre such as a 6.5CM, so I went with a traditional option.

Does anyone have a Tikka T3x .243 Forest that they can share their experiences with ?

loneranger wrote:Well I ended up ordering a Tikka T3x Forest in .243 Win. Always liked this calibre and I don't really need a long range calibre such as a 6.5CM, so I went with a traditional option.

Does anyone have a Tikka T3x .243 Forest that they can share their experiences with ?

Nothing wrong about a 243 or Tikka , plenty good 6mm bullets to choose from , Whidden in the states won plenty nationals with a 243 , obviously twist rate of the barrel will dictate which bullets will suit

Good luck with it

Thanks Cheech, should be interesting...