Dumped my last 243.
- Thread starter Muir
- Start date
bewsher500
Well-Known Member
Ha, you assume I actually spend money on the toys!
Well! I surely didn't intend this post to be a referendum on the 243 but it makes interesting reading. The 243 is a varmint cartridge turned deer gun. I think to was made most popular for deer in the Eastern US where shots are relatively close and the deer a bit smaller. In open country where your shots are in the 175 to 275 yard range and the deer can go to 250 pounds, it is too puny no matter how well you shoot it. The only deer I've seen lost over the last two years were lost to a 243. One loaded with 95 gr Noslers, the other two with 100 grain Sierras. All were shot past 150 yards, for what that's worth. That said, my Marine nephew shot a very large whitetail doe this fall with his at 100 yards and my daughter stalked in on her deer to 20 yards and killed it clean.
In my case, I purchased all of my 243's as long range prairiedog guns. The first was a tack driver, right from the start, but the aforementioned child swiped it. My replacement M-70 has always been problematic. I'm glad to give it back to the Trading Post. I'll hunt deer with the S&W next fall. I hate having a big bore handgun I've not killed a deer with.~Muir
In my case, I purchased all of my 243's as long range prairiedog guns. The first was a tack driver, right from the start, but the aforementioned child swiped it. My replacement M-70 has always been problematic. I'm glad to give it back to the Trading Post. I'll hunt deer with the S&W next fall. I hate having a big bore handgun I've not killed a deer with.~Muir
jamross65
Well-Known Member
There is not a suggestion that the 243 cannot kill with proper bullets for the job. Just that is some areas other chamberings perhaps offer more of what is being asked of them...
I have to agree with Muir on the point of size (of the game) being a significant factor for the .243. I've hunted whitetail deer with .243 on several occasions without a problem. That being said, they were all Texas whitetails in the southern part of the state (much smaller, more wooded and typically dressing out at around 100lbs). Having hunted up in Muir's neck of the woods, and seeing the size of the mule deer that far north, I'd be hard pressed to take a shot with a .243 at some of the typical ranges out on the prairie.
I've seen the size of the UK deer when I lived there, and can easily see why so many opt for the .243. Apples and oranges when talking .243 in the western US versus the UK.
I've seen the size of the UK deer when I lived there, and can easily see why so many opt for the .243. Apples and oranges when talking .243 in the western US versus the UK.
tjwaines
Well-Known Member
Had a .243 for 3 years when I first started out, shot brilliantly with 87gr Hornady Hollow points, 1/2" groups all day long - blew up on foxes, expanded perfectly on Roe. But it's not in the same league as my 7mm08 or .308 for putting deer on the ground and not IN MY OPINION anywhere near as good as my .22-250 for foxing.
Tom
Claret_Dabbler
Well-Known Member
If I lived in England shooting Roe and Muntjac I would certainly own a 243. I live in Ireland, a 260 - 270 class rifle is a better tool for our deer, and the 22/250 is a much better fox rifle.
devon deer stalker
Well-Known Member
I have to agree, my first rifle was a .243, i now have the Sako 75 .243, it has killed more deer from roe to red i care to remember, only got the 30-06 to deal with the boar, which have prooved to be pretty elusive since i bought it!It 'IS'
The problem is it is 'too' perfect - unless you shoot boar or elk, etc. you only need the one rifle, and that stinks if you're a gun-lover
I think I'm psychologically trying to convince myself the .243 isn't great so I can justify having a bunch more rifles on either side of the calibre spectrum, but in reality, I'd probably be fine with just my 75 in .243 for everything I do 99% of the time, and shoot better because of it
Cheers
Richard
i sold my 243 8yrs ago for a 6.5x55 and then sold that for 270 win !
ive come to the decision that if the case cant hold 60 plus grains of powder im not interested in it !
I used to be that way. Now I am of the "less is more" philosophy. It's my 7x57 that keeps me from reentering the 280 / 7mm-08 market again!~Muir
The deer man
Well-Known Member
I traded my .243 as well. Not because it was no good, it served me very well, but I always felt on the limit with Reds and shots over 300 yards on Fallow. Now have a 6.5x55 instead (for everything in the UK) plus the other two, a 7mm-08 (for everything and long range) and .30/30 (for the woods).
I. Farticus
Well-Known Member
+1 on the 6.5x55
I hunted two States this fall with mine. As i told my hunting partner after dropping a fat mule deer: The 6.5 takes no prisoners.
It's another cartridge that keeps me from diving back into the 7-08.~Muir
The deer man
Well-Known Member
Seems I am always late to the party, I just bought my first .243
That said I can't see how it won't work on fox and small deer.
Neil.
Don't worry it will! It's just longer ranges and the bigger species where other calibres may be more suitable, that's all.
The deer man
Well-Known Member
Muir, I use both 6.5 and 7-08 and as we all know both have their great qualities but I still feel the 7-08 has just a bit more of an edge, not that the deer can tell though!
With loading for your 6.5 what do you use and what COL length works for your bullet? I've been using 129gr Interlock but couldn't get any so ended up with 129gr Interbonds and am finding it difficult to get them as accurate as the Interlocks??? Any clues would be a great help.
Similar threads
