Go Back  HuntingNet.com Forums > General Hunting Forums > Whitetail Deer Hunting
First hunting rifle: .243 or .308? >

First hunting rifle: .243 or .308?

Whitetail Deer Hunting Gain a better understanding of the World's most popular big game animal and the techniques that will help you become a better deer hunter.
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 11-03-2011, 03:05 AM
  #11  
Nontypical Buck
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,445
Default

Where will you hunt? Are you in an area where deer are large? Do you hunt where average shot distance is under 100 yds, or are long shots the norm? Personally, I'd go with the 308. It won't kill a deer any "deader" on perfect shots, but it will perform better on less than perfect shots. I shoot deer at close range in thick woods. I'd take the 308 for its better selection of heavier bullets that will drive through a deer on angled shots, like the 180 gr round nose soft point. The 750 is not a light weight gun and a 308 won't kick bad at all, especially since it is an automatic.
UncleNorby is offline  
Old 11-03-2011, 05:39 AM
  #12  
Nontypical Buck
 
7.62NATO's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Virginia
Posts: 1,473
Default

.308 is more versatile, should you decide to extend your range or hunt bigger game. You are just getting into hunting whitetail, so you never know when you'll have a wild hare to hunt something else. If you have the .308 already, you're good to go.

Originally Posted by UncleNorby
The 750 is not a light weight gun and a 308 won't kick bad at all, especially since it is an automatic.
That is spot on. Don't let fear of recoil factor into your decision.

Last edited by 7.62NATO; 11-03-2011 at 05:41 AM.
7.62NATO is offline  
Old 11-03-2011, 05:50 AM
  #13  
Fork Horn
 
warbirdlover's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: central Wisconsin
Posts: 479
Default

I've killed deer with both. Surprisingly the .243 dropped them quicker.
warbirdlover is offline  
Old 11-03-2011, 11:55 AM
  #14  
Spike
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Lindley NY
Posts: 74
Default

Def buy .243 Win. that is a hot little round that has no problem piling up deer. I bought my wife .243 and she never shot a gun except for her hunting course when she was 14 (now 25) and put a 3" group of 3 rounds at 300 yards. All she needs to do is put the corsshairs on the deer from 10 yards to 300 yards and pull the trigger. It is an awesome little cartridge and has no problems taking a deer.
chas0218 is offline  
Old 11-03-2011, 01:41 PM
  #15  
Fork Horn
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 311
Default

I voted for the .308. It has a wider bullet weight choice. If you handload you can stuff it with 125 gr. varmint bullets or you can stuff it with 200 gr. moose bullets. The .308 is very versatile. And I personally like a little more energy delivered at impact. So I shoot a .270 and I have only had one deer run and it was my fault. But a buddy of mine likes to use his .243 and they always seem to go at least 40 yards which he even told me when we went hunting this past year. But I hit one with that .270 and it is lights out. And a .308 would hit the same or harder than a .270. A .243 will get it done but I do not like to track my deer.
westtexducks is offline  
Old 11-03-2011, 02:07 PM
  #16  
Typical Buck
 
cjwink's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: From Texas but now reside in MS
Posts: 823
Default

Either one is fine.. Its the same cartridge just different caliber. 243 is a necked down 308. Your likely going to be shooting 85-100 grains out of the 243 and 150-165 grains out of the 308 which will add a little more recoil with the 308... I would say, if pick the one that would fit most of your future hunting needs other than deer... Varmits then go with teh 243, Elk or Moose go with the 308..
cjwink is offline  
Old 11-03-2011, 02:50 PM
  #17  
Fork Horn
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Lee , New Hampshire
Posts: 312
Default

neither...30-06
65 grain to 220 grain bullet choices...
Outdoor is offline  
Old 11-03-2011, 04:12 PM
  #18  
Nontypical Buck
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,926
Default Well Son

There are over fifteen calibers that have taken deer successfully, surprise to some, of which the .243 and .308 are two.

Of course we all have to start somewhere, and we all can't start at the same place. I started and dropped deer on the spot with a lil ol 35 Remington Marlin. Had a hard time moving to another, but never gave the .35 up. My start which nobody has to copy.

I'd first look to see how physically big you were and ask if you had any experience with recoil. Both calibers will work. Just practice and learn how to shoot it.

When a buyer selected a caliber, which I knew was successful, I'd say, "Son, you picked a great caliber." Even if I never used it. I knew it was successful, and used by somebody. And in the end, that's all that really counts.
Valentine is offline  
Old 11-03-2011, 05:23 PM
  #19  
Spike
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: North east Arkansas
Posts: 13
Default

Originally Posted by westtexducks
I voted for the .308. It has a wider bullet weight choice. If you handload you can stuff it with 125 gr. varmint bullets or you can stuff it with 200 gr. moose bullets. The .308 is very versatile. And I personally like a little more energy delivered at impact. So I shoot a .270 and I have only had one deer run and it was my fault. But a buddy of mine likes to use his .243 and they always seem to go at least 40 yards which he even told me when we went hunting this past year. But I hit one with that .270 and it is lights out. And a .308 would hit the same or harder than a .270. A .243 will get it done but I do not like to track my deer.
I've taken deer with both and tracked more with the .308 then the .243. Most of the deer taken with the .243 dropped in their tracks. 40 yards is the farthest I ever had to track one and always had plenty of blood to trail.
steve72444 is offline  
Old 11-03-2011, 06:18 PM
  #20  
Spike
 
Chester's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Alabama
Posts: 21
Default

.308 has my vote. My next rifle will be in this caliber.
Chester is offline  

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.