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  #1  
Old 05-02-2018, 09:55 AM
Remington1917 Remington1917 is offline
 
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Default Thinking of getting a 243

I'm sure it's been asked here lots but would like to here some opinions on the 243 round. How it is for deer and accuracy and what not thanks guys!
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  #2  
Old 05-02-2018, 09:59 AM
Nyksta Nyksta is offline
 
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With an appropriate length barrel and proper bullet selection it is fantastic. The mild recoil will make for easy practicing which will promote better marksmanship. Practice makes perfect. Hit the vitals.
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Old 05-02-2018, 10:14 AM
Redrider Redrider is offline
 
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Is a under appreciated round for big game.
Good for yotes, deer, even larger animals elk,
moose and black bear with the right bullet and shot placement.
And shot placement is easier because if it’s soft recoil.
100gr Nosler partition works excellent on all game.
Just my two cents.
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Old 05-02-2018, 10:44 AM
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Definitely my favorite coyote gun---good for my 11 yr old too
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Old 05-02-2018, 10:53 AM
Redneck 7 Redneck 7 is offline
 
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Big fan of the .243 and the cartridge family based off the same case. Great round, accurate and can even shoot long range with it. Mild recoil and still cheap enough to plink with if you don’t reload.
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Old 05-02-2018, 11:17 AM
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3blade 3blade is offline
 
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My current go to hunting rifle is the 243 and the 80 gr ttsx. Very effective combo and minimal meat loss when you clip a shoulder. Made the switch a few years ago and couldn’t be happier.

Highly recommend mono metal bullets and keeping shots on game to 300 yards or less.
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Old 05-02-2018, 11:25 AM
stob stob is offline
 
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X2 for all the above ... my 9 year old just shot mine the other day with 90% gong hits at 100m... first centrefire he has squeezed the trigger on..100gr's
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Old 05-02-2018, 01:39 PM
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Groundhogger Groundhogger is offline
 
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I had a Savage in .243 for a short while, but changed gears. I'm back considering .243, especially since the new Mauser M18 will be offered in that caliber.
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Old 05-02-2018, 07:07 PM
gtr gtr is offline
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Used a BLR 243 for twenty years with good success. Bigger is not always better.
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Old 05-02-2018, 08:10 PM
Scottmisfits Scottmisfits is offline
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I shot my mule buck at 270 yards this last season with my 243. It’s a pieced together Remington 700 with a 26” varmint barrel. Overall it’s about 12.5lbs. It also shoots the 100 grain Federal Power Shoks incredibly well. I haven’t had time to get out to the rangeland test my hand loads as my membership is about 2.5 hour drive either way
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Old 05-02-2018, 08:13 PM
Nyksta Nyksta is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Scottmisfits View Post
I shot my mule buck at 270 yards this last season with my 243. It’s a pieced together Remington 700 with a 26” varmint barrel. Overall it’s about 12.5lbs. It also shoots the 100 grain Federal Power Shoks incredibly well. I haven’t had time to get out to the rangeland test my hand loads as my membership is about 2.5 hour drive either way
it better shoot well at 12.5 pounds, that's a heck of a lot more "sturdy" than typical hunting rifles.
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Old 05-02-2018, 08:16 PM
Scottmisfits Scottmisfits is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nyksta View Post
it better shoot well at 12.5 pounds, that's a heck of a lot more "sturdy" than typical hunting rifles.


For sure. I as using it based more on circumstance and proving I could do it for the weekend. Next time my wife decides to stay home I’ll probably use her Remington 700 VTR or if my son wants to use it, I may use his rifle which is also a 243. Or if I ever get all my rounds developed, maybe my grandfathers old M17 in 30-06. It is nice to have choices.
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Old 05-02-2018, 08:19 PM
HuntinGuy HuntinGuy is offline
 
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Great gun but just as others have mentioned proper bullet selection is pretty important. Go with sturdy heavy bullets. Bonded or mono are best, partitions are good too but in my opinion A-frames are best.


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  #14  
Old 05-02-2018, 08:25 PM
heybert heybert is offline
 
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There's a Remington Model 7 in .243 in the buy and sell right now if you so inclined
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Old 05-02-2018, 09:38 PM
Remington1917 Remington1917 is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by heybert View Post
There's a Remington Model 7 in .243 in the buy and sell right now if you so inclined
I need to sell my 1187 first haha
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Old 05-03-2018, 10:55 AM
Stinky Coyote Stinky Coyote is offline
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have had great performance and easy shootability from the few i've owned
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  #17  
Old 05-03-2018, 11:39 AM
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Dean2 Dean2 is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Remington1917 View Post
I'm sure it's been asked here lots but would like to here some opinions on the 243 round. How it is for deer and accuracy and what not thanks guys!
Why?? Accurate, little recoil, but limited to about 105 grain bullets, lousy B.C.s and eats barrels like no tomorrow. Have had three or 4 and sold them all. To me the 6.5 and .284 options are a far better all round hunting and accuracy round with about the same recoil as the 243. Most of the 6.5s and .284 in non-magnum don't burn up barrels near as fast either.
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Old 05-03-2018, 12:36 PM
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wwbirds wwbirds is offline
 
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Default one of my favorite rounds

Unfortunately since my boys moved out it doesnt get nearly enough use. Stone cold dead right now as they were able to practice a lot and become very proficient due to light recoil and cheap components. One shot kills for deer were the norm. Cant see ever shooting out this barrel as on average 10 shots a year were fired when boys were here sighting in and hunting. I have used it for coyotes a few times due to the very flat trajectory. I have a heavy barrel which is the only downfall for this particular rifle since I usually opt for something lighter for extended hunting trips.
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Old 05-03-2018, 01:12 PM
Stinky Coyote Stinky Coyote is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dean2 View Post
Why?? Accurate, little recoil, but limited to about 105 grain bullets, lousy B.C.s and eats barrels like no tomorrow. Have had three or 4 and sold them all. To me the 6.5 and .284 options are a far better all round hunting and accuracy round with about the same recoil as the 243. Most of the 6.5s and .284 in non-magnum don't burn up barrels near as fast either.
I'll agree there are better choices these days. I'm selling a youth single shot .243 i've always kept for introducing people etc. but it's getting replaced with 6.5 Grendel, will kill deer just as far due to the higher bc, longer barrel life by a long ways with lower muzzle velocity, and it's less recoil than .243 also.

That said this .243 was rarely shot much so it has a really long life ahead of it still lol. A grendel would go a couple generations easy on a barrel with typical zero and hunt use. Thousands of rounds.
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Old 05-03-2018, 01:57 PM
Stinky Coyote Stinky Coyote is offline
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Just ran quick comparison of standard hornady loads in the bison calculator of 6.5 Grendel 123 gr vs .243 95 gr sst superformance and .243 100 gr btsp standard velocity load.

If 1000 ft/lbs minimum impact energy for deer is your rule of thumb the Grendel holds that to 400 yards and both .243 loads hold it to 375 yards.

If 1600 fps min impact velocity is your rule of thumb then the Grendel holds that to 625 yards, both .243 loads to 650 yards.

Transonic at about 1050 yards for the Grendel and 100 gr .243 and 1100 yards for the superformance .243.

Muzzle velocity factory stated 24" barrels by Hornady: Grendel 123 gr 2580, vs 3185 for 95 gr superformance and 2960 for the 100 gr standard velocity load.

Barrel life quick searches show .243 in the 1500-3000 range and Grendels in the 5000+ range....good enough for rule of thumb cartridge shopping data.
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  #21  
Old 05-03-2018, 02:01 PM
jef612 jef612 is offline
 
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If I were starting from scratch - I would likely choose a 7-08 or a 6.5 just for the better bullet selection. The .243's max out at about 100grns

That being said - I have a .243 and I think it is a perfect deer / coyote combo gun. Lighter 55 grain bullets can be loaded down to about 3200 fps and they are decent on coyote pelts, or you can speed them up and hit them like the hammer of Thor!

Loaded with heavier bullets, you have a great deer rifle that has surprised me with the amount of damage done to the insides of every deer I've shot. Massive wound channels.

.243 is in no way undersized for deer IMO
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  #22  
Old 05-03-2018, 04:27 PM
WeatherbyFan65 WeatherbyFan65 is offline
 
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6mm/.243 is an excellent round for sure, Im rebarreling my Carl Gustaf target rifle and Im going with the 6mm Creedmoor just to test the waters with this cartridge.

One of my favourites is the 240 Wby, an awesome cartridge for deer size game.
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  #23  
Old 05-03-2018, 05:54 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Redrider View Post
Is a under appreciated round for big game.
Good for yotes, deer, even larger animals elk,
moose and black bear with the right bullet and shot placement.
And shot placement is easier because if it’s soft recoil.
100gr Nosler partition works excellent on all game.
Just my two cents.
Yup, enough said, around a fire it doesn't hold a candle to the magnum firebreathering calibre of great beast ability macho stories....but it will fill the freezer every winter with any type of critter meat that walks our woods, mountains and valley's.
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  #24  
Old 05-04-2018, 06:20 AM
Beeman3 Beeman3 is offline
 
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I would like to revisit the 243/6mm as that is what I started hunting with. I would go with a fast twist 24-26" barrel capable of shooting up to 115 gr Bergers. Someday I'll have another 6mm.
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  #25  
Old 05-04-2018, 09:13 AM
bubba300 bubba300 is offline
 
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I have had a few 243's over the years and taken some deer with them,none of them went over 50 yards and most dropped on the spot.I have gone to the 6.5's(creedmore) now just for better balistics, longer shots and better barrel life,but a 243 used for just for hunting should last a life time.I don't notice any difference in felt recoil between the 2 of them.The 6mm creedmore would be my choice if I was going back to 6mm because most rifles come with a 1-8 twist and should shoot the heavier bullets.I wouldn't hesitate to look at a 7-08 rem either for a hunting round and bullet selection.
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  #26  
Old 05-04-2018, 09:35 AM
fps plus fps plus is offline
 
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All calibers mentioned are good.
One big factor is ammo availability . Walk into a gas station / hardware store and ask for 6.5 Creedmore / 6.5 Grendel . Huh what ?
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  #27  
Old 05-04-2018, 02:47 PM
Stinky Coyote Stinky Coyote is offline
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gobs of creedmoor last time i zipped through cabelas and even wholesale on close of store deals but its the first 6.5 to really succeed in north america and it's taking over, will put the .308 to rest ...the rest will come in time, i suspect the prc will do better than the grendel too but eventually all three will become pretty mainstream, ballistics too good to ignore...the prc for the big boys, the creedmoor for the masses and the grendel for women/kids haha, the whole 6.5 family
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  #28  
Old 05-04-2018, 04:42 PM
andy1 andy1 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nyksta View Post
With an appropriate length barrel and proper bullet selection it is fantastic. The mild recoil will make for easy practicing which will promote better marksmanship. Practice makes perfect. Hit the vitals.
Great little round.
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  #29  
Old 05-04-2018, 05:17 PM
WeatherbyFan65 WeatherbyFan65 is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fps plus View Post
All calibers mentioned are good.
One big factor is ammo availability . Walk into a gas station / hardware store and ask for 6.5 Creedmore / 6.5 Grendel . Huh what ?
Wont be that way for long 6.5 Creedmoor is the most popular cartridge in the world right now, every ammo manufacturer is loading for it now and most rifle companies if not all.
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  #30  
Old 05-04-2018, 08:30 PM
Positrac Positrac is offline
 
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I’ve got a .243 for sale on CGN right now. Good deal if you want an X-bolt.

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/foru...9#post14875249
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