243 as a Legitimate and Humane Deer Gun?

I am deeply puzzled by the recommendations for a 308 when a guy is recoil shy of a 30-06. When shooting a 150 the difference really isn’t worth a hill of beans.

I agree that a 243 is just fine, when shooting a appropriate bullet. It’s also possible that your 30-06 just doesn’t fit you well and is beating you up a bit.
 
I'm going to suggest a much cheaper approach. Don't change your rifle, change your ammunition. Try some 30-06 Managed Recoil ammunition from Remington and Hornady Custom Lite. Is rated to have recoil equivalent to .243 and perfect for deer hunting.
 
My advise, stick with your 30-06 and man up. If your flinching from recoil thats something your going to have to overcome either way if you expect to do well in the shooting sports and hunting alike. My experience is .243 leaves no room for poor shot placement. For bush hunting in BC id recommend any larger common caliber like others have suggested. 7mm-08 is known to be a great starter cartridge for young hunters and females due to its lighter recoil.
 
rommelrommel said:
I am deeply puzzled by the recommendations for a 308 when a guy is recoil shy of a 30-06. When shooting a 150 the difference really isn’t worth a hill of beans.

I agree that a 243 is just fine, when shooting a appropriate bullet. It’s also possible that your 30-06 just doesn’t fit you well and is beating you up a bit.
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I was thinking the same thing. While I don't shoot a 30-06 regularly (friends have 'em, but I don't) my main rifle is a 270 and I don't find the recoil too much different between the two. My 243, on the other hand, is a much softer shooting rifle. There is a very noticeable difference in recoil.

I haven't personally used my 243 on any game yet, but I have a friend who puts a deer in the freezer every year with his. With good bullets and proper shot placement, the 243 has no issues dropping deer sized game. Other rounds with similar recoil that are plenty capable on deer sized game include the 250 savage, 257 Roberts, and 30-30 winchester.
 
A .243 with a 100 grain partition bullet or other high end bullet is more than enough for deer. I've filled all of my deer tags with that combo.
 
Get a .22 and practice a lot of shooting with good trigger control (slow squeeze rather than a tug) and FOLLOW THROUGH on the shot (hold the target for a second after the shot breaks) - that can help get rid of the flinch - transfer the skills to the centrefire rifle..
 
As far as finding ammo the night before the hunt, just don't. After trying a few types and picking one your gun likes, stock up on it. Buy 5 boxes just for hunting and you will be good for many years. This takes ammo availability out of the equation which opens up a world of not so popular light recoiling calibers. Not saying the 243 won't work because it will but you might find yourself better off with a 260, any of the small 6.5, 7mm08 etc. My pick of the bunch would be 7mm08 with Barnes 120gr ttsx. Light recoiling and hard hitting and also not impossible to find.
 
ComradeVlad said:
My advise, stick with your 30-06 and man up. If your flinching from recoil thats something your going to have to overcome either way if you expect to do well in the shooting sports and hunting alike. My experience is .243 leaves no room for poor shot placement. For bush hunting in BC id recommend any larger common caliber like others have suggested. 7mm-08 is known to be a great starter cartridge for young hunters and females due to its lighter recoil.
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^ This here is just plain poor advice for a new hunter. There is NO cartridge that leaves room for poor shot placement... None.

A gut-shot Deer is a gut-shot Deer. The OP has shown wisdom beyond his experience by coming here to ask the question. A far better example of “manning up”, than carrying on despite knowing his own limitations.


And as for the 243 not being “for deer” as a few have mentioned above: The 243 has 3% more energy at the muzzle and 20% more energy at 200 yards than the mighty 30-30. (Winchester PowerPoint ammo - AKA 9pm the night before brand ammo) Has the 30-30 suddenly become an inadequate deer rifle?

Go for the 243 OP. There’s other good suggestions here too, but none that are so easy to find at Walmart the night before as you’ve said. You WILL get over your recoil sensitivity - but you don’t need to rush it. Get your confidence back with the 243 then work your way up.

Cheers,

Kj
 
[h=2]243 as a Legitimate and Humane Deer Gun?" - Yes.[/h]
There's a Bull Moose head mounted at the Stittsville range that was taken by a 243. My first rifle shot whitetail was shot with a 243 employing a 100 gr bullet. I liked it because I could also use 75 gr bullets for long range shots at varmints.
 
I would spend lots of time and the range and get confident with the rifle. I have many friends that swear by 6mm. You sound exactly like me a few years back. I shoot a Tikka T3 lite in 3006. I’m at the range year round and have a cabin close to your area.
Don’t get rid of that 3006 just yet. Try shooting over the winter, you guys have a nice range in Kamloops.
Then again, what the heck do I know, I still flinch. Lots of brilliant shooters on this website.
 
I'm not going to step into the caliber choice maelstrom, but perceived recoil has less to do with caliber than with gun fit - sound level - shooting position - and technique. The 30-06 is not a punishing round.

Rob!
 
Was at the range yesterday and a young fellow was trying to sight in a 243 and frustrated to say the least. I was done so I offered assistance and yep, flinching and peeking. I got the gun on paper for him and with about 30 minutes of coaching and pointers he was cloverleafing them at 100. I used the old, load an empty round a couple times and he soon picked up on his flinch and lack of follow thru. He walked away much happier and his father actually called to thank me. So work on the flinch and basics.

As far as the 243 for deer, with appropriate shot placement(any caliber has to have this) and bullet weight there is not a deer in Canada that will walk away. I personally know a gentleman in his 80's that shot no less than 14 moose with a 243 before he could afford to upgrade to his current 3006. I have dumped a more than a few whitetails with what many consider a varmint calibre and recoil is more of a push than the thump of the bigger stuff
 
kodiakjack said:
^ This here is just plain poor advice for a new hunter. There is NO cartridge that leaves room for poor shot placement... None.

A gut-shot Deer is a gut-shot Deer. The OP has shown wisdom beyond his experience by coming here to ask the question. A far better example of “manning up”, than carrying on despite knowing his own limitations.

Kj
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This. The .243 is adequate, if you are up to the shot presented. Reckless shots or poor placement will wound. Is a 243 a good choice for a 'Texas headshot' or a deer quartering away from you? Maybe not. Should you be taking that shot anyway, though?
 
kodiakjack said:
^ This here is just plain poor advice for a new hunter. There is NO cartridge that leaves room for poor shot placement... None.

A gut-shot Deer is a gut-shot Deer. The OP has shown wisdom beyond his experience by coming here to ask the question. A far better example of “manning up”, than carrying on despite knowing his own limitations.


And as for the 243 not being “for deer” as a few have mentioned above: The 243 has 3% more energy at the muzzle and 20% more energy at 200 yards than the mighty 30-30. (Winchester PowerPoint ammo - AKA 9pm the night before brand ammo) Has the 30-30 suddenly become an inadequate deer rifle?

Go for the 243 OP. There’s other good suggestions here too, but none that are so easy to find at Walmart the night before as you’ve said. You WILL get over your recoil sensitivity - but you don’t need to rush it. Get your confidence back with the 243 then work your way up.

Cheers,

Kj
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I couldn't agree more. The calibre you shoot is no reflection on how manly you are!
 
kodiakjack said:
^ This here is just plain poor advice for a new hunter. There is NO cartridge that leaves room for poor shot placement... None.

A gut-shot Deer is a gut-shot Deer. The OP has shown wisdom beyond his experience by coming here to ask the question. A far better example of “manning up”, than carrying on despite knowing his own limitations.


And as for the 243 not being “for deer” as a few have mentioned above: The 243 has 3% more energy at the muzzle and 20% more energy at 200 yards than the mighty 30-30. (Winchester PowerPoint ammo - AKA 9pm the night before brand ammo) Has the 30-30 suddenly become an inadequate deer rifle?

Go for the 243 OP. There’s other good suggestions here too, but none that are so easy to find at Walmart the night before as you’ve said. You WILL get over your recoil sensitivity - but you don’t need to rush it. Get your confidence back with the 243 then work your way up.

Cheers,

Kj
Click to expand...

Great post, thanks for saying it. The guy telling people to man up when they've identified a limitation and are trying to improve is the one that really has the problem here.
 
I have hunted with a 243 and killed a few whitetail with it from 300 yards and under. It's all about shot placement. That being said, I wouldn't want to use it on anything outside of that or in windy conditions. I also wouldn't want it if I had a B&C buck standing in front of me. Which is why I shoot a 7mm Rem Mag now. Just more of a shock and damage when something is hit that I know it's not going far. I've hit a mule deer doe 4 times with a 243 and it still ran 500 yards and tipped over. With the 7mm, that deer is in a lot worse shape after 1 shot.

In all fairness I've never been recoil shy shooting at an animal so if you are, my opinion is kinda useless to you haha.
 
Shot a deer a few years ago with a friends 243...the deer didn't complain...he was dead!
 
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