243 on Game

[Desert Eagle]

Hi guys,

I just picked up a 243. Never tried one before. I have and have had many various calibers, but most are much larger. Just hoping to hear some on game performance with the 243 and what ammo you use.

[double gun]

My father shot many deer with a 6mm remington, without issue. I used the same rifle for my first bear many years ago. Now I have a 243 but usually save it for varminting.

For big game we always used a 100gr partition, but now I would be just as happy shooting a tsx or ttsx.

[TomP]

We all know the stories from our father's and grandfathers about hunting moose and bear with 243. I think it is a suitable deer cartridge

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by TomP

We all know the stories from our father's and grandfathers about hunting moose and bear with 243. I think it is a suitable deer cartridge

I don't have any of those stories because my father never used a 243for big game ,just wood chucjs and coyotes and not a lot of those ,
He was not a fan of the 243.
Cat

[Jordan Smith]

Fantastic catridge for big game, but bullet selection is very important for anything larger than deer. I really love the 85TSX/80TTSX, but others report great results with the 95 BT and 100 PT, as well. If shooting long, the 105 Horn AM/HPBT work well also.

[dale7637]

Do a search. This one has been beat to death here a few times.

[purgatory.sv]

As a troll.


The 243 is a perfect unit for use.

I have purchased and do reload. Most federal products work.

I only wish I received a gratuity.

[Ranch11]

My 243 is the first rifle I grab. I've shot bear, moose, elk, deer, coyotes, wolves, gophers, magpies, ravens, nuisance dogs and cats, pigeons, cows, and even a horse with it. Had to euthanize the horse and cow. I liked the horse a lot, but she was in bad shape. The cow, well, I hated that bitch, and didn't feel too bad offing her. It's good cartridge with surprisingly good results.

[vcmm]

243 is no good. Game has become almost indestructible over the last 100 years. Gone are the days of hunting with 243, 30/30,303 etc.
Animals are just to tough.

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by Ranch11

My 243 is the first rifle I grab. I've shot bear, moose, elk, deer, coyotes, wolves, gophers, magpies, ravens, nuisance dogs and cats, pigeons, cows, and even a horse with it. Had to euthanize the horse and cow. I liked the horse a lot, but she was in bad shape. The cow, well, I hated that bitch, and didn't feel too bad offing her. It's good cartridge with surprisingly good results.

Well that about sums it up right there for ya Desert Eagle, walk softly and carry a 243,

[honda610]

Everyone knows the only way to kill a big game animal with a .243 is to shoot out the window of yer black dodge dually while resting it on a pink pool noodle. You also must be trespassing and relieving oneself in front of a trail camera....lmao myself and family have shot lots with a .243 choose a good.bullet and practice. Good luck

[burbotman]

Originally Posted by vcmm

243 is no good. Game has become almost indestructible over the last 100 years. Gone are the days of hunting with 243, 30/30,303 etc.
Animals are just to tough.

Really? From the love the 243 gets here I would say the opposite has occurred.

Not sure why the gun manufacturers bother to chamber for anything larger.

(Tongue in cheek, use what ever you shot well)

[schreyer]

Buddy's girlfriend up by Spirit River took an elk out at 100 yards with a 243.

[barsik]

most people would be better off with a cartridge like a 243/257/6.5x55/308 because it is easier on the ears and doesn't have the recoil impulse of a magnum cartridge. easier to shoot means the shooter will most likely be more accurate with the rifle. shooting a magnum usually takes trigger time to become comfortable with the blast and recoil. bullet placement is more important than bullet speed.

[JD848]

No doubt they can kill,but there's way better choices than the 243 is not at the top of my list,infact at the bottom of the page.

[260 Rem]

I was so impressed with accounts of 243 Win kills, I built a 6 Dasher sporter for deer. The Dasher is pretty close to being a ballistic twin to the 243 except they can be easily tuned for accuracy