243 on fallow bucks

[dryan]

Was out last evening and shot two bucks with the .243, one dropped on the spot, the other ran 30 yards, although visibly I could see it was a good hit.

These fallow are on prime grass, making 90+kg larder weight, nevertheless the organs must be similar to other fallow.

A run of 30 yards is no big deal normally, but the neighbouring land owner is very much anti shooting and I’m wondering whether I should use the 7x57 on these to ensure a faster drop.

I was tempted but the 243 I have is cloverleafing at 100yards, do I give up some accuracy for the benefit of knockdown power?

 

[WiltshireStalker]

Wow, they're some big fallow!!! What do you value more, the knockdown or the accuracy. Although I would argue that your still able to be accurate with that calibre are you not? I'd be taking the knockdown if the next land is anti shooting! Never fun dealing with that!

 

[Stevie/P]

Just get a .270 bang flop

 

[pendle]

Just get a .270 bang flop

I take it the OP already has a 7x57

 

[Stevie/P]

I take it the OP already has a 7x57

note to self read post before commenting

 

[Mike1979]

.243 will put them on the deck as you have proved and they can and will still run with the larger rifles. If your happy with the .243 carry on and either dont shoot anything within 50 yards of the boundary or head or neck shoot them (within your capabilities etc etc as I know lots are against head and neck shots).

 

[Riverwye]

What rounds are you using? Copper or lead? 100gr softpoint in 243 is fine. Just use common sense, ie, if close to the boundary or edge of woodland right on last light, neck or head shot only, as you say you are cloverleafing at 100 yards so shouldnt have a problem there.

 

[VSS]

I changed from .243 to .270 for chest shooting fallow for exactly the sort of reason you state. I lost a bit of confidence in the ability of the .243 to knock them down.
However, with the wisdom of hindsight, I now know it was my shot placement that was at fault, and I would be quite happy to go back to using .243 for that purpose now I'm a bit more experienced.

 

[BigT]

I’ve seen impala run dead on their feet further than that with a 7x64 so I’m not sure you’re going to find a way to gurantee they drop on the spot with anything short a CNS hit.

 

[User100]

I changed from .243 to .270 for chest shooting fallow for exactly the sort of reason you state. I lost a bit of confidence in the ability of the .243 to knock them down.
However, with the wisdom of hindsight, I now know it was my shot placement that was at fault, and I would be quite happy to go back to using .243 for that purpose now I'm a bit more experienced.

When you get a mo, would you mind marking on a fallow outline the shot placement you used to take and also the placement you would now take? I'm sure many would find that very informative.

 

[timbrayford]

Was out last evening and shot two bucks with the .243, one dropped on the spot, the other ran 30 yards, although visibly I could see it was a good hit.

These fallow are on prime grass, making 90+kg larder weight, nevertheless the organs must be similar to other fallow.

A run of 30 yards is no big deal normally, but the neighbouring land owner is very much anti shooting and I’m wondering whether I should use the 7x57 on these to ensure a faster drop.

I was tempted but the 243 I have is cloverleafing at 100yards, do I give up some accuracy for the benefit of knockdown power?

I used to get a fantastic performance with 90gr Accubonds on big fallow bucks having gone down the copper route with 80gr Barnes, which are fine for roe I now use a 270 on anything larger

 

[VSS]

When you get a mo, would you mind marking on a fallow outline the shot placement you used to take and also the placement you would now take? I'm sure many would find that very informative.

I was trying for the standard heart/lung placement, but was always a bit too far back and often a bit low too.
Now I tend to go for the hilar placement.

 

[Mike1979]

This came up a while ago so might help The pic is to highlight the point...obviously you wouldnt shoot this hind where she is stood

 

[Tim.243]

This came up a while ago so might help The pic is to highlight the point...obviously you wouldnt shoot this hind where she is stood

View attachment 432121

Unless the dog men get her Yer cannie lad

 

[FISH BOY]

I used to get a fantastic performance with 90gr Accubonds on big fallow bucks having gone down the copper route with 80gr Barnes, which are fine for roe I now use a 270 on anything larger

Same with 100gr Federal Soft points - Barnes 80gr work, but don’t have the knockdown impact.

 

[Mike1979]

Unless the dog men get her Yer cannie lad

cant outsmart an Essex welder

 

[Tim.243]

.243 works fine
must be the operator's

 

[Mike1979]

.243 works fine
must be the operator's

Its always the operator Tim......The same principle applies...even with the 6.5 Creed

 

[Tim.243]

Its always the operator Tim......The same principle applies...even with the 6.5 Creed

Yes but the Creed operators sit down to have a wee. .243 the seat is up

 

[Mike1979]

Yes but the Creed operators sit down to have a wee. .243 the seat is up

...ever tried one? The creed ...not sitting down for a wee lol...or are you in the "ignorance is bliss" camp Tim