Is .243 big enough???

[simon1979]

6.5x55 is worth a look

 

[Dagben77]

cheers jcs, well dagben have you decided i am still unsure,

I'm tempted with the 243 to be honest. You?

 

[Dagben77]

Don't you start Simon! Its your fault anyway!!! Bloody 243 fan!

 

[AN DU RU FOX]

I'm tempted with the 243 to be honest. You?

same here but as its a variation going in i just might do 243 and 260 and i was looking at 6x5x55 bugger

 

[Dagben77]

same here but as its a variation going in i just might do 243 and 260?

Would you have no problem with getting both? If not, then go for it. I don't think my FEO would go for it!

 

[Dagben77]

6.5x55 is worth a look

Just out of curiosity, whats the general feel for this one?

 

[Dagben77]

Would you have no problem with getting both? If not, then go for it. I don't think my FEO would go for it!

I'm hoping to get rid of my Hornet and try for 1 for 1. They might go for it!

 

[tusker]

Reading this with interest as I shoot a .243 and found it to be very capable. The distances people talk of having kills with it intrigue me, 300 YDS ? Seems like a long way is that the closest you can stalk in ?

On that particular occasion 300 yards was as close as we could get as there was no cover to get closer.
Tusker

 

[AN DU RU FOX]

my feos freindly, not sure about the office staff they are females different species one day ok next day no chocolate crabby,a bit like my misses on a good day, I think it will be 243 thats it done,

 

[Dagben77]

my feos freindly, not sure about the office staff they are females different species one day ok next day no chocolate crabby,a bit like my misses on a good day,

Mines ok also, but I've only had a FAC for 16 months. It's open, just not very old .

 

[Sabian223]

I think theyre all too small. Wouldn't use anything smaller than 338 lap mag on rabbits and 50 cal for muntjac, maybe 20mm for reds?

308 wont bash the meat around as much as a 243 with a heavier and slower round. 260/7mm 08 sits in the middle? 6.5x55 is a great calibre but the 260 will do the same with less powder. Plus you got a mate with dies which your always welcome to borrow

 

[AN DU RU FOX]

all mines open hes ok i just wasnt sure how big to go,i think 243s sensible , all i have to do now is think how to get it it in the cabinet before she sees it, bloody hell sabian i was sorted for about 2 mins

 

[Dagben77]

I think theyre all too small. Wouldn't use anything smaller than 338 lap mag on rabbits and 50 cal for muntjac, maybe 20mm for reds?

308 wont bash the meat around as much as a 243 with a heavier and slower round. 260/7mm 08 sits in the middle? 6.5x55 is a great calibre but the 260 will do the same with less powder. Plus you got a mate with dies which your always welcome to borrow

Is that mortar launcher of your a 308 then???

Heavier and slower!?! Is that possible.

 

[Dagben77]

all mines open hes ok i just wasnt sure how big to go,i think 243s sensible , all i have to do now is think how to get it it in the cabinet before she sees it, bloody hell sabian i was sorted for about 2 mins

What make of rifle do you fancy?

 

[Sabian223]

180g soft points around 2500-2550 ffps will offers less damage than a 243 going over 3000 with 85, it will just get there flatter.

Go for 308 I know a nice howa for sale that weighs around 10 stone! If you don't shot that day at least you will get a work out!

 

[Yorric]

My take on this is 243 will do the job as stated up to & including red hinds - but it is at the lower end of what could be called optimum performance capability for the larger animals.
It is a great varmint calibre (what it was designed for), shoooting light bullets quickly and it is a flat shooting round. BUT fast bullets (above 2900 ft/sec) often result in bad bruising & carcase damage. They often fragment inside the beast & make a mess.
Another problem with 243 is that it is marginal in meeting the legal minimums for larger deer.
However bigger diameter 6.5mm to 30cal (heavier) bullets will do a better job, they usually get driven a bit slower (2500 to 2800 ft/sec) and often this causes less meat damage. These bullets carry enough energy to pass straight through creating better bleed out conditions. So IMHO a larger calibre is slightly "better" and more optimum.
Big bullets deliver more energy & result in better knock down - good for reducing difficult follow ups in the forest.
My latest theory is however moving towards the Barnes Bullets theory - Their TSX & TTSX bullets do not fragment, they retain almost all their weight, they expand quickly & when driven fast enough almost always pass through giving good blood chanels.
In the real world any chambering from 243 upwards can do a good job (243 is the minimum) Bigger is better - I now prefer 30 cal shooting TTSX bullets.
Whatever rifle you go for, always remember that the bullet is what kills so bullet selection is paramount.

Ian

 

[AN DU RU FOX]

sako or tikka and bogoff sabian my s5 on my tikka gives me a workout god knows what t weighs but its good,

 

[Dagben77]

180g soft points around 2500-2550 ffps will offers less damage than a 243 going over 3000 with 85, it will just get there flatter.

Go for 308 I know a nice howa for sale that weighs around 10 stone! If you don't shot that day at least you will get a work out!

I may aswell get my catapult out and load it with bricks!!!! Straight between the eyes.

Too much kick for my little shoulders. I'm used to my 223 with 40gr pills, no recoil.

 

[Pirate hunter]

.243 will do the job alright, but for me .270 best for everything

 

[Dagben77]

Thats what I am hoping for. Sako or Tikka. I'm also thinking new as 243 can be a bit of a barrel burner (so I'm told).