What game can be taken with a .243Win vs a .270Win?

41 Colt

41 Colt

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I would like to get into hunting this year and all I have for a long range rifle with optics is a .223. It would be legal on deer in BC but a lot of people don't think it is a good cartridge for them. I'm looking into either a .243Win or a .270Win. I think I will start with deer but may get into larger animals in the future.

And what is the recoil on these cartridghes like? I have a small frame and don't like too much recoil. As an example I had a old Winchester in .30-30 with metal buttplate and sold it due to the uncomfortable recoil.
 
I bought an inexpensive savage package in 270 for my first hunting rifle.

Recoil is not horrendous and should be good for everything I need it for.
 
With a good recoil pad...either caliber would be adequate for the big game you mentioned. I have a Browning .270 that i use often even at the range and find it reasonable for recoil. The 30-30 rifles can be intimidating to smaller people but for me the nastalgia of shooting these old girls keeps me coming back to fire them. And i am certainly not a big person.
 
I've got one of each and I'm a little on the recoil-sensitive side. Every deer that I've shot, so far, has been with the 243. And none has stumbled more than a handful of yards from where I shot it. In fact, only one stumbled at all and the rest dropped where they stood. I can shoot that gun all day long if I want. When I first got it I noticed the recoil but after a little practice at the bench I became very desensitized to it.

Now with my 270, which I bought only last February, I notice the same pattern happening. At first it seemed like a fair bit- though not at all overwhelming. But I knew I'd fired it. Now it's no deal at all. And my 243 feels like nothing.

The 270's, of course, is going to be a better choice for a broader range of game, and greater ranges to target. But if I, personally, were to do it all over again, knowing what I know now, I'm inclined to say I'd do it the same way, and work my way up.

I should add, too, that I handload for both of these rifles, and my pet loads for both are on the "warmer" side of things. So it's not a case of me loading down for lighter recoil on either one.

That's my 2 cents worth.
 
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41 Colt said:
I'm looking into either a .243Win or a .270Win. I think I will start with deer but may get into larger animals in the future.
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I had a savage .270 bolt and it felt like it kicked like a mule...and yet my buddy fired it and said I was crazy...I then bought a Rem 7400? Semi .270 it was great and then I sold it . I regret selling the Rem .270 semi and am like you ....trying to decide between a .243 and .223
 
Thanks for the responces so far. Looking at a recoil table and reading posts found through google a .308Win with a 150gr bullet has less recoil than a .270. Would that be an even better choice? In the close by areas for hunting in BC game can be up to black bear, elk & moose in size, though I would start of with deer and possible wolf. Would a .308 be too big for the latter?
 
My girlfriend, who is 5Ft2 and 115ish lbs shoots a Savage F11 or whatever in .270. If I had to pick one hunting calibre I would pick .270 or 30.06. .308win is easy to shoot and I have had friends shoot my .300win mag without a problem, just not as many rounds. Recoil isn't that big of a deal once you get use to it. But yes, the .308 it would be a good choice for the big game including deer. Lots of guys shoot deer with those rounds. Don't forget, each calibre has several choices for grains, so other then having to re zero, switching to bigger or smaller loads is no problem at all.
 
308 would be a great caliber. Not too much for deer, good for moose and elk too. 270, 308, 30-06 are all very good do-it-all calibers for BC big game. My 30-06 is my go-to rifle, personally.
 
A .243 is a necked down .308 Winchester cartridge. A .270 is a necked down 30-06 Springfield cartridge. I live in northern ontario so i don't know what kind of distance you're going to be shooting at. Myself, I would go with the .270 or an actual .308 rather than a .243. A .308 Winchester will kill anything that walks in North America. A .270 will do it too. A .243 might be a bit small if you're thinking about killing some of the bigger bears in B.C. If you are recoil sensitive, may i suggest a good recoil pad? Put one on any rifle you may be shooting. I'm not calling you a pu$$y, but a 30-30 is not big on recoil. Hell, it's not even a contender when it comes to big recoil from a .30 caliber rifle. A lot of guys might tell you to man the f%ck up but i'm not gonna. What i will tell you is get a .270/.308/30-06, learn how to shoot straight with the god damn thing, then go from there. Once you get your sh*t together, it won't matter which caliber it is. Good Luck.

p.s. Buy a good scope. If i was gonna start from scratch, I'd buy a sako rifle and zeiss scope. Expensive, but to each their own.
 
The .270 can be loaded light or heavy. The .243 cant be loaded that heavy. I have both a .270 and a 6mm Rem and find the .270 far more versatile.

In fact... I am of the opinion for the middle range calibers, stuff that isnt varmint grade and stuff that isnt Africa grade, the .270 is very flexible in what it can do. You can find ammo for it everywhere if you want factory to.

Recoil is snappy, but otherwise enjoyable. Truly one of the better calibers ever made.
 
I wouldn't get either my self, and I have owned both. Get a 7mm-08, mild recoil in a short action rifle. When loaded with a quality 140 gr bullet your good for deer to moose. IMHO
 
felt recoil has so much more to do with the gun than the cartridge really. I'd go with a Winchester model 70 crf 270 winchester in either the sporter model or the featherweight model.

A straight stocked 30-30 isn't exactly a ergonomic firearm in that sense.
 
As you have a 223 already, the next step would be the 270. I find my 270 easier on the shoulder than both my 30-30's. That being said I own three 243's and only one 270 and have only hunted with it a couple times.
As was suggested above the 308 is one of my go to's when headed to the deer woods. But if you are looking for something that has less recoil and is more useful than the 243 get yourself a ......

257 Roberts
 
I guess if recoil is a problem,first thing i would do is get a past shoulder pad for the range work then buy whatever rifle that caught my eye.Believe me you will never notice the recoil while hunting.Why limit yourself when a thirty dollar shoulder pad will solve the problem?
 
Go to the closest gun store and test shoulder every model they have in stock.
Find the one that fits the best and has the price you like.
Buy it in .270 or .308 (the difference is only meaningful to 2% of shooters) and shouldn't make any difference for what you want to hunt and do this:

jeff270 said:
As a smaller person you should also get the stock shortened.
If it fits you well it will hurt less and you will shoot better.
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Easy peasy!
 
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