.243 for Deer

[k burke]

Hey all,

I was wondering how many of you out there use a .243 for deer and if so what you think the benefits or downsides are over say a 30-30 or 30-06.

Thanks

[Lawdwaz]

I used one this year. Kills like lightning.

I think you need to tell us more about you and what your trying to accomplish.

[bkln]

If that's what you got use it, if you can have a choice between .243 and .30-06 use the bigger gun, plain and simple...

[Skillet]

If you are a smaller person, or if recoil bothers you, I think the .243 would be a better choice than an '06. Any of the 3 will kill a deer, no problem. The biggest thing is shot placement anyhow. A 22 thru the lungs will kill a lot quicker than a 12 gauge in the guts.

[ants]

I shot a few deer with a 243. You need to have a perfect broadside shot with it. It will kill any deer alive but Its a lot less forgiving than an 06 or 30-30. I got rid of mine now I use a 30-06 or 7mm-08

[growalot]

Mr. B bought me a new remington 243 for down at camp....I took this little six point with it...first deer I've ever shot with a rifle....60yrds and it went through one shouder shattering it ...he piled up after a 40 or so yrd run....don't like the lack of blood trail...was none....but he did drop in sight....

Edited January 17, 2012 by growalot

[Lawdwaz]

What bullet did you use?

[mlammerhirt]

Most .243 shot deer I have seen produce little to no blood trail. Very very small entrance, and small exit if any at all. But in defense that caliber has killed tons of deer across N. America

Also they(deer) go a good 30-60 yrds before dropping. JMO.

[phade]

I'm thinking if you stick to a bullet designed with whitetails in mind or of that weight set...95-100 grains...you should be fine. Fusion, Power Max, etc. are options.

[DeerStalker22]

Ive killed two bucks with a 243 without a problem never had to track either one, and then during the winter, it makes a great coyote gun also, for deer i use a 100 grain, coyotes i go smaller

[growalot]

i use a 100 grain, coyotes i go smaller

Same here

[ny hunter]

100 grain soft point for me.

[emptypockets]

If you know someone that has a 25.06 give it a try. A little larger bullet, faster, flatter,harder hitting and the same or less recoil. Check it out.

[the blur]

The velocity knocks them over, and the exit wounds are BIG.

[k burke]

Thanks guys. I was talking to a guy at the gun store today and he was suggesting the 7mm as a good compromise. Just slightly more recoil but the larger bullet is a little more forgiving for deer. If what he says is true, I think I may actually go that route.

I'm looking for a second rifle to the 30-30 I have. Something with a little less recoil but good for more distance.

[Pygmy]

It depends on WHAT 7MM you are considering...

The 7mm-08 has fairly light recoil, but handles heavier bullets than the .243. It is in my opinion close to being an ideal whitetail rifle. Easy to shoot, but capable of 300 yard + performance.

The 7mm Magnums are capable also, but you pay for it with much more muzzle blast and recoil, plus a longer and heavier rifle in most cases.

[Doewhacker]

I shoot a 7mm Browning, some say they kick like a mule, I don't notice it. Mine is a tad heavy weighing in at 10.2 pounds fully loaded and scoped. That is what I do not like about it, evey thing else is super in my opinion. Longer range than I will ever need in NY and enough power to dang near knock the snot out of an elephant.

I see the 7-08 but have you considered the 270?

[k burke]

Pygmy - Didn't realize there were two 7mm - he suggested the 7mm-08.

Doewhacker - I did consider the 270, but I'm looking for the lightest recoil in a reliable deer caliber - something more forgiving - with common and inexpensive ammo.

[Doewhacker]

Then I would go for the 7-08, .243 is capable obviously but I would still want a little heavier bullet. But I am a more is better kinda guy.

[k burke]

That's what I'm thinking now as well.

Thanks for everyone's replys.

[Lawdwaz]

Lots more than two 7mm cartridges........................................................................

7.2 mm (.284 in) rifle cartridges (commonly known as 7 mm)

Name Bullet Length Rim Base Shoulder Neck OAL .276 Enfield 7.16 (.282) 60 (2.35) 13.1 (.517) 13.4 (.528) - - 82 (3.23) .284 Winchester 7.211 (.284) 55.12 (2.170) 12.01 (.473) 12.72 (.501) 12.06 (.475) 8.13 (.320) 71.12 (2.80) 7 mm BR

(Bench Rest) 7.214 (.284) 38.61 (1.520) 12.01 (.473) 11.94 (.470) 11.68 (.460) 7.82 (.308) - 7 mm SAUM

(Short Action Ultra Magnum) 7.214 (.284) 51.69 (2.035) 13.564 (.534) 13.97 (.550) 13.564 (.534) 8.128 (.320) 71.76 (2.825) 7 mm WSM 7.214 (.284) 53.34 (2.100) 13.59 (.535) 14.10 (.555) 13.67 (.538) 8.15 (.321) - 7 mm Dakota 7.214 (.284) 63.50 (2.500) 13.84 (.545) 13.84 (.545) 13.49 (.531) 8.00 (.315) - .280 British 7.214 (.284) 43.434 (1.71) 11.633(.458) 11.94 (.470) 11.38 (.448) 7.95 (.313) 64.516 (2.54) .280/30 British 7.214 (.284) 43.434 (1.71) 12.01 (.473) 11.94 (.470) 11.38 (.448) 7.95 (.313) 64.516 (2.54) .276 Pedersen 7.218 (.284) 51.38 (2.023) 11.43 (.450) 11.43 (.450) 9.78 (.385) 7.95 (313) 72.39 (2.85) 7-30 Waters 7.214 (.284) 52 (2.04) 12.9 (.506) 10.7 (.422) (needed) 7.8 (.306) 64 (2.52) 7 mm-08 Remington 7.214 (.284) 51.689 (2.035) 12.01 (.473) 11.94 (.470) 11.53 (.454) 8.00 (.315) 71.12 (2.80) 7 x 57 mm Mauser

• 7 mm Mauser
  
• Spanish Mauser
  
• .275 Rigby
  

7.24 (.285) 57.00 (2.244) 12.01 (.473) 11.99 (.472) 10.92 (.430) 8.23 (.324) 77.72 (3.06) 7 mm Remington Magnum 7.214 (.284) 63.50 (2.50) 13.51 (.532) 13.00 (.512) 12.47 (.491) 8.00 (.315) 83.56 (3.290) 7 x 64 Brenneke ^[2] 7.24 (.285) 64.00 (2.520) 11.95 (.470) 11.85 (.467) 10.80 (.425) 7.95 (.313) 84.00 (3.307) .280 Remington

(7 mm Remington Express) 7.214 (.284) 64.52 (2.54) 12.01 (.473) 11.94 (.470) 11.20 (.441) 8.00 (.315) 84.58 (3.33) 7 mm RUM

(Remington Ultra Magnum) 7.214 (.284) 72.39 (2.85) 13.564 (.534) 13.97 (.550) 13.335 (.525) 8.179 (.322) 92.71 (3.650) 7 mm STW^[3]

(Shooting Times Westerner) 7.214 (.284) 72.39 (2.850) 13.02 (.5126) 13.51 (.532) 12.36 (.4868) 8.00 (.315) 91.44 (3.60) 7 mm Weatherby Magnum 7.214 (.284) - - - - - - .280 Ross ^[4] / .280 Rimless / .280 Nitro 7.29 (.287) 65.79 (2.59) 14.12 (.556) 13.56 (.534) 10.26 (.404) 8.05 (.317) 88.9 (3.50) Modern 7mm Rem Mag (375 Ruger case) 7.214 (.284) 65 (2.559) 13.51 (.532) 13.51 (.532) 13.1 (.516) 8.05 (.317) 85 (3.35)

[Lawdwaz]

Maybe more information than the OP wanted. <grin>

[Early]

The .260 Rem. is a great choice for hard-hitting, low recoil, short action whitetail medicine. Some call it the best whitetail load ever!

[WNYBuckHunter]

The .260 Rem. is a great choice for hard-hitting, low recoil, short action whitetail medicine. Some call it the best whitetail load ever!

Yep. Only problem is availability of factory ammo. If you reload, you are going to be hard pressed to find a better round.

[Early]

Good point. Shortly after I bought my Remington Mod. 7 CDL, I stocked up on ammo: 3 boxes each of 120 and 140 gr. I have a buddy who reloads. As soon as I have enough empties, he is going to load me some with a 31 gr. bullet he found somewhere. Should be interesting.