.243

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Hybrid4163

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I'm sure this may seem elementary to those of you who are experienced hunters, but I'm just getting started and I have some questions.
I've been told that .243 is considered a decent calibre for deer, is it?
Shot placement and bullet type not withstanding, what would be considered it's effective range?
Where can I find answers to questions of this type, either on-line or in book form, so I don't have to keep picking your brains?
 
1) Yes, but use bullets designed for big game.

2) As far as you can hit a 6 inch saucer, under hunting conditions, three times out of four.

3) Put the saucer out at various ranges and find these things out for yourself.
 
With a well constructed bullet and a good know how of its ballistics a 243 is more than enough for medium sized game .I would recomend that you keep your shots within 350 yards, but it is capable of farther shots.
 
My daughter shoots a .243 she has taken deer and caribou (200 yards)with it.
I should mention she shoots it quite comfortabley and quite good.:)
 
I love my .243, we've taken a lot of deer together. If you're just starting out,
I'd keep your shots inside 200 yds til you've shot a few(regardless of what calibre you buy). Shooting further requires lots of practice, and in my opinion, a range finder.
I'd agree with the hillbilly qualification target- the paper plate.Except I'd like to see all your shots in it, 3 out of 4 might mean you wound every 4th deer!
The calibre is a lot less important than it's made out to be, although the .243 is so sweet to shoot that it's a great place to start.
Use a big game bullet, and you'll find that nothing survives without lungs!
good luck and good shooting
 
Well - The consensus in our hunt camp is that the 243 is a bit light. The adrenaline charged deer tend to get up and run away after being hit - they dont seem to do that as often with heavier bullets. Say - how about the 260 Rem or the 7 mm-08, they're all based upon the same case - the 308.
However, the wags in our camp will point out that the 243 is a good ladies gun!
 
.243 is plenty for deer.
Effective range depends on the shooter, and what distance he/she is comfortable shooting at. I wouldn't hesitate to take a deer out to 350-400yrd mark with a good rest shooting plain old Core- Lokts.
 
cosmic said:
Well - The consensus in our hunt camp is that the 243 is a bit light. The adrenaline charged deer tend to get up and run away after being hit - they dont seem to do that as often with heavier bullets. Say - how about the 260 Rem or the 7 mm-08, they're all based upon the same case - the 308.
However, the wags in our camp will point out that the 243 is a good ladies gun!
Click to expand...

*cough* bullsh!t *cough*

I have a very good friend in Serbia who also happens to be the president of the main hunting organization over there. He has a hunting lodge and guides many hunters every year. He has shot truck loads full of boar with the .243 and Barnes 75gr X (no longer available, but I took 3 boxes to him quite a few years ago). And there is no deer, adrenaline charged or not, that is anywhere near as tough as a mature boar.

Put one through the lungs and you will have your deer. If your deer "gets up and runs away" then you didn't hit it in the right spot!
 
1899 said:
*cough* bullsh!t *cough*

Put one through the lungs and you will have your deer. If your deer "gets up and runs away" then you didn't hit it in the right spot!
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AGREED!!

Those who can't cleanly kill a deer with a .243 won't be any better off with a 30-06.
 
A quote---I'd agree with the hillbilly qualification target- the paper plate.Except I'd like to see all your shots in it, 3 out of 4 might mean you wound every 4th deer!

If all hunters had to use that criteria, all four shots in the six inch circle, under hunting conditions and limit the range we shoot to that distance, we would likely be limited to a range of about 57 yards! (Well, more or less.)
 
I believe it is the most popular cal. in South Africa for plains species. I did read that somewhere,honest, I have one works like a damn.
 
captonion said:
AGREED!!

Those who can't cleanly kill a deer with a .243 won't be any better off with a 30-06.
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Ahmen!

A gutshot with a 300 is the same as a gutshot with a 243. They both suffer and will run.

I use my .243 for everything except moose. I have a guide gun in 45/70 for that and elk. Just easier to carry.
 
If all hunters had to use that criteria, all four shots in the six inch circle, under hunting conditions and limit the range we shoot to that distance, we would likely be limited to a range of about 57 yards! (Well, more or less.)
Click to expand...
I agree having run the local hunters sight in for 10 years, most guys just don't shoot enough to be profficiant at longer ranges, that being said a long shot in the bush I hunt would be 75 yards. Like anything else know your rifle and practice regularily. I would shoot a .243 at deer all day long.
 
Glad to see that I've started some controversy - Note that my comments were those of the "hunt camp", located in Central Ontario. The comment about getting up and running refers to the observation that the deer tend to bleed out and expire after running several hundred yards. (In this neck of the woods, you rarely get a shot at a stationary deer. So you generally dont have the time to set up on a rest, etc)
Not sure where the original poster is from, however, would the 243 be considered an optimal rifle for a new hunter in Central Ontario, as opposed to out West? Where we are, he'd be better off with a Remington 760 in 308.
More controversy...
 
cosmic said:
Glad to see that I've started some controversy - Note that my comments were those of the "hunt camp", located in Central Ontario.
Not sure where the original poster is from, however, would the 243 be considered an optimal rifle for a new hunter in Central Ontario, as opposed to out West? ...
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What would it matter what part of Canada you are from so long as the caliber of choice is used within its limits, and within the limits of the shooters comfort range. No different than using a bow, slug gun, or a 375 H&H. A well placed bullet/arrow is a well placed bullet/arrow!

cosmic said:
Where we are, he'd be better off with a Remington 760 in 308.
More controversy...
Click to expand...

Reason why????

In my experience a 308 boiler room shot is no more lethal than that of a .243.
 
There was a time when a .243 was all I owned, and I shot 2 moose with it, both of which bang flopped. (head shot, and neck shot) . Anyhow, I'd not even think twice to shoot something that weighed 25% as much. Use a good bullet and your golden.
I have since gone on to shoot .25 cals as my minimum and my .25-06 is my favorite. 120 grainers are fun to shoot.
 
Decent 243 that shoots straight + good big game bullets + confident shooter (shooter has practiced) + good shot placement = DEAD DEER!

The argument that the 243 is a good gun out west, or better suited for ladies or younger hunters makes no sense to me. If it will kill out west, or when fired by someone other than a 300 lb gorilla, then why won't it kill everywhere shot by everyone??? I hunt in south central Ontario, I know the terrain well. I live there and spend more time in the bush than most. I would not hesitate to carry a 243 for any of our more common game animals.
 
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