.243 for moose?

[huntingfish]

Howdy,
A lot of youth rifles are in .243 and in québec, that's the smallest caliber you can use for big game (specifically: moose, in my case). I normally use a 30-06, but if we ever have a problem with our main rifles, or if the girlfriends come over for a weekend during hunting season, we'd want to provide them with a rifle in case they see something and eventually, my son's going to come hunting with us (although that still several years in the future).

So I was thinking of getting a single-shot .243 as a backup rifle. Would you be confident in hunting moose (no farther than 100 yards away) with a .243? Bullet placement would be crucial obviously...

Fish

 

[Lefty Dick]

It's been done lots.
Not my cup of tea personally,
I'm more of a 6.5x55, 260, 7x57, 7mm-08 advocate for your situation.

Gee whiz and they come in youth/ladies maoels too.

 

[jaywill]

last year my hunting partner only brought a .243 and kneck shotted a moose. it dropped immediately.

 

[GRiNGo]

Yeah, not the best but it definitely has been done, as you said good shot placement and a good bullet will help. For faster follow up shots there are Savage youth packages in 243 with a scope and detachable mag available, and they are on sale at Cabelas Canada for $430 right now.

 

[JasonYuke]

As said it can work and has done so many times with perfect shots at respectable ranges and now with bonded bullets it makes things a bit better..

BUT, However, Not enough insurance for me, For the just incase shot.

I like heavy bullets for heavy bodies with a bit more bullet Diameter if needed.

Under the right situation you can kill with anything with the right hit.

 

[X-fan]

Can be done, but I wouldn't.

 

[bcsteve]

Like everyone is saying, it can be done but why when there are some many better options out there.

 

[blargon]

Get a .308 instead, use 150gr loads...

Any rifle can be made into a youth gun...

 

[BC Bigbore]

I wouldn't hesitate to shoot a moose (reasonable range & broadside shot) with a .243 Win. utilizing an 80gr or larger bullet.

 

[Biggunners]

Not recomended but your coice

 

[Ice-Pick]

"I" wouldn't use anything less than a 30 cal. Definately not a single shot rifle.

M.

 

[Kenny_G2]

I would feel comfortable using my 243 on a moose, would I give it to someone who has never shot a moose before "just in case they see something", absolutely not. I know you said shot placement is everything but what if it is that 6 inches to far foward and hits the shoulder, 308, no problem, 243, kinda iffy.

I still get pumped when I see a moose when out hunting (and ive shot over a dozen) and I can still remember the rush with my first moose so its not the same as shooting at paper, and being off by a few inches is very possible. I would personnal go with a 308 and a good bullet.

 

[SuperCub]

Can be done, but I wouldn't.

I'd want something 6.5mm as a minimum.



.

 

[Amphibious]

I wouldn't hesitate to shoot a moose (reasonable range & broadside shot) with a .243 Win. utilizing an 80gr or larger bullet.

+1

Premium bullets in the 90 to 100gr range would be my choice, shots inside 150yrds and a broadside presentation...

moose are not hard to kill if your placement is correct.

 

[Gatehouse]

With a good bullet, broadside, sure, it will work.

Not my idea of a great moose cartridge, though. I'd get a .308 instead, use a bit bigger bullet.

 

[blargon]

or if the girlfriends come over for a weekend during hunting season, we'd want to provide them with a rifle in case they see something

You fella's that are saying you'd use a .243 is one thing, but would you hand it to your buddy's girlfriend, who has likely never shot anything, including a target?

Even if you told her about shot placement, she'll forget it all when a 1200lb Bull comes trotting out...I wouldn't use one, and certainly wouldn't give one to an inexperienced shooter...

 

[Northman999]

Lots of moose killed with the 243, but really it should be reserved for experienced hunters who are good shots, as the 243 is really marginal for moose.

As others have noted, any rifle can be made into a youth model simply by cutting the stock and reinstalling the butt pad. If you already shoot 30-06, why not just get another one, shorten it to length, and buy some light ammo (or have lighter handloads done up for the kids) and be done with it. Then you'd have ammo interchangeability with your main rifles (major factor for a backup rifle) and your "youth gun" would be chambered in a much more versatile caliber.

 

[Jimbobob08]

Marginal rounds are for the expert, not the average girlfriend, or your son in a few years.

 

[sgt.rock]

I have used a .243 once and bagged a decent size bull moose with a 100 grain winchester soft point. The shot was a neck shot at about 150 yards and he dropped like the hammer of Thor. (it was the only rifle I had available to me.) I would not hesitate to shoot another with one. If you can control your nerves enough to keep it steady , then why not. And a good single shot can be reloaded quite quickly with practice. I have a .270 TC Encore and with 2 shells in my left fingers, I can easily keep pace reloading my gun with my bolt action breatheren. Of course you should always use enough gun and for me a .270 is my personal minimum if I have a choice. But I have successfully used a .25-06 and .257 Roberts on a moose each. To each their own. Each hunter is responsible for his own personal actions. Dont pull that trigger if you aren't confident in your ability to kill what is in your sights with the firearm thats in your hands.

 

[StoneHorse]

I love the .243 Win but it would not be my first choice on a moose hunt. The .243 will work fine using a proper big game (not varmint) bullet and as always, shot placement. BTW, shot placement is very important regardless of cartridge used.