Which rifle?

[CUJOHUNTER]

A friend if mine owed me some money that he couldn't come through on so offered me one of his bolt action rifles as payment. I agreed to it but not sure what I'd want or what I'd use it for. I won't be doing any big game hunting anytime soon (but,you never know) and more than likely, I would use it for some impromptu short to medium range target shooting. The possibility of hog or coyote hunting could actually happen but for know, not anytime soon. Anyway my choices are......22-250, 25-06, .243 and .270. They are all quality bolt action rifles and NO......I will not trade it for a carbine or the such. I don't own a bolt action rifle so I'll probably keep this one. What do y'all think?

Incidentally, the only varmint rifle I've ever hunted with was a Mini 14 Ranch Rifle. I don't see myself going back to that and bolt action is something I've always wanted to try out.

 

[Booseman]

Me personally I would go with the .270 out of those choices.

 

[11Bravo]

Another plus one for .270.

 

[bayoupirate]

270 gets my vote.

 

[Ritten]

For target shooting, the .243 is the best caliber out of those all day long. Ammo will be cheaper than the .270 and the 6mm bullet is an accurate one well past 1000yds and has a higher BC than the other choices. The .270 or .25-06 would be a better choice for deer hunting, but you said that's not your plans for it.

 

[jmeng]

Agreed, 243 all day. For me the individual rifle details would have a huge impact also though. Not everyone has the same ideas on what makes a "quality" bolt action.

 

[CUJOHUNTER]

I do go on the occasional hog hunt with .357 magnum Ruger Blackhawk. Would the .243 suffice as well for this type of hunt?

 

[jmeng]

243 (or any of the other chamberings) will kill any hog that ever walked, especially if you use a little common sense on bullet selection (stay away from varment bullets). Again, the rifle itself will come into play. For hog hunting I'd think you'd want something short, light, and fast handlling. So if it happens to have a 26" long heavy barrel, it might not be the best choice.

 

[xobelkcat]

I'd give the nod to the .243win. Lightest recoil, especially with a brake!

 

[Bearco]

I do go on the occasional hog hunt with .357 magnum Ruger Blackhawk. Would the .243 suffice as well for this type of hunt?

I now hunt with a 308, but I've taken many deer and hogs with a .243

 

[XD45ACP]

I would also pick the .270.

 

[swampjockey]

Another vote for .270 It's one of the best all around flattest shooting calibers out there. I own two of them. With good reason.

 

[Ritten]

It's one of the best all around flattest shooting calibers out there.

"best" is subjective and the rest is just wrong. Actually, the .270 has the most drop at 300yds with fast loads out of all 4 calibers that he listed. In the realm of modern day ballistics, the .270 sucks.

 

[BIG1LOST]

as good as the .243 is..., the 25-06 is light years ahead as a deer cartridge.And with todays premium bullets,it stands right next to the .270 up to and includin' elk....out to 400 yrd.s,then the .270 takes over.Just the observations of this relocated Montana man.If I were to choose one for shootin'/huntin' just here in Loozy-ana...,I'd go with the .22-250 and 60 grn. Nosler partions and never look back.

 

[CUJOHUNTER]

All four rifles that were offered are Ruger M77s.

 

[Snuggie308]

Ritten is correct. The 243 is the best all around and flattest shooting for long distance, deer, cayote, varmint, etc. You may have to have some work done on the 77. Depends on what accuracy you are looking for and at what distance.

 

[AustinBR]

.243 All the way.