.243 or .308??
12-13-2003, 05:49 AM
#1
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 333
.243 or .308??
I'm going to be getting rifle soon, and I'm having trouble deciding on one of two calibers. It will be used only on deer, with maximum shots at 350 yards, but most probably around 100. Of the two mentioned, please give me some input to base my decision on.
Thanks,
Charlie
Thanks,
Charlie
12-13-2003, 06:52 AM
#2
Dominant Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Blossvale, New York
Posts: 21,199
RE: .243 or .308??
Where in the world do you hunt in Maryland that you can shoot at a deer from 350 yards???
I don't gun hunt much anymore.... BUT... if it were me I'd go with something larger than a 243. Sure I know they've killed a lot of deer.... but they sure don't leave much of a blood trail. I'd opt for the 308, or the 7MM, or the270 or the 06 or something bigger. If the time ever came to go somewhere out west for bigger game it would be more useful than a 243. If on the other hand you want to do a bunch of shooting and maybe smaller critters the 243 would come in handy. I think that's the answer. Tell the little woman you have to buy TWO new guns.
I don't gun hunt much anymore.... BUT... if it were me I'd go with something larger than a 243. Sure I know they've killed a lot of deer.... but they sure don't leave much of a blood trail. I'd opt for the 308, or the 7MM, or the270 or the 06 or something bigger. If the time ever came to go somewhere out west for bigger game it would be more useful than a 243. If on the other hand you want to do a bunch of shooting and maybe smaller critters the 243 would come in handy. I think that's the answer. Tell the little woman you have to buy TWO new guns.
12-13-2003, 08:39 AM
#3
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 333
RE: .243 or .308??
Dave,
We just got some land in Frederick to hunt, and from the stand that I've been using, I have about 350 to the other side of the field, and out in front of me. It's in a small finger of woods, jutting out in the middle of a large field. I don''t know if that long of a shot is right for me, but there are several other spots on the property similar, so I want to be prepared. I also have a lease on the shore, and they clear cut it from time to time, and it's almost due again in some areas. I've been told that at times through the years, they've had some wide open, long range shots of 300-400 yards. I'll have to see what gun I get, and how well I can shoot it. Like I said before, most shots would be more realistic around 100 yards or so, at least for now.
I seem to be leaning towards the .308, but you and I are thinking the same way. Could I get two rifles in the same box, when I bring them home past her?.
Charlie
We just got some land in Frederick to hunt, and from the stand that I've been using, I have about 350 to the other side of the field, and out in front of me. It's in a small finger of woods, jutting out in the middle of a large field. I don''t know if that long of a shot is right for me, but there are several other spots on the property similar, so I want to be prepared. I also have a lease on the shore, and they clear cut it from time to time, and it's almost due again in some areas. I've been told that at times through the years, they've had some wide open, long range shots of 300-400 yards. I'll have to see what gun I get, and how well I can shoot it. Like I said before, most shots would be more realistic around 100 yards or so, at least for now.
I seem to be leaning towards the .308, but you and I are thinking the same way. Could I get two rifles in the same box, when I bring them home past her?
.Charlie
12-13-2003, 10:20 AM
#4
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Coralville, IA. USA
Posts: 3,802
RE: .243 or .308??
If it were me and I thought I was going to have good shot opportunities at ranges past 250 yards, I'd want something with a little more oomph than the .243 Win. Don't get me wrong, I think the .243 is a good little cartridge and makes a fine short to moderate range deer cartridge, but for what you want to do I think you'd be better off with a little more rifle.
The .308 Win. is a great cartridge and will certainly to the job that you want it to do. But if it were me I'd think strongly about a milder magnum, specifically the 7mm Rem. Mag. With 150gr. bullets it shoots much flatter than the .308, which means a longer Max. Point Blank Range (305 yards vs. 275 yards for the .308Win, +-3"). It also hits quite a bit harder, especially out past 300 yards. In fact, a 7mm Mag. with 150gr bullets has almost as much energy at 200 yards as the .308 does with 150gr. bullets at the muzzle. The 7mm Mag. does kick a little more than the .308 with similar bullets, but not so much more that it'd be a real problem unless you are recoil sensitive. Just don't go with a featherweight rifle and you'll be ok.
I'd suggest you visit Chuck Hawk's website at http://www.chuckhawks.com/index2.guns.htm
Mike
The .308 Win. is a great cartridge and will certainly to the job that you want it to do. But if it were me I'd think strongly about a milder magnum, specifically the 7mm Rem. Mag. With 150gr. bullets it shoots much flatter than the .308, which means a longer Max. Point Blank Range (305 yards vs. 275 yards for the .308Win, +-3"). It also hits quite a bit harder, especially out past 300 yards. In fact, a 7mm Mag. with 150gr bullets has almost as much energy at 200 yards as the .308 does with 150gr. bullets at the muzzle. The 7mm Mag. does kick a little more than the .308 with similar bullets, but not so much more that it'd be a real problem unless you are recoil sensitive. Just don't go with a featherweight rifle and you'll be ok.
I'd suggest you visit Chuck Hawk's website at http://www.chuckhawks.com/index2.guns.htm
Mike
12-13-2003, 11:32 AM
#5
Fork Horn
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 277
RE: .243 or .308??
I think the .308 is perfect it makes a fine short range gun and will reach out there to the distances you might need. I have personally used mine at 400 (the conditions were right) for a one shot kill. The .243 might be a tad light at those longer distances and more is really overkill for whitetails, certainly for brush hunting.
12-13-2003, 11:51 AM
#6
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Canton MI USA
Posts: 118
RE: .243 or .308??
Of the two it would have to be the 308. Personally I don't think I would take a shot that long anyways. But of course I don't have any ranges to shoot over 100 yards, and I've never had to shoot longer then 65-75 yards anyhow to kill any of the deer I've shot in years past. But if your proficient at that range go for it.
12-13-2003, 02:15 PM
#7
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Wall SD USA & Jamestown ND
Posts: 11,474
RE: .243 or .308??
No contest here at all. The 308 is a lot more gun than the 243. At any distance. Its one of the best long range caliber for deer that you will find. This is evident in the fact that its by far the most popular cartridge for the 500 meter Steel silhouette shooting. The 260 has now moved into second place in this game. nudging out the 7mm-08.
12-14-2003, 05:22 PM
#8
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location:
Posts: 1,491
RE: .243 or .308??
Hi Trebark,
If it were me...and it was a new short action you are looking for...for the stated purpose....I'd take the .260 Remington over either. Simply because the .260 carries its energy much better than the .243 Winchester at the longer ranges, while not being so big to preclude its use for varmints if you like. Recoil is very similar to the .243 Winchester, but it gets there with more energy on target. It uses the same case as either the .243 Winchester or the .308 Winchester. And for deer and smaller it is probably more versatile than either of the others. The .308 Winchester is a very good deer cartridge...and even a feasable varmint cartridge. But really is more than needed for varmints and you pay for that with an increase in recoil.
If you are absolutely sure it is only for deer...and it has to be either the .243 or the .308 Winchester. Then I'd get the .308 Winchester!
Good luck with your decision!
If it were me...and it was a new short action you are looking for...for the stated purpose....I'd take the .260 Remington over either. Simply because the .260 carries its energy much better than the .243 Winchester at the longer ranges, while not being so big to preclude its use for varmints if you like. Recoil is very similar to the .243 Winchester, but it gets there with more energy on target. It uses the same case as either the .243 Winchester or the .308 Winchester. And for deer and smaller it is probably more versatile than either of the others. The .308 Winchester is a very good deer cartridge...and even a feasable varmint cartridge. But really is more than needed for varmints and you pay for that with an increase in recoil.
If you are absolutely sure it is only for deer...and it has to be either the .243 or the .308 Winchester. Then I'd get the .308 Winchester!
Good luck with your decision!
12-15-2003, 07:08 AM
#10
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Bossier City LA United States
Posts: 2,425
RE: .243 or .308??
If I were to pick a deer cartridge from the two then I would go with the 308 Win. I love the 243 Win but the 308 is just better on deer and can be used on larger game as well. However, I would have to think long and hard about the 7mm-08 Rem and the 260 Rem. Both are probably better as strictly deer cartridges and both are fully capable of taking anything the 308 Win can. Just something to think about.