243?

[Caeden4]

In the event i learn how to field dress a deer by then and can actually go out in pursuit this fall, I'm wondering what everyone here thinks about a 243 for deer. it seems people typically have strong feelings one way or the other. it is not what would be my first choice for big game, but its currently the most i've got and my wife is only on board with me getting a new rifle if it has some benefit to her, which anything over 243 would not since she cant handle the recoil.  i know a 243 has obviously taken down deer, but is it something i should go afield with my first deer season or should i just wait? assuming it will make a difference in how you respond - any shots taken would be at a very close range - no more than 50 yards or so.  

[Robhuntandfish]

Practice enough to be sure you're proficient with it and it will do the job.  If it's what you have use it.  

If I were just getting into big game hunting and didn't have a gun it certainly wouldn't be my first choice,  But it will certainly work.   And you can certainly shoot a deer over 50 yards with it.  

Best of luck and hope you get out there.   

[Bucksnbows]

A wonderful, low recoil cartridge that will kill deer all day long and at ranges well over 50 yards. I’ve been deer hunting for 49 years and realize that the number one reason many miss or worse, wound deer is because they shoot too much gun with too little practice. They wind up fearing the recoil and flinching at the shot. You do NOT need a caliber like a .300 Winchester magnum to shoot a whitetail under 100 yards.  Use you .243 and don’t give it another thought. 

[CharlieNY]

I have a .243 in addition to a 7mm-08 that I have used for deer hunting. Shot placement and quality ammunition make them both deadly deer cartridges. I have dropped deer dead right there  with both calibers. Get some quality ammo with a polymer tip for your .243, sight it in and practice, and wait for a good shot on a vital spot. Do this and you will be dining on venison. There is no need to get a different caliber.

Edited June 10, 2024 by CharlieNY

[Buckmaster7600]

243 is a fine deer cartridge however we work hard and put in a lot of time for very few chances. I would hate to have a mess up and have to wonder if you used a more suitable cartridge if it would have ended differently. 
 

My daughter and I both shoot 7mm-08, she’s shot it since she was about 8. The recoil is negligible and you’ll never have to wonder.

[Caeden4]

21 minutes ago, Buckmaster7600 said:

243 is a fine deer cartridge however we work hard and put in a lot of time for very few chances. I would hate to have a mess up and have to wonder if you used a more suitable cartridge if it would have ended differently. 
 

My daughter and I both shoot 7mm-08, she’s shot it since she was about 8. The recoil is negligible and you’ll never have to wonder.

i think that's my concern, that although i am very confident with the 243, i will hesitate to take the shot out of concern that it wont be efficient enough to either drop the deer quickly or to leave enough of a blood trail for recovery. but then again going with something i have less practice with could result in the same hesitation.   

[Lawdwaz]

.243”…………6mm

.284”…………7mm

1mm difference in diameter for the base of the bullet.  Same parent case, 308 Winchester.

1mm=0.0394” difference.  A credit card is .0299”

Thin, real thin.

A 243 Winchester is just fine for whitetail deer.   I dare say more than adequate for a NYS black bear with a decent bullet.

A phrase often uttered on another site by a low key fellow is that bullets matter way more than head stamps.   

[mowin]

Another vote for the 7mm-08. Recoil is similar to the.243. 

243 is a decent deer cartilage, especially if hand loaded.  

 

[Mike103]

In my 50 years of deer hunting I’ve seen truck loads for deer killed with the .243

Would not hesitate at all. I’ve seen it all from 223 to 7mm mag and 300 Win mag. They all kill deer when used as intended. 
 

As someone said just use the right bullet. From the Remington website:

 

THE DEADLIEST MUSHROOM IN THE WOODS™ FOR MORE THAN 75 YEARS.

Since 1939, more hunters have relied on Remington Core-Lokt® than any other big game ammunition, and rightly so. It's filled more tags on more continents than any other load. Core-Lokt® is the original controlled expansion bullet. Its time-proven performance has made it hunting's first choice for over 75 years. The tapered copper jacket is locked to a solid lead core delivering massive 2X expansion, weight retention and consistent on-game results. Available in soft point and pointed soft point versions, and in a range of bullet weights for virtually every centerfire hunting caliber made. Trust your next hunt to the best-selling hunting ammunition of all time.

[grampy]

My handloaded 243 rounds are like lightning bolts on deer. I make them for my God daughter. She took her PB buck with one last season. 

7mm-08 may just be the perfect deer caliber. Soft recoil. And lights out performance. 

Either one will do the job.

Whatever you use, be confident and proficient with it. Range time is time well spent.

[Bucndoe]

If you get or go to a larger caliber and worry about your wife handling it, go with Managed Recoil ammo. Available for most popular calibers

[Bucksnbows]

19 minutes ago, grampy said:

My handloaded 243 rounds are like lightning bolts on deer. I make them for my God daughter. She took her PB buck with one last season. 

7mm-08 may just be the perfect deer caliber. Soft recoil. And lights out performance. 

Either one will do the job.

Whatever you use, be confident and proficient with it. Range time is time well spent.

I would toss the .257 Roberts in there although not as popular as the two you listed, but capable to 300 yards on whitetails and very mild recoil. My new favorite cartridge. 

[Bucksnbows]

3 hours ago, Caeden4 said:

In the event i learn how to field dress a deer by then and can actually go out in pursuit this fall, 

I’m sure there are tons of how-to videos these days on YouTube for field dressing.  It’s probably intimidating the first time without someone there to walk you through it, but find a good video and watch a few times. I can promise you’ll figure it out.  Once you do it the first time, it becomes easier quickly. I don’t even think about it anymore, it just happens. 

[Dinsdale]

3 hours ago, Caeden4 said:

, but is it something i should go afield with my first deer season or should i just wait? 

Dont wait…..

Use what you have and instead of chasing bullet diameter; develop confidence in your shooting. KNOW that you can stick the crosshairs on a spot and pull the trigger and hit that spot. 

I have shot deer sized game with everything from a 223rem to a 458Lott. Bigger might get you more leeway on shot angles; but having confidence to place a bullet so it travels through vital organs is what pays the bills.

I have suggested this before to newer shooters, and it’s cheap practice that develops muscle memory and promotes good shooting technique. Buy a couple of snap caps and dry fire practice as often as you can. pick a spot and learn how to steady your chosen optic on that spot, pull the trigger, get your mind to know all the steps from bringing the gun to shoulder, get on a target,flick the safety off, steady your aim, and squeeze the trigger, safety on……..add in working the action for a fresh round and getting back on a target later. Focus, make every part of what you’re doing deliberate,smooth,steady. 

I have killed a fair number of game animals in my hunting career and when getting ready for a hunt I still dry fire a hundred times for every box of real ammo. I have lots of rifles and it gets me in tune with a particular action/safety/trigger/optic.

 

Dont sweat the field dressing part; a few good you tube videos solves all that.

[Caeden4]

I guess this now begs the question, if sticking with my trusted 243, could i stick with the 80grain federal power shok soft point i use for smaller game, or go with something else?