243 fazination???

[8x57]

The stopping power on deer with the 375 h&h I am not surprised by.

But does this trash the carcase compared to the smaller calibres and give an unpleasant amount of recoil to the shooter?

atb Tim

Larger bullets often do suprisingly small damage to carcases, often less than a .243w will with certain bullets.

There can be little doubt that the main reason the .243w is so popular in the U.K. is entirely down to legislation and how it has been enforced by firearms departments over the years. I wonder what calibre or cartridge would have replaced it if firearms departments hadn't been so restrictive in some areas previously.

 

[User00003]

Larger bullets often do suprisingly small damage to carcases, often less than a .243w will with certain bullets.

There can be little doubt that the main reason the .243w is so popular in the U.K. is entirely down to legislation and how it has been enforced by firearms departments over the years. I wonder what calibre or cartridge would have replaced it if firearms departments hadn't been so restrictive in some areas previously.

probably just a complete spread rather than a dominant cal/chambering I suspect, either that or one driven by majority of ammo availability, price and reloading components..so probably a 30-06! LOL

 

[berg]

hang on there!! all ready a very good thread on 243 on the go all and ever question ever asked about 243 is on the 513 post ,so pointless to do it all again

 

[widu13]

Larger bullets often do suprisingly small damage to carcases, often less than a .243w will with certain bullets.

There can be little doubt that the main reason the .243w is so popular in the U.K. is entirely down to legislation and how it has been enforced by firearms departments over the years. I wonder what calibre or cartridge would have replaced it if firearms departments hadn't been so restrictive in some areas previously.

When I had my first CF calibre 3 years ago the old bill was very jumpy over my request for a .308 despite the fact that I had handguns pre ban, current .22LR experience and have over 30 yrs experience including 9 years in the mob where I literally dispensed with 100s of 1000s of 7.62 in many roles. Once I mooted that I would be happy with the .243 they countered with, the ticket was (eventually) issued. That was my reason for .243- because I can't pop into Asda (Walmart) and buy one without a licence from the Police Commissioner unlike our cousins.

 

[Brithunter]

you mean munties and cwd, roe is still .240 and 1700 ft-lb

Thank you I have amended the post and put in what was missed out.

 

[Wills]

I like to wear a skirt when I shoot mine..it is liberating....

 

[berg]

Larger bullets often do suprisingly small damage to carcases, often less than a .243w will with certain bullets.

There can be little doubt that the main reason the .243w is so popular in the U.K. is entirely down to legislation and how it has been enforced by firearms departments over the years. I wonder what calibre or cartridge would have replaced it if firearms departments hadn't been so restrictive in some areas previously.

I had a 243 for a while then wen't up to a 308 witch i love but dose not suit all situations so i requested for a 243 as well ,and for me it's perfect for some off the shooting i do and i would not change it for anything its about having the right tool for the right job ,not have a big gun but cant use it ego's are some people down fall

 

[Muir]

The 243 is a varmint cartridge utilized for deer. Typically, small whitetails (80-90 pounds) Western whitetails and mule deer are a lot bigger -especially mule deer- and generally shot at longer distances. The 243 is not an ideal gun for the western US but outfits like Cabelas keep touting this gun for women and kids and produce "package deals" featuring the 243 aiming for this group. ~Muir

 

[bogtrotter]

So, what you are saying is: in the Western US, women are able to kill game with a .243, which men need to use a .30 cal to kill? says a lot about male marksmanship in the western US then doesn't it?

 

[berg]

The 243 is a varmint cartridge utilized for deer. Typically, small whitetails (80-90 pounds) Western whitetails and mule deer are a lot bigger -especially mule deer- and generally shot at longer distances. The 243 is not an ideal gun for the western US but outfits like Cabelas keep touting this gun for women and kids and produce "package deals" featuring the 243 aiming for this group. ~Muir

The average munt jac dead weight is 8-12 kg and roe 15-22 kg that makes the 243 the prefect round for these deer in mind ,with the caperbility of fallow red and sika to boot case rested .o i love that post from bukaroo8 probably very ture in a lot off cases

 

[bogtrotter]

Yup. That's the way it is still.
Considered a Lady's cartridge ~Muir

Fair enough I'm a Scot and have been accused on occasion of wearing a skirt.

 

[Sinistral]

So, what you are saying is: in the Western US, women are able to kill game with a .243, which men need to use a .30 cal to kill? says a lot about male marksmanship in the western US then doesn't it?

You and the +1 chaps should read the OP again.

He's talking recoil management for ladies - not marksmanship. That is an advantage of the .243.

 

[MARCBO]

I'm ok with Scotsmen wearing skirts, didn't realize how many would get in knots...ROFLMAO.

BTW: We could not find the entrance wound even after skinning on the bison I shot last year. The 450gr, 50 caliber lead bullet just slipped in through the meat and broke the spine, no meat damage from a too light bullet driven at excessive velocity. I have shot cotton tails with the same gun and there is of course damage but for them, I use a head shot and it doesn't matter then does it.

SS

 

[Glen of Imaal]

I finally admit it... I must be a big girl. I like the .243....simple. In order to increase my manly credentials, I did however fire a lot of 8x57JS recently... although I was told that in Germany, apparently, that's a girls gun as well...ahh well, c'est la vie!

 

[berg]

must be a ladys rifle here's my wife with one and a 6pointer

 

[MARCBO]

There we have it; a lady's caliber. Perhaps there should be a law mandating all 243's either be painted pink or be done in pink camouflage.

SS

 

[pablo.222]

There we have it; a lady's caliber. Perhaps there should be a law mandating all 243's either be painted pink or be done in pink camouflage.

SS

Mines painted pink i love it!! Matches my wellies real nice!! Even btr wen i wear my pink kilt. I look absolutly gorgeous. I wouldnt have any other calibre, there too manly and APPARANTLY they dont come in pink.

 

[Southern]

I don't hunt with a .243, but use a .250 Savage and .257 Roberts, which are in the same sort of class, with 100 grain bullets. I think all those are fine in the hands of good marksmen who are patient about taking a good shot. Since I own the .25s, I just passed along the wonderful Sako .243, Mannlicher Schoenauer .243, and Browning B78 in 6mm Remington which fell into my hands.

My observation is that too many of the .243 hunters in the U.S. are young boys and girls, or women with their first deer rifle, where the primary thought seems to be mild recoil and a smaller rifle, and these are not yet good shooters or hunters. A downloaded .308 or 7mm-08 or .270 Win will have less muzzle blast, the same recoil, and in my experience, be more lethal with a less-than-perfect shot. I have started off several young hunters with lever action .357s, and limited their shots to 75 yards. The flat-shooting 6mm rifles seem to me to be more of a finesse rifle for full sized deer, in the hands of the better hunter.

 

[MARCBO]

Long as you are not wearing pink knickers....

 

[Whitebeard]

There is a peculiar English trait and that is to use, do or carry out just the bare minimum to get the job done no more no less, that is why the 243 is popular its the minimum the authorities say is needed, regardless of the fact that there more suitable calibres.
Its also the reason why we no longer have a decent manufacturing industry.

Ian.