.308 or .243
 

HI! im looking at a remigton bolt action varmit rifle in a .308 or .243 my main purpose would be plinking a little bit but mostly hunting varmit to deer in ms where shoot dont exceed over 200 yards in my area i looked into the .308 and it has a 12'' twist own the barrel and was wondering if it would shoot light or heavy loads better cause i know bout the prajectores but not much own twist in the barrels! thanks for the help guys!

RE: .308 or .243
 

I am wanting to get the SPS varmint aswell but as an extended range starter rig. IF you are only going to be shooting 200 yards I wouldn't worry about getting a 26'' barrel the normal 20'' and 22'' barrels the 308 usually comes with can handle 400+ yards with ease. The 26'' barrel can become a nusence if you are hunting in thick woods or a small shooting house.

RE: .308 or .243
 

Every rifle shoots certain loads differently. As to wheather the .308 or the .243 is the better round, either will work adquately at 200 yards. The .308 holds more velocity and retained energy at 200 yards + , but either will work. The rate of twist will be basically the same in rifles of the same cal. They all have this down to a science, so the best rate for the cal. is not a guess anymore.

If you are looking for personal preference.... I would go with the .308. It will do everything you want it to do for deer, and also other game as well if you decide to shoot longer distances or hunt for other game in the future.

MET

RE: .308 or .243
 

If your thinking varmint I would opt for the .243. You can shoot lighter varmint bullets that will shoot flatter. However at 200 yards both will shoot pretty flat. And both will work great for deer. I own a .243 by the way and that is what I got it for, varmints with the possibility of deer (no centerfire where I live).

Paul

RE: .308 or .243
 

Do what ?
Comparing bullets of the same sectional density i.e a 100 gr .243 to a 150 gr .308.
The .243 starts off faster and ends faster, it does not have the KE of the .308 ( about 200ft/lbs less@ 500 yds) but to bad energy doesnt kill.
The .243 is faster, flatter by about 7" at 500 yds, still pushing 2k fps at 500 yds, about 4" less wind drift at 500 yds.
.243 is the clear winnerat long range

RE: .308 or .243
 

When it comes to deer, the 308 wins hands down. Period.

RE: .308 or .243
 

I agree with James B. The .308 is a classic deer rifle. A .243 would be perfect for a varmint rifle.

RE: .308 or .243
 

I typicallyused a .30-06 or .300 WSM for deer. I bought my son a .243's for deer hunting.I enjoyed shooting his .243 so much I went out and got my own. The .243 is a fine deer rifle that is also great for varmits. You said plinking with some hunting. Plinking is far more enjoyable with a .243 vs the .308.

I have a .308 and like it, but I prefer the .243.

RE: .308 or .243
 

when it comes to anything the .243 wins period. Keep your bullet lobbing .308.
When your .308 leaves holes in deer and hogs like the pics I have posted I might listen, untill then, your opinion means nothing.

I show undeniable proof what a .243 does to deer and hogs.
It leaves big F'n holes.

RE: .308 or .243
 

Zrex - My son shot a deer last year with a very similar sized hole. The shot was a little low and everything in the boiler room was hanging out side the deer.I'll spare you the photos.

In short I agree, the .243 is a potent cartriage.

RE: .308 or .243
 

Cartridge Information




Index Number
Cartridge Type
Weight (grs.)
Bullet Style
Primer No.
Ballistic Coefficient

PRA243WA
Premier® AccuTip™
95
AccuTip™
9 1/2
0.355

PRSC308WA
Premier® Scirocco™ Bonded
150
Swift™ Scirocco™ Bonded
9 1/2
0.435

PRA308WB
Premier® AccuTip™
165
AccuTip™ Boat Tail
9 1/2
0.447



Velocity (ft/sec)




Cartridge Type
Bullet
Muzzle
100
200
300
400
500

Premier® AccuTip™
95 AT
3120
2847
2590
2347
2118
1902

Premier® Scirocco™ Bonded
150 SSB
2820
2611
2410
2219
2037
1863

Premier® AccuTip™
165 AT BT
2700
2501
2311
2129
1956
1792



Energy (ft-lbs)




Cartridge Type
Bullet
Muzzle
100
200
300
400
500

Premier® AccuTip™
95 AT
2053
1710
1415
1162
946
763

Premier® Scirocco™ Bonded
150 SSB
2648
2269
1935
1640
1381
1156

Premier® AccuTip™
165 AT BT
2670
2292
1957
1661
1401
1176



Short-Range Trajectory




Cartridge Type
Bullet
50
100
150
200
250
300

Premier® AccuTip™
95 AT
0.0
0.5
zero
-1.7
-4.6
-9.2

Premier® Scirocco™ Bonded
150 SSB
0.0
zero
-1.1
-3.6
-7.6
-13.2

Premier® AccuTip™
165 AT BT
-0.1
zero
-1.3
-4.1
-8.5
-14.7



Long-Range Trajectory




Cartridge Type
Bullet
100
150
200
250
300
400
500

Premier® AccuTip™
95 AT
0.5
1.3
zero
-2.7
-6.6
-19.5
-40.2

Premier® Scirocco™ Bonded
150 SSB
1.8
1.6
zero
-3.1
-7.8
-22.7
-46.0

Premier® AccuTip™
165 AT BT
2.0
1.8
zero
-3.4
-8.6
-24.8
-50.1



The .243 is losing vel. faster than the .308. I said the .308 is holding more vel.. ( losing less per 100 yards ) than the .243. And at 500 yards, there is 5.8 inches difference, not 7 inches , and the .308 is holding about 390 ft. / lab. more energy.....not 200.

I shoot both cal.'s and I don't need to get an attitude about which does what. I can state my case without trying to demean others. Everyone has an opinion, and I can respect others opinions. But I will say that a .308 is hardly " lobbing " bullets .... Thats why it is the chosen cartridge of match shooting. But even if I disagree to some extent with what you are saying, I can still do it while allowing for your opinion.

And last time I heard, vel. isnt what kills .... A 30-30 has killed a lot of deer, but it isn't exactly a barn burner.... And if that were true, then we should all be using 22-250's and smaller faster rounds....

MET

RE: .308 or .243
 

Either one will do the job just fine. I would choose the .243 just because it will have less recoil, but the animal won't know the difference.

RE: .308 or .243
 

lets compare apples to apples
that 9" difference @ 500 yds
and what sheds less velocity- .243
and what sheds less energy--- .243






Cartridge Information




Index Number
Cartridge Type
Weight (grs.)
Bullet Style
Primer No.
Ballistic Coefficient

R243W3
Remington® Express®
100
Pointed Soft Point Core-Lokt®
9 1/2
0.356

R308W1
Remington® Express®
150
Pointed Soft Point Core-Lokt®
9 1/2
0.314



Velocity (ft/sec)




Cartridge Type
Bullet
Muzzle
100
200
300
400
500

Remington® Express®
100 PSP CL
2960
2697
2449
2215
1993
1786

Remington® Express®
150 PSP CL
2820
2533
2263
2009
1774
1560



Energy (ft-lbs)




Cartridge Type
Bullet
Muzzle
100
200
300
400
500

Remington® Express®
100 PSP CL
1945
1615
1332
1089
882
708

Remington® Express®
150 PSP CL
2648
2137
1705
1344
1048
810



Short-Range Trajectory




Cartridge Type
Bullet
50
100
150
200
250
300

Remington® Express®
100 PSP CL
0.1
0.7
zero
-2.0
-5.4
-10.4

Remington® Express®
150 PSP CL
0.0
zero
-1.2
-3.9
-8.4
-14.7



Long-Range Trajectory




Cartridge Type
Bullet
100
150
200
250
300
400
500

Remington® Express®
100 PSP CL
1.6
1.5
zero
-2.9
-7.5
-22.1
-45.4

Remington® Express®
150 PSP CL
2.0
1.7
zero
-3.4
-8.8
-26.2
-54.8

RE: .308 or .243
 

Thats fine zreex .... you choose your bullet and I'll choose mine .... we can both back our opinion with different charts... it an opinion .... no right and no wrong...

It's kind of like accounting, numbers can be shaped to fit what ever the accountant needs.

Good luck this season....

RE: .308 or .243
 

I love both of these calibers,and for varmint and deer I would shoot either and have complete confidence in their killing ability out to 350yards or so after that I would have to go with the 308 and hornady light magnum ammo.but this is my opinion I own both of these calibers and many others,and love them both!

RE: .308 or .243
 

yup, we can go around and around. LOL
but in this ballistic searching I found a new round loaded for the .243.
Its listed on the federal website.
an 80gr speer hot core SP.
WOW, that thing is flying and is listed as a medium game round. It surpassed the 85gr sierra gameking in every department.
You .243 shooters, have you seen this yet.
34" drop at 500 yds and over 2k fps at that distance.
NChawkey have you seen this round ? I know you like the 85gr.

RE: .308 or .243
 

General Information:









Load No[/align]

Caliber[/align]

Grains/ Grams[/align]

Bullet Style[/align]

Brand[/align]

Use[/align]

[align=center]243AS[/align]
[align=center]243 Win. (6.16x51mm)[/align]
[align=center]80 / 5.18[/align]
[align=center]Speer Hot-Cor SP[/align]
[align=center]PowerShok[/align]
[align=center]
document.write(FederalBallisticsDetails.GetUsages( '2 ',true));
[/align]

[align=center]6AS[/align]
[align=center]6mm Rem.[/align]
[align=center]80 / 5.18[/align]
[align=center]Soft Point[/align]
[align=center]PowerShok[/align]
[align=center]
document.write(FederalBallisticsDetails.GetUsages( '2 ',true));
[/align]

[align=center]P2506D[/align]
[align=center]25-06 Rem.[/align]
[align=center]100 / 6.48[/align]
[align=center]Nosler Ballistic Tip[/align]
[align=center]Premium VitalShok[/align]
[align=center]
document.write(FederalBallisticsDetails.GetUsages( '2 ',true));
[/align]
Ballistics Comparisons:








Velocity in Feet per Second (To nearest 10 FPS)
[align=center]
Velocity[/align]


Load No[/align]

Caliber[/align]

Muzzle[/align]

100 Y[/align]

200 Y[/align]

300 Y[/align]

400 Y[/align]

500 Y[/align]

[align=center]243AS[/align]
[align=center]243 Win. (6.16x51mm)[/align]
[align=center]3330[/align]
[align=center]3051[/align]
[align=center]2790[/align]
[align=center]2543[/align]
[align=center]2309[/align]
[align=center]2088[/align]

[align=center]6AS[/align]
[align=center]6mm Rem.[/align]
[align=center]3400[/align]
[align=center]3117[/align]
[align=center]2851[/align]
[align=center]2601[/align]
[align=center]2364[/align]
[align=center]2140[/align]

[align=center]P2506D[/align]
[align=center]25-06 Rem.[/align]
[align=center]3220[/align]
[align=center]2968[/align]
[align=center]2729[/align]
[align=center]2503[/align]
[align=center]2288[/align]
[align=center]2084[/align]








Energy in Foot Pounds (To nearest 5 Foot Pounds)
[align=center]
Energy[/align]


Load No[/align]

Caliber[/align]

Muzzle[/align]

100 Y[/align]

200 Y[/align]

300 Y[/align]

400 Y[/align]

500 Y[/align]

[align=center]243AS[/align]
[align=center]243 Win. (6.16x51mm)[/align]
[align=center]1970[/align]
[align=center]1654[/align]
[align=center]1382[/align]
[align=center]1148[/align]
[align=center]947[/align]
[align=center]774[/align]

[align=center]6AS[/align]
[align=center]6mm Rem.[/align]
[align=center]2053[/align]
[align=center]1725[/align]
[align=center]1444[/align]
[align=center]1202[/align]
[align=center]993[/align]
[align=center]813[/align]

[align=center]P2506D[/align]
[align=center]25-06 Rem.[/align]
[align=center]2302[/align]
[align=center]1955[/align]
[align=center]1654[/align]
[align=center]1391[/align]
[align=center]1162[/align]
[align=center]964[/align]








Wind Drift in Inches (at 10 MPH)
[align=center]
Wind Drift[/align]


Load No[/align]

Caliber[/align]

100 Y[/align]

200 Y[/align]

300 Y[/align]

400 Y[/align]

500 Y[/align]

[align=center]243AS[/align]
[align=center]243 Win. (6.16x51mm)[/align]
[align=center]0.7[/align]
[align=center]3.0[/align]
[align=center]6.9[/align]
[align=center]12.8[/align]
[align=center]21.1[/align]

[align=center]6AS[/align]
[align=center]6mm Rem.[/align]
[align=center]0.7[/align]
[align=center]2.9[/align]
[align=center]6.8[/align]
[align=center]12.5[/align]
[align=center]20.5[/align]

[align=center]P2506D[/align]
[align=center]25-06 Rem.[/align]
[align=center]0.7[/align]
[align=center]2.8[/align]
[align=center]6.6[/align]
[align=center]12.3[/align]
[align=center]20.1[/align]








Average Range
[align=center]
Average Range[/align]


Load No[/align]

Caliber[/align]

50 Y[/align]

100 Y[/align]

200 Y[/align]

300 Y[/align]

[align=center]243AS[/align]
[align=center]243 Win. (6.16x51mm)[/align]
[align=center]-0.3[/align]
[align=center][/align]
[align=center]-2.2[/align]
[align=center]-9.0[/align]

[align=center]6AS[/align]
[align=center]6mm Rem.[/align]
[align=center]-0.3[/align]
[align=center][/align]
[align=center]-2.1[/align]
[align=center]-8.5[/align]

[align=center]P2506D[/align]
[align=center]25-06 Rem.[/align]
[align=center]-0.3[/align]
[align=center][/align]
[align=center]-2.5[/align]
[align=center]-9.6[/align]








Long Range
[align=center]
Long Range[/align]


Load No[/align]

Caliber[/align]

50 Y[/align]

100 Y[/align]

200 Y[/align]

300 Y[/align]

400 Y[/align]

500 Y[/align]

[align=center]243AS[/align]
[align=center]243 Win. (6.16x51mm)[/align]
[align=center]0.2[/align]
[align=center]1.1[/align]
[align=center][/align]
[align=center]-5.6[/align]
[align=center]-16.6[/align]
[align=center]-34.2[/align]

[align=center]6AS[/align]
[align=center]6mm Rem.[/align]
[align=center]0.2[/align]
[align=center]1.0[/align]
[align=center][/align]
[align=center]-5.4[/align]
[align=center]-15.8[/align]
[align=center]-32.6[/align]

[align=center]P2506D[/align]
[align=center]25-06 Rem.[/align]
[align=center]0.3[/align]
[align=center]1.2[/align]
[align=center][/align]
[align=center]-5.9[/align]
[align=center]-17.3[/align]
[align=center]-35.5[/align][/align]


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RE: .308 or .243
 

try the hornady 58grain v-max at 3760fps and you've got a great long range varmint gun,my rem.700 loves them and my savage 110 will shoot them around 1 1/2 inch groups.I dont think they are heavy enough for deer though,I'm sure many have been killed with them,for deer I like the 100 grain federal fusion in 243 and the 150 or 165 light mag in 308.

RE: .308 or .243
 

Yup, that sucker is moving, but I personally have never felt very comfortable going that light in a .243 round for deer. I get a little uneasy going below 95 gr. I know a lot of folks do, and with favorable results, but I guess I just want a little more lead thrown at the deer. Maybe I feel that lighter bullets may have a tendancy to explode ( fragment ) easier on impact, and not get penetration. I don't have any data to back this up, just kind of a personal feeling.

But none the less, that 80 gr. momma is flying.

MET

RE: .308 or .243
 

I once read an article about this on an antilope hunt where the light bullet exploded on impact and they followed the goat for several miles and shot it again,man that would be hard to do on a whitetail in ky.thats why I like 100grainers as a minimun for deer,but thats just my opinion.I normally use 150's.but I have killed many deer with my 243 also,100 grain federal fusions.

RE: .308 or .243
 

The wrong bullet or a poorly placedshot will do that every time . Not something that can be made up by using a bigger bullet . I have been using 85 gr bullets on deer and antelope for years and have never shot one twice and never lost one either . A little knowledge of the bullets your shooting helps along with some range time to see where it shoots.

RE: .308 or .243
 

haha 243 sucks haha, in my opinion, 308 will take anything in north america from gophers to grizzleys. why waste ur time on a 243 when u can have a 308 haha, just my $0.2

RE: .308 or .243
 

zrexpilot...I haven't tried those Federal 80gr HotCores...I have killed several with the 100gr HotCore and they worked fine...Frankly that 85gr Sierra HPBT is so good as a longe range bullet that I didn't need to experiment with others...I've been stocking up on ammo for the past 2 years and have settled on the Federal Premium 85gr Sierra GameKing HPBT and the Remington 100gr CoreLokt...My gun shoots the 85gr 1/2 an inch higher at 100 yards than the CoreLokt, so I use the 85gr over fields and the CoreLokts in the woods and smaller fields...

mike87...For game up to and including deer then the .243 is all that's needed...I have killed over 150 with mine and have only lost one since 1980...It's used year round for coyotes, groundhogs, crows, wild dogs, deer and even 6 black bears that were eating my peanuts...That's the secret to being a good shot, using the same rifle and shooting more in the field, not at the range off sandbags...

We kill 40-50 deer a year on our 3 farms and various other centerfire rifles are used...Calibers from .243 to 30-06 are all fine for deer...Hit a with center lung shot a deer will run from 30-75 yards, no matter what caliber is used...In fact, youcan see more difference between different type bulletsused in the same caliber than you will between different calibers, that's the secret...Each caliber has certain bullets (or factory loadings) that just seem to excell when it comes to penetration, weight retention and the size of the wound channel...

If you do buy the .308, select your varmit bullets carefully...They need to be fragile to reduce richocets...

RE: .308 or .243
 

I'm a believer of the .243!

RE: .308 or .243
 

I own a 308, and a few 243s. 243 is definately my choice when I want a nice, light, walking deer gun. I do ALOT of varmint blasting, and 90% of the time my 243 is in my hands. I found 95gr Combined Technology BTs are my cup of tea, and I know it will anchor a 250lb buck in its tracks at a lasered 472 yards.

RE: .308 or .243
 

The original question was regarding varmints to deer. Not gophers to grizzlies. So, your twenty cents was spent based on an irrelevant premise and isn't worth $0.02... Frankly, anyone who thinks the ".243 sucks" for "varmints to deer" doesn't know what he's talking about.

And, you might consider using "you" and "your" instead of "u" and "ur", or folks are likely to figure you're 12.

RE: .308 or .243
 

haha You don't know anything about guns. haha And your going to end up as grizzly poop, haha

RE: .308 or .243
 

The .243 is a necked down .308 anyways. In my opinion, it is more suited for varmints. The .308 is a legendary, wickedly accurate cartridge, capable of taking any game on this continent.

RE: .308 or .243
 

There we go finally some one who has somthing good to say about 308 not stupid frigin 243s. Why would u buy a 243 for varmitns to deer maybe some day this guy will go elk or moose huting ever think about that, thats why the 308 comes in handy not a 243,

RE: .308 or .243
 

Who says a 243 won't kill an elk? And I know plenty of people that think hunting moose with a 308 would be retarded. Then again I know people that think the 30-06 is a minimum for deer, where I think it's overkill.

In my opinion a .308 would make a poor round for varmints, the 243 is almost too big. For a true varmint gun you want a fast light flat shooting bullet, but you can make a good compromise with the .243.

The truth is the .243 is a great deer round and works fairly well on varmints as well because of the ammo choices available and the flat shooting characteristics of the round. Maybe if the guy wants to hunt Elk and Moose he will just get another rifle more suited to those endeavors, like a 7mm mag or a 300 win mag.

And for that matter why would you waste your time on a .308 when the 30-06 is far superior and just as popular if not more so. I personally don't see the need for the .308 myself, it's a bit outdated really.

My point is you can argue this any way you want really, it boils down to a matter of opinion in the end.

Paul

RE: .308 or .243
 

did you bother to read what the original poster asked, well I show you below.

he said nothing about elk or moose.
(plinking and varmints to deer) clear winner is the .243
If I had only a .243 and I had a chance to go elk or moose hunting, I would not have one single problem bagging one. If you cant kill a moose with a .243, you suck at hunting. Dude I could do it with a .22 mag if thats all I had.

RE: .308 or .243
 

The 243 win is a much better varmint cartridge,and it also works very well on deer,given the 200 yards specified.

RE: .308 or .243
 

I just have one question............How old are you? 12 or 13 and how much experience do you actually have with either cartridge???

RE: .308 or .243
 

My ballistics info shows the 30-06 and the .308 to be very comparable in velocity and trajectory.I'm not defending either one but facts are facts,not opinions. But so far as the topic of this thread goes, a light bullet is available for the .308 Win. especially if you reload good for varmints.For long range shooting I would go with a rapid expanding bullet.

RE: .308 or .243
 

Well I stand corrected, I always thought there was a larger difference between the two, but after looking them up the -06 only gives you about 100 or so extra fps for the same weight bullet.

The one time I don't research my answer and it bite me in the butt.

Paul

RE: .308 or .243
 

I've converted five 30-06 owners in the last few years, they all now shoot .243s...

Every one on them flinched, I could out shoot them with their own gun, they were bringing them to me to clean, scope, adjust the trigger and sight them in...They just didn't like going out and shooting their gun...

They all bought an '06 in case they ever went elk hunting...

Boys, IF you can afford an elk hunt, you can afford a new elk rifle...OR...Most of us know a guy that has a .300 Mag stuck in a safe that he doesn't use
I know 3 off the top of my head here in NC...Borrow his gun, pay him back in elk steaks...:D

Frankly, if I had the money to go on an elk hunt, I'd be toting my .54 caliber flintlock, loaded with 100 to 120 grs of Goex and a round ball...

For you inline guys...100grs and a 300 Barnes MZ would be hard to beat...

I figure if it's once in a lifetime, take something worth remembering...

RE: .308 or .243
 

I never understood why you people post the same stupid question every month.
Do you have any clue what the search function is?

Or is this your idea of entertainment having yet another X vs. Y thread that spans 5+ pages and degenerates into petty bickering by people that have zero clue what they talking about?

Might as well start posting Ford vs Chevy, Waffles vs Pancakes, Cake vs Pie, Coke vs Pepsi while you're at it.

RE: .308 or .243
 

Chevy (GMC)...
Pancakes
Cake
Pepsi...:D

RE: .308 or .243
 

I think it's long past time that topics such as this are reported for deletion. They are intentionally argumentative and don't answer any particular question or problem. They always degenerate into flame wars and should therefore be removed.

16. Brand Bashing and generally arguementative posts will not be tolerated. Legitimate posts regarding problems that you have experienced with a particular piece of equipment or service will be allowed. However, posts that are directly bashing a product or manufacturer are not allowed on HuntingNet.com. These forums and chat room are designed as a place for hunters to gather to exchange stories, advice, and meet other hunters from around the world - not to argue amongst ourselves or to talk down about any individual business or product. All posts of this nature will be removed and disciplinary action will be taken against their author.

RE: .308 or .243
 

My own preference for the 308win is due to the fact that it can be chambered in a short action,and it does produce less recoil than the 30-06 if a person is at all recoil sensitive.