Have you ever found the .243 lacking?

[Shrike]

Have you ever found the .243 lacking on deer or black bear, where you thought a larger caliber would have done a better job?
Please comment on bullet type and shot placement where you can and size of the animal.
For this thread I appreciate input only from those who actually have used the .243 for hunting big game.
If you never used the .243, please refrain from arm chair comments no matter how strong you feel about the subject.

[unclebuck]

A great short action rifle. They do not lack for jam. I have taken antelope, deer, bear, and moose with one. I used Federal Premium 100 gr. Nosler Partitions. A lung shot or a "shot in the face" puts them down, usually a "bang, drop", or no more than a jump and 2 or 3 steps. I do however, prefer my 25.06 using Nosler Custom ammunition with 100 gr. Nosler Accubonds. I might add that I do not shoot enough rounds in a year to warrant reloading, so I am unable to comment on the ease or difficulty of reloading and what results you may be able to obtain.

[north american hunter]

Not thats it's not capable, it's just that the perfect shot is not always made.

I use a minimum of a .25 caliber for big game.

[C & C]

Will take almost anything you can hunt in Alberta no problem. You are prob going to get the magnum crowd telling you need a 338 to kill a grouse but the 243 is not lacking at all.

[norwestalta]

338 works very well for chicken. I have a 243 that I used to use religiously on deer and I've never had a problem. It definitely didn't lack but can't remember what ammo I was using.

[harv3589]

I have used one and loved it, never an issue. My dad has gone to the .243 now as his all round big game rifle....

[MadMarty911]

Used .243 on yotes, deer, antelope and elk. Never an issue. As for black bear, I wouldn't try it.

[buckbrushoutdoors]

Deer and bear using 90 gr federal fusion. Bang flops! Im a huge 243 fan! If I ever find the rite model 7 I will own another one.

[kwilliam]

I have owned two different .243's to date and love them both.
A Savage 11FCXP3 and a Rem 700 VLS. Both have done quite well on Whitetail and coyotes. The main disadvantage I have found would be effectiveness of the bullet at ranges out past 350 yards. Yes it will make it there from a trajectory point of view. The only issue becomes bullet performance which is directly related to bullet choice. All depends on what you need to accomplish. If wind is a factor in your area, there are better calibers from a ballistic coefficient stand point. But the .243 will still get the job done. You just need to be more aware of the wind.

[double gun]

I too like the 243/6mm and have nothing but good to say about them. I am also currently waiting on my 6mm-06 reamer to arrive - just more of a good thing.

[double gun]

Originally Posted by buckbrushoutdoors

If I ever find the rite model 7 I will own another one.

Careful what you wish for.... I may know where there is one that would be right up your alley.

[Ranch11]

I have killed elk, moose, deer, bear, coyotes, wolves, squirrels, gophers, beavers, muskrats, skunks, porcupines, and just about anything with my 243, using a 100 grain soft point. Quite capable in my opinion.

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by Ranch11

I have killed elk, moose, deer, bear, coyotes, wolves, squirrels, gophers, beavers, muskrats, skunks, porcupines, and just about anything with my 243, using a 100 grain soft point. Quite capable in my opinion.

Impressed me to the point I got mine made into a 6-284 and have taking lots of big game with it...nothing macho just practical and gets the job done very efficiently!

[tchardy1972]

I have used a 243 for deer for years. I have used every bullet from the ballistic tips to soft points to monolithic. The only thing close to an issue I had was a deer shot at a shade ove 400 yards using nosler e tips. The animal only went 50-60 yards but that was a big change from the bang flops I was used to.
The 243 is absolutely devastating on coyotes. When I'm in a derby its my go to.

[crownb]

When I started hunting I used a.243 browning lever action. I started hunting at 12 and I only retired my .243 when I was 33 and that was only because my wife started hunting and she loved how it shot. I have killed 12 bull moose for sure with it maybe even 13 I would have to sit down and go through all the pictures to know for sure, 3 bull elk, dozens of deer and countless coyotes. My farthest shot was 259 yards on a bull moose, he stood there looked both ways put his head down and fell over in a matter of seconds, since my wife has taken over the trusty rifle she has harvested 3 bull moose with her longest shot being 289 yards, they shoot flat and hit hard. Check my photos for some of my wife's moose pics.

[243 wild cat]

Originally Posted by tchardy1972

I have used a 243 for deer for years. I have used every bullet from the ballistic tips to soft points to monolithic. The only thing close to an issue I had was a deer shot at a shade ove 400 yards using nosler e tips. The animal only went 50-60 yards but that was a big change from the bang flops I was used to.
The 243 is absolutely devastating on coyotes. When I'm in a derby its my go to.

I have had a 243 for more then 33 years and its still my go to gun. Its done its job on all kinds of animals big and small 100 grain pill no problem. Love the caliber so much had a 243 Ackley made 105 grain with a bit more of a punch out of the tube this gun is crazy deadly. My longest shot with my old 243 was on a mule deer was just over 400 yards i was 22 and that deer dropped in his tracks high shoulder shot i can still remember how i felt it was a awesome feeling at the time. And i have a coyote at dam near the same yards. I will be passing this gun down to my girls after the wife gives it up LOL. But now i have a new kid on the block 243 WILD CAT!! For some new memories to come.

[260 Rem]

Originally Posted by double gun

I too like the 243/6mm and have nothing but good to say about them. I am also currently waiting on my 6mm-06 reamer to arrive - just more of a good thing.

You guys had better be right...because you've convinced me I need a 6MM deer gun which means another trip to RPS for a sporter barrel to be chambered to 6 Dasher. Should give close to 243 ballistics with 10 gr less powder.

[Pathfinder76]

Originally Posted by 260 Rem

You guys had better be right...because you've convinced me I need a 6MM deer gun which means another trip to RPS for a sporter barrel to be chambered to 6 Dasher. Should give close to 243 ballistics with 10 gr less powder.

How is that possible?

[Smokinyotes]

I bought a 243 in 2010 before I went antelope hunting. I shot a 15-1/4" antelope at 450 yds. Would I do it again probably not. I would use my 6.5-284 or my 270 to get the heavier bullets in the windy country. As far as shooting elk or moose with it I wouldn't think of it as there are far better calibers for the big animals. The 243 is a great coyote rifle but do pretty wicked damage to the hides. I gave this rifle to my son when he turned 12 and he has shot 3 deer and many coyotes with it.

[honda610]

My nephew took his first buck last fall at 200 yards with his .243 , 80gr nosler ballistic tips. The projectile entered and destroyed the heart and lungs completely. I was concerned with the lack of exit wound. The nosler did not stay together as much as I thought it would , 3800 fps at muzzle. I have now switched to 100gr Hornady interlocks. This should correct the problem. I can tell you the buck only ran 28 yards and did a nose dive into snow and that was it. Dead is dead.

[260 Rem]

Originally Posted by chuck

How is that possible?

Strong cases with small primer loaded to higher pressures. Got a chrony reading on a 6 Dasher I am currently tinkering with ---105gr Bergers 32.2gr Varget at 2915 fps --no pressure signs and room for at least another grain of powder. I think lots of Dasher shooters are getting about 3000fps with 105's. Not sure how much faster the 243 is, but that case holds at least ten grains more powder.

[Big Sky]

It's all about bullet placement!!


(Somebody had to say it.)

[Jims71duster]

My wife and 14 year old son like theirs, at the range.that way shot placement doesn't matter

[crownb]

Originally Posted by Jims71duster

My wife and 14 year old son like theirs, at the range.that way shot placement doesn't matter

Totally agree, there are to many guys out there with big cannons and can't shoot properly because they are worried about the recoil, I would rather sacrifice a little power for deadly accuracy!!! A bigger calibre give you more room for error it when you can tack drive a 243 out to 300'yards there is noworrying about a subpar shot.

[heretohunt]

Originally Posted by north american hunter

Not thats it's not capable, it's just that the perfect shot is not always made.

.

I agree with this statement. Very practical. My go to guns are probably going to always be 3006 and larger.
I own a .243 and have loaned it out a few times plus used it a couple of times. I have yet to see blood on the ground from it. I have not seen anything get away yet though.
As for the coyote/wolf crowd I shot both last year with it and used the 55grain nosler balistic tip. They were very effective. No exit on the wolf or most of the coyotes. The coyote that was opened up a bit was hit too low.
I have since purchased some 90 gn accubond bullets to load for Mrs heretohunt. We will have to see. Anyone have any experience?

[hal53]

Originally Posted by crownb

Totally agree, there are to many guys out there with big cannons and can't shoot properly because they are worried about the recoil, I would rather sacrifice a little power for deadly accuracy!!! A bigger calibre give you more room for error it when you can tack drive a 243 out to 300'yards there is noworrying about a subpar shot.

very true...it is also true , from reading this and other forums, that the biggest percentage of "hunters", should concentrate on 100 yard or less shots...no matter the caliber. Learn how to hunt first...way too much publicity on the long range stuff these days...

[bb356]

Originally Posted by hal53

very true...it is also true , from reading this and other forums, that the biggest percentage of "hunters", should concentrate on 100 yard or less shots...no matter the caliber. Learn how to hunt first...way too much publicity on the long range stuff these days...

[crownb]

Originally Posted by hal53

very true...it is also true , from reading this and other forums, that the biggest percentage of "hunters", should concentrate on 100 yard or less shots...no matter the caliber. Learn how to hunt first...way too much publicity on the long range stuff these days...

X2, unless you are a regular shooter, all shots over 200 yards are not for you. There are to many variables involved. My wife shoots 3-6 rounds ever month, not including the 14 coyotes she wiped out this year, I have full confidence in her abilities with the 243 on shooting sticks out to 350 yards. I know to many people who pick up there gun November 1 and take a shot and are like that's good enough. To bad you can't license stupidity.

[hal53]

Originally Posted by crownb

X2, unless you are a regular shooter, all shots over 200 yards are not for you. There are to many variables involved. My wife shoots 3-6 rounds ever month, not including the 14 coyotes she wiped out this year, I have full confidence in her abilities with the 243 on shooting sticks out to 350 yards. I know to many people who pick up there gun November 1 and take a shot and are like that's good enough. To bad you can't license stupidity.

"like"

[IR_mike]

Originally Posted by hal53

"like"

X2

I've noticed a lot of people over the last few years locally buying big cannons along with expensive hi mag optics that are not even proficient or practiced with a rimfire.