[ishoot308]

Bigdog;

I would recommend the 6.5/08 also known as the .260 Remington for the reasons noted below...

#1. This caliber is extremely accurate and currently used in many NRA long range matches out to 1000 yds.

#2. The 6.5 mm bullets are some of the best on the shelf. The current offerings by Sierra and Berger include a wide range of target and hunting bullets up to 142 grains.

#3. Low recoil similar to the .223

#4. Easily re-loadable or store bought off the shelf. The .260 Rem is nothing more than a .308 case necked down to handle and hold the 6.5 mm bullets or a .243 case necked up. Many of the the major brass manufacturers are now making this brass including Lapua so necking up or down is not necessary.

#5. Long barrel life. Unlike the .243 Winchester the .260 Remington is easy on barrels. Life expectancy for competition purposes is approximately 3000 - 3500 rounds whereas a .243 will be burnt out in 1400 rounds. For hunting purposes disregard this information as you will be able to hit a "pie plate" at 100 yds for many rounds with either caliber!

To have a rifle for both serious competition and hunting is nearly impossible. A properly built rifle for competition would require a gunsmith to blue print the action, properly pillar bed the stock, custom barrel at a cut length which would be really too long for trudging through the pucker brush after deer, custom trigger and the absolute best iron sights or optics money can buy. A custom rifle like this would hold 1/2 minute of angle accuracy shot after shot and would run somewhere around $5000.00. For a simple deer rifle, off the shelf is more than sufficient and you could get into it for less than $1500.00.

Maybe a factory bull barrel tactical rifle in .260 Remington would do everything you want at your local sand pit. Take a look at a Savage Model 12. Just don't expect too much in serious competition.

Good luck with whatever you decide and most importantly be safe and have fun shooting!

Dan