Tired of the 243 debate
 

Is anyone else tired of the .243 debate? It's on almost evey shooting or hunting forum I visit. Nobody ever changes their mind, they just argue the whole time filling up the boards with hearsay. I say we put a gag order on arguing whether it's is a viable deer cartridge or not for awhile.

RE: Tired of the 243 debate
 

I guess you missed this: http://forum.hunting.net/asppg/tm.asp?m=876748

A picture says a thousand words...

RE: Tired of the 243 debate
 

No, I didn't miss it. I'm just tired of debating it. People take this .243 debate way to seriously.

RE: Tired of the 243 debate
 

Yes , just ban less than 25 cal .

RE: Tired of the 243 debate
 

Never said a 243Win. wasn't adequate - it's just MINIMAL!
And, yes, that's based on experience/use of it for several years.
Great varmint cartridge, though.

RE: Tired of the 243 debate
 

We could always talk about the .270 and elk if you would rather.;):D

I don't think we have discussed that one for at least a month now. Seems about time again.[&:];)

RE: Tired of the 243 debate
 

270Win. is adequate for elk - but it's minimal :D

RE: Tired of the 243 debate
 

Amen, I am so tired of th 243 bashing. I've used one on deer for many years and never, ever had a problem of being undergunned or the bullet not working right. I've taken deer at odd angles and out to 225 yds, never a problem.

RE: Tired of the 243 debate
 

Gary Alt reported that 2 of the 4 deer killed in Pennsylvania this year were killed with 243s. One ( a doe) was shot with a non-premium bullet in the tail and dropped in its tracks while the other (meeting the antler restrictions) was double lunged and ran 200 yards. It has yet to be determined if the 243 was either adequate or inadequate for the job. One of the other deer was shot with a 35 Rem. Alt felt that the 30-30 would have been better.

There, I mentioned just about everything I'm sick of seeing on this board.

Merry Christmas

RE: Tired of the 243 debate
 

So, bigbulls...should I use a .270 on elk? [8D]

RE: Tired of the 243 debate
 

Not near as tired as I am of people insisting on using their 22s on deer.

RE: Tired of the 243 debate
 

ya'll need to get away from behind those keyboards and get out and shoot something once in a while... instead of reading all these "experts" commentary... the 22-250 is quite adequate for deer in anyones hands that can place a shot where they want it... and has sense enough to know where to place it... the 243 is good for anything in the continental US that grows horn... if the 22 cal's and the 243 aren't what you're confident enough in your abilities to shoot then DO NOT sit and try to bash us that can use them with great results... the way ya'll sit and whine it's evident you wouldn't do as I do and shoot a 375H&H for deer either... eat right up to the hole... don't get the bloodshot meat like you do with the 243... that's just minimal for deer... lolol ya'll need to get out and shoot something other than the breeze...

RE: Tired of the 243 debate
 

well said rockfish. I have used a 22-250 on whitetails here in Texas with great results. I have used a 50 gr, hollow point and blown some big, big holes in them. To me the .30 calibers just pierce, no devestation like the smaller faster calibers.

Most people blame bad shots on the caliber, same with bowhunting and the fixed blade or expandables debate. They make a bad shot and they blame the expandable.

RE: Tired of the 243 debate
 

All I wanna know is what kinda bullets are being used because unless it has been a direct broadside shot I have had sorry luck with quartering and angling shots with my 243. Case in point...tried to put one behind the ribcage on a deer quartering away....well it hit the back rib done a 90 degree turn went through guts and out in front of rear leg. Before you say its my shooting..I dont think a single rib should EVER stop a bullet and if it does..theres a problem somewhere. This was with a 100 gr Sierra Gameking Federal Premium load. Needless to say what should have been a slam dunk shot turned into an all day chase. That wasnt the only time something like that has happened. Most of my hunting is still hunting and I almost NEVER get a perfect broadside shot.


Im glad you guys like it and glad it works for you....it just doesnt for me.

RE: Tired of the 243 debate
 

Thats very hard to believe doedumper. I have used it many many times in every brand of bullet and have had no problems whatsoever. Dont take offense but it sounds like you just plain gut shot her. The tiny rib on a deer just aint gonna deflect a bullet to take a 90 degrre turn, sorry i aint buying that. It might deflect it say 10 degrees but it aint gonna do a u turn.

RE: Tired of the 243 debate
 

90 degrees is not a U turn ;)

RE: Tired of the 243 debate
 

Yeah I just sat here and made it up...:eek: Sheesh why do i even bother......do you generally make a habit of calling complete strangers liars?


90 degrees is definitely NOT a u-turn.



With an answer like that i now reallize asking what kind of bullet used was far too difficult a question.......

Theres always some folks out there who would tow with a 4 cylinder just to say they did it....

RE: Tired of the 243 debate
 

It'll never end. :D

RE: Tired of the 243 debate
 

just said i wasnt buying it.
lot of things can happen out there, I wasnt sitting in the stand with you. A deer could look like it was quartering but was more broadside than you thought, could have stepped just as you shot, lots of variables. I have shot a lot of deer with my bow and the ribs havent deflected the arrow that much. Just hard to believe.

RE: Tired of the 243 debate
 

90° is ½ way to a U turn... :D I'd a liked to see that, cause there has never been any problems with that exact load on anything I've shot with it... shoulders, ribs, backbones all shattered... that's why I have a hard time believing a short rib would deflect that bullet like that... not saying it didn't but...

RE: Tired of the 243 debate
 

I have seen a lot of light fast bullets glance off ribs and turn any which direction. More with the 7 Mag than anything else. If you have never seen major damage done by 30 caliber bullets, then you need to get out more. No matter what caliber you use, bullet selsction and shot placement are by far the most important. A good hit with a good bullet from a 30-30 kills game just as fast as the Superknockerwhizbang magnum or varmit cartridge. Thats from 48 years of shooting deer with about every gun there was in those years. In all those years, nothing killed game any faster than the 6.5x55 swedish mauser. Thats a 140 grain bullet at about 2500 fps. Before somebody thinks that I am knocking the 7 Mag, I am not. I have had five of them. Its just that early on I had a few problems with Ballistic tips at high velocity and close range.
Its true that if someone has had bad expierences with a caliber, in this case the 243, then they won't change their mind unless they prove themseves wrong. Once I used the Nostler Partition in the 243 I found that that combo worked well. All other bullets I have tried have been inconsistant. Sometimes they worked fine on small deer and sometimes they didn't. Therefore I would use it with Nosler partitions and avoid it like a skunk with anything else. If I get tired of the 243 debates I will not click on them.;)

RE: Tired of the 243 debate
 

Thats what I'm saying James..I have seen a lot of weird things happen with bullets. I think the Gamekings are kinda notorious for stuff like this. Too many things have to be perfect to use a small caliber like that and the area I hunt...not gonna happen. However this is my last post on this subject since I have yet to see a common sense answer from any of my doubters...glad ya like em and good luck.

RE: Tired of the 243 debate
 

You know what is ironic ? You just started another debate. LOL !

RE: Tired of the 243 debate
 

so if your so tired of it ; then why did you start it all over again?:eek:[:-][&:][&:][&:][&:][&:]

RE: Tired of the 243 debate
 

Amen Frizz!
The .243/6MM, with GOOD 100 gr. hunting bullets, is a GOOD MINIMUM deer caliber!
Notice, I said "good mimimum," meaning it offers a good percentage kill, with "DECENT" room for error in shot placement! While "ANY" of the .22's have "NO" room for ERROR, in shot placement! Making the .22's UNACCEPTABLE, as deer calibers!

RE: Tired of the 243 debate
 

The 22-250 is a bad choice for whitetails in ANYBODIES hands. It was conceived and intented as a varmit round and thats what it is. Can it kill deer? Yep! Can you wound and lose a deer with it even with a well placed shot? You bet! If you haven't seen a light 50 to 55 grain bullet do some strange things apon impact from a high velocity cartridge like a 22-250 or a 220 swift then you haven't been around as much as you think. I may walk a straight line now and preach the ethical way but I haven't always been so high minded. I was a young idiot once and hung out with a slew of other young idiots. I've shot or seen deer shot with everything they sell over the counter in the state of Alabama. I have seen 22-250 bullets explode on ribs, deflect on shoulders and run along bone instead of blowing through it. To be fair however I have also seen it drop deer so fast they literally bounced.

But why take the risk? I have been a strong advocate for the 243. It's a good deer round with the right bullet (100 grain) but it is in my opinion the minimum for deer. I have never understood why people want to keep pushing the envelope on the low caliber side for deer. I am also mystified at people who want to use a 338 magnum for deer but at least that will definately kill them consistently. If the recoil of a 243 is too much for you then maybe deer hunting isn't for you.

RE: Tired of the 243 debate
 

"cough.. cough... bull$hit "

RE: Tired of the 243 debate
 

Cough..Cough..Serious S##T!

RE: Tired of the 243 debate
 

C'mon now kiddies, is this any way to behave. It's Christmas!
BE NICE NOW!:D

RE: Tired of the 243 debate
 

So your saying that the 25-20 is ok for deer.

RE: Tired of the 243 debate
 

A .243 is the same as any other cartridge it has its place. I would call someone hunting deer, in the east, with a 300 win mag an idiot before I would call someone with a .243;) If you can you should shot a .270 over a .243, just in the case something stupid happens. My grandfather is 70 years old, A .243 is all the recoil he can handle. My neice is 12 a .243 is all the recoil she can handle. It is a great low reciol deer cartridge. However, until I cannot handle the recoil I will chose a .270 over a .243.

RE: Tired of the 243 debate
 

I want to add that the size of deer matters IMHO. Never been hunting in the south or back east, but from what I hear the deer there are a lot smaller than the average whitetail around here in Idaho or Montaina. Also the mule deer here out west beside being bigger, can sometimes take a beating and keep ticking. I have seen many get shot with a .7 Mag through the boiler and ack like nothing happened. I konw that the 22's are outlawed in a lot of states here in the west and for good reason. I think that anyone who uses a 22 for deer is playing with fire. Yes their are hunters who are skilled enough to use the 22's to harvest almost all of the big game animals in North America. But the average hunter doesn't have the skills to accomplish that task, in fack very few do. I am friends with a lot of outfitters and the two of questions asked first to clients are. How good of shape are you in? And how accurate are you at shooting on live game? A smart client will tell the truth to both questions, because the truth will reveal itself on a hunt, lieing about it will only make you look like a idiot. Anyway back to the subject I think a premium 100 gr. bullet for a .243 is an minimum for deer size game, well at least for the local deer around here in the west. A hunter who uses a .243 needs to choose their shots carefully. I had a coworker who took his wife elk hunting, she shot a .243 which is not recomended for elk, but it can work if you keep your shots under 150 yards and broadside. BTW on that hunt she killed a 330 B&C class 6x6 bull at 70 yards, one shot kill using a 100 Gr. Nosler Partition. She has also killed a few bulls with her bow so she can control herself in exciting situations. My point to all this is that there are so many variables in hunting, that is why there are recomended minimums, so fewer mistakes are made. I can no more tell who here on this board is a excellent shot than any other hunter I meet in the field. In real life some people have skills and some people only have skills on the computer, and in their own mind. Remember hunting is a privledge not a right and we need to be ethical at all times. Just my 2 cents

RE: Tired of the 243 debate
 

I have owned and shot a 243 Rem. Mohawk 600 for 30 years. I can't say i haven't missed or wounded a deer or other game animal. I have been able to recover all but a couple over the years. I started with factory ammo and found out that better bullets were available to reloading. The game we shoot deserves our attention to details as we shoot. Don't shoot just because the deer may get away or its huge rack is a must! Make a good clean shot not a do or die shot. I use Barnes X bullets as they penetrate better than any other i have ever shot . I haven't used Sierra bullets in 25 years, found out i didn't like the way they performed![&:]

RE: Tired of the 243 debate
 

lets be honest here guys. There r alot of variables when it comes to deer hunting and there is no RIGHT or WRONG guns to use(providing it is legal).

I use a .243 to deer hunt and I love it, I have larger guns, (and smaller ones)but this is my favorite. I think what oldelkinstructer said about location is key, though. I probably would not take my .243 on a Canadian deer hunt. I would use my .06 or another larger caliber. The deer here in lower Alabama are not huge and on average do not require a superultraegomagnum to kill them. I use to work as a gun salesman and I loved to laugh at the guys who came in to buy the latest XXX ultramags. To be honest I have more respect for someone who can competantly shoot and kill deer with a 22-250 than a lead happy idiot that just wants to shoot the biggest gun he can't afford. That has a flipside though...if you cant shoot well enough to KILL deer with a .223,22.250, etc.. DONT DO IT!! Dont even try!!!!! I CAN shoot well enough to kill deer with a .223 ( I have done it), but, when I am in the field I want a gun that I feel will accomodate any situation that comes up. For me that is a .243 on up. For me in Alaska it might be a .270 on up...get it...sorry, I tried.....:D:D


Oh and guys...LIGHTEN UP:), its just a board. I think it is funny when people get mad playin video games and throw controllers across the room.....man Ill bet some of you buy three or four Dells a week!:D

RE: Tired of the 243 debate
 

My buddy's got a mohawk in 6mm, and this is his favorite gun too, over a few other calibers he owns.

RE: Tired of the 243 debate
 

I would love to own a 6mm remington, and someday I will when money is not so tight. Is the fastest factory .243 on market the 6mm or is the 243 WSSM faster? Oh I guess the 240 WBY would be up there too, anyone know what the fastest .243 is?

RE: Tired of the 243 debate
 

243 will work fine. I have a 6mm REM and LOVE IT! I used a 243 last year and it performed well. Either gun is going to perform well and kill deer with the right bullet. I load 95gr nosler BT's for my 6mm and they r awesome on everything i have killed with them!

RE: Tired of the 243 debate
 

That would be a .243-06 (wildcat).
They are all pretty close. you can get the .243 in hornady light magnum and it performs as good or better than the 6mm. But in reality I doubt you can see a difference in them. they say the .243 wssm has exaggerated balistics. I would stay away from the .240. I hear nothing but bad things about weatherby.
you know winchester loads a 55 gr for the .243 ? shoots almost 4000 fps. Prolly to light for deer though, but for varmints it would be great, man its a flat shooter.

RE: Tired of the 243 debate
 

Indeed they are but you can't convince some people until they get their backside singed a few times. And few will be man enough to come on here and publically admit that they lost a deer due to poor bullet performance from one of these varmit rounds.

I agree, I live in lower Alabama and I have said many times that people don't really need a 300 magnum or any magnum for whitetails. However if they can shoot one of these ubermagnums accurately there is little doubt that they will consistently inflict terminal wounds on whitetails. Overkill wounds maybe but consistently terminal. The fact that some people cannot shoot their new ubermagnum accurately is their fault not the guns.

I have also been a defender of the 243 when used with a good 100 grain bullet but as others have said I firmly believe it is the minimun ethical caliber to use on whitetails. Just because you or someone you know has done something a few times and it worked out okay doesn't necessarily make it a smart thing to do. You have an 83 percent chance of surviving a round of Russian Roulette. 5 empty chambers to 1 loaded but that doesn't make it a smart game to play.

RE: Tired of the 243 debate
 

They're pretty awesome ! I was given a really nice Steyr Model L .6mm by my father in law ...........and man..........it's a deer slayer ! It has dropped virtually every deer I have shot instantly ! I guess like a lot of guys said it's shot placement.............because I have tracked many of deer shot with 300 mags , 7 mags , 30-06's , etc. shot in the liver , heart, lungs , etc. for a long ways !! I shoot them in the shoulder and they drop like lightning hit 'em ..............even with a little ole .6mm ! ;)