How useful the 243 for western hunting?

[hans g./UpS]

A friend already has a 30/06 and a 223.He's thinking of getting a 243.
How useful is the 243 for varmints,deer,antelope[ versus other calibers]?
Thanks.

[crow_feather]

The 243 is a fine caliber for smaller big game, provided the right bullet is used.  Because of it's mild recoil and fine accuracy, it is a desirable rifle for smaller statured shooters.  

For people who can handle the added recoil (minimal), and a longer action, I would suggest a 25-06, or one of the milder 6.5's for the added bullet weight and energy.  These calibers are also very accurate.


C F

[hans g./UpS]

How do the 25s and 6.5s compare in availability and cost vs the 243?
My friend doesn't currently handload and is on a budget.
Thanks.

[Lawdog]

hans g./UpS,

The following figures I got from Midway USA at
http://www.midwayusa.com/rewriteabrowse/6/690/653***.
You can go there to view different cartridges and the cost.  Other ammo sites are a good place to view them too.  The .243 is a bit cheaper than the .25-06 but the .25-06 is much better suited for larger game and still b great for long range varminting.  My choice is the .25-06.  Lawdog
 

Federal Premium Vital-Shok Ammunition 243 Winchester 100 Grain Nosler Partition
Box of 20
Product #: 338245
Our Price: $22.75

Federal Premium Vital-Shok Ammunition 25-06 Remington 115 Grain Nosler Partition
Box of 20
Product #: 344056
Our Price: $25.49

Federal Premium Vital-Shok Ammunition 260 Remington 120 Grain Nosler Ballistic Tip
Box of 20
Product #: 177483
Our Price: $22.60

[bgjohn]

The 243 is good but the 260 Rem is better. The 260 is right between the 243 & 7mm/08.
JM

[aulrich]

Your buddy already has a good setup for out west  (Assuming reasonably accurate guns for the intended targets).  I spent this last summer feeding a 243 going after PD's,  I would have prefered a 223 hands down it's cheaper to run and a touch quieter (spooks the farmers less).

If the 223 is capable of  .75" - 1" and the 30-06 1.5"-2", they are covered. Late this summer I added a Marlin 17v it is a great PD gun, that or a 10/22 would fill out your friend arsenal just fine.

[longwinters]

A 243 is excellent for antelope size game.  Although the 06 will do very nicely with 150 gn bullets.  Actually I would look at the 7m-08 as, at least where I look, the ammo is far more available than 260 or 6.5 calibers.  If he goes with a 130-140 gn bullet he will be right on for the nitch you are looking for.

Long

[Elwood]

Here just north of the border most of our hunting is fairly long range , especially when compared to most of the country. I don't use a 243 but I know plenty of hunters who do. When a hunter is capable of putting a bullet into the heart/lung area of deer, antelope, mt. lion, or coyote  one half of a millimeter or one millimeter wont make any difference. You will tag your game. If you shoot poorly the difference between the 243 and the 7mm-08 wont matter either. A lot of hunters bring home big game using the 243. My nephew uses a 243 to hunt elk I would not personally recommend yet, you cant argue that he kills them just as dead as any other round. The 243 is a good cartridge for most western game.

[James B]

25-06 would be a much better choice for all around game up to Elk. It works good for elk as well but most prefer a heavier bullet for them.

[Dogshooter]

You did say deer, antelope and Varmints, right? You can't go wrong with the 243 for those critters. The 260, 25-06, and others would be a bit better for the larger end of that scale but the ammo will cost more and there is usually 243 ammo almost anywhere. The variety of factory loads available will cover anything you want to do. The recoil may be a bit too much if you are gonna expend a couple of hundred rounds at prarie dogs but other than that, I see no reason to look any further..........

[snowdog]

I'm  considering a .243  in the next few months. primarly for deer.  I was
 talking with a tribal Elk Harvestor last week.  He explained to me that he
 used a .243 for about 8 years on Elk   (all Neck shots)  he said he took
 about 50 or 60 Elk.   He moved up to a  .308 Win.  which he uses now.
    Personally,  I have taken more Elk with a bow than a rifle,  but the 3
 I took with a rifle were brought down with 170 grn bullets in 30-30 Cal.
 out of my ol  Pre 64 model 94.

[Don Fischer]

I go thru the 243 fit's every now and again so, over the year's I've owned a few. Have one right now as a matter of fact. I already know what you 243 lover's will say to this but, I believe it's a bastard cartridge. It's to much for a varmit you want to save the pelt on, a bare min. for deer, ok a
for antelope and to violent to shoot 200 round's a day at sage rat's or other vermin in large number's. For each instance there is a better choice. Not just a better choice, but a clear better choice.

I believe the 25's rule here and I'd opt for the 250 Savage or the 25-06.

The 243 alway's leave's me feeling either under or over gunned.

[Redhawk1]

I think the .243 would work fine for what you described. I quality bullet and shot placement is key.  

[Slamfire]

Doesn't handload?  :roll: Man he's missin' more'n half the fun. Until he starts a properly chambered .257 Ackley will be pretty good with the +P ammo, and the equal of that .25-06 after he starts.  :grin:

[cobrad]

I've seen enough deer and elk killed with a .243 to know it can get the job done, just use the right bullets and put them in the right place. I would not hesitiate to use mine for elk but would be very careful about what shots I took. That said, mine gets fed a steady diet of 58 gr Hornady V-Max's and is absolute death on coyotes and whistle pigs. Kimber Montana = sub moa from the box and only weighs about 6 1/2 lbs with a Zeiss 4.5-14.  :-D

[libertymesa]

I grew up here in NM shootung a .243 to this day i still pull it out and have some fun with it from Deer to Antelope and this year a lot of coyotes,for Deer i am really partial to the 100 gr. Nosler Partitions for predators i like the 75 gr. sierra soft point. But you can't go wrong with a good ole .270 either.