.243 in big game

Brocolt

Brocolt

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have any of you tried or used .243 Win. in big game like Moose or Elk? what was the results? if using a good bullet like Barnes ### or some other good bullet like Berger VLD would it not work well up to 250 to 300 yrds max.

I know there are lots of you out there that think go big or go home, but I'm not one. I don't really want to buy another gun just for a rare hunt, hence asking for input from others that have done this.

thanks all
 
I find this thread very appropriate to have a question mark connected to it. That is exactly what the 243 is ecspecially for the larger of the north american deer species. You don't have sectional density
 
I have a freind who has shot several Elk witha 243 personally I use a 270WSM or a 300WSM for bigger game than deer.
 
It can be done. The fact that something can be done does not mean it should be.

What worries me is that you are asking the question. That means to me that you are not an "expert" hunter, and I feel that the .243 is an expert's round. It will work well if you stay within its range, use the proper bullet (very important), know the animal's anatomy, are cool enough to NOT take the marginal shots, can shoot well from field positions under real hunting situations (which is different from shooting at the range).

Is that you? If so, you can likely use the .243 for years and not have any trouble. If there is any doubt about any of those factors, use a bit more gun.
 
VLDs aren't appropriate as they are designed to fragment. They may work great in deer, but a moose is too big for a VLD to get deep into the vitals. Elk maybe but I (personally) wouldn't.

At 250-300 yards, you are also going to loose a lot of velocity. I would suggest a heavy 100-110gr RN bullet like the sierra game king or even pro-hunter for the additional penetration. Nosler partition would be another good choice.

Say you find a loading that gives good accuracy with a MV of 3000fps. Your bullet has a BC of say .52 Those are realistic numbers. At 300 yards, it will only be doing 2473fps. The bullet must be designed to product good terminal ballistics at 2400fps or so. If you hit bone, a VLD or other HP will likely not reach the vitals.

To stabalize a bullet above 100gr at 300m, you really need a barrel with a 1:8 twist or faster. A lot of .243s are 1:10.

I know a guy who's a _very_ accomplished hunter who shot a moose with a .243. 3 times. The same moose. If you doubt the skill of this individual consider that he was able to track a wounded moose to shoot it the third time.

Bullet selection is critical when shooting a large animal like that at extended range with barely sufficient equipment. I would possibly consider doing some ballistic testing with gelatin at the ranges and velocities you expect to shoot at before you go and try it on an animal.
 
A proper big game rifle can be had for less then 300 dollars...............
Sure you can kill anything with a 243 if you place your shot well and use a bullet that you know will reach deep enough to destroy lung.
That being said I'll bet you a thousand dollars you loose the elk you shoot at 300 yards with a 243.
 
I typically carry something heavier; like my 280 or 35 Whelen, but my 6MM Remington has folded a moose and a couple of elk. I would not hesitate to use it on a blackie, but I would not intentionally try it on a griz.
 
ok enough with the comical side notes. I'm not a big game hunter by any means, and yes I can shoot shot placement will be fine. I got drawn for a big game tag with a friend and don't really want to buy a new gun just for a one time hunt. most of my guns are varmint & tactical, hence why I asked if anyone has used the .243 round. back in the day when I used to hunt most of my deer were all taken under 80yrds so getting close to the animal will be very important to me. I asked the 250/300yd question because I wanted to know if it would have the stopping power at that range. predators & varmints this is not an issue. If I was to use the .243 for this hunt I would want the best bullet I could get for the hunt.

If this is an issue I can always use a buddies rifle in 270 or 30-06 I just hate borrowing guns. and I don't want to buy a new gun just for one hunt.
 
Brocolt:

Seeing as you got a draw and that it probabley will cost you time and money in excess of the cost of a proper rifle why not just buy or beg a rifle that wont require your target to be perfectly broadside and 100 yards away? You can sell the rifle again afterward and even if you take a 100 dollar hit on it that is a mere 10 pounds of free range organic meat! I know the whole 'get closer' thing seems to be everyone's answer but I've yet to find a moose on the far side of a pond 10 minutes before end of shooting light that would wait while I jogged around. Likewise very few animals are standing broad side when you have a chance at them close up. Faceing and quartering away are much more likely. Moving and quartering away extra likely.

If you absolutely must use the 243 I am sure it will work out for you but I'd choose a 75 dollar 303 over it.

As an option there is a 300 dollar as new 7remmag in the ee right now with bases. Buy it, use it and I'll give you 250 for it when your done with it even if it gets another scratch or two.
 
david doyle said:
A proper big game rifle can be had for less then 300 dollars...............
Sure you can kill anything with a 243 if you place your shot well and use a bullet that you know will reach deep enough to destroy lung.
That being said I'll bet you a thousand dollars you loose the elk you shoot at 300 yards with a 243.
Click to expand...

When anybody tells you words like "Well if everything goes perfect" You know your damned. How many times in hunting do all things go perfect? He's the right distance. The shot goes perfect etc etc . Thats why they make big guns. A big gun can right some or all of those wrongs
 
I have seen moose go right down with a .243 and also whitetails run after being hit well. No rhyme or reason to either. Shoot him in the lungs with just about anything, and they will go down ... it is just a matter of where and when they will go down. The bigger guns ultimately give you a little larger margin for error. That doesn't mean they are a guarantee either.
 
Nobody loves the .243 more than I do, but you are at the bottom end of the bullet weight/mass category for moose and elk. A tough bullet is essential, and as heavy as possible(100 or 105 grain)
I have no doubt that a .243 will kill moose or elk with a lung shot, but I don't use mine for anything bigger than deer.
Go 200 yds or more, throw in some wind and a quartering angle, and it becomes a job for a calibre that starts with .3, not .2!
(no disrespect to the mighty .243, I've had one for 15 years and I'm thinking about getting another one built)
 
^^x10.

Listen, the .243 is a fantastic round. I use it for everything from squirrels to deer. But that is where it stops!! I use an SKS to hunt deer as well (but not moose) and I am certainly an opponent to the "go big or go home" theory and I have taken my fair share of big game. I have never used anything larger than my .30-06 and most have been taken with a sported .303 long before I could afford a "real gun".
I agree with david doyle. get yourself a $75 .303 and some 180grn rounds, sight it in and go hunting. You will be sure of your moose or elk.
While I would not hesitate to fire on a deer with my .243 at 200+yds, I would however, turn down anything over 50 at a moose or a elk, even with a "premium" bullet.
 
Brocolt said:
ok enough with the comical side notes. I'm not a big game hunter by any means, and yes I can shoot shot placement will be fine. I got drawn for a big game tag with a friend and don't really want to buy a new gun just for a one time hunt. most of my guns are varmint & tactical, hence why I asked if anyone has used the .243 round. back in the day when I used to hunt most of my deer were all taken under 80yrds so getting close to the animal will be very important to me. I asked the 250/300yd question because I wanted to know if it would have the stopping power at that range. predators & varmints this is not an issue. If I was to use the .243 for this hunt I would want the best bullet I could get for the hunt.

If this is an issue I can always use a buddies rifle in 270 or 30-06 I just hate borrowing guns. and I don't want to buy a new gun just for one hunt.
Click to expand...
The text I emboldened above speaks volumes to me.
I fear you will not be a cool shot, something that is an absolute must with a round like the 243win, when considering game larger than deer.
You used to hunt deer, but I gather quite a while ago, remember buck fever? With Moose, it's magnum buck fever.
A 303 would be better, and can be had for a couple hundred bucks.
 
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