Help Me Pick a Caliber for a Tikka T3 Lite Stainless...

[TNred]

I'm about to buy a Tikka T3 Lite Stainless (maybe blued).  I'd like to get a .243 for deer (and coyotes).  But I plan to use only factory ammo, and I've heard that a .243 can be hard to dial in, especially in the larger bullets.  Does anybody have experience with a .243 Tikka T3 Lite Stainless?  How do they shoot with factory ammo in larger bullet weights?

Also, are the T3 Lite guns as accurate in stainless as they are in blue?

Thanks

[BUSTER51]

not with a T3 stainless,but the T3 hunter in .243 is a shooter right out of the box .sub moa at 100 yards with a Weaver grand slam 3-9x40 and winchester supream balistic tips .I think they are 95 grain, thats all I use in mine and it works fine.

[Buckfever]

Check out a 6.5x55 a great caliber and you can use bullets up to 156grns.  The 129grn and especially 140grns Hornady's are not very expensive and shoot great.  I haven't tried smaller than the 129gr but buddies tell me the 120's are also very good.   I am not saying this is the best caliber just a very good one.   Just a suggestion!  Buckfever

[RaySendero]

270 Winchester[/color]

[marylandeer]

Just go the good old .30-06 and be done with it.

[Brithunter]

Well you got it right some rifles chambered in .243 Win will not shoot the heavier bullets and make of rifle does not seem to make much difference. This is one reason I have steered clear of the .243  However it's your money and your rifle so the ultimate choice is down to you  The suggestion of the 6.5x55 Swede is a good one as it's a fairly light calibre but punches above it's weight and is available in factory loaded rounds down to 77 grains. Something like the 100 grain would be very good for Coyotes step up to 120-140 Grn for deer and 160 grn for the bigger/heavier species. What more could you want?

[Sigma]

It all depends what you want to do with your rifle....

The 270 is really versatile and a flat shooter but still burns alot of powder and delivers a good amount of recoil.

I have a 6.5x55 in stainless and it shoots like a charm. Clover leaf groups now and then, depending on circumstances. If you want a good allrounder, the Swede is a good choice - as said, a wide range of bullet weights are available, but you'll have to reload to get what you want. Most factory offerings are 140's and you might have to mail order. No Walmart ammo there.

The 243 is a great caliber but it can be a little anemic if you want to move up and pursue bigger game in the future, or if shots aren't well placed. Also, some say the 243 has the tendency to burn up barrels quicker, if you do alot of shooting.

I would suggest the 7mm08, the 6.5x55, or the 270. 7mm08 is ballistically superior to the 308 which IMO has the trajectory of a banana...

If you're thinking of getting a 308, you might be better off with a 30.06.

Regards
 

[thumbcocker]

270

[victorcharlie]

.243 because that's what you seem to like.......for me there is something about the 6.5X55 I like......It's not a common caliber in the US and the rare calibers are the most "collectable".......I've never owned one, and have had several .243's...and currently own a .243.....both are great rounds and .243 ammo is very common, more so than 6.5X55.......