Your experiences on medium/big game with .243 cal rifles?

[Ardent]

Thanks. You having experience in the mountains and with large bears where is your preference for placement? Double lung or shoulder?
I've only the chance for Ontario black bear so far and I prefer the drop right there shoulder shot or at least aim for the offside shoulder if quartered away. I use a 458wm or 4570 mostly. When I used my 2506 I took shots behind the shoulder but high just under the spine. They worked extremely well doin major damage to the lungs and to the spine. Vertibrae dislocated and liquid filled chest cavity. 120gr positive expanding at 2950fps muzzle velocity sure drops them quick. Gave me a real appreciation for high impact speed but I still prefer the breaking down of forward motion

In a scenario where I get to choose, break the shoulder for that work, you don’t want to go looking for it. I’m all good with a heart and lung broadside with an effective chambering too, as much of the time you take what you’re offered. A lot of the time with clients, you’re relying on their shooting ability and understanding of the anatomy as explained to them.

Some are avid hunters, many are much more casual. Gist is if you get a viable shot, don’t look a gift horse in the mouth when the business is sending them home with their animal. When the moment comes, in the excitement you’re lucky if prior plans are remembered frankly. Goes for us too often honestly, do your best to instinctively make a good shot. We often rely on your subconscious knowing what to do.

I have a pic of a grizzly humorous the side of your wrist cleaved clean off at the shoulder joint by a .375. It turned everything behind it to jello too, the bear was an easy and stress free recovery.

 

[tigrr]

243 is great on small deer and yotes.
Anything bigger and shot placement and ability to track long distances is crucial.

 

[Rob]

.243 is for coyotes

 

[cooey43]

I have hunted with a BLR in .243 since the '70's. My thoughts on this are ;
1- Groundhogs : OK , but too much power / noise unless shots are long.
2 - Coyote : OK , but still a little much power / noise , unless shots are long. Skin gets tour up.
3 - Deer : all you need.

Your decition can be based on ;
1- personel preferrence
2- what you already have
3- the area you hunt. Noise is not a factor in more remote areas.

Certainly it is the best coyote/deer cal.if 1 cal. is your choice.

I have killed more deer with it that any other cal. 100 gr. bullet. Lighter ones
are for varmints.

 

[hunterhenderson]

Just wanted to ask, for those who have used 243 cal rifles of any chambering on medium to big game, what were your experiences? Any favorite bullets, any to avoid, etc?

Thanks!

I hunted with a buddy in the Cariboo sometimes when i was a kid, he always carried a winchester 243 in a featherweight, shot many Mule deer with it and I witnessed probably three moose kills with it over the years.

 

[The Kurgan]

To me, 243 is a mild do-it all calibre. In the form of my CZ 557 Lux (short action) it serves three roles: medium game (whitetail), with a 10 round mag and NECG rear sight, it serves as a fairly lightweight Scout rifle, and with the 80 grain ammo and a medium power scope, it is an effective varmint gun.

Muzzle energy is typically in the 1900'ish ft-lb range, and as such, it is no heavy hitter on larger game.

 

[Suther]

I've got a friend in a wheelchair. He uses a 243 exclusively. He's never felt the need for anything bigger, it's always got the job done for him.