BigBendFishing.Net

The .243 is as fine a deer cartridge as you could want. Shot placement is the most important thing followed by the bullet type.The smaller diameter cartridge's like the .243,should be used with a good rapid expansion bullet type such as the Hornady sst or the Barnes tsx.I shoot a .308 which is the "parent of the .243" the .243 is a necked down .308.Shooting the .308 gives you the advantage of shooting bullet weights from 90 grains all the way up to 200 grains, giving you a rifle which is capable of taking any game animal in north america,with the same recoil as a .243-give or take a little.

Redbelly wrote:I have heard that a 25.06 is a good one. I am also looking at a 7mm08.

As many have quoted the .243 will get the job done handily, and shot placement is key. I'm not a ballistic expert, just know what I've seen. Personally I shoot a Tikka T3 Light 7mm08 and am VERY pleased with what it has done. Just stay away from ballistic tip bullets. The Remington CoreLokt has done me well, and won't break the bank.

I've been shooting a 22/250 w/ a 55 gr. bullet for the last 8 years. Bought a Browning .243 and a .270 from SGO last year to add to the deer slaying arsenal. Used the .243 opening morning on a couple of coyotes. Shot 1 deer last year with the 22/250 and it fell where I hit it, just like the 25 before it during the previous seasons Oh yeah, the .270 is sitting like it was when I bought it The 250 has dropped every deer I have shot with the first shot, neck or shoulder....one time I even dropped a 6pt with a shot through the backstrap

I think I am leaning to a 308.

I agree with Tom on the 22/250, shot my first deer with one and it dropped. I now shoot a 270 though, best knock down gun I have shot without the "shoulder punch"

I always liked th 270 when I hunted before. Sold it. Now I am wanting to try something different. my buddy points out the blast and recoil from the 243 is a lesser hurt. The deer around here aren't that big, and i read where the wound channel from a 243 is devestating.

I like the idea of cheaper ammo too.

I have several different calibers for all occasions. If I had to have just one, it would be my Winchester 270. I shoot cheap Sellier & Bellot soft point. Very accurate and deadly. $16-$17 a box.

.243 is plenty of gun and a 100gr core lokt does well too. i've used this combo for many years and now my girls hunt with it and do well. My dad used it for a season after rotator cuff surgery just a few ago and killed plenty as well.

i have shoot deer with 22 hornets to 325 wsm but my favorite is my 257 weatherby shots fast flat and low recoil witha big enough bullet to drop a 500 lb boar at 400 yards. i do like the 243 with a 55 gr bullet for long range head shots

Gonna get the Marlin XS7 in 243. Putting a Nikon Buckmaster scope on it. Gonna have some deer sausage.

Know of a good ole boy that hunts Lafayette Co. that all he's used forever is the 22-250 and is legendary for his ear shots - takes lots of meat..