.243 deer hunting experiences?

[WYcoyote]

regarding the ballistic tips smashing through shoulders, I've used the heck out of them, especially in 130 grains in 270 WSM and 140 grains in a .280 and those were typically capable of smashing one shoulder, but not the off shoulder. But with a quartering shot, they often would still penetrate completely. However, with my .243 WSSM and 95 grain ballistic tips, I did have issues with shoulder shots, including one time on a mule deer in Wyoming that I shot about 7 times at fairly close range (less than 50). The bullets were blowing up on his shoulder while he staggered around and I kept shooting him. Point is, if you're using a .243 for deer, stick to a stoutly constructed bullet if under 100 grains. I've seen the 100 grain standard factory loaded soft points from Federal, Winchester and Remington do good work, but the lighter loads are a little iffy from what I've seen.

I'm not surprised on the BT's performance on your shoulder hits.
Tuck them behind the shoulder into the ribs, or at 50 yds, high in the neck just below the head is a great meat saving shot. However, a motionless animal and a good rest is needed for me to do this. They drop nicely, but there is not much room for error.
BT's will work if you don't ask them to things they are not physically capable of.
If you can't wait for the right angle, (like a bowhunter), use a bigger cartridge, and /or premium bullets.

 

[natman]

natman, I took it that he meant suitable for sub-200-pound animals; unsuitable for over-200-pounders. If he's talking about Joe Average Shooter, he's close enough for government work that I wouldn't argue with him.

That would be my interpretation of "up to perhaps 200 lbs" as well.

 

[Rem.222]

I have shot many deer with 243 have had many bang flop but this year had a long tracking job with a lung shot whitetail. I would use a 308 if I was buying a new rifle for ammo same cost as 243 usually and found most every where. The recoil not the much more than the recoil than 7-08 which isn't that much. I say 308.

 

[jbkebert]

According to my Cabelas big game scale the buck my son took was just over 300#. Judging by the effort my buddy and I had to put out to drag that thing to the truck I agree. We grunted and groaned and took more than a couple breaks. We only drug that deer about 50 yards to the truck. Here is another pict Keigan is 5' 3" and weighs about 95 # to give a littel comparison in size.

 

[chains1240]

Again, heck of a nice buck.

 

[interlock]

I am not saying that .243 does not kill deer. I have killed plenty of deer with it.... what i do think is that 7mm08 is a better choice. In relation to ballistic tip HUNTING bullets they are best delivered at a more morderate velocity.

 

[chains1240]

Well, if Savage didn't change the twist rate of their 7mm-08 barrels I would probably buy one right now. The jury is still out on the new twist rate.

 

[RumRunner]

took two deers this year with the .243. also took one with the .243WSSM. i like the .243, good round. can take anything my area of the country has to offer, except gator. i have never hunted with the 7mm08 but have shot it. whatever fits your fancy i guess.

 

[dls56]

One of my deer rifles is a 6mm Rem and it gets it done just fine. As mentioned before it's more about the where you put the shot. I use 100 grain Rem Core-Lokt SP's and get great results.
I have some that are DRT and some that require tracking with 6mm, .270 Win, .308, and 30-06. I reserve my .300 Win mag for training, my thought is that if I can shoot it without flinching I'm good to go with everything else, LOL.