View Poll Results: First Hunting Rifle Cartridge:
Voters: 70. You may not vote on this poll
First hunting rifle: .243 or .308?
#11
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,445
Where will you hunt? Are you in an area where deer are large? Do you hunt where average shot distance is under 100 yds, or are long shots the norm? Personally, I'd go with the 308. It won't kill a deer any "deader" on perfect shots, but it will perform better on less than perfect shots. I shoot deer at close range in thick woods. I'd take the 308 for its better selection of heavier bullets that will drive through a deer on angled shots, like the 180 gr round nose soft point. The 750 is not a light weight gun and a 308 won't kick bad at all, especially since it is an automatic.
#12
.308 is more versatile, should you decide to extend your range or hunt bigger game. You are just getting into hunting whitetail, so you never know when you'll have a wild hare to hunt something else. If you have the .308 already, you're good to go.
That is spot on. Don't let fear of recoil factor into your decision.
That is spot on. Don't let fear of recoil factor into your decision.
Last edited by 7.62NATO; 11-03-2011 at 05:41 AM.
#14
Spike
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Lindley NY
Posts: 74
Def buy .243 Win. that is a hot little round that has no problem piling up deer. I bought my wife .243 and she never shot a gun except for her hunting course when she was 14 (now 25) and put a 3" group of 3 rounds at 300 yards. All she needs to do is put the corsshairs on the deer from 10 yards to 300 yards and pull the trigger. It is an awesome little cartridge and has no problems taking a deer.
#15
Fork Horn
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 311
I voted for the .308. It has a wider bullet weight choice. If you handload you can stuff it with 125 gr. varmint bullets or you can stuff it with 200 gr. moose bullets. The .308 is very versatile. And I personally like a little more energy delivered at impact. So I shoot a .270 and I have only had one deer run and it was my fault. But a buddy of mine likes to use his .243 and they always seem to go at least 40 yards which he even told me when we went hunting this past year. But I hit one with that .270 and it is lights out. And a .308 would hit the same or harder than a .270. A .243 will get it done but I do not like to track my deer.
#16
Either one is fine.. Its the same cartridge just different caliber. 243 is a necked down 308. Your likely going to be shooting 85-100 grains out of the 243 and 150-165 grains out of the 308 which will add a little more recoil with the 308... I would say, if pick the one that would fit most of your future hunting needs other than deer... Varmits then go with teh 243, Elk or Moose go with the 308..
#18
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,926
Well Son
There are over fifteen calibers that have taken deer successfully, surprise to some, of which the .243 and .308 are two.
Of course we all have to start somewhere, and we all can't start at the same place. I started and dropped deer on the spot with a lil ol 35 Remington Marlin. Had a hard time moving to another, but never gave the .35 up. My start which nobody has to copy.
I'd first look to see how physically big you were and ask if you had any experience with recoil. Both calibers will work. Just practice and learn how to shoot it.
When a buyer selected a caliber, which I knew was successful, I'd say, "Son, you picked a great caliber." Even if I never used it. I knew it was successful, and used by somebody. And in the end, that's all that really counts.
Of course we all have to start somewhere, and we all can't start at the same place. I started and dropped deer on the spot with a lil ol 35 Remington Marlin. Had a hard time moving to another, but never gave the .35 up. My start which nobody has to copy.
I'd first look to see how physically big you were and ask if you had any experience with recoil. Both calibers will work. Just practice and learn how to shoot it.
When a buyer selected a caliber, which I knew was successful, I'd say, "Son, you picked a great caliber." Even if I never used it. I knew it was successful, and used by somebody. And in the end, that's all that really counts.
#19
Spike
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: North east Arkansas
Posts: 13
I voted for the .308. It has a wider bullet weight choice. If you handload you can stuff it with 125 gr. varmint bullets or you can stuff it with 200 gr. moose bullets. The .308 is very versatile. And I personally like a little more energy delivered at impact. So I shoot a .270 and I have only had one deer run and it was my fault. But a buddy of mine likes to use his .243 and they always seem to go at least 40 yards which he even told me when we went hunting this past year. But I hit one with that .270 and it is lights out. And a .308 would hit the same or harder than a .270. A .243 will get it done but I do not like to track my deer.