243 vs 270 for hunting

I reload and have a nice 90 gr load, two 130 gr loads, and a 150 gr load for my 270. I feel confident that it is exactly the right tool for varmints, moose, and everything in between. Either choice will suit what you want to do nicely. If you reload you will be able to get even more out of any particular rifle you like just by varying charges and bullets.

Nothing is impossible if you are willing to work at it. I want to build some 270 mouse farts loads next because I can.
 
Amelio said:
I don't have experience with either but I'm interested in both rounds. I live in Southern Ontario and want to use either for coyote. Plus a bonus deer hunt up north. I realize the 270 bigger more powerful round but I do like that fast short 243 round.

My concern is the 243 ok for big northern deer

If I get the 270 it will be model 70.
243 will be browning bar.

Kind of a tough choice tbh.
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270 good for both and far more versatile. My experience is that heavier calibres do less fur damage than light. (My consistently worst fur damage came from the tiny .204 Ruger.) I don't know of any serious hunters of big bush bucks who carry a .243. They carry .308's and .30-06's with the most popular bullet weight being 180 grains, on the heavy for calibre side. Recoil becomes noticeable with a .30-06 but is still not stout. Heavier bullets driven at modest speeds get better penetration and less meat damage typically than lighter bullets driven fast. This is why they do less fur damage than some of the varmint rounds as well.
 
Sounds like a .308 would be the way to go, but choosing between.243 ad .270 the .270 wins, with 160 partitions or 150 Grand Slams you will also have a fine moose rifle.
 
The 243 will do fine. Awesome for coyotes. When moving up to deer or even moose it’s about proper bullet selection.
My 10 year old shot her first buck this year at 468 yards with a 103eldx bullet and dropped it instantly right behind the shoulder. The bullet exited with a loonie size hole.
I started off hunting with 6mm Remington and factory federal blue box ammo. Dropped moose a few times with it and none ever took a step after the shot.
Just because recoil is low does not mean it’s a kids/ladies gun. Light recoil makes for better and more practice.
The .270 is great but deer drop just fine with a 243
 
Amelio said:
I don't have experience with either but I'm interested in both rounds. I live in Southern Ontario and want to use either for coyote. Plus a bonus deer hunt up north. I realize the 270 bigger more powerful round but I do like that fast short 243 round.

My concern is the 243 ok for big northern deer

If I get the 270 it will be model 70.
243 will be browning bar.

Kind of a tough choice tbh.
Click to expand...
243 is fine for large deer, but it's more of a varmint cartridge. 270 is more versatile - I'd go that way if you ever plan to do a moose or black bear hunt. Also, I'd be a bit more comfortable with a 270 for longer shots on deer (say 250+ yds).

Hard to beat the 270 for versatility. A 7-08 would be a great choice too.
 
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