.243 for deer
 

I've been thinking about getting a Rem CDL lefty in 243... The only thing stopping me is the thought that it might not be enough medicine for a 100 yard quartering towards you shoulder shot:eek:

Has anyone had any experience with a 243with a shoulder shot???

RE: .243 for deer
 

My logic to this. If it isn't running and is unspooked walking along. I wouldn't worry about taking that shot. Most likely it will give you the perfect text book shot if you have patience to waite for it.

RE: .243 for deer
 

Combined my Dad and brotherhave killed at least 50 deer witha .243 Win.
I have never known either to say they needed a bigger rifle for Whitetail.

RE: .243 for deer
 

I understand what your saying... But I've been hunting heavily hunted public land all my life and a decent buck is hard to come by. That being said when I get a shot at a deer I take it. No matter what posision they are facing... So I'm sure if I get this gun and hunt with it long enough the frontal shoulder shot will prosent itself sooner or later:)

I just want to know if anybody has shot a deer threw the shoulders with a 243 and what was the out come:D

RE: .243 for deer
 

.243win + 100yrds + decent bullet = deer down

mello

RE: .243 for deer
 

Under the conditions you describe for your hunting, I wouldn't even consider the 243. It will do the job but your feeling that its marginal are on track. Get a 7mm-08 or 270 Win and put your mind at ease. The 243 is a fine varmit/deer cartridge but for deer/deer, there are much better choices. IMO the 7MM-08 is as good as it gets for a deer rifle. The recoil is very little more than the 243 but its Much nmore versitile. Also the 6.5x55 and 260 fit in the same group.

RE: .243 for deer
 

Since you have a shadow of doubt in your mind I say bump up to a .270. As much as I like the .243, the .270 is a better all around rifle, with the exception being varmint shooting. But for deer size game and larger the .270 will be a better choice. It is the perfect tweener (in between) rifle imho. You can hunt deer size game all the way up to elk and moose sized game and take a long shot with confidence to boot.

RE: .243 for deer
 

I agree with the prior statements, if you have a doubt in your mind about the capability of the cartridge you are using, go a little bigger, now in the case of the .243, you might be suited with the .270, or 30-06.

RE: .243 for deer
 

I have taken your shot scenerio more than once over the last 25 years and have never had any problems. I do consider 243 a minimum deer cartridge, even though my sons and I have killed quite a few deer with it. I am currently putting a Blaser R-93 together in 243 and am planning to replace my Marlin 336T 30-30 with it. To me in 243, bullet choice is the key. I have always used 100 gr, and Federal and Hornady make some good ones. Get your 243 and enjoy!

RE: .243 for deer
 

I too consider the .243/6MM the minimum for deer, but I consider it a good minimum, not something that is barely going to get the job done, with absolutely no margin for error! For the shots you are discribing, good 100 gr. hunting bullets will do the job very well!

RE: .243 for deer
 

I honestly thought this was a joke...With all the discusssions about a .243 on here lately...You put a 100 grain CoreLokt or Hornady through the shoulder blade of a 150-200 pound whitetail and they will drop right there.

No need for anything larger.

RE: .243 for deer
 

There seem to be two schools of thought on the 243: those who like it because it is probably the best varmint/deer caliber out there. And those who think it is poor excuse for a good varmint caliber (like the .22-250) and is also a poor excuse for areal deer gun (like a .260, 270, or 7MM-08).

RE: .243 for deer
 

My experiences with the 243 havent been good..but of course I cant shoot for s**t....this is what they tell me when I say my experiences are bad..lol. Since there is already a sense of doubt in your mind go ahead and bump up to the 260/270/7-08. Those calibers are all made in the cdl also I think with the exception of probably the 260.

IMO and of course Im gonna get blasted for this which I always do but I think the 243 is a little too big to shoot varmints all day and a little too small for a #1 deer gun. Not really sure what its intended use is. Let the bashing begin....but dont worry I wont be responding to any of them :D


With that being said...if it works for you and you like it...more power to you.

RE: .243 for deer
 

Doe Dumper,
You are not going to get any bashing from me on this one!
I have defended the .243/6MM as a "good minimum" for deer, and I really think that it is!
When I defend the .243, I think of others who detest it as a minimum, as much as I detest the .22 CF's!
The "tattle-tale" for the .22 shooters is they are mostly head/neck shooters! They KNOW that the .22's are NOT reliable for shots to the "REAL" vitals! On the other hand, the .243/6MM, with 100 gr. bullets will do the job all day long up to 250 yards or so!
I will say, step up from the .243 if possible! But, the .243 does give you a "room for error" that the .22's do not!
You are right, a little heavy for vermin, a little light for deer, but a good combo-gun minimum for deer!

RE: .243 for deer
 

I second that.

RE: .243 for deer
 

Sorry, I can't agree with anyone as ornery as Doe Dumper.:D

RE: .243 for deer
 

Never seen a deer hit in the shoulder with the 243, but I did see my son take one with a beutiful lung shot at a 100yds. Small entry large exit, dont see a problem.

RE: .243 for deer
 

If I hunted heavily hunted areas where I had to put deer down right now to avoid losing them then I would use a .308 win or a .35 whelen.

RE: .243 for deer
 

Funny that this is brought up yetagain. Maybe I shouldn't speak my thoughts since I just got in from tracking yet another deer shot with a dadgum .243. A friend of mine shot him at 3:00 this afternoon and we finally found him at 9:45(Didn't start looking til 5:45...got the dog about 8:00 after the blood dissapated to less than the pin drops we had perviously been finding).I don't know that we went a mile but it was close. This is the 4th deer I've helped him track in the last 2 years. He only ask me to help on the bucks.I don't knowhow many does he hasn't found.He has killed a few bucks and found them on his own but I'm betting that I've helped him track the other half that were shot with this gun. I think he is convinced that this is the last deer he will shoot with it. Deer was shot 50yds qtring away. Bullet went in about 3-4 ribs up and came out just a 4-5" rt of center on chest. Maybe a hair back but not much. I didn't hang around to help him clean it but I would say he weighed in the 170lb range. 100gr nospart. Exit hole was barely bigger than the entry hole. I am conviced and he was to that had he used his .280 (which was in his truck...he just chose the .243) that the deer wouldn't have made off the plot. He went in to shoot a doe and a nice buck walked out.

IMO the .243 is a at very best a very marginal deer gun. It will kill a deer. I won't deny that but there are better calibers with similar recoil that will do a much better job. I have to ask what you are planning on using the gun for? Strictly deer? Something else also? If its just a deer save yourself the headache and get a 7-08 or 308. More knock down and a much bigger entry and exit hole. The 243 just doesn't allow enough room for error. I know there are a bunch of people on here that are perfect shots every time. Thats great for them. I personally get buck fever every now and then and I want something I can miss a little with but still get the job done. From what you are saying you take the shot you get not the shot you want. Get something that you don't have to question. 308, 270, 260
Good luck.

RE: .243 for deer
 

This is not an argument, it is simply a statement of fact. If it is such a marginal caliber for deer, then why is it put into the hands of loads of kids every year to deer hunt with. Of course, the answer is because of the low recoil. But they are still successful, because of bullet choice and placement. And, it will bust through a shoulder at quartering to.

I also have a new .243 on the way, to be here Tuesday.

Also, if you are worried about it, shoot the Hornady Light Mag 100 gr. in it and it will slove any questions you might still have about the .243's ability.

God Bless

RE: .243 for deer
 

Well, up here, a 243 WSSM seems to make deer, sheep, and goat look dead real quick.

RE: .243 for deer
 

And people ? me about why I bought my kids win ballistic tips 95gr at allmost 30$ a box,, for the reason of anchoring them and error.... The dear does not get up and run away when hit with them badboys... that bullet explodes and shatters everything in its path.....I would take that shot with a ballistic tip.... That deer not going no where but down.. Use the correct bullet and you will never have a problem...

RE: .243 for deer
 

buy your cdl in 243 and enjoy!! i have a battery of rifles that go beyong any sence. i've built customs cause being a southpaw ain't easy if you wantsomething just like ....

my #1 rifle is a custom, i built it years ago before the cdl was availible and when a lh bdl was as scaresas anything you can think up.

its a remington lh, 243 ackley imp., i shoot prairie dogs whith it every summer, last trip was 1000 rds, most trips are 500 to 800, varget and 70 gr. ballistic tips= 100yd red mist 200yd mist with chunks 300 and 400yd superdogs 500yd to whatever you can seeand walk a shot to. i enjoy calling coyoteas well,great load for them as well. i've been shooting deer with the rifle since it was built, its a switch barrel rig, a sendero type conture for varmints, a strong #3 conture for calling coyotes and deer, i've put a que industries brake on both barrels allowing me to tune for loads (similar to a browning boss). never lost a deer, never had one go more than 50 yds. last double lung was the 50yd deer shot at a distance i was completely confident in but would raise the ire of those who think little but know nothing of the 243. i shoot a barnes x bullet in my rifle for deer, muley and whitetail, this has been an excellent performer for me. the actionis nestled in an accurate innovations stock, with a burris black diamond 4x16 ballistic mildot in warne quick release rings/bases.
the rule of 5's was taught to me early.
rule of 5's as spoken to me buy my granddad..
never take a shot at anything deer or otherwise till you can take your rifle and load and by placing 5 clay pigeons on end (facing you) fire one round into each clay, standing on your hind legs/ sling, no rest without a miss and as quickly as you can work the bolt and reaquire the sights.whatever distance you can perform this drill at.. and repeat, 5 times, elliminates the lucky shot..this is your farthest off hand distance. then you practice this with field type rests standing, kneeling etc. those distances to the same end, 5 shots no miss 5 times. you will spend time shooting yourrifle to accomplish this, you will know your rifle and its triggerto accomplish this, you will trust your abilities and your rifle when you accomplish this, and you will probably be the best shotamongst your hunting buddies, when you accomplish this.the 243 shines here, most hunters have not could not perform this drill with thier rifles, and the guys that love the biggest baddest magnums will come up with more excuses than you would ever believe as to why they won't. yes i can do the drill with my 06, don't like to though, love doin it with my 243, love watching my son smoke me with his, first time he cleaned the set of 5 faster than his old man was a damn proud day for both of us..
buy your 243, shoot it, learn it, trust it, enjoy it.
just my 2 cents worth.

RE: .243 for deer
 

That rule of 5 makes sense...I like it.

RE: .243 for deer
 

Under those conditions you are right about the 243. Next question, Out of 100 hunters, how many do you think can do it? I might also add that under those same conditions, a 223 would do the same thing. If for some reason I needed a combo deer/varmit rig and I couldn't find a 25-06 I might consider a 243. If I am buying a rifle for deer hunting, No way. Give me a 260 on up.

RE: .243 for deer
 

The .270 still doesnt impress me. My expierence has shown me the .243 will out penetrate the .270 90% of the time.Seen another deer killed this weekend with the .270, perfect broadside shot and didnt pass through, last weekend same thing but was shot with a .270 wsm. Dont care about gel tests or anythin else, it seems like the .270 rarely passes through deer, thats what I have seen.
I have shot deer and hogs out to 250 yds with my .243, it always blows right through anything in its way, neck bone or shoulder bone, spine or whatever.
.243 doesnt have any problems at any angles

RE: .243 for deer
 

Would you mind telling us what kinda bullet you were using, compared to what kinda bullet the .270's were using?

RE: .243 for deer
 

doesnt matter what bullet I use in my .243, I have had only 2 out of probably a 100 deer not pass through, both those were a 100 gr, corelock.
yesterday was a .270 win powerpoint last weekend was a .270 wsm fed. fusion

RE: .243 for deer
 

No wonder, they didn't pass through, they expanded too much on the inside and did sever damage to the vitals, they didn't need to exit, you, take head and neck shots, so, they will usually pass through, the .270 has more power and will out penetrate a .243, any day of the year, but, you must compare apples to apples. BTW, if you want pass throughs, start using a premium bullet, and hitting the deer in the vitals.

RE: .243 for deer
 

zrexpilot
There is more to the story that you are not telling us. I have killed more than 75 deer with a 270, and my son has killed 10 with his 270. I have never had a problem with bullets passing through deer or hogs, so what is the rest of this story?

RE: .243 for deer
 

I dont only take neck shots, I can put a 100 gr win power point or a fed 100gr sierra gameking or a hornady and it will go through the body of a deer everysingle time

RE: .243 for deer
 

Zrex, I think you just need to realize that the .243, is not the greatest cartridge to ever come along, it is mediocre at best, why you continue, to provide false information, and make these bogus claims, is beyond me. I want to see you go on an elk hunt with your .243, I don't think you will be getting any pass throughs there.

RE: .243 for deer
 

Since you have limited expierience I suggest you stay out of the .243 threads. someone is asking , and I am stating my expieriences, 25+ years of whitail deer hunting, I have shot truckloads of deer and have seen 3 times that many killed with multiple calibers.

RE: .243 for deer
 

Lack of experience? LOL, I have been hunting for over 30 years, and have taken game fromrabbits to elk, you've probably never even left your home state to hunt, you just conclude I have no experience because you are up against a wall, you used premium ammo to get pass throughs, and then come in here and claim other wise, you are a liar, and a poor excuse for a hunter, neck shots, LOL.

RE: .243 for deer
 

Hows comparing the same exact ammo, (win powerpoint) apples to aranges
You know I have had it with you calling me a liar. I will not respond to you anymore.

wheres that ingnore tab....... there it is,click.

RE: .243 for deer
 

I have defeated the troll.:D:D:D

RE: .243 for deer
 

You have said before that your job is working at a shooting range on the weekends. So......you are a 40 something year old that has a weekend range job. How can you afford all the out of state hunts and all the guns you have? Ah, that's none of my business, never mind.

RE: .243 for deer
 

Forget that, how does someone have over a 1000 posts in a month ?
He aint out hunting thats for sure.
He's an internet hunterand or all his kills are on Play station big game hunter ll. buwahahahaha.

RE: .243 for deer
 

Forgot about that, for $30 or so bucks I think he can hunt Colorado, New Mexico, Alaska and probably other places.:D

RE: .243 for deer
 

I make $35.00 an hour, and work 8 hours. I have only been doing the range job for about a year, before that, I was manager of the bakery dept. at Wal Mart. and Zrex, I don't even own a Playstation. And yes, I was fired from Wal Mart, and it wasn't my fault.