.243 - Just Enough, Not Enough or Perfect

D

-Doug-

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Application:
-Sub 150 yard deer cartridge
-Low recoiling for recoil sensitive shooter (more so to allow for more enjoyable practice)
-Commonly available factory ammunition

Question:
-Is the .243 just enough, not enough or perfect?
-Does it require an ideal shot (as some say online) or does it have enough insurance to it for those other times.

Lots of articles on this debate - but figured it would be an interesting topic to hear from the experts. Let me know your experience.
 
Sub 150 you will have no issues with just about any game animal in NA with a 243, provided you put the right bullet in the right spot.
This is true for all calibres/cartridges.

I shoot Barnes 85gr TSX out of an 18.5" barrel at about 2815fps and it is more than enough (Catastrophic damage with full passthrough at 289 yards this season).

For that reason, I have been tinkering with significant downloads but have been having trouble getting low enough SD's with my preferred powder.
 
Absolutely bonkers good cartridge for younger folk to practice at the range and hunt with, accurate with low recoil. It's also great for smaller shooters (muh wimmin' like it!) and those who are recoil-sensitive. Never took any game with it, but given that it's a laserbeam (100gr -6.6"300 yards) that's still chugging along at >2000fps @ 400 yards, a 150 yard deer will have no cause to complain you didn't use a 300 WSM.

The only downside is that factory cartridges aren't any cheaper than substantially bigger ones (like the various 30 cals). Due to their speed, especially with the lighter bullets, they're supposed to be barrel burners. But, OTOH in a typical hunting/sporting rifle, that won't be an issue.
 
-Doug- said:
Application:
-Sub 150 yard deer cartridge
-Low recoiling for recoil sensitive shooter (more so to allow for more enjoyable practice)
Only thing missing is "what handloads are the best l-Commonly available factory ammunition

Question:
-Is the .243 just enough, not enough or perfect?
-Does it require an ideal shot (as some say online) or does it have enough insurance to it for those other times.

Lots of articles on this debate - but figured it would be an interesting topic to hear from the experts. Let me know your experience.
Click to expand...
I can't believe this is really a thread.
You need to get out.
Only thing missing:
"What load should I use for the .243?"
 
I would go that it is about a perfect round for what you describe. A local old guy poacher usually has a Ruger 77 Compact on the truck seat beside him, if you meet him on a back road - I recently bought one - two bullet holes touch each other on 100 yard target - 95 grain Hornady SST factory ammo - so we are stocked up with 6 boxes of that - all with same lot number. I had worked down a Remington 788 in 243 Win for my wife to start hunting with - circa 200 rounds fired over summer to get some practice - a single shot fired to get her mule deer - 85 grain Speer hand load - 1981 (?) - 18.25" barrel.

Maybe like the .410 - is usually relegated for kids, women or someone starting out - then turns out many "old guys" end up with one - it works - very well - you do not need the horsepower of a 300 Manglem to take a deer at 150 or 200 yards - just need to place an appropriate bullet where it is needed - as has been mentioned. Most shooters will find that easier to do, with something with mild noise and mild recoil - unfortunately this 16.5" barrel is NOT mild in the noise department!!!
 
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Think the 243 is perfect as a crossover from fox to small deer but think there are better cartridges for the larger deer. The 9-10 twist 243's I had didn't like 100gr + much and I stuck with 80-87gr. In some European countries the 243 is not allowed for larger deer and only legal for the smaller Roe deer. Have not hunted with my 243 since several years now as the 6.5CM has taken the role as precise low recoil gun.
edi
 
EJG said:
Think the 243 is perfect as a crossover from fox to small deer but think there are better cartridges for the larger deer. The 9-10 twist 243's I had didn't like 100gr + much and I stuck with 80-87gr. In some European countries the 243 is not allowed for larger deer and only legal for the smaller Roe deer. Have not hunted with my 243 since several years now as the 6.5CM has taken the role as precise low recoil gun.
edi
Click to expand...
People kill big whitetails with 223s all the time... The fact 223 isn't legal in all provinces or states doesn't make the deer any less dead in the states where it is legal...
 
Perfect for the application that you describe and will reliably take deer out further than 150 yards.
Many years ago I knew a guy who took more moose than most hunters could imagine with a 243 and he couldn't figure out why anyone would need anything more. He was a stickler for broadside lung shots and didn't do anything stupid such as Texas heart shots and didn't tend to lose any game that he shot.
 
The .243 is perfect for deer if it is chambered in the 240 Weatherby! We have found the Barnes tsx/ttsx in the 80/85grainers to be very accurate deer killers out too 250 and at all angles. Deer have a tendency to run a bit (100m) and blood trails can be lacking. One of the Mark V lightweights would be sweet.
 
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