RE: 243 caliber for deer?
 

remington model 7'sor ruger model 77 compact nice bolt guns in a small package. Many choices for chambering. .243 w/ 100 gr sierra gk. works every time.

RE: 243 caliber for deer?
 

.243 is a great round for youth and females who don't like recoil. as far as a 20" barrel goes, it should work fine.

RE: 243 caliber for deer?
 

So, if you are 52 years old and 6ft 5 inches, 250 pounds, you shouldn't shoot a .243???:D

RE: 243 caliber for deer?
 

I am 5'10" and weigh about 225 , and am 43 years old.... I own a Model 7 in 7mm-08 and a Ruger M77 Compact .243. The Rem. barrel is 18 " and the Ruger is 16.5 ..... And I LOVE both of those guns. They are light , easy to carry and manuver in tower, ladder, or climbing / hang on stands. So no, they are not just for women. And for the record, I have several full size / length rifles, but I use the shorter one much more.

And if you feel you just have to have more energy and velocity, then shoot Hornady Lite Mag ammo. Thats about all I shoot in any of my guns these days. It is accurate and the deer D.R.T.

RE: 243 caliber for deer?
 

my daughters remington 700SPS youth is a great gun I use it alot when its wet out( due to synthetic stock) and it shots great,I killed a doe this year at a ranged 368yards she never made it out of the field,with good shot placement the 243 is an excellent deer caliber.Her rem. loves federal fusion 95 grainers.My savage 110 loves the 100grainers.these are great guns.If you really want a neat little gun that would be good for smaller people like me look at the ruger compact I own one in 223 and it's sweet,and a good shooter,they come in 223,243,260,308,and maybe 7mm-08 not sure about that one,but these are good little guns and smaller than the remington youth models,they also have nice checkered wood stocks,or laminated in stainless or blue,nice guns.rem sps-$459 ruger compact-$549 est. price.

RE: 243 caliber for deer?
 

Given the choice, I'll grab a short barreled rifle 99% of the time. They are just so much handier and easier to carry and maneuver, I could care less about what precious little velocity I may be losing. I've never had a deer or varmint complain about my barrel length.:)

RE: 243 caliber for deer?
 

Never had anywhitetails complain about my barrel length either but cant say the same for some of the ex gf's :D:D

RE: 243 caliber for deer?
 

If you're on a budget a Howa 1500 youth is a great gun. You can get it in .243 with a composite stock. Light, short, easy handling and less than $300. Better than a lot of the guns mentioned. And much, much less expensive. .243...a great caliber for deer. Ammunition where ever you go. Only topped by a 30.06 as far as ammo availability.

RE: 243 caliber for deer?
 

You might also want to check out the 95gr Combined Technology Ballistic Tip. It does wonders on deer. ;)

I have alot of guns in my safe, and every deer season I grab my 243, and its always a Bang FLOP.

RE: 243 caliber for deer?
 

Joe,
The 243 win is a great chose. My daughter,son,Me and last year for the first time my grandaughterall use 243s. THe only thing we don't agree on is what bullet to use. My son likes the 95 gr BT,My daughter likes the 100 hornady sp ,I load the 85 gr Barns tsx for my grandaughter and my favorite is the 100 gr hornady round nose.