243 or 270

**Wikus Pretorius** · 22-12-2008, 21:57

Good day all

I am in 2 minds here and need some advice, am looking at a general long range/bushveld rifle. What is the better one to have, a .243 WinMag or .270 WinMag? I know/think for plains game (Northern Cape) a .243 would maybe be better, but I would also like to use the rifle in the bush (Northern Transvaal). I currently own a .303 and I am very happy with its bushveld abilities, but would like something for the open plains. Any help/suggestions would be appreciated.

Regards

**pietskiet** · 22-12-2008, 23:11

.243 win and .270win not win mag brov! Want a varminter as well? Go for 243 or 25-06. Larger game, then 270. Neither are bushveld calibers! Stay with 303 for that, dont be stupid, high velocity is not for the bush. 243,303 and 375 for africa. 270 and 375 if you want only 2

**pietskiet** · 23-12-2008, 21:15

caliber choice is a very subjective thing. dont go for high velocity in the bush. you have a 303. with the right ammo it is an awesome bushveld rifle. Whith 215gr bullets it beats the 7 by 57 and 175gr bullets or the .308 and 180gr bullets (to me the 30-06 is neither a bushveld nor plains rifle). If you hunt varmints and the biggest game you engage at long range is blesbuck then get a 243, bigger game then 270 but keep in mind the 270s recoil is too much for varminting or for introducing a kid to hunting

**pietskiet** · 29-12-2008, 12:27

I am currently toying with the idea of a 25-06

**deonh** · 29-12-2008, 16:47

Originally Posted by Wikus Pretorius

I am in 2 minds here and need some advice, am looking at a general long range/bushveld rifle. What is the better one to have, a .243 WinMag or .270 WinMag? I know/think for plains game (Northern Cape) a .243 would maybe be better, but I would also like to use the rifle in the bush (Northern Transvaal). I currently own a .303 and I am very happy with its bushveld abilities, but would like something for the open plains. Any help/suggestions would be appreciated.
Regards

Hi Wikus. I doubt you'll find one caliber that would suite your two criteria, namely long range AND bushveld rifle. If your choice was between only .243 or .270 then the choice would be obvious (but not ideal), namely the .270 (flat shooting heavier bullet). The .270 is "better" in the bush than the .243, but far from ideal. Your .303 is AOK for the bush so don't mess with something that works. I you really want to change bush calibers you won't do yourself any wrong by choosing .308 or .30-06 (or .375 H&H is Santa left you some extra cash for Christmas). Pietskiet's suggestion regading the lack of the bush-character of the .243 and .270 and positive notes retgarding the .25-06 is also very valid (it's an awesome caliber) but if you're in SA (and in the bush nogal) then it's crippled by its popularity (or rather lack thereof). When in a pinch, finding components or ammo for the .25-06 WILL prove to more problematic than the .243 or .270. And if you find yourself in Umigumigumigumiland and you've run outta ammo or a rifle component has broken then having a rifle / caliber popular in Africa will be the decider. The .25-06 is not as popular. A question in search of an answer: what game do you plan to hunting in the Northern Cape, what shot distances do you limit yourself to and what is your budget?

Another caliber well worth looking into (that straddles many applications, esp. if you handload) is the 7X57!

**pietskiet** · 29-12-2008, 18:33

+100 dh. For the busk i would go with 303, 308 or 375 depending on what i want to hunt. The 375 if correctly handloaded is an awesome big game long range rifle but it will never be a varminter

**pietskiet** · 29-12-2008, 18:57

bush md217

**deonh** · 29-12-2008, 19:01

Originally Posted by pietskiet

+100 dh. .375 Will never be a varmiter

Coolio Pietskiet mah man! Of course the .375 will never be a varminter! Sheenikes! Unless you've got varmints the size of brown bears!!!!! For varminting (in SA) I'd take a tight shooting' .222 or .243! Or, depending on the varmint, I'd love to try a .17... if one could get ammo and compomemts readily in SA!

**pietskiet** · 29-12-2008, 19:10

Or a 25-06. ;D I love 243 and owned a Brno in the caliber but i want a heavy rifle this time so i am going for a 243 or 25-06 with a heavy barrel. I hate center fire 22 calibers due to a bad experience in a vlakvark at very close range with a friends 223 krico

**Corné** · 31-12-2008, 16:53

Wikus,

In my view neither the 243 or the 270 is bushveld rounds. They are both more open and long shot models. For the bushveld the 303 would be a better choice as your distance become shorter and you have content with the possibility of a twig that could be in the way that would deflect a smaller and faster bullet with more ease than a bigger and slower bullet. The bushveld requires bigger, heavier, slower bullets.

For plain game and long distance shooting the 270 might be your better option as it will outperform the 243 on distance and size of game that can be taken on distance shooting.