what do ya'll think about a .243
 

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.

RE: what do ya'll think about a .243
 

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!

RE: what do ya'll think about a .243
 

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.

RE: what do ya'll think about a .243
 

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.

RE: what do ya'll think about a .243
 

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

RE: what do ya'll think about a .243
 

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

RE: what do ya'll think about a .243
 

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

RE: what do ya'll think about a .243
 

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.

RE: what do ya'll think about a .243
 

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

RE: what do ya'll think about a .243
 

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.

RE: what do ya'll think about a .243
 

I carried one for about 10 yrs, both my father and mother used .243's for about 20 yrs, and my youngest brother still carries one. Oh yeah, and my girlfriend used one for a doe and a buck this year. I've seen alot of venison fry b/c of that round, and would not hesitate to use it for deer (I took a doe with hers this year). I've never seen a penetration problem (including shoulder bone and head shots), and only rarely can I think of a time when there wasn't a good exit wound. My mom used hers on a cow elk once, but you will have to have a good shot and get in pretty close to use one this way (she droped it in one shot). I have never had to hit a deer twice with a .243 if I made a good first shot (the only animal I can remember having to hit more than once was an antelope I gut shot when I was twelve!). All of the above mentioned were Brownings (most BLR and one A-bolt). Anybody who tells you that it is too small of a round for deer has not used a .243 sufficiently. It's a fine deer round. Btw, I usually hunt muleys and shoot over 200 yrds regularily without any problems. That said, I've just bought an a-bolt 300 rum (other end of the spectrum) and am trying to find out opinions on a weaver v12 for it. Is this a tough enough scope to withstand the abuse? Thanks!
Good luck with the 243.

RE: what do ya'll think about a .243
 

frizz..

but why use a caliber like the 243win for under 125yds? especially if he already ownes a 7mm

RE: what do ya'll think about a .243
 

Quilly, the better question is why not, especially at 125 yards.

RE: what do ya'll think about a .243
 

I couldnt resist this one. The thing I want most in the world is for my wife to shoot a white tail buck, I bought her a Ruger 77 compact .243 to do it with. I believe in the .243 ; seen a boat load of one shot kills with the Sierra 85gr HPBT and no problem poundin hogs out past 300yds with 55gr Blitz King.. Pretty versitle all-round cartrige-IMHO.. so for the guys who dog the .243%%&&*@!<img src=icon_smile_blackeye.gif border=0 align=middle>

ALL DAY, EVERY DAY,IN THE WOODS...

RE: what do ya'll think about a .243
 

&quot;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. &quot;

There are other rounds that are anemic from muzzle energy standpoints, such as the .45 Colt, .45-70, etc., but there is still something to be said for bullet diameter/weight, and construction.

The .30-30 is anemic if used for shots greater than ~125 yards; but it's 150 or 170 grain projectile of .308&quot; diameter, designed for those sedate (by .300 WSM standards)velocities, is still impacting and penetrating said critters at 50 yards with about as much energy as an -06 or .308's projectile at 350 yards. Really, in my opinion, all one gains with more velocity, is increased potential for longer shots, or a larger dust cloud caused by the exiting projectile.

RE: what do ya'll think about a .243
 

Yes the 45 Colt and the 45-70 Govt can be considered anemic from a factory load standpoint, but both carry more bullet weight that the lowly 30-30. Also, both cartridges have potential to be improved through handloading whereas the 30-30's weak case hinders it. A 243 will outdo a 30-30 any day of the week.

RE: what do ya'll think about a .243
 

243 vs 30-30 inersting. i look up a 243 100gr win load and a 170gr win 30-30 load lets see now.
&quot;guns and ammo 2002
243 w 100gr (mv)2743 &quot;v100&quot;-2507 &quot;v200&quot;-2283 &quot;v300&quot;-2070 &quot;v400&quot;-1869 &quot;v500&quot;1680

&quot;me&quot;1670 &quot;e100&quot;1395 &quot;e200&quot;1157 &quot;e300&quot;951 &quot;e400&quot;776 &quot;e500&quot;626
site in and drop for 200yd zero &quot;100&quot;+2 &quot;300&quot;-8.7 &quot;400&quot;-25.5 &quot;500&quot;-52.3

now for the 30-30
&quot;mv&quot;2200 &quot;v100&quot;1895 &quot;v200&quot;1619 &quot;v300&quot;1381 &quot;v400&quot;1191 &quot;v500&quot;1061

'me&quot;1827 &quot;e100&quot;1355 &quot;e200&quot;989 &quot;e300&quot;720 &quot;e400&quot;535 'e500'425
same 200 yd site in &quot;100&quot;+4 &quot;300&quot;-17.5 &quot;400&quot;-53.3 &quot;500&quot;-113.6

now lets see a 170gr vs 100gr &quot;i will take the 170gr&quot;
me 1670 vs 1827-e100 1395 vs1355 e200 989 vs 1157. so from muzzle to 100yd they are very close &quot;i will still take 170gr&quot;
200yd zero +2 vs +4 that ant all that much differance.
i concider both to be 200yd guns at max. i like the 170gr of lead in the air vs 100



? how is the 30-30 a weak case?
L. O. D. Charter member and L.O.S.

RE: what do ya'll think about a .243
 

It is a well known fact that the 30-30 uses weak, thin walled cases. Just pick one up and look at it. If you don't believe me take a look in the Speer reloading manual. And as for the 243 Win velocity with a 100 grain bullet, I don't know where you got your data, but I get closer to 2900fps.

RE: what do ya'll think about a .243
 

In reply to Quilly: I like my 7mm mag, but it has a wood stock, and a good bit of kick. I want a gun in a lighter caliber with a synthetic stock. I am only planning on using it at a couple of spots that have a lot of brush and are hard to get to. I was interested in a .243 and I don't know very much about them, so I asked. It may be totally wrong, but from the couple people that I have now found that use them the .243 seems to be a pretty good round. Thanks for your reply though.

RE: what do ya'll think about a .243
 

i would rather pick a slower caliber that will do more damage than a faster bullet that might not expand to it's potential.

RE: what do ya'll think about a .243
 

Thats my whole point Quilly, the 30-30 does not do more damage than a 243. It never has and it never will.

RE: what do ya'll think about a .243
 

I'll go along with the others that say 7mm-08 or my current light rifle pick the .308. I like the .243 for varmints, but it isn't my first pick for deer. Although I have killed several deer with a .243.

RE: what do ya'll think about a .243
 

I think the aforementioned .260 Rem is the perfect answer here, followed closely by the 6.5x55 Swede, .257 Roberts, 7x57 Mauser and 7mm-08. All of these rounds are about as perfect a round as can be devised for shooting deer at 300 yards or less.

Of these, the 7mm-08 probably tops the list, but it may be too much overlap with the 7mm mag.

Good Dogwork and Good Hunting

RE: what do ya'll think about a .243
 

Thanks again for all of ya'll's replies. I am even less sure of what gun I should choose. I guess that is a good thing since it means there are a lot of good choices. I am thinking of the 7mm-08, but as said earlier I don't want anything too close to what I have. It is also important to me that I can get the ammunition at a sporting goods store, Walmart, or a gun store in the area. I know it is preferrable to handload, but being a college student there is no way. I don't have the money, and I sure don't have the room. I guess that cuts several of the calibers listed, so I am back where I started.

RE: what do ya'll think about a .243
 

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote<font size=1 face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
I think the aforementioned .260 Rem is the perfect answer here, followed closely by the 6.5x55 Swede, .257 Roberts, 7x57 Mauser and 7mm-08. All of these rounds are about as perfect a round as can be devised for shooting deer at 300 yards or less.

Of these, the 7mm-08 probably tops the list, but it may be too much overlap with the 7mm mag.

Good Dogwork and Good Hunting
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2 id=quote>

Factory ammo for all of these rounds should be fairly easy to come by, and from more than one manufacturer. If not, a local sporting goods store will always be willing to order it for you and keep it in stock.

Good Dogwork and Good Hunting

RE: what do ya'll think about a .243
 

Since you'll be hunting in the thick stuff where a second shot seems unlikely- what about a single shot? I too have been considering the many different options out there. I settled on a H&R single in .308. For the price of a decent bolt action rifle I can have my .308 and two or three other calibers since the barrels switch out. Also gives me the option of shotgun and muzzle if I want to go there. As for which caliber, that's your choice. I went with .308 because of its reputation. To me a .243 seems a bit small but then I took a nice 8-point last year with a .257 Roberts. One shot one deer. I hope this helps. Let us know what you decide.

RE: what do ya'll think about a .243
 

if your not sure then get a .270. supposed to have less recoil than what you have now. and its 150 gr bullet goes as fast as the 243. just a thought. the .243 is stroung enough to kill a coyote so it will kill a deer.

still here

RE: what do ya'll think about a .243
 

I am not a fan of the 243, due to seeing some piss poor results in the woods with them...but that is me and you are you...so i won't get into the 243 debate.

I think one of the most over looked cals. now a day is the 308. I started with cal and still have it. Tones of styles and manufacturers to choose from, loads of good not hardly used ones for sale everyday...do to the need for faster and bigger. (hell who am i talk I use the 7 rem mag now and love it....so I am no better) Ammo is cheap as dirt and easily found. In tight it may just be what you want and need...bonus it chucks 30 cal bullets.

[Deleted]
 

[Deleted by Admins]

RE: what do ya'll think about a .243
 

FVA, I stated I have seen poor results from a 243 in my neck of the woods. Were I live (Sask, Canada) and hunt it is rare a whitetail buck goes under 200 and if you shoot a mature buck even in the prime of rut very rare to have one that won't take 250 on the hoof.

You can take them down with a 22 if you hit them just right, but personally I would never use a 243. Seen it and don't like it...JMO.

RE: what do ya'll think about a .243
 

A few years back I picked up a Rem 788 in .243 at a gun auction. I got it for my daughter and son to start deer hunting with. I put a 3 to 9 scope on it and got a couple boxes of 100 gr. Federal shells and headed for the range. What a pleasent little gun to shoot. And very nice groups to boot. I had a mule deer doe permit and desided to break in the .243. I hit her well in the chest and she walked off toward some bush so I hit her again. She went down dead but there was no blood trail at all in the snow. Then my daughter shot a whitetail doe and the it only went about 50 yds. and was dead. But no blood trail and we had a bit of a time finding it. Then I shot a nice whitetail buck (they are big bodied in Alberta just like Sask. as Skeeter pointed out) He only went about 60 yds. but I did not find him till two days later. No blood trail or sign of a fit at the place he was shot.

I have since talked to a friend that suggested I use Nosler partition bullets for better results. Thats what the kids are hunting with now and we will see if they work better.

I usually use a .264 win. mag. and have never lost an animal or had much trouble finding a shot critter.

Robin.

RE: what do ya'll think about a .243
 

i got the info out of guns and ammo 2002 anual.
i have shot deer with both and have sean deer\bear\and hogs shot with both. the dammage the 30-30 does to me is grater. most of the 30-30 were pass throughs on the deer and some on the hogs. none of the 243 were pass throughs.

i will hopefull see my wifes 6mm in action this year and it may change my mind. but i dought it.
L. O. D. Charter member and L.O.S.

RE: what do ya'll think about a .243
 

Well BT, I have witnessed just the opposite. Most of the deer I have seen shot with a 30-30 just keep walking for at least 100 yards. One hole in, one hole out with not much damage. The 243 on the other hand makes jelly out of the lungs on every deer I have seen shot with it. Most stop in their tracks or within 40 yards. Try using a premium bullet in your wifes 6mm and you will see what I am talking about.

RE: what do ya'll think about a .243
 

the only 100gr load that we could find was the 100gr rem cor-lock.

most of the animals i have sean shot with thoes 2 cal. were under 100yd. that may make the differanc. i dont know.
i have had pass througs with sholder and spine shots using the 30-30. all with the 170gr load.
i dont realy like the 150's
L. O. D. Charter member and L.O.S.

RE: what do ya'll think about a .243
 

Well i will say another thing about the 243. my son has killed another buck with his and i can assure you it is lethal!!!!!!!
I have only one complaint the ballistic tips i loaded don't leave a blood trail. last year he shot a doe with it useing 100 gr rem core loks. good blood trail and she didnt go far. both deer he has shot this year didnt go far but no blood. using B/T's .
he shot one last evening and the deer ran . he was hunting alone . when i got there he said the deer ran and pointed the direction. i looked for blood and saw none . i started combing the area and never found blood. after a 15 minute search i found the 8 pt dead as a hammer. just about 40 yards from where he said he shot him. the deer only bled from his mouth and he had made a good lung shot.
i may try another bullet like a 100 gr soft point to see if it helps with creating a blood trail. it's hard to find a deer if you have nothing to follow.
But i will say the 243 is very lethal on deer. i won't doubt it's abilitys.

SOUTH ARKANSAS REBEL

RE: what do ya'll think about a .243
 

I agree it's a great LADIES GUN, go ahead show your gender...

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