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-   -   243 big enough for whitetails? (https://www.huntingnet.com/forum/whitetail-deer-hunting/301691-243-big-enough-whitetails.html)

whtail crazy 08-26-2009 07:06 AM

My son shoots one and everything he shoots at dies. no problems obviously less blood

popeye2 08-26-2009 07:30 AM

Does it work well for thousands of hunters every year....yes
Do I like or recommend a 243.... no, but that's my personal opinion.

Steve863 08-26-2009 07:51 AM


Originally Posted by popeye2 (Post 3420299)
Does it work well for thousands of hunters every year....yes
Do I like or recommend a 243.... no, but that's my personal opinion.

Agreed. If a .243 is the rifle you have, then use it. If one was purchasing a new rifle, then there are numerous cartridges that would be a better all around choice.

Rebel Hog 08-26-2009 08:10 AM


Originally Posted by sauer06 (Post 3419995)
Guys I know this subject has been covered before but for the early doe season in MN I plan on useing my Tikka 243 with either 90 or 100 grain bullets. My Dad says this is plenty to kill deer with and he has done it before. What do you think?:wink:

I shoot 100gr Sierra Game Kings in my .243.....and it is plenty for deer!

davemhughes 08-26-2009 08:39 AM

The 243 is more than enough to take deer with. This is even more true these days with all the great bullet designs available to hunters. The 243 is not a brush gun and is better suited to open ground hunting and this is where it really excels at.

For deer the one thing I truly know to be true is a well placed shot is much more important than the size bullet you are using. Shooting is a skill that must be practiced.

Sheridan 08-26-2009 08:46 AM

This confirms it also;




http://www.gunnersden.com/index.htm.243winchester.html




http://www.reloadbench.com/cartridges/243.html

Magic 08-26-2009 09:54 AM

Is it big enough....sure.

Do I have personal experience with it......yes.

Would I hunt with it.....no.

Would I recommend hunting with it.....no.

tim03b 08-26-2009 10:06 AM

I dropped my first and second deer in their tracks with a .243. Since then i upgraded to a .270 and now i flip them on their sides. Literally. haha

hossdaniels 08-26-2009 10:28 AM


Originally Posted by davemhughes (Post 3420402)
The 243 is not a brush gun and is better suited to open ground hunting and this is where it really excels at.

:eek2:

I disagree with that statement. A 243 is less likely to hit brush than a 30 cal, and MUCH less likely to hit brush than a 45 cal. Bigger bullets busting through brush without a change in direction is aboslute B.S.

I'm not advocating shooting through brush under any circumstances, but if you were going to take a chance, a 243 would hit the target where you intended alot more often than a 45/70, 35 rem, or 44 mag.

DannyD 08-26-2009 10:46 AM


Originally Posted by tim03b (Post 3420480)
I dropped my first and second deer in their tracks with a .243. Since then i upgraded to a .270 and now i flip them on their sides. Literally. haha

I would certainly upgrade from the cartridge that drops them in their tracks


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