I have a dilemma and though the wonderful users on this forum could help.

I am going to be able to get a couple of new barrels. I was going to get one for the Contender and one for the Encore. The Contender was pretty easy for me. Already having a 12in 221 Fireball, 12 & ½in 30-30 AI and a 14in 257 GNR, I went with a MGM 15 & 7/8in 357 Max.

Know the Encore is a little harder and where I would like some feedback. I currently have a 17in 375 H&H, 17in 8mm GNR, 16.5in 270 Win, 15in 25-06. My first reaction was a 338-06 AI but it really doubles my 8mm GNR to a “T”. (The 8mm GNR is shooting a 200gr Acc at 2600 FPS.) My next thought was a varmint rig. I found a 20in 6mmBR over at Ed’s TC’s but when I called he had already sold it. It had me thinking. I have been deliberating over a 20in full bull in 6mm TCU. I have lots of 223 brass and it is very reasonable to shoot. I was also thinking about a 1/10 twist. I am starting to have my doubts and I am heavily deliberation a 243 Win. I don’t have to push it. With a 20in barrel I could back off 3-4 grains and still get 3000fps with an 80gr bullet. If I needed I could pull ammo off the shelf and brass is readily available. I love the 6mm TCU, but if I went this route I wouldn’t have to fireform and could “load down” to 6mmTCU or 6mm-223. Vel. Brass would last a loooong time. What do yall think?

LOL.
I think you're between a rock and a hard place... Like maybe another rock... Yes... between a rock and a rock.

Personally, I prefer the easy road, and will take a well proven common round. 243 sounds good to me! But you're an old school improved pistol cartridge junkie. Get a 243 AI?

JMHO
14" 357 MAX Polish SS MGM 6 hole base--Set feebore to shoot 180 XTP seated on second CL.

Encore 14" 6 TCU 12" twist Full bull 6 hole base--rifle forearm(Straton) Polish SS finish

Scopes Max 2-7 Burris

6 TCU-3-12 Burris

The Encore if you go .243 and you are going Varmit rig stay with the 12" twist--not the 14" I had one shot awsome but limited bullet choice-and if you are thinking as long as 20" go 6MM AI 12" twist--That would be a 4000FPS smoke pole

I have data for 192-200gr cast bullets that will deliver an honest 2000+ out of a 15in tube. The 180XTP’s should easily do that as well. I think I am going to put my 3200 Bushnell 2-6 on it.

As for the 6mm bore, I think if I was going to go with an “AI” I would use the 307 brass and make a 243 AI rimmed. With that full bull 20in barrel I am either going to go with a high“er” power variable rifle scope or a 2.5-8 Weaver. With a 20in 243 I will actually come within 100 of rifle ballistics, “IF” I wanted to. I think I am going to load it down a little and save on my barrel and brass.

Awesome. I don't know how you have time for it. I know I don't. My kids and wife DEMAND my attention. Maybe I should put them to work.

LOL... I am lucky my wife loves the outdoors and has a degree in agriculture...

OK, I have been talked into the 243...

AI, Yes or No?

Rimmed, Yes or No?

243 gets my vote and the 6mmT.C.U.,buy em both-L.O.L.

I have a .243 in a 15" Pro Hunter and it shoots 85gr. Nosler Partitions very well. Haven't taken a deer with it yet but I'm hoping to that this fall. I've thought about having it punched out to the A.I version.

Shortgun

TCMan I have had both the 6mm T/CU in Contender format (actually had a couple of those) and a .243 Winchester in Encore format. Both were 15" Barrels with the 6mm T/Cu's being 1 in 12" Twists and the .243 a Factory 1 in 10" Twist.

In the 6mm T/C the fastest, accurate load I came up with was with the 80gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips loaded with Hodgdon's Benchmark or H-335. I achieved 2703 FPS according to my records.

In the .243 I concentrated on one 80gr. bullet with one powder. That bullet was the 80gr. Speer Hot Core Spitzer loaded with H-4895. Average muzzle velocity was 2920 FPS.

Both would do 3/4" 5 shot groups at 100 yards. I never did shoot a Deer with the 80gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip in the 6mm T/CU but did take two Whitetails with the 80gr. Speer Hot Core Spitzer from the .243.

I also tested 55gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips in both cartridges. With the 6mm T/CU I again ended up using Hodgdon's Benchmark and achieved 3045 FPS, while in the .243 I used Hodgdon's Varget and achieved 3171 FPS. Again both were 15" Barrels.

The .243 produces a lot more muzzle blast than does the 6mm T/CU. The recoil of the .243 is more but not hardly considered harsh by anymeans.

If I was going with a Custom Barrel for the Encore in .243 I would opt for the Improved Version if for nothing more than limiting case stretching / trimming. As per the Rimmed version of the .243 or .243 AI using .307 Brass, not sure if I personally would go that route as I didn't have any issues shooting the rimless .243.

Larry

Definitely get the rimmed 243AI. You know you want it.

I have hunted quite a bit with the .243 & you will love it. I would personally go for the plain ol' .243.