Author Topic: Which barrel should I use deer hunting?  (Read 599 times)

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Offline rc51kid

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Which barrel should I use deer hunting?
« on: August 23, 2005, 06:30:56 PM »
I have two barrels to choose from for this deer season, a 243 and a 270.  I had assumed I would use the 243 then after talking to a few people they all said if you have the 270 it is better for deer than the 243.  This will be used in the southeast on whitetail. What one would you use?

Offline Fred M

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Which barrel should I use deer hunting?
« Reply #1 on: August 23, 2005, 06:54:24 PM »
270 all the way.
Fred M.
From Alberta Canada.

Offline Mac11700

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Which barrel should I use deer hunting?
« Reply #2 on: August 23, 2005, 07:07:01 PM »
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....let me think about it...hmmmm...a 270 or a 243..............   :idea2:........270 for sure......

Mac
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Offline t3shooter

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Which barrel should I use deer hunting?
« Reply #3 on: August 23, 2005, 08:02:33 PM »
Take the most powerful calibre you shoot well.  I'd say 270, too.

Offline myarmor

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Which barrel should I use deer hunting?
« Reply #4 on: August 23, 2005, 08:14:20 PM »
Which one are you most comfortable shooting?
Both will do the job. If you have good confidence in one and are not sure with the other, pick the one you have the most faith in and are comfortable shooting with.

Offline ONE HOLE 4570

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Which barrel should I use deer hunting?
« Reply #5 on: August 24, 2005, 01:50:22 AM »
Whichever you shoot the best and can place the shot. If both the same go with the 270 its a given :grin:
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Offline mitchell

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Which barrel should I use deer hunting?
« Reply #6 on: August 24, 2005, 04:52:23 AM »
i would say who ever you have more trigger time with . i have killed deer with both and yes i was more confident with the 270 but it was a custom built rifle and i had over 500 rounds of practics with it.  put it this way i have a 30-06 308 270 and a 243 and this year i'm going to be packing my new 243 just because it has my confidence even thou my 308 shoots in the .3's and .4's with my deer load , i'm still taking the 243 just because its got my confidence. a good hit from a 243 beats a bad hit from a 338 win mag . take the one that you have the best confidence in but if its a tie take the 270.
curiosity killed the cat , but i was lead suspect for a while

Offline rc51kid

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Which barrel should I use deer hunting?
« Reply #7 on: August 24, 2005, 05:04:58 AM »
I have zero trigger time with the 243 or the 270.  My first thought was to use the 243 just because it would be a little less recoil and maybe easer to practice with.  But then I have been thinking that the 270 shouldn’t be that bad with the recoil and is a much more powerful round.  I want as much practice with the one I will be using and I don’t really feel that I have time to practice with both right now.  .

Offline mhans938

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Which barrel should I use deer hunting?
« Reply #8 on: August 24, 2005, 06:25:43 AM »
My thoughts would be to take them both out and see how they both shoot.  Take the one you shoot the best and spend your time with that one.  You say that you are going to the Southeast to hunt, but not exactly where.  The farther south you go the smaller the body size is on the deer.   This has to do with Core body temp in relation to the environment that the animal is in.   Colder the environment, larger the core body must be to maintain the internal temp.  Warmer the environment, smaller the body size.  
    Both the .243 and the .270 will do the job, but placement of the shot is everything.  I have both calibers and have never had a problem with either one, both have knocked deer down extremely well.  Use Speer 100 gr. in the .243, expands very well and has great knock-down.  My last deer fell to that round at a lasered 252 yds, heart shot and just plain fell over.  The .270 with 130 gr. Hornaday will also drop'em like a rock.  Just hit the heart/lung area.

Mark

Offline tommy_tsunami

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Which barrel should I use deer hunting?
« Reply #9 on: August 24, 2005, 07:54:16 AM »
I'd use the .243, but that's because I'm biased.  I've been hunting with a .243 since the early 80's and love it!  I've killed everything from big whitetail to muleys and elk.  

I know it's considered a lightweight, but I can hit whatever I aim at with that thing and wouldn't consider anything else.

Offline Varminter

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Which barrel should I use deer hunting?
« Reply #10 on: August 24, 2005, 10:15:50 AM »
If you are comfortable shooting the 270 i would say go for it.
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Offline Longcruise

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Which barrel should I use deer hunting?
« Reply #11 on: August 24, 2005, 01:00:44 PM »
Heck, it's just a little whitetail!  Either one will kill it equally dead so my advice is to think about which will do the least damage to the meat.

If you use a premium bullet that won't explode and turn the meat to mush, then the .243 is probably a good choice.  If you use the cheap exploding bullets then either one will have you trimming away a lot of good meat.

Offline poncaguy

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Which barrel should I use deer hunting?
« Reply #12 on: August 24, 2005, 03:29:16 PM »
270, probably best deer round ever. When I hunt doe's, like the 243..........

Offline Norseman112

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Which barrel should I use deer hunting?
« Reply #13 on: August 26, 2005, 09:27:24 AM »
yep my .243 handi is going doe hunting this year  :grin:

Norse