.243 or .308
 

hi i was wondering what would be the better choice, the 243 or the 308, im just gonna be shooting at birds, coons, ground hogs, stuff like that, maybe the occasional computer monitor, cans, or fruit. I noticed to reload the ammo is about the same for each caliber, but buying at like cabelas i think there is a bigger variety of ammo.

Which caliber do you think would be the best for me?

is there much differance than the size of the round?

And is the Savage 243 a good rifle, cus thats what im currently looking at?

Thanks

RE: .243 or .308
 

Well, for birds and coons a 20 guage shotgun would work pretty good, but for ground hogs and well, coons a 243 would probably be the better bet. A 22 would probably be an even better thing to buy for that kind of shooting, it works wonders on any of those pest and is a hellava lot cheaper to shoot than either the 243 ot 308. Not to mention it sounds as if you are pretty fresh into shooting and a 22 is a great starting point.

RE: .243 or .308
 

well ive been shooting guns since i have been little, and shot most calibers, but its been awhile since ive shot anything very big. i have 2 22's right now, and a 12 gauge. i want something taht has range unlike the shotgun, but more power than a 22 because that gets boring eventually, granted u can unload hundreds of rounds fairly cheap. so thats why i want a gun with alil more kick and destruction. my cousin has a .30-06 and is full of it but i dont thnk i would want one, and i kinda like the big bullet of the 308, but a 243 might do it, alil cheaper than the rest. but i dont know yet. lol

RE: .243 or .308
 

For strictly a "plinking" caliber, I would go with a 223. Ammo is going to be cheaper than 243 or 308, but if you are totally hung up on either 243 or 308, I would go with 308 since surplus ammo can be had for it at less cost.

RE: .243 or .308
 

Ditto to Retrieverman if you have to choose between a .243 annd .308. However, for what you have posted, I would look at the.223 or something comperable, and there are a ton of em.

For plinking well beyond .22 Long Rifle, I bought a 17 HRM and love it. 2,550 fps and it is an honest 150 yard plinker; but it hates wind, so if you shoot in a windy area, it is a terrable idea.

RE: .243 or .308
 

A .223 would be more than enough rifle for everything mentioned, and the ammo is still cheaper than .308 or .243.

RE: .243 or .308
 

I would recommend a .22 WMR, or .22 Magnum, it's a great gun for coons and groundhogs, even coyotes from within 100 yards, from what I hear, and you can get it in a fun lever action rifle from Henry Arms Company or something.

RE: .243 or .308
 

The 243 is a necked down 308, and is a good long range varmint cartridge. It will give you a lot more rock & roll excitement shooting. Savages are not sexy but they get the job done and the accutrigger is a nice feature. Go for it. Let us know how it does for you.

The 308 is only slightly less powerful than the 30 06 and kicks in the same class.

RE: .243 or .308
 

I'd like to make a correction on the suggestion of cheep surplus ammo for the 308, they aint non!
I've never thought of the 243 as a varmint round, as arround here we have always used it on deer with great results .
Many shooters are using it on varmints however and with great results provided the right bullets are used.
I do hope you don't intent to shoot coons while they are in trees with any centerfire rifle as this is very dangerous, the bullet will come back to earth somewhere and could cause serious injury or death to an unseen person.
I have a 30cal 150 gr bullet which I removed from the exterior wall of my home after it passed thru the roof and framing of my carport, it was coming down at a steep angle from some idoit shooting into the air, a real wake up call!!

RE: .243 or .308
 

243 is just a necked down 30'06 - so I would say the 308 - just speaking chambers. The game you are shooting does not need this type of round. I would look at a 222 or 223 - or even a 410 that you could also shoot a 25 slug and deer hunt if you want. Both the 243 and 308 are also great deer rounds. Reloading both will save alot of $$ if you like to knock off a few boxeson a Saturday.

Looks like you are best off buying 1 of each - just to be sure and have what you need. :)