Author Topic: Would you use a .243 (100 gr sp) on a 200-300 lbs boar ? (Read 1456 times)

nasem · « **on:** September 15, 2006, 05:03:24 PM »

State your opinion people.... I wanted a light stainless gun for varmint hunting, and Was going to go with the 243 IF AND ONLY IF its capable of droping a boar. I know its a good caliber for deer, but I don't know about boar....

whats everyone's opinion of this...

thanks

Thebear_78 · « **Reply #1 on:** September 15, 2006, 06:26:50 PM »

I wouldn't hesitate to shoot any sized boar if that is what I had on hand. A good premium 100 gr bullet should work just fine. Especially if you pick your shot, side of head near the ear hole for example. Or low behind the shoulder. Might wan't something like the Barnes X bullet for better penetration.

Land_Owner · « **Reply #2 on:** September 15, 2006, 10:56:03 PM »

I agree with thebear...

markc · « **Reply #3 on:** September 16, 2006, 02:39:25 PM »

Absolutely would. My wife has dropped a number of hogs, deer and a sheep or two with her .243 using Rem Core Lokt 100gr's

loaded4bear · « **Reply #4 on:** September 16, 2006, 06:05:24 PM »

While the .243/6mm wouldn't be my first choice for hogs, I wouldn't hesitate to use it on them providing you use a stout bullet. My first choice in a hog bullet for the .243 would be the Barnes 85 gr Triple Shock™. Providing this bullet proves accurate in your barrel, it offers maximum weight retention (100%) & outstanding terminal performance at a wide range of velocities. While they tend to be "pricey", I wouldn't skimp on a quality bullet when using a lighter caliber on an animal known as "the poor man's grizzly".
Runners-up in the bullet selection catagory might include; Barnes 95 gr. XLC, Nosler 100 gr Partition, or the Swift 90 gr Scirocco. All are up to the challenge of bringing home the bacon.

RaySendero · « **Reply #5 on:** September 17, 2006, 04:22:36 AM »

Would you use a .243 (100 gr sp) on a 200-300 lbs boar ?

No!!!!!!!!!

bobg · « **Reply #6 on:** September 17, 2006, 04:46:48 AM »

I killed one 200 pound boar with 100 grain factory ammo in the 257 Roberts. Hog was running and my first shot was to far back. Second shot was right were i wanted it to be. Bye bye piggy. The 243 should work great. If i was doing it again i would use my 270.
bobg

hicntry · « **Reply #7 on:** September 17, 2006, 05:08:31 AM »

In a heartbeat....if I had one.

R.W.Dale · « **Reply #8 on:** September 17, 2006, 02:37:03 PM »

Roud here wild pigs are concidered to be nuicance animals, So I'ed shoot one with whatever I had in my hands at the time .17 hmr to .458WM, In my opinion .243 fits nicely between those two extremes.

VTDW · « **Reply #9 on:** September 18, 2006, 12:06:59 PM »

I am with Bear but would stick with the ear, behind the ear or middle of the neck up. Hogs pretty much live in front of their shoulders. You really need to know exactly where to shoot if you go behind the shoulder with that caliber. JMHO

Dave

drdougrx · « **Reply #10 on:** September 19, 2006, 03:26:22 PM »

I guess I would if it were me doing the shoot'n. I just changed my mind on this issue over this past weekend. I am taking my 15yo nephew for a hog in November and it's his 1st game animal. I was going to use a .243 with a 100gr NosP. I decided that I can't guarentee that he'll place his shot just right, so, I'll let him use my 06...maybe just gives me piece of mind.

victorcharlie · « **Reply #11 on:** September 20, 2006, 03:33:50 AM »

I've watched the .243 get a lot of bad press on the internet for several years now. I've hunted a .243 for many years and killed well over 50 deer with it. While I haven't shot a large hog with one, I certainly wouldn't hesitate to use the .243 with plain jane 100 grain remington corelockts........As a young boy, I've seen many pigs put down with a .22 short come hog killing time........

All my life, a .24 caliber has been the minimun legal caliber for big game in Tennessee. This year, any centerfire caliber is legal. I'm sure this will make for some interesting stories both good and bad by the end of the season, and I haven't talked to very many hunters who want to try a smaller caliber on deer sized game.

The .243 is a great round for a young man....look at the availability of calibers in a youth model and the .243 will be the caliber most often found although I'm starting to see a few 7mm/o8's..............

I was also a much better shot at age 12 than I am now.........never under estimate a young man with a good eye.......

Syncerus · « **Reply #12 on:** September 20, 2006, 04:37:55 AM »

VTDW is dead on.

Syncerus

markc · « **Reply #13 on:** September 20, 2006, 07:06:48 AM »

Of course shot placement is everything, regardless of the caliber. I always shoot in or just behind the ear or the neck shot which isn't too far behind the ear shot..

41 mag · « **Reply #14 on:** September 21, 2006, 12:22:31 PM »

I will throw in with krochus, I shoot them with what ever I have with me. I shoot from .223 up to 12 gu. with slugs. Just depends on when and where. If a Ruger Blackhawk in 30 Carbine can do them in, a .243 should do so with change.

Shot placement is key however with which ever bullet you use. The vitals are further up front than with most other critters, and they can take a punch and keep on trucking.

VTDW · « **Reply #15 on:** September 21, 2006, 08:47:26 PM »

drdougrx,

Your logic is impecable sir.

My 10 yr old granddaughter is shooting her little NEF Handi .243 with 85 gr Noslers and 25 gr of Hxxxx right now and is quite good. Come deer season or when I take her hog hunting I will substitute some real loads and she will never know the difference when she pulls the trigger on real game. I am sooooo devious.

Paw Paws are smart eh?

Dave

captdp · « **Reply #16 on:** September 24, 2006, 12:20:32 PM »

Would I? Yes. Would I recomend it for most people? No! The 243 is a cartridge that should be used by experienced hunters only. If you can place your shots and know when not to shoot, you will be ok. Pigs are constantly moving and I have shot plenty, that have not been hit near where I aimed. Things happen while hunting and I believe in using a gun with a little wiggle room. Shot placement is important. Pigs are not that tough or hard to kill if shot through the heart/lung area. These are located almost exclusively between the shoulders, and you must get a bullet there. I prefer the 7x57 w/150gn and 308w/165gn Partitions. If I were you I would get a 260 or 7-08. both can shoot light bullets for varmints or heavier for pigs. BTw if you do choose the 243 my only bullet choice would be a Partition. capt dp

Tommyt · « **Reply #17 on:** September 24, 2006, 02:49:58 PM »

I've done it, so I can say YES and I would again

JeffG · « **Reply #18 on:** September 24, 2006, 02:57:16 PM »

In my opinion, a 243 especially with 100 gr bullets is under rated. I would have to say yes.
If you want to prove it to yourself, stack 2 feet of newspapers in a plastic garbage bag, place it in a containing cardboard box, with the flat side of the paper up and down, like oreos in the container.
Wet it with enough water to soak all of the newspaper, then pour out the excess water. Tie the bag shut and take it to the range.
Shoot it with your gun, and see what penetration there is, see how your bullet holds up. Peel back the wet newspaper, layer by layer, and look at the wound channel, and find the bullet.
Scientific? no. But it is a practical way to judge a gun's performance. Good shooting!

rickt300 · « **Reply #19 on:** September 27, 2006, 03:22:52 PM »

Would I yes, do I no. I have many rifles including a 243 and a 6MM Remington but when I purposefully go hog hunting I take my 7x57, 30-06, 270 or bigger. I like bone smashing power and penetration given by good bullets of 150 grains or better. I hunt a lot after dark and want the ability to make any good solid hit work.