243 WSSM Concerns for Deer
#11
RE: 243 WSSM Concerns for Deer
Don't Worry Be Happy. Your friend has recoil concerns, better he shoots well with a small caliber than poorly with a large caliber. I've been using a 6mm since 1968 and taken many many whitetails. Most expire within 50 yards.
#12
RE: 243 WSSM Concerns for Deer
I agree you should have no worries about your friend's decision. Though I have not personally killed a deer with a .243 diameter bullet, I have been on a couple of hunts where other people have. The .243 Win. can kill deer cleanly, there is no reason the WSSM can't!!
#13
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Raleigh NC USA
Posts: 352
RE: 243 WSSM Concerns for Deer
What range will he likely be shooting at? The 243 isn't known for its range. And aren't those northern deer on the large size? Sure, the 243 has taken lots of deer, but I think the real question is whether its the most appropriate tool in your particular area. I'm with you on the 7mm-08 but he's probably stuck with what he bought at this point.
The super short magnums pretty much hit the market with a thud and haven't found the user acceptance that the WSM line did. If that doesn't change he's likely to need a reloading kit before too long. Even the folks over on the short mag forum seem to have written them off.
The super short magnums pretty much hit the market with a thud and haven't found the user acceptance that the WSM line did. If that doesn't change he's likely to need a reloading kit before too long. Even the folks over on the short mag forum seem to have written them off.
#14
RE: 243 WSSM Concerns for Deer
heres a comparison of 3 calibers , .243-7-08 and 280. The .243 has about the same or better coeficciency, has more speed even out at 3-400 yds, and is flatter shooting, the only thing the larger caliber has on it is more energy which would only help if you were to hit the shoulder bone on a deer. I use a .243 Win and use Hornady bullets in 100 gr. I have dropped big hogs with complete pass throughs at 200+ yds. I'll take it over almost any caliber.
Your friend is gonna love his WSSM. You have to understand the .243 was a wild cat, it's just a .308 with a 24 cal. bullet on the end, makes for an awsome round.link to caliber comparison
Your friend is gonna love his WSSM. You have to understand the .243 was a wild cat, it's just a .308 with a 24 cal. bullet on the end, makes for an awsome round.link to caliber comparison
#15
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Brantford, Ontaio, Canada
Posts: 140
RE: 243 WSSM Concerns for Deer
ok now think about this....
think of how many people out there use there .223's to kill deer each year? i think everyone else will agree with me that a .243 has quite a bit more power then a .223 so there definatly isnt a problem with using the 243wssm.
like with most other guns....SHOT PLACEMENT, SHOT PLACEMENT, SHOT PLACEMENT....
personally....i would have suggested a 25-06....i hear there great deer guns...
ch312
think of how many people out there use there .223's to kill deer each year? i think everyone else will agree with me that a .243 has quite a bit more power then a .223 so there definatly isnt a problem with using the 243wssm.
like with most other guns....SHOT PLACEMENT, SHOT PLACEMENT, SHOT PLACEMENT....
personally....i would have suggested a 25-06....i hear there great deer guns...
ch312
#16
RE: 243 WSSM Concerns for Deer
First of all, its a great caliber for deer hunting with plenty of power to take a deer down.
Second of all it depends on what the shooter wants, not what other people want.
Second of all it depends on what the shooter wants, not what other people want.
#17
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location:
Posts: 654
RE: 243 WSSM Concerns for Deer
i have killed a couple deer with a 243 and i love it. it has droped deer in there tracks. the only deer i had go over 30 or so yards was a big doe that i shot on the run in the guts. she went about 70 yards and droped. and the 243wssm is a little bit bigger so your buddy is fine. get him up to the range a couple times and your good to go!
#18
RE: 243 WSSM Concerns for Deer
I would never recommend the 243 as a deer rifle so I couldn't give a thumbs up to its slightly bigger cousin. I put the 243 in the same company as the 223 and 22-250.
Most of the problem was with the first bullets that came out in that caliber.
#19
RE: 243 WSSM Concerns for Deer
ORIGINAL: James B
I would never recommend the 243 as a deer rifle so I couldn't give a thumbs up to its slightly bigger cousin. I put the 243 in the same company as the 223 and 22-250. It will kill deer just as a 22 rimfire will but while I was guiding hunters for quite a few years I saw more deer hit and run off not to be found with the 243 than all others combined. Most of the problem was with the first bullets that came out in that caliber. A problem that for the most part does not exist any more but I got real sour on it and don't expect that I will get over it. It is however a perfect varmit rifle.
I would never recommend the 243 as a deer rifle so I couldn't give a thumbs up to its slightly bigger cousin. I put the 243 in the same company as the 223 and 22-250. It will kill deer just as a 22 rimfire will but while I was guiding hunters for quite a few years I saw more deer hit and run off not to be found with the 243 than all others combined. Most of the problem was with the first bullets that came out in that caliber. A problem that for the most part does not exist any more but I got real sour on it and don't expect that I will get over it. It is however a perfect varmit rifle.
Be sure to tell that to these bucks I killed with the .243. Some of you have probably already seen this thread, some of you havent, these were last years bucks.Link to my 2 bucks.