.243 for NI
- Thread starter robgal
- Start date
Foxyboy43
Well-Known Member
As usual - “what chambering?” elicits many different views but rest assured all of those mentioned including the .243 will kill anything walking in the UK.
I have a 6.5x55 SE and a .308 both of which I use for everything - of the two the 6.5 is of course “softer” to shoot but sends the bullet down range with some authority and if your hold is correct you will see the bullet strike. That said and call me old-fashioned but the .308 is a great round loaded with a 125gns Or 150gns Sierra it is sweet to shoot and if I am going to the hill it is the one I take.
You mentioned foxes - unless something has changed you are only allowed to shoot foxes with your deer rifle on those grounds where you have permission to shoot deer - daft I know but only recently changed to even that…. The upside of that nonsense of course is that you have a great reason to also have another rifle but only up to 22-250 is permitted for foxes - the sainted treble two would be, and is, my chambering of choice but that’s a whole new thread…
If you wish to try either or both chamberings and have had all your inoculations for the other side of the Lagan then PM me and I will arrange.
I have a 6.5x55 SE and a .308 both of which I use for everything - of the two the 6.5 is of course “softer” to shoot but sends the bullet down range with some authority and if your hold is correct you will see the bullet strike. That said and call me old-fashioned but the .308 is a great round loaded with a 125gns Or 150gns Sierra it is sweet to shoot and if I am going to the hill it is the one I take.
You mentioned foxes - unless something has changed you are only allowed to shoot foxes with your deer rifle on those grounds where you have permission to shoot deer - daft I know but only recently changed to even that…. The upside of that nonsense of course is that you have a great reason to also have another rifle but only up to 22-250 is permitted for foxes - the sainted treble two would be, and is, my chambering of choice but that’s a whole new thread…
If you wish to try either or both chamberings and have had all your inoculations for the other side of the Lagan then PM me and I will arrange.
Wouldn’t panic…. You will have plenty of time to make up your mind …. Although I must admit our local FEO is 100%!
Don’t rule out a 2506….. massively underestimated….. and a cracking foxer with 75g vmax!
Are you near me? Haven’t spoke to one since my last regrant and it was a fairly brief phone call! Wouldn’t mind giving them a ring with some questions but no way of contacting. I did email the firearms branch but the responses weren’t very helpful
DM sent
Thanks that’s kind of you to offer. I mostly shoot for the pot these days so will only be tackling foxes if a farmer requests, although I had wrongly assumed that the changes would permit shooting foxes on other permissionsAs usual - “what chambering?” elicits many different views but rest assured all of those mentioned including the .243 will kill anything walking in the UK.
I have a 6.5x55 SE and a .308 both of which I use for everything - of the two the 6.5 is of course “softer” to shoot but sends the bullet down range with some authority and if your hold is correct you will see the bullet strike. That said and call me old-fashioned but the .308 is a great round loaded with a 125gns Or 150gns Sierra it is sweet to shoot and if I am going to the hill it is the one I take.
You mentioned foxes - unless something has changed you are only allowed to shoot foxes with your deer rifle on those grounds where you have permission to shoot deer - daft I know but only recently changed to even that…. The upside of that nonsense of course is that you have a great reason to also have another rifle but only up to 22-250 is permitted for foxes - the sainted treble two would be, and is, my chambering of choice but that’s a whole new thread…
If you wish to try either or both chamberings and have had all your inoculations for the other side of the Lagan then PM me and I will arrange.
will need to give that some thought
I agree with all of that but.....even though 6.5mm are only half a mil wider than .243, they can be considerably longer and as such considerably heavier - I think weight/mass has to be added to that view point - not just bullet diameter. Hang on....this conversation sounds rather inuendo
maximus otter
Well-Known Member
I’m currently awaiting doing DSC1 (next available is end of Feb) before putting in a variation for a deer calibre rifle, so have been spending too much time researching calibre choice.
I’ve shot a .243 with a friend previously (in RoI) and found it to be really comfortable to shoot with good retaining of sight picture and bullet strike etc so was keen on it to start out, but I’ve been using the search on here and reading extensively regarding the potential issues around non lead loads in lower twist rate barrels. I believe the lead ban doesn’t apply in Northern Ireland (yet), but also that the minimum bullet weight required here is 100gr?
Is this likely to cause any issues if I go ahead and get a rifle with a faster twist rate and a lead ban comes in later? Presuming that they don’t use common sense and retain the minimum weight of 100gr.
Or should I just bin the calibre and go for a 6.5 or .308?I only plan to have one rifle for the job so having one of each isn’t on the table for now.
Thanks
Robbie
The 6.5 calibres are the “Goldilocks” option: Perfectly adequate for reds, yet not ridiculously overpowered for smaller species and foxes.
In my estimation .243 - while legal for reds - is borderline, except in the hands of an experienced rifleman.
l selected 6.5 x 55mm as my principal deer calibre based on the input of my mentor, a professional stalker / ghillie on a major estate in Scotland. l have never had cause to regret my choice, though the newer 6.5 Creedmoor offers a better selection of factory ammo (at the expense of slightly more recoil.)
maximus otter
If you are seriously worried about the future and recoil, just go up a little in calibre to a .25-06, kills everything from Badgers to Reds
Dunwaters
Well-Known Member
.243 is not ideal for Ireland North or South, we only have the 3 larger deer species.
A .243 will definitely kill them all, but unless you limit your shot placement, you won’t always find them. This is particularly true of sika.
Get something with a few more bullet weight options, a moderator will help with recoil.
A .243 will definitely kill them all, but unless you limit your shot placement, you won’t always find them. This is particularly true of sika.
Get something with a few more bullet weight options, a moderator will help with recoil.
The fact is many nations shoot far bigger quarry with 22 CF than we do . The Innuit shoot walrus from their boats on the sea with 243 win and the lightest of bullets , their reasoning is the beast will stay buoyant. I believe Southern Ireland stalkers are held back to similar light bullets for the Sika and Fallow . The Americans also use the with varmint bullets commonly . Of Couse Bell shot 22cf on stags and shot 6 + 7mm bullets on Elephant , killing more than any man that ever lived .I agree with all of that but.....even though 6.5mm are only half a mil wider than .243, they can be considerably longer and as such considerably heavier - I think weight/mass has to be added to that view point - not just bullet diameter. Hang on....this conversation sounds rather inuendo
The fact is if you can make a good accurate shot to the hart or lungs with practically anything , its going to to be dead very, very soon . The only issues are really 1. the death rush will tend be further in distance without an exit on lung shots 2. with only an entry hole (no exit ) it will be harder to find the beast.
I have shot a lot of deer with my old 243 win in the past personally and witnessed as many again if not more shot by stalking mates . I re-built my old .243 during the start of the Covid into a 6.5 mm and have shot all UK deer with that rifle and using 100 and 120 grain Barnes tTSX . Just yesterday I ordered another .243 , partly because i can then use the estate ammo FOC rather than my own expense , face it its a slightly better fox and vermin but mainly because i will be putting NV on top of it .
My favourite 6.5 bullet on Stags is the 100 grain Barnes tTSX and the next one i reach for is the heavier 120 grain . I would also be 100% fine to shoot 80 -85 grain copper in the 243 once i get the numbers it gives regards legality . Because good modern Copper bullets are in my Opinion the best deer killers
You don't have to convince me about the .243.......I was just pointing out (with some jest) that the 6.5 might only have minimal girth increase, it has significant length increase.....................I'll get my coat.
Yep Long 6mm bullets don't half dive into a beast and give great BC
The 243 is a great cartridge and is more than capable of taking any deer in the UK. The biggest red stag I've taken was with the 243 and a 100g prohunter. Are there better cartridges out there for targeting larger deer species? Probably. Will it still do the job you want it too? Definitely. Stick that bullet in the right spot and its dead.
6.5cm is a good choice. Plenty of factory ammo, easy to reload and a little more oomph. If I was choosing a new cartridge with low recoil, it would probably be the 6.5cm if the goal was large deer species.
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