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First hunting rifle: .243 or .308?

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View Poll Results: First Hunting Rifle Cartridge:
.243 Win
48.57%
.308 Win
51.43%
Voters: 70. You may not vote on this poll

First hunting rifle: .243 or .308?

Old 11-14-2011, 03:26 PM
  #31  
Spike
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Thank you everyone for your advice on the two cartridges. I'm also considering the round that is near and dear to every Canadians heart, the .303 British. Now I'm somewhat familiar with the Canadian take on the round, but what do ya'll south of the border have to say on the .303?
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Old 11-14-2011, 08:16 PM
  #32  
Typical Buck
 
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You are right. There is absolutely nothing with a .243 and deer hunting. The .308 is just a much better choice for a deer cartridge.







308
Originally Posted by nchawkeye
Since 1980 the only centerfire rifle I have owned is a Ruger M-77 .243...I've killed over 200 deer with this gun and 6 black bears...Nothing wrong with a .243 and deer...
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Old 11-15-2011, 04:20 AM
  #33  
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Of the two you listed, I'd opt for .243 also. There was a time where I thought you needed the biggest baddest caliber out there...I got over that pretty quick. Personally, a .243 or 7mm-08 is all you ever need for whitetail.

I know you sound set on your gun style...my preference is bolt action also, fwiw.
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Old 08-22-2012, 09:57 AM
  #34  
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I've been doing alot more homework since I started this thread, and now I've basically narrowed down my choice to either a Remington BDL or Ruger M77 in .270 Winchester. I've talked to quite a few people and the general concensus is to go with a .270 and I won't be let down. So there it is folks, now all I have to do is go find myself a nice one and get out in the woods!
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Old 08-22-2012, 02:25 PM
  #35  
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My daughter has a 7mm-08 in the Rem 700, and I have a the M77 in 308. I love the 308 however I have to say, her 700 action is nothing short of perfectly smooth. Its a youth model or I would be shooting it over my 308. Its a faster flatter shooting load.
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Old 08-22-2012, 03:16 PM
  #36  
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You asked ... my answer 308 Win. But no arguement from me that either would be a good choice for deer sized game.

While there are many comparison points that can be (and have been) made, the top two in my book that put the 308 Win. out front are the 20% - 25% larger diameter of the wound channel and the penetration (i.e. down range "ummph").

It is going to be hard to beat the versitility of a 308 Win. for up to medium large game when using a quality 165 gr. hunting grade bullet.
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Old 08-24-2012, 09:30 AM
  #37  
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A lot of great advice on this one guys. The .308 is an excellent choice all around. My choice is the 7mm-.08 with 139gr Ballistic tips. I have used the .243, .257 Roberts, 30-.06, .308, 7mm Mag, and 30-30.
The .270 and even the 260 is good cartridges. It just comes down to personal pref., but I do like the wounds that the ballistic tip delivers without a large amount of recoil. To me it the 7mm-.08 delivers an all around performance. Just my .02
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