243 for deer
#42
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location:
Posts: 2,186
Probably one of the most popular rounds for a bolt action deer rifle. I am a 30 cal. fan, but I know scads of folks that use the 243 Win., including my daughter. I would suggest using a quality hunting bullet in the 100 gr. weight range. And if you are buying factory ammo be careful not to buy a cartridge intended for varmint hunting. These usually use a lighter weight bullet ( 50-75 gr. +/-) that is designed to expand rapidly. Not what you want for deer sized game.
#43
Spike
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Near Greenville
Posts: 39
I've hunted all over the US,,and Canada,,while I don't have a 243 I know several hunters who have,,and I know of 2 guides in Canada that carry a 243,,and have killed Elk and Moose with them,,I also know of guys who shoot 300 win mags that wound deer every year,,the key point is bullet placement,,if you can't shoot,,you can't kill deer consistantly,,and I've gotten over 300 in my life using anything from a 17 HMR to a 300 mag,,which I had taken on a Canadian hunt where I could have shot a moose too, 2 of my fav calibers are the 7mm08 and the 280 Rem. But as I said,,I know of several folks who use a 243 that are deerslayers,,in NC you can harvest as many deer as you want,,all you have to get is extra tags from the state,,and we have almost 4 mths of hunting if you include bow season,,good luck this year everyone,,
#46
I am actually considering a .243 for myself at this point for shooting coyotes and the occasional deer for around the house. Seeing what my sons 243 did on a small whitetail this fall made me a believer. The deer was just as dead as if it had been shot with a 50 BMG lol.
#47
I've hunted all over the US,,and Canada,,while I don't have a 243 I know several hunters who have,,and I know of 2 guides in Canada that carry a 243,,and have killed Elk and Moose with them,,I also know of guys who shoot 300 win mags that wound deer every year,,the key point is bullet placement,,if you can't shoot,,you can't kill deer consistantly,,and I've gotten over 300 in my life using anything from a 17 HMR to a 300 mag,,which I had taken on a Canadian hunt where I could have shot a moose too, 2 of my fav calibers are the 7mm08 and the 280 Rem. But as I said,,I know of several folks who use a 243 that are deerslayers,,in NC you can harvest as many deer as you want,,all you have to get is extra tags from the state,,and we have almost 4 mths of hunting if you include bow season,,good luck this year everyone,,
#48
#50
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,618
every deer i shot with the 243 i had to go looking for , the only exception was the one shot in the head . yes the 243 will kill them ,so will a good pellet gun.
the 708 is way better even my 730 waters puts them down better than the 243 did
the 708 is way better even my 730 waters puts them down better than the 243 did