243 as a Legitimate and Humane Deer Gun?

Aren't there some states that allow ".22 CENTERFIRE" for deer hunting?

I know of many men that are my grandfathers age that fed their families with deer on a regular basis that were taken with .22lr headshots, so with proper shot placement I would think a .243 @ 200 would be more than sufficient.

I plan on getting a .243 for deer and coyotes.
 
Suther said:
A 50bmg through the boiler room will destroy less meat than a 243 into the quarters. Shot placement trumps cartridge selection 99% of the time.
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kodiakjack said:
We should test this. I would pay money to watch.
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Jay said:
I have the 50... Might I suggest Hornady's 750 grain AMAX?

bGNnuBX.jpg
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Ok someone did it!

...sort of...

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1654547-Shooting-a-doe-with-50bmg
 
Well I hope you made your choice. the 243 Win will work . I like the 270 win . I have neck and back problems and it doesn't rock me like an 3006. I like 308 also . if I were you I would grab a 270 or try one first.
 
yakoun said:
Hi all, this is my first post not including the obligitory intro post...

OK, I'm a very inexperienced hunter. I have shot precisely 1 deer, ....
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That's a good start, I hope you will be able to shoot them all precisely.

Yes, with the bullets at the larger end of that cartridge's capacity, within its effective range a well placed shot is effective and humane.
 
My .243 is shooting 100 grain Winchester super X bullets and has taken 2 whitetail. Both took 1 shot each, good placement and within your range of 200 yards.
 
243 Win

With over 30 years of whitetail deer hunting in hunting parties, I seen many calibers used. Anything 243 and up will drop a deer with a proper placement. Here is my summary what is used, where hit and how far it ran before dropping. All were shot under 200 yards.

35 Rem, lung shot, 80 yards
30-30, lung shot, 70 yards
30-30, shot through both knees, crawling on the ground, dispatched with a lung shot
375 Win, lung shot, 100 yards
308 Win, lung shot, 100 yards,
308 Win, lung shot, 120 yards
30-06, heart shot, drop on the spot
30-06, lung shot, 100 yards
303 Brit, heart shot, drop on the spot
303 Brit, lung shot, 70 yards
7.62x39, bad shot through the liver, tracked it for 2 miles before dispatching it with a head shot as it attempted to jump into the lake to escape
6.5x55, lung shot, 100 yards
12g slug, lung shot, 70 yards (11 point buck, 250 lbs)
12g slug, gaping hole through the front of the chest, ran 300 yards and drop after it bled out completely
243 Win, lung shot, 10 yards (11 point buck, 250 lbs)

As you can see, 243 Win had the shortest drop dead distance because it transferred all the energy to the deer chest (evidence during gutting, lungs were jelly) while bigger caliber transfer some of it and keep on trucking through.

Some people put down the 243 because it is not a macho caliber.

Can't dispute hunting facts.

bucks.jpg
 
yakoun said:
OK first of all, the response to my question has been incredible. I've held back on replying because the posts and knowledge kept on flowing and I didn't/don't want to stop that. Unbelievable amount of experience represented in this thread. Thanks to those with opinions on both sides of the argument. As I read more, I understand these caliber conversations are considered pretty annoying by some, so again - I appreciate you taking the time to respond.

What I take from all this:
- A 243 is capable of taking deer ethically under the conditions I asked about with a decent shot. MANY of you have done so many times without issue.
- There may be some situations where 243 might not be ideal - marginal quartering shots, heavy brush, etc. - but again, at this point if I'm not sure the shot is going to land where I want it, I'm not taking it. My kids aren't starving.
- Ammo selection is really important and heavier grain is a must. I'll make note of all the specific cartridge brands and grain weights that have worked well for everyone.
- The flinch is bad and I need to fix it. No getting around it. Range time with a 22, some good psychological techniques described in the responses, some accessories and maybe reduced recoil loads for the 30-06 are on the docket.
- Buying ammuntion last minute is generally not a good idea for a couple valid reasons, especially not limiting choices to Walmart stock. I've decided to use Canadian Tire as the gate for ammo. Before anyone laughs, our local stores seem to have quite a bit of choice and I'd never be stuck waiting for an online order.
- There may be other calibers to consider with light, but slightly more recoil that may be more effective than a 243, but getting ammuntion may be more of a challenge (25-06, .260, 6.5x55 swede).

So, I'm now on the hunt for a .243, but I've also decided to include the 7mm-08 in the search. The ammo IS available at CT, the recoil is still significantly lower than say a .270 or .308 (I think), and I understand that the 7mm-08 may have some advantages over the .243. I'm waiting to get moderator blessing access to the Exchange forums. I don't dare ask about particular brands and models, but if anyone has any suggestions I would welcome your private messages if it isn't disallowed by the rules of the forum.

Thanks again!
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Lol..... the OP nailed it about a month ago......yet here we are..... merry Christmas CGN
 
Hey my grandad used s 25 20 for many deernever felt under gunned. I like my 22 250 for still shots. The 243 in a great deer gun.
 
Never shot anything with a 243, mainly because I have used the 6mm Remington instead. The difference is negligible in the game field.

But I would say that the 40+ deer, the 10+ black bears, and the 2 moose I have shot with the 6mm would agree that this is plenty of
gun to kill deer with.

I have used 95 and 100 Partitions exclusively to hunt with, and only a couple of times have I needed a second
shot for insurance. Ignore the nay-sayers....they have probably not had much experience in the field with the 243. Eagleye.
 
I am recoil sensitive, started off with a 308 and am much more confortable with a 7mm-08 in a heavier and better fitting rifle for myself. A buddy of mine is in the same situation as yourself and is actively pursuing the purchase of a 243 as he has little interest in game larger than deer. All the best to you!
 
Geez, This really took off!

IMO a 100gr projectile is the best bet for the .243 on our smaller Deer (Fallow deer) which are Whitetail sized Deer..

You're spot on about the Recoil in the .243 being a lot more pleasant to shoot than the 3006 OR 308 for the arguments sake.


Forums, got to love some of the info that gets handed out :D
 
Mr.Crumbz said:
I am recoil sensitive, started off with a 308 and am much more confortable with a 7mm-08 in a heavier and better fitting rifle for myself. A buddy of mine is in the same situation as yourself and is actively pursuing the purchase of a 243 as he has little interest in game larger than deer. All the best to you!
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I am lucky enough to not be recoil sensitive..... likely a product of my growing up with guns coupled with my build....

It’s very refreshing to me to see that there are folks out there that will shoot what they are comfortable within their means.... good for you and your friend.... you and your quarry will be better off for it.....
 
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