Would a .243 be a good addition?

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cayden

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Hi guys,

Trying to decide if having a 243 is good choice or waste of money. Already have a .223 Tikka T3 which I love and use as a target and coyote rifle. Also have a 22-250 I use in the field. A .308 Savage 12 VLP I use on the bench. That one weighs 12 lbs and don't think that is my best choice to use as a hunting rifle. My question is, would the 243 be a good one to have to shoot occasional Deer and double up as a Coyote rig. The rifle will be another Tikka T3 as I love that rifle

Comments would be appreciated

Thanks
 
Yes, a 243 offers a great deer gun and coyote combo. If you feel as though the 243 is too close to the 22-250 then take a long look at the 260 rem. It is a great deer gun and is chambered by tikka. No need to look at other manufactures, when you find a gun that fits you and you shoot it good stick with it.
 
There are two thoughts that might be utilized. Since you already have a heavy target rifle, moving up in your light rifles would dictate a .243 being a good choice.
If hunting is an option, the deer criteria would require a bit more. Staying with the short actions, the .260 Remington might better fill the bill for bigger deer versus the .243.
From my signature you will probably see how I determined my priorities . . .
 
I have all the calibers you listed and love the 243 caliber. The last 243(Carl Gustaff) I owned was the most accurate rifle I have ever owned and regret selling it. Recently got another, a Sauer 202 and just started sighting it in, looks promising. Just getting some reloading gear organized as I know that is the way to better groups. I have shot a couple of deer with the 243 with no problems, Get One. Cheers Roscoe
 
.243 , 260 Rem , 7mm-08. Just small differences and slight changes in ooommmph. Much over lap with these choices and versatility between all three.You can go as light as 100gr in 7mm for varmint or I believe 55gr in 6mm.120's in the .260 work well on deer also.So really you can go many ways if you so decide.All will shoot nice and flat and can be loaded to make great accuracy.

the .243 does have a slight cool factor as well.:)
 
Looks like you have the targets and coyotes covered already. Any deer suitable chambering would be in order.

Take your pick -> 243, 6mmRem, 250Savage, 257Roberts, 25/06, 260, 6.5x55, 7/08, 7x57, 270, 280, 300Savage, 308, 30/06, 303, 8x57 and the list goes on, and on, and on, and on..........


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Doesn't the tikka use a long action? Therefore it should have a long action caliber. I vote 2506 for ya. It can compete with the 243 with lower weight bullets and then walk out and over it with 115-120gr bullets. Plus its the smallest diameter I'd ever hunt a black bear with if you so choose to chase them. Its a violent nightmare on small varmints.
 
Did ask Gary at Wantsall to put a hold on a 243 barrel & brake for the Nemesis, 308 with 165gr SST for moose down, 243 with 58 gr V-max for 4000 fps varmint load and eventually a 338 Federal barrel & brake for the bigs bears if i ever have a chance at them, these 3 calibers should cover all... JP.
 
no change,in manufacture gets old quick.

StevieK said:
Yes, a 243 offers a great deer gun and coyote combo. If you feel as though the 243 is too close to the 22-250 then take a long look at the 260 rem. It is a great deer gun and is chambered by tikka. No need to look at other manufactures, when you find a gun that fits you and you shoot it good stick with it.
Click to expand...

If you had 25 of the same gun,a little old,no.I would do more than ,just look at other manufacture.Half the enjoyment of buying a gun is the search.
 
Yes, definetly a .243 needed to fill the natural, caliber progression you have going.
Currently not a Tikka fan so I'd go with Savage, Rem, Win in .243
.243 is legal to use on deer and yotes most anywhere in North America.
Perfect fit for a loaner to the Wife or GF when you take them afield.

Looks like you need a caliber for the top end also, say a .375 H&H.
 
243 Win is always an excellent choice because:
  • low recoil - the true key to accuracy
  • wide availability of ammo
  • deer legal anywhere (not true for less than 6mm in most of Canada and for 7mm and over in southern ontario)
  • varmint legal anywhere (New Brunswick imposes some caliber limits during some seasons)
  • extensive choice of excellent 6mm bullets

You can check this for yourself but the calibers with an extensive choice of excellent bullets are:
  • 22 caliber - 223 Rem
  • 6mm - 243 Win
  • 6.5mm - 260 Rem, 6.5x55 Swedish
  • 7mm - 7mm-08 Rem , 7 Rem Mag
  • 30 caliber - 308 Win, 30-06, 300 Win Mag

If you limit yourself to great hunting bullets, you could add:
  • 25 caliber - 25-06 Rem
  • 27 caliber - 270 Win

Right now in precision shooting 6mm cartridges (6mm PPC, 6mm BR, 6mm Dasher, 6XC, 6x47 Lapua) dominate everything at up to 600m.
243 Win is not as accurate as the match cartridges but it is very accurate and more potent.
Just remember that 25-06 is an incredibly potent long range varmint and medium game cartridge.

Alex
 
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