Advise on a .243
 

I won a Remington Model 715.243 at a Delta Waterfowl Banquet and I need a little info on it. I am wondering what the effective range for whitetails is? What is the best load for it?Is bigger better, the biggest I could fine was 105 grain? I come from slug gun heritage and you want to talk about knock down.. Let me know any info you might have that will help me on the up coming whitetail season. Thanks..

RE: Advise on a .243
 

I own a Savage in 243 and like it just fine for whitetail. I use Rem. Core-lokt ammo in 100 gr. I would say it's effective range is a lot farther than i would shoot (neighborhood of 400 yards). I have taken a deer at 152 Yards with it though.

RE: Advise on a .243
 

I've used the 100gr Remington CoreLokt on about 85 deer, longest shot about 250 yards...For longer shots than that, I like the Federal Premium
85gr HPBT Sierra GameKing...Other bullets that I have tried that do well are the Hornady Custom 100gr and the Federal Premium 100gr SPBT
Sierra GameKing...Any of these will work, just see which one your gun groups the best...

RE: Advise on a .243
 

85gr. had pleanty of knock down? Will the 100 or 85 bust a front shoulder?

RE: Advise on a .243
 

I shoot Sierra 100gr "Game Kings"

RE: Advise on a .243
 

More important than the weight is going to be the type of bullet you use. You want something made for large game hunting, not varmint hunting. I would be looking at the 85 grn to 100 grn bullets made for this purpose. I'm not going to tell you to stick to a particular weight because you may find a different weight bullet shoots better in your gun. Try a few different weights from few different companies until you find one that works well in your gun.

There is really no such thing as "knock down" power for big game. It is more about what bullet does the most damage yet still yields good penitration. You will find most likely that your little .243 is probably more effective than your shotgun with the big heavy slug. Velocity, bullet weight and bullet construction all go hand in hand. A .243 is plenty to take a mature deer if you put the bullet in the right spot.

Paul

RE: Advise on a .243
 

Yep, I didn't believe it either, until I tried it...I've used this round since 1980 and killed over 150 deer with it...I've killed 30 or so with the 85gr Federal Premium round and buddies have added another 25 or so...

The first doe I killed with it was at about 100 yards, I held for a high shoulder shot and she dropped at the shot...The 85gr HPBT Sierra GameKing is constructed harder than some 100gr bullets that I tested...With center lung shot deer, past 75 yards or so it is unusual not to get a pass through and an excellent blood trail...

When hunting in the woods where shots will be 50 yards or so, I do prefer the 100gr CoreLokts or the 100gr Hornadys because the 85gr is running about 3320 fps out of the barrel...But, sitting over a large soybean field where shots can run 300 yards or so, I have the 85gr in my chamber...Sighted in
2 1/2 inches high at 100 yards, it is only about 2 1/2 - 3 inches low at 300 out of my rifle...

RE: Advise on a .243
 

I have a weatherby .243 and use 100gr bullets and that sucker is deadly at 300 yards, after that I dont trust myself to make the shot....Im sure the rifle is fine with it.

RE: Advise on a .243
 

Hey , ... I use a .243 most of the time. I've taken mule deer & antelope at 300 plus yards. I too agree, it's range is far better than I can shoot. I use Winchester's 100 grain bullet off the shelf and they work just fine.

if you want to see my deer ... go to http://www.thelodgeman.com

stroll to the Taxidermy section ... and towards the bottom ... you'll see some of our western trophies ... most by the .243

RE: Advise on a .243
 

I own a remington 700 chambered in .243 and have a bushnell banner varmint scope on it. I shoot 100 gr. It is a very accurate gun and I know that they can kill a coyote ten times over, cant hunt deer here with it.

RE: Advise on a .243
 

I also have a savage in 243. I honestly believe, if you can see it, the 243 can kill it. I load my on loads and am partial to the Sierra Game Kings in 100 area. I have also taken wild hogs with it with no problem. dog1

RE: Advise on a .243
 

I had a friend that lived in Montana for several years and he said he and his friends used the .243 on big mule deer and elk all the time. Shot placement.

RE: Advise on a .243
 

CMurphy

Nope Nope not a goog cal. at all you won't like it at all , so you can just send it to me for hunting ground squirrls LOL.

All joking aside IMO the 243 is one of the best short or long range Rifles around . I had 2 Rem 788 in 243 back years ago and like a dummy sold them. It will kill an animal farther than you will ever want to shoot at one trust me . I used a 100gr Winchester JSP right off thestore shelves and it did fantastic. Blew right threw shoulders like cutting hot butter.

RE: Advise on a .243
 

So it sounds like everyone thinks this is a pretty sweet cal. I cant wait to send some rounds down range and I hope i get a chance this season to see how it performs.. Thanks for all the info guys..

RE: Advise on a .243
 

You will have fun shooting it, it is a nice recoil friendly round that will give you more than enough power to kill deer. I have used a lot of different loads, but I probably like the Hornady 100gr BTSP, and 100gr Winchester Super X's best.

RE: Advise on a .243
 

I bought a youth model .243 for my boys.It was a pleasure to shoot and after seeing how it performed on deer I went out and bought one for me. A Rem 700 SS Mountain rifle with a zeiss conquest 4.5x14x4mm. I'm comfortable taking deer out to 300 yards easy. I believe it is adequate for 400 yards , I just don't practice enough.

I shoot remington core lock when hunting in NC. I will use Federal premium tripple shock when I head to CO for mule deer

RE: Advise on a .243
 

federal vital shok, 100 gr NP-- great load for bigger deer-- Also consistently usethe 95 NBT for deer, antelope-- my son took his buck at about 275 yards--great gun, flat and fast.

RE: Advise on a .243
 

I use the 95 grain Winchester Silvertip and they work great. I have killed several nice bucks with it andhavent had a deer run over 25 yds after a shot. From ranges of 150yds to as close as 35yds. Good bullet and good caliber

RE: Advise on a .243
 

You will like it as a deer rifle. Shoot several types and weights through it and find what works best. As said several times, it's range will probably be farther than your range!
Good luck!
-Jake