Best Target Caliber under 300 yards

A few years back, I injured my shoulder and broke my collarbone in a motorcycle accident. Since then, I've avoided the heavy kickers. I went to a .243 for deer and coyote. I don't reload, so .243 passes the "available at WalMart" test.
 
So, the OP got 40 replies so far, and almost that many cartridge suggestions, as if that wasn't the typical outcome of these types of threads.

In the end, only the OP can decide what to buy, and it's not like you're stuck with it for the rest of your life if you don't like it afterwards.
 
I said 6 PPC, but now that I see deer and range, I'm thinking 6x47, 6.5 Creedmor, 243 win, 6.5 x 284, 257 Roberts, ...
 
The 260 or the 6.5 Creedmore will give you a round capable of just under 3000 fps with a 120 gr bullet. That's close to 270 performance in a more efficient case. It's quite similar to 25-06 performance and is a step up from the 243 and it doesn't have much recoil. And...folks use it for long distance shooting competition. Sounds like just what the OP needs.

He does not need a 6mm BR. If he wants a 6 mm, go with the 6MM Remington. It outperforms the 243 and has all the performance of the 6-284.

Get the 260 or the Creed.
 
Stocked in a classic Bavarian-style Mannlicher with steel muzzle cap and 3-position safety. CZ.

Oh! that was a beautiful rifle! And in .243. You wanted a Savage, pity.
 
Again, thank you everyone for the responses! I think I've made my decision, and it's going to be .243. I've always had that floating around in the back of my mind anyway, and everyone hear seams to have nothing bad to say about it.

For me, I think I'm going to move on from this thread, but keep responding if you feel like you have something important and informative to add for the next guy that comes along!

F23
 
6.5x55 is my choice in a Tikka T3. 243 was brought out because it can throw heavier lead than 6mm Rem.
 
243 or 7mm 08
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I second that suggestion. I would choose the .243 personally as I am less familiar with the 7mm-08. Both are common calibers in terms of ammunition, great longer range target calibers, and okay for deer. My first center fire rifle was a 243. I don't regret that choice years ago.

Added: I see on this last page that you have made your choice. 243 is a great choice. Hope you enjoy.

From my own experience, I would choose the 223 for target and range shooting and a slightly larger caliber for deer hunting. But that means two rifles.
 
Pretty much exactly what 22-Rimfire said for me. Don't get me wrong, you can wring out a bunch of speed out of a .243 with a really light bullet. I just prefer to use it on Coyotes up to Whitetail. Some people will say "just use a .223.." And this topic has been driven into the ground about ethical for use on deer. I stand by the logic that a .243 would be the minimum caliber used on my property. Are there other calibers that are cabable? Absolutely. It really just depends on what you may be interested in, wildcats vs common calibers.
 
My son was 8 years old when he took his first buck with a 22-250. Lucky shot as bullet went up into spine and deer never took a step. We bought him a 7-08 and a 243 when he was 10 and he was small for his age. He shot the 243 some but all but broke me with that Model 7 in 7-08. Kind of had our own range back then and there wasn't a can or water balloon or empty pill bottle he wasn't popping out at 200 yards. Wish we had been reloading then. Son is grown and gave up guns for girls so rifle being too short for me got traded for something else. Wish I had kept it since we have 9 grand kids now. Recoil near to nothing with factory ammo. Sure reloads would have done even better. I'd say 7-08 then 243.
 
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