Opinion on 240wm and 243w for deer

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Tron28

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Im looking for a light deer rifle to hike with and hunt for deer with. Ive heard alot about people using these for deer a would like to hear some opinions. I hunt mostly blacktail's on Vancouver island.

Im looking at the Weatherby Mark V ultra light weight and the Browning A-bolt Mountain TI

Thanks
 
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Tron28 said:
Im looking for a light deer rifle to hike with and hunt for deer with. Ive heard alot about people using these for deer a would like to hear some opinions. I hunt mostly blacktail's on Vancouver island.

Im looking at the Weatherby Mark V ultra light weight and the Browning A-bolt Mountain TI

Thanks
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How far you wish to shoot?
These two cartridge are rather longer range shooters.
What about 7mm-08 or 260Rem?
Little recoil and in my opinion bit better for deer game.
 
Either would be ideal deer getters. But if you don't roll your own ammo, go for the Winchester flavour. A plain Jane .243 has more than enough poop for deer out to 300 yards. I'm not really familer with the island, but I think it's fairly thick out there. So range isn't a problem, and the Weatherby won't offer too much more usefull velocity anyways. Imagine a .30-06 necked down to 6mm. In my opinion, a little too much powder for too small a hole.
 
Both would be perfect for Island Blacktail. Both are too light in my opinion for big Mulies on the mainland. Just my opinion and wide open to discussion.
 
I'm not a big believer in the 6mm's as deer killers; I'd rather go with a 25.

But, if you are considering 6mm's, look at the 6mm-284, 6mm-06 or 6mm Remington. The first two are probably custom propositions but brass will be much more available than the 240 weatherby, and ballistically identical
 
I think a 6.5X55 Swede would fit the bill nicely. Good bullet selection and good cartridge performance. Lots of inventory for sale to choose from, blah, blah, blah.
 
both are damn ideal for the type of deer you're hunting. My preference would run towards the 243, as it is much more common to aquire ammo & components, and gives very similar ballistics. Put a quality bullet in the right spot and it'll kill any deer species on the continent, including elk and moose (although it is not ideal for game over 300 lbs)
 
Of the two cartridges you mention Tron like the boys say the 243 winchester would be the best. The 240 wby is way overkill and expensive to shoot, even if you reload them! Not that it wouldn't do the job though!

As far as rifles go, the Weatherby has an awfull long barrel, (26") and as a fellow Island hunter I wouldn't recommend that with the thick bush here. I believe the Browning is a 24" tube which is better. I actually use a Ruger rifle with a 22" barrel and find that about the longest I like for navigating the thick stuff. It isn't always hung up in the brush, and it points quickly. :)

Oh, and welcome to the board!
 
I have used both the .243 and a 6mm Remington and cannotpick a favourite. They both work very well out to 300yds if you know where your scope is.
 
If the island is indeed "brushy" as some say, the .243 will make a very poor choice for deer hunting in your area. I would opt for a heavier caliber that won't deflect at the first little twig it hits. (I know I'm opening up a can of worms on light vs. heavy bullets and the whole brush busting debate.)

I knew a fellow that would go to Maine every year to hunt in their thick forests. He'd get his buck every year with heavy 220 grain .30-06 loads. He had tried lighter bullets, but claimed that sometimes the brush badly deflected lighter bullets. The 220's though, never let him down.

Now I may not be a fan of real heavy slower bullets, I am even less of a fan of light peepsqueek calibers like the .243 in conditions you will find on the island.

If you want a light kicker, I'd opt for the .260 or 7mm-08 as mentionned earlier by PeterPan.
 
I used to live on the island,blacktail deer are smaller than the deer most people are used to seeing and a 243 would work fine.Lots of clearcuts from logging as well so there are plenty of long shots too.
If you want to shoot black bear or get a limited entry elk tag go with barnes 85 grain tsx or 100 grain partitions, or use it as an excuse to buy another rifle for moose hunting on the mainland as well as just a backup rifle:).
 
Finally, a "243 for....?" that makes sense. Vancouver Island Blacktails? Can't imagine a better round than the 243 in a light rifle.
 
used a 243wssm this yesr for whitetails. a win 70 featherlight. a joy to carry, 6.5 lbs. with scope, 22'', and very accurate. might fit your needs. it is certainly my new deer rifle.
 
Well in my opinion, not with experience, however saying that I have seen many deer on our farm flattened by the 243 and 100 grain bullets. I loaded a bunch of 100 grain Sierra Pro hunters for my uncles rifle for his stand. 4 bullets are out of the full box 4 years in a row 4 dead deer.
Had great bullet results 3 pass throughs and one recoverd, big wound channels in all cases. The recovered bullet broke bone and was in the skin on the far side.
Great deer rifle.
I have yet to take mine for deer same loads, but one day I will get around to it!
I would not hesitate using a 243 on any sized deer after seeing 180 to 220 lbs whitetails fall to the little cartridge.
 
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