hillbillyhunter1

Greetings

I've got a fishing buddy who is about 55 years old living here in WV. Really nice guy but has about as much "outdoor savy" as Jessica Simpson. He's got a small collection of firearms that he never shoots (mostly pistols, historical type MLs, and nice shotguns).

Anyway he wants to buy a decent deer rifle.

I am trying to steer him towards a tikka t3 in .243. In the best case scenario I expect he may wonder around a little property he has and shoot a doe or small buck. He's definately not "hard core" in the least, and should never take a shot more than 200 yds (more likely < 100)in any case, imo. The Cabelas salesman (on the phone) is trying to talk him into a .30-06 because it's more versatile. He doesn't know my buddy that well.

I myself have shot dozens and dozens of deer with my 6mm and know it's a killer. I've shot a couple with a .243 as well and have had friendswho use themfor years.I know this guy will never "graduate" to bigger game than whitetails. He occasionally has problems with his shoulder and I figure he will not have near the fun with that '06 as he will the.243.

My question is (after all that): Can anyone see an advantage for the '06 in this case???

salukipv1

.243 is a good option, I'm picking one up for antelope and maybe deer.

For what you described one of the .308 versions is certainly the way to go I think. Though I think the 7mm-08 might be a better choice, more versatile than the .243 just in case, also under 200yds, youc ould shoot a heavier bullet, and while the .243 could do the job, on deer.....under 200 yds, I think the 7mm-08 would be better. and loading up to 160grs or so in the future say on a bear hunt or somethin gif that were to come would certrainly be better than a 100gr bullet, or on hogs perhaps?

burntmuch

I dont think he can go wrong with either one for deer. Ive never hunted with a 243 . I have one but have only shot paper with it.

hillbillyhunter1

The 7mm-08 is a good option the salukipiv, that I had not considered before, although I did also consider the .308.

Believe me, this guy will never shoot anything bigger or tougher than deer. I love him to death but would be REAL reluctant to even take him on any kind of serious hunt--even for deer.

I figured .243 would also be about the most economical as far as ammo. .308 is right there too but for some reason I like the .24 caliber in this situation.

Thanks guys

VAhuntr

What if he gets the "fever" and really gets hooked though? I have seen this happen before to people who were not big hunters until they started killing a few deer. I think a .30-06 or a .270 would be a better choice in the T-3 since all T-3's are long actions. My concern would be his shoulder problems with the 30-06 or .270, especially if he buys the T-3 Lite.

Go Kiwi

7-08 is a nice compromise, reasonable recoil & good killing power. If he is not much of a hunter then he probably wont be much of a tracker - the 7-08 will penetrate & leave a blood trail, the .243 dosent always penetrate so no trail.

.270 or 30-06 for a guy with shoulder problems??? Enjoyable to shoot either calibre??? Give me a break!

Colorado Luckydog

If he get's the "fever", he'll gladly pay the extra dough for the 30.06 or 300RUM at a later date. It seems you know this old boy pretty good. I would do your best in leading him towards the .243. The .243 is a great whitetail round. Good luck! It's a good thing you're doing for your fishing buddy!!!

eldeguello

No. The .30/'06 is way morerifle than most deer hunters will ever need. The .243 would be a better choice. The only time I would recommend the '06 is if the guy can afford only one rifle, and he will use it west of the Mississippi River for elk, moose, and bear as well as deer..... In addition, he can use it for varmint shooting, for which the '06 is a bit much. The .308 is alot closer to being an '06 than anything else. The .260 Remington or 7-'08 would also be good choices.

My dautghter-in-law kille her bull elk every year with her .243!

nchawkeye

Most of the guys that I knew that shot a 30-06 flinched...Also, most of them have now moved to a .243...Deer hit in the lungs with a .243 drop just as fast as those hit with an '06...

homers brother

".243 won't penetrate"?

.243 is fine for deer, especially if you're concerned about recoil. The .260, 7mm-08, and .308 might be worth considering too. I've used a .243 for years on whitetails, mule deer, and antelope. It's every bit as effective (sometimes I beleive MORE effective) than the .30-06s and .270s we also carry to the woods.

And yes, the .243 will produce a blood trail just like the other cartridges, I've never had to trail a deer hit with it veryfar, but yes, it DID penetrate.