.243 or .270 win?

[bc-crawler3]

Looking into a sub 30 rifle for hunting. Anyone have some insight between a 243 and a 270? will be used for deer mostly. I live on the north coast so odd trip over to Haida Gwaii and inland as well. I already have a 30.06 and a 300 wm. Any thoughts appreciated!

 

[EDJ]

If your looking for something different I'd go with 243. To me a 270 or 30-06 are quite similar. As for 243 vs 270, no deer can live on the difference.

 

[todbartell]

243 makes more sense, since you have a couple 30 calibers already. Honestly the 6.5 Creedmoor is a better choice but not on your list

 

[brybenn]

243 is most unlike the rest you mentioned. A deer wont noticed a difference as long as a proper bullet for hunting deer is used. If using factory ammo avoid varmint bullets. Although i read those island deer are pretty small id still use a controlled expansion bullet

 

[hoytcanon]

If deer are your primary quarry (even dinky coastal blacktails, I would choose a .25 cal or 6.5mm... you already have two long action cartridges... as said above, the .270 does not do much that your .30/06 wont, in practical terms... you might as well choose a short action cartridge... these days, starting out with a new rifle, there is little reason not to choose the 6.5 Creedmoor... rifles and ammo are everywhere, and the ballistics are right in the sweet-spot for your purposes.

 

[bc-crawler3]

Thanks for the input guys, it never occurred to me about a 6.5 creedmoor as not many people seem to shoot that here. May be worth a look. .243 just seemed to be the norm up here that’s mostly my reasoning for looking into it

 

[NAA]

7mm-08

But on the choices, I'd go .243 Win.

------------------
NAA.

 

[lead head]

.243

 

[Falconflyer]

The 243 makes sense since you already have a couple of .30's That said, the 270 loaded lightly is one heck of a deer cartridge!

 

[Dirty shorts]

I like them both, but it sounds like you need the flat shooting .243, lots of ammo choices, low recoil, fun to shoot.

 

[WhelanLad]

260 Rem 243 with that 6.5 projie, slightly heavier weight, short action... yessir

 

[guntech]

When you already have a 30-06 the 270 is no choice... so the .243 with good bullets gets my vote. Factory Hornady Custom 100 grain Interlock shoot 1/2 to 3/4 inch in my rifle.

 

[3macs1]

My old shoulder loves my 243 and with hand loads of partitions deer still go bang flop
Cheers

 

[1899]

I have both and have shot deer with both - including in Haifa Gwaii. Out of those 2, and given the fact that you already have a .30-06, id go .243 or if you want something a bit different then 6mm Creedmoor.

 

[winruger]

Surprised so few mention the 25-06 ... it will put a deer down at incredible ranges. I know I was there !

 

[Markus]

I've always had a 243 in my stable. I love the round. However I can't actually remember killing anything with it right now. Mine have always shot great.

 

[Forest1488]

243 all the way. Accurate, plentiful, can be used for varmits, deer and target.

 

[RatFink]

.243 with 85gr TSX and call it a day.

 

[Markus]

.243 with 85gr TSX and call it a day.

Yep. My tikka loves 85 ttsx, 85 Sierra game kings, 87 Vmax and 95 grain SST. Just doesn't like 85 grain partitions.

 

[brybenn]

Surprised so few mention the 25-06 ... it will put a deer down at incredible ranges. I know I was there !

2506 is one of my favorites. Its the best whitetail cartridge going