.243 for whitetails
 

I have always hunted Massachusetts which is shotgun only. I have purchased some property in New York and would like to buy a rifle. I have never really used rifles except for .22's. I would like a gun that I could use for targets, coyotes and whitetails. I do not reload so cheap ammo would be nice. I have heard both pro and con for a .423. Will it kill humanely or would a larger bore be better. Also what model gun would you recommend, at a value price?

RE: .243 for whitetails
 

I mean .243

RE: .243 for whitetails
 

I've used a savage 243 in the past and it worked ok but it seemed like if you didn't hit bone it was a very small hole.

RE: .243 for whitetails
 

If you make a good shot, then the .243 will work just fine, but that is the same with any of the hunting rifles. A friend of mine had used a .270 for years and had killed a lot of deer with it. He thought a 300 short mag would be better and he has lost more deer with it than the whole time he used the .270. I know he has ringed his eye 6 or more times and I feel sure he is flinching.

RE: .243 for whitetails
 

A .243 is just the ticket for year round shooting...Since you enjoy shooting it, you shoot it well and shoot more often...I have converted 5 other deer hunters in the past 5 years to a .243...None have returned to their previous deer rifle...

Most deer hunters flinch in anticipation of the gun's recoils, none admit to this, but it's why deer get hit in the guts and run off...

A deer hit in the lungs with a .243 and the proper buller will run no further than one hit with a .270 and proper deer bullet...

This will be my 27th year using a .243 and I kill at least 5-6 a year with....No problems...

RE: .243 for whitetails
 

A 100 gr 243 bullet has the same sectional density as a 130 gr 270, and factory loads in these weights have the same velocity. On game like deer, it will penetrate just as well as the 270. Deer shoulders, ribs, hearts and lungs are not a problem. And no deer will eever know the difference of .027" bullet diameter between a 243 and 270.

Factory soft point ammos, like CoreLokts or PowerPoints, perform awesome out to 250 yds, and they are cheap. Exit wounds are usually about 1", and most deer run about 25-40 yds with lots of blood. 25% of the time, they fall on the spot.

On deer, inside of 150 yds, I can't tell a difference between my 30-06, 308, 7 mag, or 243.

RE: .243 for whitetails
 

I have a 243 remington mdl 788 . Its right at 20 years old and has killed more deer then I could count . All you gotto do is place it right behind the shoulder and squize the trigger . Its not gonna leave the biggest blood trail but like ths78 said some will hit the ground . Right behind the shoulder hes dead everytime no problem .

RE: .243 for whitetails
 

Its not the size that matters:D, but how you use it, on deer size game and smaller it is a terrific caliber, as long as you make a good shot, Ive killed deer with my .223 and watched them drop within 40yds. If you are wanting a deer/ preditor caliber the .243 will do the job!.

RE: .243 for whitetails
 

Can't say that I have any advice on the topic, but you have settled my mind. Looked at several .243 this weekend and after doing the research on ballistics tables and this forum thread.....sold.

RE: .243 for whitetails
 

243s are great coyote/deer guns. I currently have 3 of them! LOL I just picked up my third one this afternoon. They are very accurate, mild to no recoil, and fairly cheap to shoot for the non-handloader. For deer I use the 95gr Combined Technology BTs and have harvested deer and droped them in their tracks past 300 yards. I've actually only had one deer move after I shot it (and I've shot upwards of 50-60 deer with a 243). I used to use a 30-06, then I bought a 7mag that I used for years, then I started using my 243 because it was lighter to carry (western hunting), and ever since then that has been my go-to deer rifle. It kills just as well as the bigger cartridges with half the recoil. For coyotes check out the Sierra 60gr HPs, they are fur friendly (as long as you miss the shoulder blades).