243 for newbie shooting fallow

[Tim.243]

I wonder who that could be You've never mentioned it before

Well I don't mention going to the range using underlevers or being a member of rifle clubs or stalking all six species so there must be a bit of room there in a post.

 

[Bowland blades]

The 243 win has only one issue and its fools who use highly frangible varmint bullets on large deer . Loaded with 80-100 grain bullets designed for killing deer the cartidge is great ( i have a long history with them on deer ) . Often a user will find its better than a 150 grain plus bullet from another larger gun ( because the user has poor recoil management ).

 

[VSS]

The 243 win has only one issue and its fools who use highly frangible varmint bullets on large deer .

They're fantastic on large deer. Provided you only shoot them in the head. Which I guess makes me a double fool?

 

[25 Sharps]

Well the case is a necked down .308 mouse gun...
These day's Hornaday 95gn SST as if a lump steps out they seem to work also use for foxes so keep things simple.
That was a 100gn Power Shock

You realise that the necking down comes at a cost of 25-30% of the energy?

 

[Tim.243]

You realise that the necking down comes at a cost of 25-30% of the energy?

Have you voiced your concerns to all the manufactures of .243 brass?

 

[25 Sharps]

Have you voiced your concerns to all the manufactures of .243 brass?

No, and there’s nothing wrong with .243, I have one, it’s not a .308 with a smaller bullet though because you have to use slower powders in the tighter bore.

But it’s still a mouse gun for people who are recoil shy.

 

[Overlay]

The 243 is a marmite calibre, we used to have lots of threads on its merits/flaws. It does seem particular about the right bullet and their are lots of reports of good performance with nonlead bullets.

No, and there’s nothing wrong with .243, I have one, it’s not a .308 with a smaller bullet though because you have to use slower powders in the tighter bore.

But it’s still a mouse gun for people who are recoil shy.

As previous I shoot 243 6.5 and 308
243 very very accurate for pencil accuracy, i like it for roe and muntjac 6.5 x 55 140 or 163 grn all SP good for anything any where 308 fallow high neck shooting it is the DB’s for that with a 1-8 x 24 swaro on top woodlands it loves and excels in, but again excellent anywhere

They all do the job as long as you do your bit and place that shot in the right place everytime - thats your job

 

[Border]

No, and there’s nothing wrong with .243, I have one, it’s not a .308 with a smaller bullet though because you have to use slower powders in the tighter bore.

But it’s still a mouse gun for people who are recoil shy.

What is the deal with "mouse" gun. Heard if referred to as the Pope gun/rifle.

 

[Tim.243]

No, and there’s nothing wrong with .243, I have one, it’s not a .308 with a smaller bullet though because you have to use slower powders in the tighter bore.

But it’s still a mouse gun for people who are recoil shy.

I have a .270 as well... 150gh lead head 2750 fps...

(good tip)I must remember that on this seasons Reds with the .270...

 

[25 Sharps]

As previous I shoot 243 6.5 and 308
243 very very accurate for pencil accuracy, i like it for roe and muntjac 6.5 x 55 140 or 163 grn all SP good for anything any where 308 fallow high neck shooting it is the DB’s for that with a 1-8 x 24 swaro on top woodlands it loves and excels in, but again excellent anywhere

They all do the job as long as you do your bit and place that shot in the right place everytime - thats your job

They all do the job, .222/.223 would do the job if we were allowed, with the right bullet and shot placement. We use .223 on men that are 80-100 kg + and expect them to die, deer aren’t any tougher!

When I started out I was going out with my mentor who shot roe with a .243, I was surprised how far deer would run when hit with it which is why I started out with 6.5x55. Now I know chest shot deer just run sometimes.

Right bullet, right placement the deer will die quickly, bigger bullet, totally wrong placement the deer will still die a slower death. It’s the shots in between, those more likely to happen to a new, over excited or nervous shooter, is where a bit more frontal area and a bit more terminal energy will help out.

Shot a munti doe with a 45-70 (that’s a buffalo gun) the other week, definitely worked!

 

[25 Sharps]

What is the deal with "mouse" gun. Heard if referred to as the Pope gun/rifle.

Just an affectionate term for smaller calibres, that are particularly suited to those who don’t like recoil.

 

[paul o']

No, and there’s nothing wrong with .243, I have one, it’s not a .308 with a smaller bullet though because you have to use slower powders in the tighter bore.

But it’s still a mouse gun for people who are recoil shy.

So is a .30 if you shoot a .338 or .50 even a 30-06 saying that as others have said most new shooters who start with a .30 will develop a grinch or REM of pulling the trigger

 

[25 Sharps]

So is a .30 if you shoot a .338 or .50 even a 30-06 saying that as others have said most new shooters who start with a .30 will develop a grinch or REM of pulling the trigger

Nah, mouse gun is anything under 30……

 

[Tim.243]

So is a .30 if you shoot a .338 or .50 even a 30-06 saying that as others have said most new shooters who start with a .30 will develop a grinch or REM of pulling the trigger

Paul...you need 2 rifles for each day of the week 2 for Monday >

 

[NP435]

I could happily use my .243 on deer/pronghorn and with the right projectile even elk. Shot placement beats horsepower all day.

 

[Sheamus]

I have a .270 as well... 150gh lead head 2750 fps...

(good tip)I must remember that on this seasons Reds with the .270...

View attachment 378968

That's so refreshing Tim seeing you posting a different picture of a Red deer destined for the cooler.
Only you gave me the idea that you'd only shot two in your entire stalking career. Going by how many times that you've posted the same pictures and videos over the years.
My postion on the 243 is that's it's well capable in the right hands.
But I might add that ive dispatched plenty of red deer which have been shot by others using the 243.
PS.. I confess to being a proud member of the axel steering gang.

 

[Heym SR20]

The reason why 243s are good little rifles is that like other rifles that shoot sub 100 gn bullets they have modest recoil, if not negligible. They are easy to shoot and don’t punish poor technique.

Once you get up to 130, 140, 150 grain bullets at muzzle velocities above 2600 fps you are starting to get recoil levels that really show faults in technique. Once you start approaching bigger bullets and / or 3,000 fps velocities you really good recoil management.

Now those of us who are long experienced should have the skills to manage such recoil, shoot these accurately and make use of the extra thumpage.

But novices will not. 270’s and 308’s have a reputation for lots of recoil. This mostly be down to novices being handed a rifle that is not set up for them and then taken to the hill. They struggle to get a good sight picture and then when they do squeeze they get whacked in the eye by the scope, which bloody hurts. Indeed I shot a friends T3x 308 set up for him. He had nice sharp aluminium flip up scope caps. Of course being a left hander and quite a bit taller / longer necked I got a smack for my troubles. Those flip up covers add an additional level of discomfort.

I would suggest sticking with the 243 or perhaps the 6.5 CM for any novice, especially if smaller in stature.

 

[25 Sharps]

I have a .270 as well... 150gh lead head 2750 fps...

(good tip)I must remember that on this seasons Reds with the .270...

View attachment 378968

Why so slow?

My .280 pushes a 140 at 3200…..

 

[Overlay]

Just an affectionate term for smaller calibres, that are particularly suited to those who don’t like recoil.

The reason why 243s are good little rifles is that like other rifles that shoot sub 100 gn bullets they have modest recoil, if not negligible. They are easy to shoot and don’t punish poor technique.

Once you get up to 130, 140, 150 grain bullets at muzzle velocities above 2600 fps you are starting to get recoil levels that really show faults in technique. Once you start approaching bigger bullets and / or 3,000 fps velocities you really good recoil management.

Now those of us who are long experienced should have the skills to manage such recoil, shoot these accurately and make use of the extra thumpage.

But novices will not. 270’s and 308’s have a reputation for lots of recoil. This mostly be down to novices being handed a rifle that is not set up for them and then taken to the hill. They struggle to get a good sight picture and then when they do squeeze they get whacked in the eye by the scope, which bloody hurts. Indeed I shot a friends T3x 308 set up for him. He had nice sharp aluminium flip up scope caps. Of course being a left hander and quite a bit taller / longer necked I got a smack for my troubles. Those flip up covers add an additional level of discomfort.

I would suggest sticking with the 243 or perhaps the 6.5 CM for any novice, especially if smaller in stature.

On occasions i think some buy a rifle to appease a recommendation from someone or what they shoot on a range both of which couldn't be further away from a stalking shooting rifle/calibre, in stalking you zero the rilfle 6 rounds to get used to the recoil and zero, that gives you real time experience on recoil so thats not hidden, the rifle is zeroed, you know where it shoots - your on it - recoil and flinching is a person thing,( I know i used to get that when shooting on a range, now couldnt care a monkeys or never think about recoil only a shot ) just shoot your shoulder tells you when hit max on recoil on a range its all to do with tolerances of people but thats put onto RECOIL

Shoot the rifle, get used to it and make sure you aim true for a clean humane kill, get over nerves or recoil, your only having one shot at a time SO the calibre doesnt matter i shoot different calibres because i like shooting rifles a 6.5 stacked up 163 grn lead pencil will tell you its there if you want to take notice of it
Calibre is no different in deer stalking and a humane shot - no machine guns here no flinch or recoil

 

[25 Sharps]

The reason why 243s are good little rifles is that like other rifles that shoot sub 100 gn bullets they have modest recoil, if not negligible. They are easy to shoot and don’t punish poor technique.

Once you get up to 130, 140, 150 grain bullets at muzzle velocities above 2600 fps you are starting to get recoil levels that really show faults in technique. Once you start approaching bigger bullets and / or 3,000 fps velocities you really good recoil management.

Now those of us who are long experienced should have the skills to manage such recoil, shoot these accurately and make use of the extra thumpage.

But novices will not. 270’s and 308’s have a reputation for lots of recoil. This mostly be down to novices being handed a rifle that is not set up for them and then taken to the hill. They struggle to get a good sight picture and then when they do squeeze they get whacked in the eye by the scope, which bloody hurts. Indeed I shot a friends T3x 308 set up for him. He had nice sharp aluminium flip up scope caps. Of course being a left hander and quite a bit taller / longer necked I got a smack for my troubles. Those flip up covers add an additional level of discomfort.

I would suggest sticking with the 243 or perhaps the 6.5 CM for any novice, especially if smaller in stature.

Put a mod on a .308 and the recoil is more than manageable.