.243win or 6.5cm for Deer?

For a deer rifle I’d say it depends on hunting style. 6.5’s are deep penetrators for their bullet dia, the 243 is faster.

My hunting style id take 243.
 
For deer to 200 yards you will not see any difference in performance on game. I would go with whatever rifle you like the best or what cartridge has the best ammo availability in your area.

I would actually use a 6.5 Grendel if I was shooting only deer to 200.
 
Dorian Gray said:
I'd go for 6.5CM but that's just because I love the cartridge. Either one will do you fine inside of 200 yards.
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A while back, and going for something a little different in the safe, I picked up a Remington 700 Limited Edition in 6.5CM. With it I picked up a sizeable selection of factory ammo and more recently, a good selection of bullets. Should work well in some open slash or powerline longer shots on Blacktail here on the island.
 
I have both, however only killed deer with my 243. Used 95 and 105 gr bullets for the job. Worked awesome !
Either, either, OR ...both will execute your intended victims with ease ! Should you decide on bigger game in the future, you'll already be at one with the 6.5 cal...no need to look again.
Best of luck with your decision.

**I tend to grab my 6.5x55 or my 300WSM usually...when I head out for deer....owned them both for a long time...just seems natural for me. Hope you're able to get that same feeling in a few yrs !
 
Either one will do the job nicely on deer, the 6.5 gives a better range of bullets and will work on bigger stuff if the need arises, you can't really go wrong with either on deer size game to 200 yards. Pick your poison, get familiar with and enjoy it.
 
I would choose the .243.

7mm 08 is a very capable round, pleasure to shoot and reasonably priced ammo. 139gr work great for deer. My 2 cents.
 
At reasonable hunting distances ....which the OP is shooting under 200yds

No difference in performance on game if appropriate bullets used.

Slightly less recoil 243
Longer barrel life if target shooting 6.5

Both cartridges enjoy a wide selection of factory selection and availability and are affordable.

243 has been around a looonnggggg time so a lot of very nice rifles out there at affordable prices.
If I was buying a new rifle I would prolly buy a 6.5cm as it is the emerging mainstream cartridge and does have a wider envelope of performance and will likely retain better resale if that matters.

If shopping the used market I wouldnt pass up a 243 rifle that appeals to you
 
The 243 has been getting deer for decades; hard to argue with that.
The 6.5 CM is new to the scene, but the 6.5 caliber has also been taking game for decades, and the CM is ballistically similar to many of the older 6.5 cartridges, such as the 6.5x55 Swede and newer 260 Rem.
Do you only want it for deer? Or double duty for varmints too? Or potentially also hunt other big game with it?
Just deer = either
Deer/varmint = 243 recommended
Deer/other big game 6.5 CM recommended

I will come down to the rifle that you choose and its available chamberings.
 
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Both would work. I'm no fan of the 6.5 Creed but for deer it is a better choice than the 243 for reasons already stated above.
 
I double lunged a doe at 50-75 yeards with a 145g 6.5 creedmoor. The cavetation was so extreme that it ruptured the gut pouch and made an awful mess.
 
Identical shot, identical bullet construction, cant see why one would be different from the other.

Fast twist 243 or 6CM and 90gr CX or 95gr LRX are something I'd like to play with. Happy with 6.5mm 100gr ttsx on game so far.
 
LDP said:
I double lunged a doe at 50-75 yeards with a 145g 6.5 creedmoor. The cavetation was so extreme that it ruptured the gut pouch and made an awful mess.
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What bullet specifically?

I've shot game with stuff much faster than a 6.5cm throws 145gr bullets and never had what you describe occur.
 
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