jerry d

This is a follow up post to my 1st post "want to buy a new rifle". Thanks for the input guys. A fair number of you reccomended the .243 & 7mm08.
what are the differences other than the 7mm08 is a larger caliber? What would the advantage be to one over the other? What would,if any, disadvantage be to one over the other.

okiejaco

I got a Browning 7mm-08 this year and really like it. I shot a doe at 165 yards, a bobcat and a coyote at 120 yards. It probably kicks a little more than a .243 but still not bad at all and you don't even notice it when you are shooting at something. My brother and sister in law bothhave .243s. She shot a buck that weighed 190 lbs and itran about 75 yards. I don't think it was a pass through shot but got the job done. My brother has killed a lot of deer with his. I would go with the 7mm-08 just because it shots a bigger bullet and it will do anything the .243 will do and some. I may be wrong but I think you could even take an Elk with a 7mm-08.

gmil6184

the only difference is the caliber. They are both based on a .308 necked down to either .24 caliber for the .243 or .284 caliber for the 7mm08. Since the 7mm is a bigger caliber you can get it in a heavier bullet and slightly more power but I doubt if you shot a deer with either one they could tell the difference. They are both great medium sized game rounds. If you wanted my 2 cents I would say consider their parent cartridge the .308, it has very mild recoil and is a little more versatile then either of them.

okcaveman

well both cartridgesare good. both are built off a 308 casing so same powder. the 243 is a lil faster, the 7mm-08 a lil heavier. i love my 7mm-08 and wouldnt trade it for the world. but a 243 will kill any whitetail you come up against

Steve White

Power, flatter shooting, larger bullet weights for the 7 08. Fedral offers a 150 gr bullet for the 08. The 243 is close on the ballistics, but the bullet weights are a lot lighter. You can however get a 40 gr bullet for the 243 which could be nice for some varmits.

Speed or Velocity depends on the manufacturer and what bullet is loaded. In almost all cases the 243 is faster. In just one i found the 08 is lsightly faster.

You can got to any manufacturer's website to find ballistic tables on all their rounds.

Unless i was looking at using it for varmits I would go with the higher powered, bigger bulleted 08.

JMO

Steve

kingofspring

41/1000th of an inch

salukipv1

I'm considering getting one for antelope and varmints...., the .243 that is.

If all you'll be doing is deer hunting at 200 or 300yds, then maybe I'd get the 7mm-08

but if you're considering a lighter rig....for antelope or coyotes etc....then a .243.

depends what you're really looking for...and what you may already have....

certainly I think the 7mm would have more knock down power, not a lot more but some....but if flatter shooting long ranges is what you're seeking, get a .243....

wis_rifle_hunter

i own a .243 and love it. i would never get rid of it for anything. my dad has a .280 which is pretty much a 7mm-08 and it doesnt shoot much different than my .243, yes it may be a bigger cartridge but they have the same knock-down power

claydee

I've shot deer with both ( mostly 1 1/2 & 2 1/2 year old does ) either gun leaves just as dead, BUT the 7mm-08 leaves a BLOOD trail.
The .243 seems to put a pin hole in em. I like the .243 for yotes, but I LOVE my 7mm-08 for trophy does!

jerry d

Hey guys good stuff!!!!! Thanks for insite,very informative.