Best small center fire caliber

[Certaindeaf]

.243 Win. Punches way up if the call should arise.

 

[Ruger Rich]

22-250

 

[Kruel J]

.243 Win. Punches way up if the call should arise.

This.

 

[Ura-Ki]

Yup, .243 for the win!

 

[flashpan]

The OP already has the 257 killing machine.

 

[Certaindeaf]

The OP already has the 257 killing machine.

Nobody got time fo dat.
I had one years ago in Montana. A nice Weatherby with a 3x9 Leupold.. reloaded for it, same as anything else. It worked plenty good but so did my .243 BLR and Model 600 Mohawk.

 

[Lennie]

My favorite is a 204 Ruger, number 2 favorite is a 17 Hornet then the 223 Remington. I have owned swifts, 6MMs, 25-06 and other calibers.

204 in a varmit weight barrel will allow observation of the bullet impact through the scope. With a heavy barrel, recoil is so mild you can keep the scope on the target.

Another caliber to look at is a 17 hornet. It has very little muzzle blast, easy to reload, a pound of powder will provide almost 700 loads, out to 400 yards-has about the same flight trajectory as a 223. It is also very accurate. When components were reasonably priced, I could reload it for less than the cost of purchasing 17 HMR ammo.

223 is a good option, cost of rifles tend to be less, brass is inexpensive and there are many bullet options.

A 6MM caliber gives an option for use of the rifle to hunt in most states. 6MM flight trajectories, with 80 grain or heavier bullets, have a flatter trajectory after about 400 yards. I have found the smaller calibers IE 204,17 and 223, easier to run all day long when shooting lots of rounds.

 

[Bull72]

Define "small."

223 , 556 , 220 , 204 ,and others in the same classification

 

[Bull72]

Nobody got time fo dat.
I had one years ago in Montana. A nice Weatherby with a 3x9 Leupold.. reloaded for it, same as anything else. It worked plenty good but so did my .243 BLR and Model 600 Mohawk.

I have a 257 weatherby mag I like it and it shoots fine but the price of ammunition is ridiculous

 

[Bull72]

.243 Win. Punches way up if the call should arise.

I have a Remington 6mm so I am not really looking for another I am looking into a 204

 

[Bull72]

.17 fireball...most of the velocity, with much less powder, which makes good sense these days since powder is getting expensive. Plus, less fouling.

I hear good things about the 17 fireball

 

[Bull72]

Have to love the terrific 20's...esp if you want to go fast. If you dont reload, then the 204R is a great accurate cartridge choice. If you reload, have a look at the 20practical...and the 20Vartarg is as sweet as it gets.

You are being redirected...

For some reason I am interested in the 204 R caliber but I am liking the Browning X bolt I already own a few other Brownings and they have served me well and I don't reload but I have a friend that does all of my reloading

 

[Bull72]

My favorite is a 204 Ruger, number 2 favorite is a 17 Hornet then the 223 Remington. I have owned swifts, 6MMs, 25-06 and other calibers.

204 in a varmit weight barrel will allow observation of the bullet impact through the scope. With a heavy barrel, recoil is so mild you can keep the scope on the target.

Another caliber to look at is a 17 hornet. It has very little muzzle blast, easy to reload, a pound of powder will provide almost 700 loads, out to 400 yards-has about the same flight trajectory as a 223. It is also very accurate. When components were reasonably priced, I could reload it for less than the cost of purchasing 17 HMR ammo.

223 is a good option, cost of rifles tend to be less, brass is inexpensive and there are many bullet options.

A 6MM caliber gives an option for use of the rifle to hunt in most states. 6MM flight trajectories, with 80 grain or heavier bullets, have a flatter trajectory after about 400 yards. I have found the smaller calibers IE 204,17 and 223, easier to run all day long when shooting lots of rounds.

I own a 6mm and a 257 weather I don't like the price of weatherby ammunition and the 6mm is hard on brass I enjoy both but I find myself wanting a 204 I am really liking the X-bolt with a long barrel I don't reload but I have a friend that does all of my reloading

 

[Bobbygun]

I'm not that big of a fan of the .257 Wby Mag. I already had a couple of .25-06s, but won a Weatherby at a banquet. The increase in statistics over the .06 was more than offset by the increase in recoil. And, as mentioned, ammunition is expensive. I sold it.

Hard to go wrong with a .22-250, but I love me some .218 Bee. (Don't go there though, unless you reload.) Also, I like the .222 and .222 magnum (another reloader).

Heck. Get one of each. Or two.

 

[Bull72]

Agreed, most versatile and afforable of small bore cf cartridges,

Define "small."

I'm not that big of a fan of the .257 Wby Mag. I already had a couple of .25-06s, but won a Weatherby at a banquet. The increase in statistics over the .06 was more than offset by the increase in recoil. And, as mentioned, ammunition is expensive. I sold it.

Hard to go wrong with a .22-250, but I love me some .218 Bee. (Don't go there though, unless you reload.) Also, I like the .222 and .222 magnum (another reloader).

Heck. Get one of each. Or i

I'm not that big of a fan of the .257 Wby Mag. I already had a couple of .25-06s, but won a Weatherby at a banquet. The increase in statistics over the .06 was more than offset by the increase in recoil. And, as mentioned, ammunition is expensive. I sold it.

Hard to go wrong with a .22-250, but I love me some .218 Bee. (Don't go there though, unless you reload.) Also, I like the .222 and .222 magnum (another reloader).

Heck. Get one of each. Or two.

I would love to own atleast 2 of every caliber and manufacturer but the only problem is I have not become a billionaire yet

 

[Bobbygun]

I would love to own atleast 2 of every caliber and manufacturer but the only problem is I have not become a billionaire yet

I hear you. My wife was just lamenting how she only had one number tonight and it wasn't even the Powerball. So, it's back to work tomorrow.

 

[Bull72]

.220 Swift. Just because. Have a Ruger 77V, but I'd like an AR10 chambered in it. Except for semi-rim, it would be a go.

My son has a 220 swift and he loves it but he is interested in getting a 204 and that's why I am also interested in the 204 I am liking the X-bolt model I have had good luck with Browning

 

[SrMachoSolo]

.233/5.56 for sure

Agreed, most versatile and afforable of small bore cf cartridges, imho.

"Affordable"?

Now we know you're a high roller...

-Robert

 

[Bull72]

My favorite is a 204 Ruger, number 2 favorite is a 17 Hornet then the 223 Remington. I have owned swifts, 6MMs, 25-06 and other calibers.

204 in a varmit weight barrel will allow observation of the bullet impact through the scope. With a heavy barrel, recoil is so mild you can keep the scope on the target.

Another caliber to look at is a 17 hornet. It has very little muzzle blast, easy to reload, a pound of powder will provide almost 700 loads, out to 400 yards-has about the same flight trajectory as a 223. It is also very accurate. When components were reasonably priced, I could reload it for less than the cost of purchasing 17 HMR ammo.

223 is a good option, cost of rifles tend to be less, brass is inexpensive and there are many bullet options.

A 6MM caliber gives an option for use of the rifle to hunt in most states. 6MM flight trajectories, with 80 grain or heavier bullets, have a flatter trajectory after about 400 yards. I have found the smaller calibers IE 204,17 and 223, easier to run all day long when shooting lots of rounds.

I already own a 6mm rem and a 257 weatherby I enjoy both but the 6 is hard on brass and the weatherby ammunition is hard on the bank account

 

[Bull72]

.17 fireball...most of the velocity, with much less powder, which makes good sense these days since powder is getting expensive. Plus, less fouling.

I will have to look into the 17 fireball