If you were me

[dtbighit]

Ok fellas help me out,im trying to decide which way to go for my next precision rifle,this will be for punching paper and steel only,so my dilema is which rifle to buy i have 1200 to spend so...........im looking at the rem700 milpsec 5r .300win,or the rem700milspec 5r .223,and the rem700 sps tactical .223,convince me which one to get,yes the 300 is more costly i do reload and i know lots of powder is needed for the 300,as far as the .223 it is cheaper all around and do i really need the 300????so i need some help trying to decide which way to go so convince me....thanks fellas

[Sawin]

Why the jump to 300win instead of a .308? That's the far more common platform among the precision shooters I know... a .223 isn't nearly as "precision" beyond 600m but I'll let the more experienced pros chime in...

[Tim K]

It'd help to know what you already have.

The .223 is going to get blown hither and yon in the wind. In some ways, that's a good thing if you're trying to learn to shoot in the wind. The problem with .223 is that at longer ranges it's very difficult to spot either hits or misses. That little bullet just doesn't make much impact, so you don't get much indication on steel or in the dirt unless it's really dry and dusty.

Unless you already have one, I'd have something in the .243 or .264 families. They have bullets available with good high BC's and are relatively cheap to shoot.

[ray1970]

The 300 might be overkill for punching holes in paper. The .223 might struggle a bit in the wind at longer distances.

Not to throw a wrench in your plans, but I'd pick another caliber. Maybe a .308 or a .260.

Just my two cents.

[dtbighit]

ok i have a 700 in .308 id love a 260 but seems like reloading components are hard to find,i was looking at the savage in .260 but reloading components seem hard to get,yes the .223s are tough in the wind i have a 24in bull ar in .223 so i am familiar with wind and drop,now i never considered a .243,see my money is burning a hole in my pocket and i dont know which way to go here,also the .300 and .260 are barrel burners right,so that means re-barrel in about how many rounds?thanks fellas

[Tim K]

.260 isn't a barrel burner. Some of the other 6.5 mm cartridges are, though

.243 is a very real option. Hoser shoots it and he sucks less than most. I forget the specific bullet he likes, maybe he will chime in here. Since its viewed as more of a hunting cartridge than a tactical cartridge, I think components may be more available.

[BuffCyclist]

Not that I know anything about long range shooting, but I'm planning a build that probably won't come to fruition for at least 6mo to a year.

Rem 700 SPS Varmint - .308
H-S Precision Stock

I've read lots of things online and that rifle is basically the Rem700 Police for a couple hundred cheaper. It also has an excellent barrel/receiver. I'll probably do that until I really get into long range stuff before I consider building a fully custom rifle or get a 5R or similar quality barrel (as in if I start shooting for groups at 1k and the factory barrel is only good for hitting steel...)

[Hoser]

I would get the 308 and have it re-barreled to 260 or 243 at a later date or sooner.

I am shooting a 243 (actually a 6 Competition Match) with 115gn DTAC bullets and H-1000 powder. I pulled my last 6CM barrel around 3,800 rounds and it still had lots of life left in it. I just didnt want it to die in the middle of the season.

260s will go over 3,000 rounds and 300 Win Mags maybe 2,000 rounds. It all depends on how hard you run them.

[dtbighit]

I would get the 308 and have it re-barreled to 260 or 243 at a later date or sooner.

I am shooting a 243 (actually a 6 Competition Match) with 115gn DTAC bullets and H-1000 powder. I pulled my last 6CM barrel around 3,800 rounds and it still had lots of life left in it. I just didnt want it to die in the middle of the season.

260s will go over 3,000 rounds and 300 Win Mags maybe 2,000 rounds. It all depends on how hard you run them.

so the 260 or the 243 is there a good platform to start with? What about availability of good match 260 ammo or reloading components? Same question with the 243 thanks for the help

[Delfuego]

I would drink the Koolaid that Hoser and Tim K poured for you. I did! I now have a 260 in bolt and in AR10 platform. Fast, flat and less recoil. What's not to like!

For off the shelf & reloading 243 is very plentiful (or used to be) mostly hunting ammo though. 260 brass was hard to come by, but is getting easier now. 260 can also be formed from other cases. The bullets and powder are actually easier to find than 308 since latest panic simply because less people shoot it.