mharrisatuwg

I don't know anyone with a .243, but I want a good gun to hunt one of my spots that has a lot of brush, and doesn't have shots over 125 yards. I thought a .243 in a synthetic stock would be a good complement to my Savage 111 in a 7mm mag. Does anyone have an opinion on the .243 and if they do what maker do they recomend. I really like my Savage, but I was wondering if anyone knows of another maker that makes good rifles at an affordable price, I am a college student. Thanks in advance for your help.

TScottW99

The .243 is a good rifle just remember to use at least 100 grain bullets. As for rifle selection I like the Tikkas and the Savages. The .243 wouldn't be my first choice though, if your looking for a gun that has mild recoil I would choose the 7mm-08, .308 or .257roberts over the .243.

Tick a Liberal Off, Buy a Hand Gun!
http://tscott.fws1.com

ONE NATION UNDER GOD!

boltman

I think it's a piss poor deer round. I usually get flamed when I say that and I'm sure I'll hear from some guy who's brother's cousin's chiropractor killed 100 deer with a .243, but that won't change my opinion of it. There are plenty of low recoil rounds that aren't operating on a razor thin margin of suitability when it comes to deer, the .260 remington is one of them.

Quilly

i go by my own rule as " 130gr. is the smallest " i would go.

if you are hunting in thiock stuff where shots get out to 125yds. i would opt for a differant caliber. every bullet deflects on branches. but i just like a bigger bullet.
like boltman said. the 260rem seems to be a fine round ( unfortunatly browning dose not chamber that round ).
look at a small action in maybe a 7mm-08rem, 308win, 260rem.
or just go with a lever action in maybe a 35rem or 30-30win.

3DNWV

I used a .243 as my main rifle for several yrs both as a varment rifle and fro white tail. It is a great little rifle for both I used 100gr bullets for everthing and took many deer out 275yd cleanly remember shot placement and being able to hit your target is the key with any round. As far as a brush gun no round is truly made to shoot through limbs and brush. The test have been done and any round will deflect when it hits something and when guys talk about how great there gun bust brush it usually mean they have been very lucky when taking a risky shot. The savage is a great gun for the money My .243's were both a remington model 7 and a Ruger 77 (which is now in my uncles gun cabnet for his daughter]. But you might also consider a Marlin 1895 in 45-70 for a fast handling thick stuff gun.

3DNWV

mello_collins

Many people think a 243win is to small. If you are a good shot then it is not. Heart-Lung penetration and they are down. I have a 25-06 for long range and Marlin in 35rem for 150 yards and in. If you ever hunt from the ground or a climber in areas with low visibility you’ll like a Marlin. They handle very quickly a shoot well. I get 1.25” groups at 130 yards from mine. Consider a 30-30win Marlin for low price, ammo everywhere, and light weight.

Mike

frizzellr

It amazes me that some folks will condemn the 243 Win as a deer round, but will think nothing of advocating the anemic 30-30 Win cartridge as the best deer round ever. Having shot deer with both I wouldn't hesitate to use a 243 Win with 100 grain bullets. The 30-30 on the other hand should stay in the closet. That being said, the 7mm-08 Rem offers great ballistics with only slightly more recoil than the 243 and it offers greater flexibility. The 260 Rem also looks promising. As far as rifles go, its hard to beat a Savage.

Edited by - frizzellr on 11/20/2002 08:24:07

Tree climber

as the saying goes " that is why they make Fords,Chevy's, and Dodges"

same with guns,and cal.
theres one for everyone......the 243 is for &quot;ME&quot; as boltman said he would get flamed about his statement. Boltman;considered your slef flamed !!!! lol<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> as he also said about someone talking 100 deer with the 243,I haven't taken that many;I have taken in the range of 60 to 70 with mine over the 30 or so years I have hunted with it.

I have also taken in excess than 100 hogs with mine.(I have onlt shot one that I wonded and didn't get&quot none have gone over 50 yards after the shot!

just my 2 cents,there are 98 more!!<img src=icon_smile_approve.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_cool.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_approve.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

I am not a hunter I am a whitetail population reduction specialest

remember keep your back to the sun, your knife sharp, and your powder dry.

soarkrebel

Now thats a good question to get some varied opinions.
My son shoots one and i will tell you it will kill a deer quick!and very well! But i also have 6mm rem which is the same bullet just uses a 7 x57 case. i lost a good buck cause the bullet exploded when it made contact with brush between him and me. it bloodied him but not bad. a guy killed him two days later a nine point w/ a 17.5 &quot; spread. he had a nice wound on his left side that never penetrated his rib cage. the copper jacket apperently hit him with no lead in it.
But i will assure you a large caliber can and will be deflected by brush also. but i when hunting brush i use a 308 win.
and if i my 300 win mag wasnt a sendero but was a regular 700 bdl i would use it in the brush.
Oh yeah i saw one saturday that a guy gut shot with a 243 and the thing ran a total of 50 yards. i have shot them with 30-06 's and had them run farther than that.
My boys taken two with his so far (saturday is coming) and i have been very impressed with it. he will shoot more deer this year than most will . he has a buck so far this year and i will bet he gets another saturday. by the time the year is over i will bet he kills four with it. now when that occurs i will form an opinion based on history rather than just personal opinion because i don't like the round!
Oh yeah he shoots a 70 gr ballistic tip. and i will take him to the range and put him against 95% of the adult hunters with their rifles any day . and bet he out shoots them!and shot placement is everything period!

SOUTH ARKANSAS REBEL

mharrisatuwg

Thanks for the replies. I know there are no true brush busters, but I just wanted to let everyone know the situation that I am hunting. I have a 30 30, but I would rather leave that one at home. the 7mm-08 soulds like another good possibility. I don't hunt this property as much as the other that has longer shots, but there are some big bucks in the area, and I have several friends that have shot some big deer from the property. I just want to make sure I get something with a synthetic stock that I can bump around, and has enough power to take a big buck without overkill. Like I said earlier the longest shot is 125 and most are much closer, under fifty yards. Thanks for all the replies, and I look forward to reading more.