Moose with 243...?
- Thread starter canadaman30
- Start date
Oh reeeeeeeeally! Did you get the reaction you wanted?I have a 30-06, and I have no doubt under a 100 yds my 243 will work well. Just wanted to read some posts from people who have used them instead of all the skeptics who would tell me a 300 mag is needed for moose. Personally I would take my 243 over a short barrel 30-30, tons and tons of moose have been and still are shot with 30-30's.
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canadaman30
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Far from the City
Recoil is not an issue at all thanks, I have many large bore guns, the big difference is having a light gun while hiking miles per day, maybe something you are incapable of doing. And to say a 243 is not a real gun, LOL maybe in your hands it's not. If I wanted advice from someone like you I'd go ask someone sitting on the curb in front of a liqour store.
bearkilr
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nowhere, ......just past the middle
I don't think you wanted advice. If that was the case, why didn't you start a thread titled "Should I use my 30/06 or 243 for moose?" We're not talking about the difference between an 8 lb. and 20 lb. gun here. Just visit the outhouse before the hunt and you won't notice the added pound in weight of your 30/06.
At the beginning of Sept. when high school/college starts these threads will hopefully subside.
canadaman30
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Far from the City
I don't think you wanted advice. If that was the case, why didn't you start a thread titled "Should I use my 30/06 or 243 for moose?" We're not talking about the difference between an 8 lb. and 20 lb. gun here. Just visit the outhouse before the hunt and you won't notice the added pound in weight of your 30/06.
At the beginning of Sept. when high school/college starts these threads will hopefully subside.
If you read the original post I was looking for some imput from 243 shooters out there or people who have hunted with guys that have, and was curious of the results. A couple pounds of gun+scope can make a big differance on long hunts (if you've ever tried it). I was not asking for an armchair experts advice. Thanks to all who have posted results of the use of a 243.
I have a 30-06, and I have no doubt under a 100 yds my 243 will work well. Just wanted to read some posts from people who have used them instead of all the skeptics who would tell me a 300 mag is needed for moose
30-30 170gr flatnose v.s a .243 for moose, i would take the 30-30 every day of the week and twice on sunday.
.243
If I'm not mistaken, the 243 is not that far from the 250-3000 ballistically. If you go back and find that when it was introduced, it was recognized as one of the best all-round rifles, ans was used by many well-known experts and authors to bring down some huge moose and big bears. My wife brought down a very large 7yr. old cow moose with an AKS, at 220 paces. As I said on an earlier post in this thread, a light bullet is not my 'druthers. I like a BIG chunk of lead (400-750 gr., 45 cal. and up), but that's must me. My overall favourite game stopper was a Sharps 45-110 with 550 gr. pure lead slug. I think it would have stopped a Mack truck.
If I'm not mistaken, the 243 is not that far from the 250-3000 ballistically. If you go back and find that when it was introduced, it was recognized as one of the best all-round rifles, ans was used by many well-known experts and authors to bring down some huge moose and big bears. My wife brought down a very large 7yr. old cow moose with an AKS, at 220 paces. As I said on an earlier post in this thread, a light bullet is not my 'druthers. I like a BIG chunk of lead (400-750 gr., 45 cal. and up), but that's must me. My overall favourite game stopper was a Sharps 45-110 with 550 gr. pure lead slug. I think it would have stopped a Mack truck.
I have both the .243 and larger rifles. Actually, the .243 is my wife's (in practice but since she has no PAL...). I personally would not choose, and because of that neither would she, to take a .243 out on a moose hunt. She has a nice .303 for that and I use a .30-06. However, that being said, if a moose walked out in front of her within 150yds, I let her shoot it with that and she was legal. It is not that the round CAN'Tdo the job, it is just that there are better. He!!, not to highjack, but I am one of those freaks that uses an SKS for deer, within limits.
bearkilr
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nowhere, ......just past the middle
You have no clue what I do for a living and/or hobby, but I'll let you know that armchairs are not in my job description.
If you feel like honing your tracking skills, have at 'er with the 243.
migrant hunter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Alberta
How come you can kill a moose with a bow, but not a .243?
migrant hunter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Alberta
Even as a .243 fanatic, I would'nt shoot a moose in the head with a .243.
I shot a moose up the nose with a .308/180 partition and he ran off shaking his head(he was already lung shot so he did'nt get far)
A broadside lungshot with a .243 shooting a tough 100 gr bullet, within a reasonable distance, would be more than capable of killing a moose. He'll run for a while, but they do that anyway unless you break them down with a shoulder/spine shot. For that you do need a bigger gun.
Would I go moose hunting with my .243? No. Could I kill a moose with it? certainly yes.
I shot a moose up the nose with a .308/180 partition and he ran off shaking his head(he was already lung shot so he did'nt get far)
A broadside lungshot with a .243 shooting a tough 100 gr bullet, within a reasonable distance, would be more than capable of killing a moose. He'll run for a while, but they do that anyway unless you break them down with a shoulder/spine shot. For that you do need a bigger gun.
Would I go moose hunting with my .243? No. Could I kill a moose with it? certainly yes.
A hard steel broadhead makes a 1 1/8'' or bigger cut through the vitals, the 243 bullet is light enough they usually come apart at high speed and wound poor bullwinkle.
