.243 vs .270

Too many tales of woe about lost deer with a 243. More so then with larger calibers. Too many hunters using typical varmint bullets in the 243. Half the commercial offerings in 243 are typical varmint dedicated rounds. The 243 loaded with a 95 NP or other premium deer bullets is devastating on deer with proper shot placement, which is the number uno rule of big game hunting 101.Using varmint dedicated bullets in your .243 and if no bones are encountered, the results are devastating on deer with proper shot placement. Hit a bone or heavily muscled area by accident and it is a tale of sorrow and deer escaping with massive surface wounds to become coyote bait.
Seems many hunters still can not bother or not willing to learn the difference between a true deer bullet and a dedicated varmint bullet, in spite the fact that so much information is available.
Ignorant or plain callous. The larger calibers can be more forgiving in bullet choice because of their larger mass, like in an 06 or 308 we have most common offerings in 150-165-180 grain offerings, all appropriate for deer.
Still even in larger calibers we still ought to pay attention and match the bullet to the game hunted, which also means resighting your rifle for the new load.
The attraction of the 243 lies with its minimal recoil, enabling people to shoot it accurately.
Add proper bullet choice and shot placement and you are in bussiness.
 
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Gyrfalcon said:
Too many tales of woe about lost deer with a 243. More so then with larger calibers. Too many hunters using typical varmint bullets in the 243. Half the commercial offerings in 243 are typical varmint dedicated rounds. The 243 loaded with a 95 NP or other premium deer bullets is devastating on deer with proper shot placement, which is the number uno rule of big game hunting 101.Using varmint dedicated bullets in your .243 and if no bones are encountered, the results are devastating on deer with proper shot placement. Hit a bone or heavily muscled area by accident and it is a tale of sorrow and deer escaping with massive surface wounds to become coyote bait.
Seems many hunters still can not bother or not willing to learn the difference between a true deer bullet and a dedicated varmint bullet, in spite the fact that so much information is available.
Ignorant or plain callous. The larger calibers can be more forgiving in bullet choice because of their larger mass, like in an 06 or 308 we have most common offerings in 150-165-180 grain offerings, all appropriate for deer.
Still even in larger calibers we still ought to pay attention and match the bullet to the game hunted, which also means resighting your rifle for the new load.
The attraction of the 243 lies with its minimal recoil, enabling people to shoot it accurately.
Add proper bullet choice and shot placement and you are in bussiness.
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Couldn't agree more about bullet choice. I have complete confidence and had great results with a 100gr nosler partition federal Factory load. One shot kills and dropped quickly. If I were hunting just for Mule / Whitetail and smaller game the .243 is great, especially with the low recoil, ammunition availability.
 
hoytcanon said:
.257 Roberts, .25/06, .260 Rem, 6.5X55... as a single rifle for coyotes & deer, I would recommend these over either the .243 or .270.
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With respect ... the OP is on a limited budget, and if he is only going to use factory ammunition purchased at a local store, then .243 would be a far better choice.
The rounds you mention (above) are all great, but not significantly superior for his needs ..
BUT are difficult to find on a store's shelf .. and if/when you do find them, the prices are relatively high.

With proper shot placement, the .243 will do just fine for the OP's stated stated requirements .. is cheap to buy, and is available everywhere.

It is truly difficult NOT to like the .243 !!

:)
 
Based on your stated criteria I would choose the .243. A great coyote round, light on recoil, very accurate. I use 70gr. Nosler BT varmit in mine for wolves/coyotes. On deer switch up to a Nosler 95/100 gr, partion. Just remember that when hunting deer it is imperative that you place the bullet well and ensure there is absolutely nothing between the end of your rifle barrel and the area of the deer/coyote at witch your aiming but pure clean air, no trees, twigs, grass, nothing as those little bullets are moving and it takes very little to deflect them to somewhere else on the planet.
 
2 year ago i see a nice 3x3 buck at 121v +-
.308 whit 165gr sgk double lung shot this buck he run like never before drop far from where i shoot him
So if you whant my opinion 270 whit a good 130 gr tsx and a 130 gr smk for target and yote
 
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The gun powder feller has one of them discontinued Marlin XL7 sumting oar nudder.
It amazes me the grewps he puts together with that thing.
I'd take one of these over an Axzzzil if'n one could git their mitts on it.
 
kamlooky said:
The gun powder feller has one of them discontinued Marlin XL7 sumting oar nudder.
It amazes me the grewps he puts together with that thing.
I'd take one of these over an Axzzzil if'n one could git their mitts on it.
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They are nice.... The mr7 was even nicer.... Had cash in hand for a new ad that was still up for two weeks and not even a single response after several PM's...... Azzhole
 
6.5x55 swede in 'excellent' condition from Tradeex will set you back about $$200- 250,a M8 4x Leopold( lifetime guarantee) about the same.Total cost under $500,and you have a very fine rifle more than capable of taking everything from coyotes to moose,depending on loading( under 100 gr to 160) and if you can hold it straight.The 243 is fine,but limits you whereas the swede doesn't .Any chambering that has lasted over 100 years tells you something
 
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amosfella said:
I'm of the opinion that there's very little that won't die easily from a shot with a 270 win with either a 130 or 150 gr bullet. The 270 would be a single do all tool if you only wanted to buy one gun. For yotes, just use a heavy jacketed 150 meant for elk. small hole in, and small hole out...

Lots of variety of bullets is great, until you have to resight your gun every time you change bullet types...
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I'll second this. I will use my .270 for virtually anything In North America short of some bear.
 
The 243 is a lotta gun in a small cartridge...! It works well on deer and it is one of my favorites. The 270 does the job too, and given your preference for yotes the 243 will be a good choice for sure.
 
Don't get a .270 for coyotes and deer. If you decide to go after larger game you won't have an excuse to get another gun - Gunnutz thinking.

The .243 is the right answer in this case.
 
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