243 replaces both 223 and 308?

vpsalin

vpsalin

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I'm starting to get into centerfire rifles, and have always been intrigued by the 223 and 308. I don't mind owning both a 223 rifle and 308 rifle, but I do mind, if there's a rifle out there that can do what both of them can do in a single caliber. So can the 243 do both the job of the 223 and 308 (sometimes better, 223 cough)? From the start I find it interesting that the 243 can fire bullet weights ranging from 58 to 110gr. Is it possible for a single 243 rifle barrel to harness both the a 60gr - 95gr rounds?

Seems like it's a versatile caliber and that there's a lot of fun testing to be done just by that fact alone.

Keep in mind I'm approaching this question from the point of view of someone who considers Deer/Hogs size animals as big game. I don't see myself going any bigger in the near future.

Thanks for your input.
 
they"re 2 different calibers for 2 different jobs- the 243 is more in between the 2, but there are jobs that the 308 can do that only the 7mm and 30 calibers can do- the 223 is a varmint/light deer caliber and the 308 does just about everything as you can use bullets from 110 grains that really scream to knocking down moose, elk, bear- you put a 110 grain 308 into a varmint or yote and there won't be much left
 
Let's face some facts first off, you will have a shorter barrel life than a 308, with a varmint calibre that heats up faster than a 223.
If you are willing to live with these factors and replace your barrel much more often, more power to you friend.
If you are looking for a more reliable deer cartridge (you posted this in precision rifle forum not the hunting forum right?) perhaps you should invest in premium bullets only, (AKA: Nosler Partitions, Swift A-Frames, etc) to improve game anchoring performance. The 243 has a mild rep' of letting the big ones get away sometimes. This may be your ultimate long range coyote and antelope rig. But it is a compromise IMO.
 
For large varmints like ground hogs to coyotes, and at longer ranges of about 150 yards to about 300 yards, I would stay with a 243 Win from 85 grain soft point bullet weight and more.

Rifles with factory barrels for 243 Win will handle the bullet weights of factory loads.

For 243 Win on deer size game, stay with at least a 100 grain bullet weight. Basically the heavier weight bullet stays together longer which allows a deeper penetration as it mushrooms into the chest cavity. Wheights lesser than that could fall apart as it touches the surface of larger deer size game, and at the velocitys of a 243 Win, especially at close ranges of about 100 yards and less. A heaver wheight bullet is better, and in some provinces it's at least 100 grains for deer as a law (Ontario?).
 
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223 is light - won't work on most big game - Deer can be taken with it, but shot placement is highly critical.
243 is still light, but effective on Deer (wouldn't recommend it for Moose or Bear) - very effective on varmint & coyote.
308 is heavy - Great for any north american Big Game ... will decimate a coyote or smaller game (gophers and groundhogs tend to become hamburger)

Location of hunt is another concern - the 223/243 are lighter bullets, and twigs, etc (shooting through light brush) as well as wind in open fields, can have noticeable effects on them. 308's on the other hand, are far less prone to being sent off course by a small leaf or minor gust of wind.

Each have their place and neither would truly fill the other's shoes. A 243 is roughly a "super-sized" 223 and does outperform the 223 in a purely ballistics sense ... but neither are close to a 308 for sheer stopping power.

IF you really wanted an "in between" gun that could do both (Varmint & Coyote as well as Deer & Moose) jobs "good enough", and you reload (for even more options with it) then I think a 270 is a very good all around caliber.
 
Twist rate plays a large factor in bullet choice. Sure you can launch the 110 or 105 gr. vld's but will they stabilize with the given twist rate of your barrel? You can't simply fling any lead through a barrel and expect good performance. Ballistics is a science that needs to be considered and even applied if you expect precision.
What exactly do you plan on shooting with these rifles? Targets, varmint, deer? At what distances??
 
Back in the 70's when I could only afford one rifle. I was going to live in many different hunting areas of the country (I was in the military) over my career, from the East coast, prairies, West coast and the north. I would be shooting in bush to long range depending where I was stationed. The choices for me was narrowed down to a 270 or a 3006. I finally chose the 270 and have been happy with it for over 35 years. I have retired in Haida Gwaii where there is a plethora of black tailed deer (Sitka) and I wanted a lighter gun for the deer and less recoil: I bought a 243 for this. Since I was also getting into long range shooting for "fun": I purchased a 223. I am reluctant to use the 223 for deer but I believe this calibre could be effective with a large grain bullet and selective shots. Therefore, the choice you make depends on what you are hunting.
 
If you live in, or want to hunt in Southern Ontario, keep in mind that there is a .275 maximum caliber restriction. That rules out the 270...

6.5mm is a better "comprimize caliber" since it has better barrel life. But, you can find .243 ammo anywhere.

Also, you aren't going to find a factory rifle in either caliber that has a twist rate that if fast enough for decent long range bullets.
 
Each have their place and neither would truly fill the other's shoes. A 243 is roughly a "super-sized" 223 and does outperform the 223 in a purely ballistics sense ... but neither are close to a 308 for sheer stopping power.
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Take a look at a ballistics chart for the 243. It kills the 308 in energy from the muzzle right out to as far as the 308 crosses the sonic barrier. That is because the 243 has way more velocity.

I have killed quite a few coyotes with a 243 and anyone who thinks a 308 is gonna kill a coyote more quickly is fooling themselves. I called my 243 the Hammer of Thor cause it killed virtually instantly.


To answer the OP's question, every caliber has its uses. The 223 is an excellent varmint cartridge for high volume shooting at medium distances. The 243 is better for lower volume shooting at longer distances or for bigger game.

I used to shoot a 243 at gophers but it heats up the barrel way too quickly for a really serious gopher field. However I got my longest kills ever with that 243 so it has a special place in my heart.
 
Keep in mind I'm approaching this question from the point of view of someone who considers Deer/Hogs size animals as big game. I don't see myself going any bigger in the near future.
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For your purposes I think the 260 or 6.5x55 swede would be perfect.

Great target and hunting cartridges.
 
260 rem and don't look back good barrel life and a very accurate round.
Excelent bullet choice and enough power for moose and bear too ,with the lighter bullets will take coyotes at a good range 6.5 mm is your friend.
 
kombayotch said:
If you live in, or want to hunt in Southern Ontario, keep in mind that there is a .275 maximum caliber restriction. That rules out the 270...

6.5mm is a better "comprimize caliber" since it has better barrel life. But, you can find .243 ammo anywhere.

Also, you aren't going to find a factory rifle in either caliber that has a twist rate that if fast enough for decent long range bullets.
Click to expand...

or does it...the .270 is actually .277 calibre. :stirthepot2:
 
This post will go on for almost forever because you will never a consensus. I love the .243 Win and it covers the long range varmint to medium game very well with the right bullet. As someone has already stated, the .243 is not well suited to high volume varmint shooting and I do prefer a little larger calibre for game larger than a big mule deer.
 
kombayotch said:
If you live in, or want to hunt in Southern Ontario, keep in mind that there is a .275 maximum caliber restriction. That rules out the 270...

6.5mm is a better "comprimize caliber" since it has better barrel life. But, you can find .243 ammo anywhere.

Also, you aren't going to find a factory rifle in either caliber that has a twist rate that if fast enough for decent long range bullets.
Click to expand...

Although it is actually larger than 275 the 270 is accepted to be used in this area. As strange as it is...it's an exception. I know many people hunting with .270
Nevertheless 6.5 is an excellent choice by many. Easy to find ammo almost as much as 243.
 
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