Soilarch

So I'm going to school in a state that has a rifle season! (Woohoo) Back home is a shotgun/pistol/ML only state. I have a 22-250 which is perfect for yotes but am thinking about trading in for a something that is also capable as a deer rifle. The trick is in the word "also". I've thought long and hard about the .243 as it seems I wouldn't loose much of what I like about the 22-250. (No/little recoil and 'point-n-click' flat trajectory) BUT the .243 gets mixed reviews. Everything from "its great" to "wholey inadequate" to a rather honest "its capable...but minimal, and not what I'd use".

So what says you about picking between .243, 7mm-08, 270 or 308/30-06 for a gun that may still see most of its time used on yotes? It will not be a stand gun...so weight and overall package is a consideration. I'm also a lefty so the BLRs are looking good, but pricey.

Much appreciation.

longrifle1000

I would have no problem hunting deer with a 243. I would just use a premium bullet. Another one I would consider is the 25-06. But ammo selection for the 243 is much better. I would also try and find a left handed bolt action. Watch the used gun racks, you might be able to find a good buy. I saw a like new left handedbolt a few weeks ago that was priced ridiculously low. Owner said he just couldn't move it. Something to consider.

Soilarch

Thanks longrifle. I should've mentioned that I'll probably handload...so factory selection isn't as important as component selection. (which gives the win to the 7mm and .30)

#40Fan

What kind of gun do you have, Soilarch?

If it is a Savage you could rebarrel it to a .243, .308, and others and do it yourself.

Rammer

I've used my Tikka T3 243 on whitetails quite a bit since I first got it a few years back. I bought it for a windy weather coyote gun, and while in Nebraska coyote/deer hunting I decided that carrying that 243 in the sandhills was alot lighter than my 7mag. I shot a muley doe an dropped her in her tracks at a lasered 517 yards with a combined technology 95gr BT. Since then I have shot alot of does with that gun and all have dropped in their tracks or managed to make it no more than 30 yards. Its all about shot placement.

eldeguello

Well, where I started my hunting career, northern New Mexico, a whole lot of .270's were used as varmint rifles as well as for deer & elk. You have to SEE the destruction caused by a 110-grain .277" Sierra bullet at a MV of 3300 FPS!

chiefks

I use a savage model 12 is 243. I've killed deer out to 400 yards with it useing a 95 grain winchester balistic tip. That buck didn't run very far. I know several people who say the 243 is a good yote round, and it is. However its also a greatdeer round. Just pick your shots and hit them in the boiler room and they won't be going far!

James B

Anything the 243 will do, the 25-06 will do better. In your case I can't imagine a better choice. The 25-06 will perform both varmit and deer duties with just a 100 grain bullet. Load the Nosler Ballistic tip for varmits and the Nosler Partition for deer. Never have to change bullet weights. I have had fantastic results with just the 100 grain Ballistic tip for all duties.

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nchawkeye

1st off..congrats..I'm assuming you are talking about college...If so, good luck...2nd...What state?? Which school?? I used to use a 22-250 for deer...That was about 30 years ago...I have used a .243 since 1980...Works well...The Federal Premium loaded with the Sierra 85gr BTHP will work for both coyotes and deer...at 3300 fps it shots flat as well...

If you want bigger, a 25-06, 7mm-08 or a .270 are all good...I recently looked at a Remington CDL in 7mm-08...Balance of that gun was unbelievable...My younger brother has used one since the early '80s, its a good round.

I just can't find a 25-06 that feels good to me...seem to be too long of barrel, frankly I would opt for a .270 over a 25-06...But, being a lefty I have seen a Ruger in 25-06 that was a laminated stock, stainless barrel and most important left handed...I have a left handed buddy, he makes due with right handed bolts, it would drive me crazy I practice shooting a bolt without bringing the gun away from my shoulder and it has paid off several times with a double while culling does off the farm...

Its also hard to beat a .270...Face it, its probably the "gold standard" when you talk about deer rifles, my youngest brother has two and him and his son have killed at least 60 deer with them....Only problem...He has developed a flinch...Actually tried my .243 last year and found after getting used to the gun that his groups shrunk about two inches at 100 yards...He couldn't figure out why deer hit with my .243 dropped quicker than his hit with the .270...He's actually thinking about moving to a .243...Any of these 4 different calbers would be a good choice.