.243 vs .270 semi-auto for deer?

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jerstilly

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Hi there I am just wondering everyones opinion on this. I am looking for a .243 or .270 semi-auto for deer hunting (dogs are used). I will be putting a red dot on it and am curious which caliber will allow me to stay on target while shooting and following the deer, and not have to re fined target due to recoil. I have not shot either caliber. Is there a big difference in felt recoil between these two caliber? Currently use a 30-06 and a 7mm rem mag (both bolt action)depending on what im hunting, recoil does not bother me, just want to be able to stay on target for multiple shots if needed.

Thanks for your help
 
In classic CGN style, my answer is... ".308 Win."

Short action, with the ability to shoot 150 - 180 grain bullets... if you are starting from scratch this is the way I would go.
 
The recoil impulse of an auto loader is pretty smooth. The 243 will have a slight edge over the 270 however the difference you will actually notice when you take the shot will be minuscule to non existent.

Either one will work well in the situation you describe.
 
I'm a .270 Win guy.

1) Do not use a .243 Win. for quick shot dog hunting. A 100 grain projectile will not serve you well on a marginal hit location, like a heavier bullet will.
2) The .308 Win will give you a shorter action, than the .270, therefore, a lighter rifle.
 
Bigfoot 870 said:
I'm a .270 Win guy.

1) Do not use a .243 Win. for quick shot dog hunting. A 100 grain projectile will not serve you well on a marginal hit location, like a heavier bullet will.
2) The .308 Win will give you a shorter action, than the .270, therefore, a lighter rifle.
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Agree with this statement 100%, I also hunt with hounds and the deer are usually moving pretty fast, there’s not to after that the deer are standing still for that perfect shot. We had to chase a deer that was shot this year with a 243 and s not so well placed shot. It happens sometimes as we all know and I found that the blood trail from the tiny 243 hole was not so easy to follow. We found the deer but it definitely was not easy, good thing for the hounds.
 
hoytcanon said:
In classic CGN style, my answer is... ".308 Win."

Short action, with the ability to shoot 150 - 180 grain bullets... if you are starting from scratch this is the way I would go.
Click to expand...

I’m with Hoyt on this one 100%. 308 makes the most sense for the job you wanna do. Or auto loading slug gun I’d imagine, but that’s an even more CGN answer than 308.
 
With an autoloader, a short action such as .308 will not make much difference in shooting and re-aquiring the target in my opinion. I have hunted with the .308, .270 and 30-06 in auto loaders as well as .243 bolt guns. Recoil in either of those chamberings with a semi auto is quite mild. Pick a cartridge and rifle you like and go hunting. All are suitable for deer but you may want to consider a rifle for all round hunting use which a .270, .308 will be more suited.
 
if the deer is running your chances of getting perfect shot placement are slim. i would want the extra energy of the 270.
 
Philthy1 said:
I didnt even know people hunted like this.
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Dogging is an old tradition in Ontario woods. I grew up hunting in deer camps that dogged. These camps see very few bolt action rifles in the field... very common to see BLR's, BAR's, M94's, M336's, M1895's, M444S/SS, Rem 760/7600's, Rem 740/7400's etc... the .308 Win is probably the most common cartridge, but also .30-30 & .32 Spl, .35 Rem, .45/70, to a lesser degree .270 & .30/06.
 
Bigfoot 870 said:
I'm a .270 Win guy.

1) Do not use a .243 Win. for quick shot dog hunting. A 100 grain projectile will not serve you well on a marginal hit location, like a heavier bullet will.
2) The .308 Win will give you a shorter action, than the .270, therefore, a lighter rifle.
Click to expand...

mike t said:
Agree with this statement 100%, I also hunt with hounds and the deer are usually moving pretty fast, there’s not to after that the deer are standing still for that perfect shot. We had to chase a deer that was shot this year with a 243 and s not so well placed shot. It happens sometimes as we all know and I found that the blood trail from the tiny 243 hole was not so easy to follow. We found the deer but it definitely was not easy, good thing for the hounds.
Click to expand...

I will respectfully disagree.

I can’t imagine pulling the trigger on an animal while thinking “this is a bad shot. Good thing I have the extra energy of a 270.” I mean, a poorly aimed shot is a poorly aimed shot. A gut shot is a gut shot.

I mean, to each his own, but I just can’t imagine feeling like the 270 somehow would give me licence to take riskier shots.


All that said, Hoyt’s right. 308’s the way to go.
 
hoytcanon said:
Dogging is an old tradition in Ontario woods. I grew up hunting in deer camps that dogged. These camps see very few bolt action rifles in the field... very common to see BLR's, BAR's, M94's, M336's, M1895's, M444S/SS, Rem 760/7600's, Rem 740/7400's etc... the .308 Win is probably the most common cartridge, but also .30-30 & .32 Spl, .35 Rem, .45/70, to a lesser degree .270 & .30/06.
Click to expand...

How prevalent is dogging now? I know my dad used to do it, but that when he was young.
 
Between the 243 and the 270, I would pick the 270 for your intended purpose. The 308 would be the better choice over both. I had a Browning BAR Shorttrac in 7mm-08 and the recoil was almost nonexistent, would be no trouble to quickly recover for a follow up shot at a running deer,.. you may want to consider the 7-08 aswell.
I don't know what you plan to use for optics, but a good Red Dot is the ticket on fast moving targets.
 
There’s a neat Voere ‘06 on the EE at the moment. If you get a Remington avoid 742 at any and all costs. I like the BARs, have in ‘06 and hunting partner has one in .243.

There is no advantage to a .308 in the semi as I believe there no difference in action length between it and longer cartridges.

Good luck.
 
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