Whitetail Deer Hunting Gain a better understanding of the World's most popular big game animal and the techniques that will help you become a better deer hunter.

Which one ?

Old 06-14-2016, 02:53 PM
  #1  
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
 
indiana deer hunter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: columbus,indiana
Posts: 182
Default Which one ?

I'm buying a new rifle for deer season soon it's either going to be a 44 magnum or a .243 my ? Is which one and why please be specific!
indiana deer hunter is offline  
Old 06-14-2016, 03:10 PM
  #2  
Nontypical Buck
 
super_hunt54's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Illinois
Posts: 3,695
Default

With the .243 you will have tons more range capability. The .44mag is a good rifle for out to 75-100 yards (and only 100 yards with the right loads) which may or may not be all you need. I don't know where in Indiana you will be hunting so I don't know your range limitations. Both are deer dropping cartridges within their perspective ranges.
super_hunt54 is offline  
Old 06-14-2016, 03:52 PM
  #3  
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
 
indiana deer hunter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: columbus,indiana
Posts: 182
Default

Originally Posted by super_hunt54
With the .243 you will have tons more range capability. The .44mag is a good rifle for out to 75-100 yards (and only 100 yards with the right loads) which may or may not be all you need. I don't know where in Indiana you will be hunting so I don't know your range limitations. Both are deer dropping cartridges within their perspective ranges.
I hunt mostly wooded areas where shots are 80 or closer in Bartholomew county I do have a good spot in Ripley County and I could shoot 200 or 300 yds my ? how is the knock down power of .243 opposed to 44 mag ? What's the realistic range of .243?
indiana deer hunter is offline  
Old 06-14-2016, 03:56 PM
  #4  
Nontypical Buck
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Eastern wv
Posts: 3,619
Default

dependent on bullet and your abilities and the accuracy you achieve, I've killed deer at beyond 400 yards with an 18" barreled 243
RR
Ridge Runner is offline  
Old 06-14-2016, 04:23 PM
  #5  
Nontypical Buck
 
super_hunt54's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Illinois
Posts: 3,695
Default

Between myself and my kids there has been well over 100 deer and probably 300-400 hogs killed with a few .243's. loaded with 95 grain SST's or 100 grain Interlocks. My youngest daughter has taken whitetail in PA out to 350 yards with DRT performance. The only time I ever had a problem was with the SST's blowing up on on the shoulder on a very close range shot (around 20 yards) but I had that same problem with my 7mm-08 as well.

With the .243 I try to teach one of 2 shot locations, tucked in just behind the shoulder quartering away or dead broad side high shoulder. Both of those shots tend to drop a whitetail instantly or very close to it.

With the .44mag rifle, I already told you the range limitations but within those range limits, it is a deadly beast with the proper bullets. Those Marlin 1894's make great brush guns as they are quick handling in heavily wooded areas. But since you hunt areas where you will have those ranges longer than the .44mags capabilities then I would have to give the nod to the .243. I myself would say BOTH!! But I always try to promote multiple rifle sales
super_hunt54 is offline  
Old 06-14-2016, 05:46 PM
  #6  
Fork Horn
 
RaySendero's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: US South
Posts: 444
Default

Originally Posted by indiana deer hunter
I'm buying a new rifle for deer season soon it's either going to be a 44 magnum or a .243 my ? Is which one and why please be specific!
How did you narrow down your choices to those 2?

Specifically, How did you eliminate a 30/30, 270 or 308 when anyone of these cartridges has accounted for more deer than the 44M and 243 combined?
RaySendero is offline  
Old 06-14-2016, 05:50 PM
  #7  
Giant Nontypical
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Allegan, MI
Posts: 8,019
Default

He just needs to buy a 30-06 and he's good to go for any distance!
Topgun 3006 is offline  
Old 06-14-2016, 06:02 PM
  #8  
Fork Horn
 
RaySendero's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: US South
Posts: 444
Default

Originally Posted by RaySendero
How did you narrow down your choices to those 2?

Specifically, How did you eliminate a 30/30, 270, 308 or 30/06 when anyone of these cartridges has accounted for more deer than the 44M and 243 combined?
OK Tg, I fixed my earlier post.
RaySendero is offline  
Old 06-14-2016, 06:13 PM
  #9  
Giant Nontypical
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Allegan, MI
Posts: 8,019
Default

Originally Posted by RaySendero
OK Tg, I fixed my earlier post.
Glad you're now on the same page with me!
Topgun 3006 is offline  
Old 06-15-2016, 03:07 PM
  #10  
Typical Buck
 
grinder67's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: IN.
Posts: 530
Default

270 is not or should I say will not be a legal cartridge in IN. according to what I have read so far of the potential legal calibers.
grinder67 is offline  

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.