.243 Win. and big game

Whitetails. For a period of time, my only centerfire was a Ruger tang safety model 77 mannlicher stocked rifle in .243. It was fired at 7 whitetails and all went into the freezer. Before that period and after that period I used a number of different .270 bolt action rifles for whitetails. Hunting mostly done in heavily wooded areas. Sixty yards is a long shot !!.
 
Seen lots of moose taken, some decent 350lb+ black bears... Still seems a little light to me though for big game.
 
I use my 243 for whitetails and black bears.

My hunting buddy takes his moose hunting, hasn't put one down yet with it so can't give you a "first hand".

There is some decent bonded bullets and of course the mono's. Inside a reasonable range for a sub-caliber, I don't feel he is being "unethical" using it for moose, but there is little room for error and you would have to be very disciplined (like 150 yards max, full broadside shot, go for the boiler - no quartering shots trying to find a shoulder).
 
my uncle whit is 243 put down maybe 4~5 deer but all run 150m and much more
blood track them for hours so now he hunt whit is .308 and we rarely track them
243 is good maybe but to small for a good buck in my opinion not it wont kill but it a shoulder at good distance good luck find him
 
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Back when there were more hunters in the family than rifles.....a M77 tang safety in 243 shot my brothers and myself our first moose.....total of 5 for that little rifle. Now it is so far down the depth chart that i have not shot it in probably 15 years.

All close range, all one shot, all cheap ass 100 gr Winchester.
 
I have only ever shot a couple of animals with the 243, since I own and prefer the 6mm Remington.

The difference between the 2 chamberings is largely insignificant. [100-150 fps with a 100 grain Partition]

I do not recommend these 24 bores for moose hunting, but they are excellent deer, black bear chamberings.

That being said, I have shot a couple of moose with the 6mm, and it worked just fine. Shot placement being paramount.

In the hands of a cool, collected individual who can hold his fire on a less-than-ideal presentation, it will work.

Regards, Dave.
 
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CZ_Brno said:
I know a guy from Newfoundland who told me he got around 20 with a .243.

Puncture the lungs it'll die.

Not my idea of an ideal choice but it would work in a pinch.
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Puncture the lungs with a .22 and it will also die...in time..

If you want to hunt moose then get a moose gun..ffs..and leave the coyote gun at home.
 
Then the guy you know needs some range time and/or training in what ammunition to use.

That being said, it wouldn't be my first choice but I wouldn't but I wouldn't stay at home if it is all I had for moose.


AlbertaJohn said:
Exactly..use the right tool for the job.

Guy I know shot a moose with one but it took him 5 shots to put it down.Many better choices out there for elk and moose IMO.
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