The case for the .243 as a deer cartridge.

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whatnickname

whatnickname

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First let me say that I’ve got three rifles that shoot the .243 round and two more that fire the 6MM Remington round. I like the round for all the reasons the gun rags tout. I’ve taken everything from varmints to deer with the round. There are still any number of people that speak poorly of the .243 for deer. In my opinion a good bit of the criticism that is leveled at the round as a deer cartridge is likely due to those people that have attempted to take deer with varmint bullets...and for purposes of this discussion, a varmint bullet is whatever the manufacturer classifies as such. It’s not so much a matter of bullet weight as it is bullet construction IMO. And yes, there are any number of deer that have been taken with varmint bullets. At the same time, deer don’t often behave as expected. They move unexpectedly, stop at the last minute or turn quickly and, in those instances, when a varmint bullet is being used, (and not just a .243 varmint bullet for that matter) the .243 becomes a deer wounding round.

My choice for deer with this round are bullets of 100 grains at velocities around 3000 fps. The last deer I killed with a .243 was taken with a double lung shot, behind the shoulder, broadside at 100 yards with a 100 grain Nosler Partician. Nice little eight point went down in his tracks. The bullet passed through.

There is quite a bit written about the maximum effective range of the .243 with some experts claiming that the round is at best, a 200 yard proposition. I disagree. I think 300 yards, maybe a tad further, is a realistic expectation...and I’ve seen some people tout the round as 500 yard medicine. IMO the question is not whether the round will travel 500 yards, or my ability to hit a deer at that distance...I’ve killed prairie dogs at over 500 yards with the .243. My issue with the .243 the other side of 300 yards, is the residual energy of the bullet at that distance and what is considered adequate energy needed to reliably harvest a deer. What’s your opinion? What bullet and load do you prefer for deer?
 
I dont shoot a .243 anymore but used one any time i wasn't using my mini-14 or 7 mag for about 10 years. Hhunted almost every weekend then as well.
My go to loads were a 100gr spitzer, either hornady or sierra, at about 2850, because that's what matched the winchester powerpoints that were my factory fodder.
I lost one deer that I hit 3 times with at least two being lethal shots, just not enough energy to flatten him before he dove over the edge of a valley i couldn't follow him into.
Other than that I've done my best field shooting with a .243, and have never had an issue otherwise. My wife still shoots a .243, and has taken 800-1200lb feral cows with it, as has a friend from the mainland who borrowed the same gun. I have no issue with using a .243 if that's what I get handed.

I don't recommend the .243 for new hunters, of serious trophy hunters, but otherwise its a fantastic round that is VERY capable as a light to medium game cartridge.
 
We've pushed the 95 btips, 100 gr prohunter, and 90 gr tgk to 500, after experimentation and field results, I'd have faith in all of them plus the 100 gr sgk, 95 Berger, and 103 eld (all the length our 9twisters will support) to 500 on deer/pronghorn size game. This of course includes the idea that the shooter is capable of putting the bullet where it should be, and that 500 is within the expansion velocity window. From 30 to 500 yds I've yet to recover a bullet, and all kills were quick and no tracking required. This is over a 21 year period of hunting off and on either with it personally or with friends or family members using it in one form or another. The round is absolutely quite capable. It's the operation department that needs questioning.
 
[QUOTE="LoonWulf, post: 11762078, member: 125508"My wife still shoots a .243, and has taken 800-1200lb feral cows with it, as has a friend from the mainland who borrowed the same gun. I have no issue with using a .243 if that's what I get handed..[/QUOTE]

Feral Cow. That’s a term one doesn’t hear often. :)
I wonder if any other state has them listed as a game animal.
 
I shot a hog with a 243 a few years back. I believe it was a 100 gr bullet but I don’t know the construction type. Probably cup and core.

Well the hog died at 130 paces from the point of impact. Double lung shot. Through and through penetration which means to me the bullet didn’t fail in any way. The round gave me everything I desire except for length of death run.

I know, I have heard it all before. You never know what’s going to happen after an animal gets hit. Many would say that is a satisfactory outcome.

I do know this though. With similar shots, 308 and 450 Bushmaster have put them down faster every time. Eventually, in my head, after enough anecdotes in one direction and very few in another, correlation begins to indicate causation.

The 243 did the job but not to my infinitely demanding expectations. When obvious problems have obvious answers I tend to still use a hammer a few sizes larger than what all the “experts” say is necessary.
 
whughett said:
Feral Cow. That’s a term one doesn’t hear often. :)
I wonder if any other state has them listed as a game animal.
Click to expand...

I’ll let @LoonWulf have the final say so but I’ll bet it is not a game animal.

The reason I bring it up is because there is a small population of larger feral bovines in a WMA here in GA. Not many know about them and their secret will stay with me. They are not game animals and as such can be hunted and taken with appropriate weapons for the hunting season.
 
I have been loading for two .243 rifles for over 20 years. They are primarily coyote, white tail and mule deer rifles, and Saskatchewan deer are not small bodied animals. All deer loads are 95 and 100 grain bullets - mostly Partitions. Shots have varied from 35 yards to well over 300 and I have no issues with anyone thinking a .243 will kill deer at any range they can be hit properly. I don't understand why anyone thinks a case for the .243 as a deer cartridge needs to be made.
 
I have killed more deer with 243 than any other cartridge. I use winchester 100 grain power points, because they are cheap, available, and accurate through my rifle. Also they work just fine on deer, so I never saw a reason to "try something else". The only thing I don't like about my 243 is the trigger- its a wal mart 700, and I just need to change it (or buy a better 243). I have never lost a deer using 243, and when they run, they leave a blood trail a blind man could follow. FWIW, I have also had great success using 223 75 grain Hornady BTHP on deer and hogs. As far as the range, MOST deer are killed 100 yards and closer, if what I have read is true. That is definitely my personal experience. And judging by what I have seen on other people's zero targets at various ranges where I have trained, many hunters have no business shooting at anything over 100 yards. Where I hunt in Fl., I would love opportunities to shoot deer at 100 yards and further, but that's just not going to happen.
 
I don't own a .243, but I've fired several. A friend just bought an Axis in .243, and I will be teaching him how to load for it. He too chose 100 gr. Win. Power Points, and got a deer with them this year. Next year it will probably be with a 95 gr. Partition over a load we develop. I have my .223's to cover that end of the rifle caliber spectrum, but I'd be content with a .243 also. Maybe I'll find an Axis in .243 cheap someday.
 
I don't have a .243. But I bought a Henry single shot youth model for my grandson. Burris 2x7. It shoots 100 grain Remington Core Lokt very well. He's had it two years now and made two one shot kills with it. So another anecdote in favor.

Before I owned my Ruger .270, a friend loaned me a .243 Remington 760. Shot one deer with it, in the neck. Dropped like a stone. So one more anecdote in favor.

People use .223 and .22-250 on deer, and with the right bullets they're fine too. Hard to imagine .243 as inadequate - with the right bullets and velocity.
 
I could less less what others think of the .243 round. As I`m sure my opinion carries as much weight with them
Speaking for myself. I know what it can do. I also know some conditions are problematic.
Ask the question, what are the top ten cal`s for deer and the .243 is there.
I`m not making my comments to stir up the anti`s but just offer my views having over 50 yrs using one.
If it were as some say, ( their opinion/experience) I would have bought something else. Lucky for me, Mine does just fine.
 
Been shooting .243 win since '78.
Had nine diff ones.
Like the cartridge, and am a good shot.
Only popped one deer and wasn't impressed. Horrible sample size and won't condemn the cartridge based on that.
Switched bullet but nothing big enough to test it on the following year.

I have other rifles so it's no big deal.
Current .243 is just for yotes.

Whitetails here, 200 is big, some go bigger. Avg buck I reckon around 150# dressed.
 
whughett said:
LoonWulf said:
My wife still shoots a .243, and has taken 800-1200lb feral cows with it, as has a friend from the mainland who borrowed the same gun. I have no issue with using a .243 if that's what I get handed..
Click to expand...

Feral Cow. That’s a term one doesn’t hear often. :)
I wonder if any other state has them listed as a game animal.
Click to expand...
earlthegoat2 said:
I’ll let @LoonWulf have the final say so but I’ll bet it is not a game animal.

The reason I bring it up is because there is a small population of larger feral bovines in a WMA here in GA. Not many know about them and their secret will stay with me. They are not game animals and as such can be hunted and taken with appropriate weapons for the hunting season.
Click to expand...

The state was/is eradicating them, but I do believe they are actually listed as a game animal on the hunting regs.
You either needed to be on a specific hunt, or get a permit and walk in to hunt them.
 
Last edited:
Sav .250 said:
I could less less what others think of the .243 round. As I`m sure my opinion carries as much weight with them
Speaking for myself. I know what it can do. I also know some conditions are problematic.
Ask the question, what are the top ten cal`s for deer and the .243 is there.
I`m not making my comments to stir up the anti`s but just offer my views having over 50 yrs using one.
If it were as some say, ( their opinion/experience) I would have bought something else. Lucky for me, Mine does just fine.
Click to expand...

I live in the west and have hunted the 4-5 states and have taken numerous Black Tail and Mule Deer and Prong Horn Antelope. None have walked more than 10-20 yards. Most dropped like a stone. All shot in the "engine block" ! One antelope shot in the head! All between 40 and 140 yards!

Smiles,
 
Last edited:
LoonWulf said:
The state was/is eradicating them, but I do believe they are actually listed as a game animal on the hunting regs.
You either needed to be on a specific hunt, or get a permit and walk in to hunt them.
Click to expand...
I’d dearly love to be able to take a 1200 pound Bovine. As a beef-eater first class that would be hog heaven for a years worth of steaks roasts and burgers. ;)
 
whughett said:
I’d dearly love to be able to take a 1200 pound Bovine. As a beef-eater first class that would be hog heaven for a years worth of steaks roasts and burgers. ;)
Click to expand...
We did it every year for 5 or 6 years. Last year we didnt go, and this year they switched to having dlnr shooters, but we still went and collected the meat.
When they first.opened it you could take 2 animals per-person, and have as many as 10 on a crew. We literally filled a.dudes 3500 truck bed to the top on one hunt, and tht was the stuff the rest of us couldnt take.
The .243 actually accounted for 3 or 4 of those animals.
 
Sav .250 said:
I could less less what others think of the .243 round. As I`m sure my opinion carries as much weight with them
Speaking for myself. I know what it can do. I also know some conditions are problematic.
Ask the question, what are the top ten cal`s for deer and the .243 is there.
I`m not making my comments to stir up the anti`s but just offer my views having over 50 yrs using one.
If it were as some say, ( their opinion/experience) I would have bought something else. Lucky for me, Mine does just fine.
Click to expand...

Agree with this. When my Daughter first started Deer Hunting (9 yrs. old) we had Her shooting a .223 and while She killed everything She shot.....we DID have some extensive tracking to do on some. So we moved Her up to a .243 a couple years later. She took a good many deer with that rifle and honestly would not have moved her up (again) to a 7mm-08 if She were only going to be Deer Hunting. But since we have a lot of Feral Hogs....I wanted Her to have something with a little more punch. So 21 years later the 7mm-08 is still serving Her well.

But....the .243 IMO is plenty (with good shot placement) and I would not hesitate to recommend or use it.
 
Seems like a great round to me. I was also unaware of the case against it but this post does show its virtues. Certainly enough for whitetail and very manageable recoil. I am currently using my .308 for everything but I would definitely shoot some hogs with some .243 accubonds.
 
I was a young hunter almost 30 years ago. Many of my friends were handed .243’s for whitetail and a good many stuck with the same rifle and round since.

A lot of those friends have accounted for many, many ethical and clean whitetail kills using a .243 and good placement. While I don’t personally own or use the 243, I’d say that it should do just fine at least to 300 yards on medium game if the shooter does their part.
 
I think years ago it was seen as more of a varmint cartridge and a borderline deer cartridge. I know that at one time that was my opinion. But I think most people have seen that we simply don't need to use cartridges nearly as big as we once thought. Part of that is better bullets and loads, but truthfully it was always true. I've not seen, nor heard of anyone dissing the 243 as a deer cartridge in years.

I've owned 243 in the past and if picking a cartridge specifically for deer would say it is near ideal. But I no longer own one primarily because I don't see it as very versatile. It is really bigger than needed for most varmints. I'd rather have a 22 centerfire for that. And it is borderline for game bigger than deer. But for the guy who never plans to hunt game bigger than deer, or has other rifles for both larger and smaller game, you could do a lot worse.
 
I hunt deer annually with my 30-30 carbine because my shots rarely exceed 100 yards or so. Great rifle for this sort of thing. But my long distance rifle is a Remington .243 which shoots 95 grain ammo best of all. This bullet is faster than 7mm MAG shooting a 140 grain bullet! Of course recoil is a fraction of the MAG which helps me be a better shooter. When my bullet strikes within the kill zone behind the shoulder, the animal typically either folds up or bounds away to collapse in mid stride after a few jumps. .243 is a keeper!

TR
 
whughett said:
[QUOTE="LoonWulf, post: 11762078, member: 125508"My wife still shoots a .243, and has taken 800-1200lb feral cows with it, as has a friend from the mainland who borrowed the same gun. I have no issue with using a .243 if that's what I get handed..
Click to expand...

Feral Cow. That’s a term one doesn’t hear often. :)
I wonder if any other state has them listed as a game animal.[/QUOTE]

Years ago we used bowhunt Javelina on a Ranch in South Texas (right on the Rio Grande River). All along the river bank was a thicket of 'Giant Cane'. Some of the Bulls on the ranches (both sides of the river) would use that cane as cover so as NOT to be rounded up by the Ranch Hands and they basically became 'wild'. And some of them quite ornery too....especially if one of the Vaqueros would come too near on horseback.

So.....the answer to that 'problem' was for the Ranchers to offer rifle hunts for certain of these known/identified rouge bulls. Sort of a poor man's Cape Buffalo hunt. They would use dogs to go in and run the animals out (you might also get hogs) and then the hunter (accompanied by a guide) would attempt to shoot the bull. These 'hunts' didn't always turn out well and sometimes the bull was never recovered. Large caliber, powerful rifles were recommended. Typically the 'bull' would be donated to needy folks in the area.

I never participated in one of those forays, but know of folks who did. That was back in the 70's....I imagine it's too dangerous to be along the Rio Grande anywhere these days.

Even back then.....being armed only with a longbow and a sidearm, we were careful not to venture too close to the river or the cane thickets.
 
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