.243 for deer

Mr. Longbeard · 12-17-2006, 02:25 PM

I've been thinking about getting a Rem CDL lefty in 243... The only thing stopping me is the thought that it might not be enough medicine for a 100 yard quartering towards you shoulder shot

Has anyone had any experience with a 243with a shoulder shot???

lead poisoner · 12-17-2006, 02:44 PM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: Mr. Longbeard

I've been thinking about getting a Rem CDL lefty in 243... The only thing stopping me is the thought that it might not be enough medicine for a 100 yard quartering towards you shoulder shot

Has anyone had any experience with a 243with a shoulder shot???

My logic to this. If it isn't running and is unspooked walking along. I wouldn't worry about taking that shot. Most likely it will give you the perfect text book shot if you have patience to waite for it.

Baleful Scout · 12-17-2006, 03:04 PM

Combined my Dad and brotherhave killed at least 50 deer witha .243 Win.
I have never known either to say they needed a bigger rifle for Whitetail.

Mr. Longbeard · 12-17-2006, 03:21 PM

I understand what your saying... But I've been hunting heavily hunted public land all my life and a decent buck is hard to come by. That being said when I get a shot at a deer I take it. No matter what posision they are facing... So I'm sure if I get this gun and hunt with it long enough the frontal shoulder shot will prosent itself sooner or later

I just want to know if anybody has shot a deer threw the shoulders with a 243 and what was the out come

mello_collins · 12-17-2006, 03:27 PM

.243win + 100yrds + decent bullet = deer down

mello

James B · 12-17-2006, 03:41 PM

Under the conditions you describe for your hunting, I wouldn't even consider the 243. It will do the job but your feeling that its marginal are on track. Get a 7mm-08 or 270 Win and put your mind at ease. The 243 is a fine varmit/deer cartridge but for deer/deer, there are much better choices. IMO the 7MM-08 is as good as it gets for a deer rifle. The recoil is very little more than the 243 but its Much nmore versitile. Also the 6.5x55 and 260 fit in the same group.

TUK101 · 12-17-2006, 03:52 PM

Since you have a shadow of doubt in your mind I say bump up to a .270. As much as I like the .243, the .270 is a better all around rifle, with the exception being varmint shooting. But for deer size game and larger the .270 will be a better choice. It is the perfect tweener (in between) rifle imho. You can hunt deer size game all the way up to elk and moose sized game and take a long shot with confidence to boot.

Chantecler111 · 12-17-2006, 04:43 PM

I agree with the prior statements, if you have a doubt in your mind about the capability of the cartridge you are using, go a little bigger, now in the case of the .243, you might be suited with the .270, or 30-06.

retrieverman · 12-17-2006, 04:53 PM

I have taken your shot scenerio more than once over the last 25 years and have never had any problems. I do consider 243 a minimum deer cartridge, even though my sons and I have killed quite a few deer with it. I am currently putting a Blaser R-93 together in 243 and am planning to replace my Marlin 336T 30-30 with it. To me in 243, bullet choice is the key. I have always used 100 gr, and Federal and Hornady make some good ones. Get your 243 and enjoy!

JagMagMan · 12-17-2006, 06:31 PM

I too consider the .243/6MM the minimum for deer, but I consider it a good minimum, not something that is barely going to get the job done, with absolutely no margin for error! For the shots you are discribing, good 100 gr. hunting bullets will do the job very well!