I am looking at buying my first rifle(other than my AR). I will be using this rifle mostly at the range but I want something to hunt deer with should I ever get the chance to go. I don't know too much about rifle calibers other than the little I've read recently. I would also like to have something that I can learn to reload easly down the road but wont cost me too much to buy ammunition for either. I like both the .243 and the .270. Which one would you guys suggest for me? Thanks.
.243 or .270 what do you guys think?
- Thread starter sdra2007
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starpuss
Member
you should look at the .270 it would be much better for deer (you can buy them in 100-150 grs (i think the max for the .243 win is 100grs)
MCgunner
Member
300 yards and in, the deer ain't gonna know which one hit him in the lungs. Now, if you're talkin' mulies across a canyon, .270. The .243 will have less recoil, but .270 don't exactly hurt ya. If you wanna go elk huntin' someday, the .270 is the only choice between those two.
Hokkmike
Member
I would absolutely SPLIT the difference and go right between the .243 and .270 and buy a .260, 6.5X55, or 7mm-08. No question in my mind. With the first two enjoy the recoil of a .243 and the ballistics of a .270. With the 6.5 X 55 enjoy Olympic caliber accuracy. The 7mm-08 is a very ubiquitous round; my third choice of the group.
I would not buy a .243 - slightly inadequate for deer, or a .270, pressures too high and overly loud. But, both are great cartridges.
I would not buy a .243 - slightly inadequate for deer, or a .270, pressures too high and overly loud. But, both are great cartridges.
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
Ammo for "just practicing and plinking" is gonna be cheaper for a .308 than for either the .243 or .270.
I've loaded for both and have killed deer with both. In many ways, six of one, half-dozen of the other. I'd be dubious about using a .243 on big deer and where longer shots--beyond 200 yards--might be common. And the .270 is a better cartridge for elk.
Art
I've loaded for both and have killed deer with both. In many ways, six of one, half-dozen of the other. I'd be dubious about using a .243 on big deer and where longer shots--beyond 200 yards--might be common. And the .270 is a better cartridge for elk.
Art
Alabamadinosaur
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- 7
The 243 is more of a youth size for deer. I would take a 30-06 over 270 for deer. I have watched to many deer run after being hit with a 270.
mustanger98
Member
My $.02 on what's been mentioned...
.270... I have no experience with this one, but some guys swear by 'em. It's a .30-06 case necked down.
.30-06... I shoot it. It's probably gonna be a lot more versatile, especially when you're looking at reloading.
.243... I wouldn't consider this only a youth/ladies gun. I shoot it and like it as well as my .30-30's and .30-06's.
It all just depends on where I'm headed and what I'm gonna do when I get there.
.270... I have no experience with this one, but some guys swear by 'em. It's a .30-06 case necked down.
.30-06... I shoot it. It's probably gonna be a lot more versatile, especially when you're looking at reloading.
.243... I wouldn't consider this only a youth/ladies gun. I shoot it and like it as well as my .30-30's and .30-06's.
It all just depends on where I'm headed and what I'm gonna do when I get there.
MCgunner
Member
If it ran, either the bullet didn't perform or the shooter didn't. It ain't the caliber. Anything a .30-06 can kill, the .270 can except that the 06 can handle really heavy bullets for griz. The .270 shoots flatter and is the better deer rifle out in the open where shots are long IMHO. Nothing against the 06, but it just can't do any better than the .270 on whitetail. Now, you need a good bullet of 130-140 grains that will open up. Nothing wrong with a Sierra Game King or Nosler BT, don't need magic bullets for whitetail.
The .270 has felled a many an elk, let alone deer. Dig up some 40 year old Outdoor Lifes and check out Jack O'Conner's column.
The rifle I've killed the most of my deer in my lifetime with is in .257 Roberts. One deer went about 75 yards and the bullet didn't open up on that one. Lung shot, but I recovered the deer. I was using a 117 grain Interlock. I switched to a 100 grain game king and have had NO problems with that gun stopping deer since.
LeibstandarteAdH
Member
The 6.5X55 is a GREAT cartridge. The platforms are a little limited though. Thats its only and i mean only downside that i can even imagine.
woof
Member
The advantage of the .243 is it can be had in some good short action rifles. Why not stay in that same short action family and under .30 cal and go with 7mm-08 or .260 Rem, both of which are necked down .308 as is the .243. I think the .260 (6.5mm-08) is the best all-round cartridge out there.
byf43
Member
I have the same situation.
My youngest son wants a bolt action rifle.
I've decided on a .243 for him.
The beauty of this rifle is that with only a barrel change (headspaced, of course) I/we can go straight to .308 or even the .338 Federal in that short action.
My youngest son wants a bolt action rifle.
I've decided on a .243 for him.
The beauty of this rifle is that with only a barrel change (headspaced, of course) I/we can go straight to .308 or even the .338 Federal in that short action.
SOUTHERNHUNTER
Member
I bought my 9 yr old a 7mm-08 last year.I was like you in the 2 rifles you are looking at.All 3 are great rifles.But like you I talked to some people and did some reading and went with the 7mm-08 for him.He just loves that wildcat round.Plus if you get a .308 you can if need be blow the 7mm-08 out to a .308 if you have to for cases.But cases for the .308 are easy to get.
GunNut
Member
.270
I've decided to upgrade to at least .270 from a .25-06.
Lost a nice mule deer a couple years with my .25 and since then I have decided a bigger bullet is necessary. There is a good chance I will make the leap all the way to a .300mag of some variety.
I've decided to upgrade to at least .270 from a .25-06.
Lost a nice mule deer a couple years with my .25 and since then I have decided a bigger bullet is necessary. There is a good chance I will make the leap all the way to a .300mag of some variety.
ReadyontheRight
Member
I recommend 30-06 or .308. You can always find deals on loaded ammo or brass for either since they are military surplus rounds.
If you are looking into the fine art of reloading and benchrest shooting, I'd say jump right past any standard cartridges, do some research and buy a few guns in one of the calibers benchrest shooters shoot. It looks like 6.5X55 is in that camp, but I am not of that world, so keep researching for that route.
My $0.02 - 30-06 is the way to go. My first grown-up rifle was a .270 (after a .22 and a .244). I use it for deer hunting with a sight-in once in a while, but I burn through about a million% more 30-06.
.308 is available on a few more platforms than 30-06, so it's worth exploring. But you can buy a Garand in 30-06 (www.odcmp.com). You have to retrofit it for .308.
A "one gun" plan? M1A in .308. Deer, plinking, competition, self defense.
There are not a lot of semi-automatic platforms or shooting competitions for .243 or .270 if that matters.
Edited to add: To answer your original question - .270.
.243 is good for starting shooters or if you want just ONE rifle for both varmint and deer hunting.
BUT! I see no need to have just ONE rifle to serve both needs when you can buy a NEF Handi Rifle for $200, a Stevens or a Mossberg for less than $300 or a great rifle from Remington or Savage for less than $500. Even cheaper when used.
Even on a tight budget, you can move the scope between rifles and always have a nice backup for either a deer or varmint hunting weekend. A disabled gun without a backup can ruin a spendy hunting weekend.
If you are looking into the fine art of reloading and benchrest shooting, I'd say jump right past any standard cartridges, do some research and buy a few guns in one of the calibers benchrest shooters shoot. It looks like 6.5X55 is in that camp, but I am not of that world, so keep researching for that route.
My $0.02 - 30-06 is the way to go. My first grown-up rifle was a .270 (after a .22 and a .244). I use it for deer hunting with a sight-in once in a while, but I burn through about a million% more 30-06.
.308 is available on a few more platforms than 30-06, so it's worth exploring. But you can buy a Garand in 30-06 (www.odcmp.com). You have to retrofit it for .308.
A "one gun" plan? M1A in .308. Deer, plinking, competition, self defense.
There are not a lot of semi-automatic platforms or shooting competitions for .243 or .270 if that matters.
Edited to add: To answer your original question - .270.
.243 is good for starting shooters or if you want just ONE rifle for both varmint and deer hunting.
BUT! I see no need to have just ONE rifle to serve both needs when you can buy a NEF Handi Rifle for $200, a Stevens or a Mossberg for less than $300 or a great rifle from Remington or Savage for less than $500. Even cheaper when used.
Even on a tight budget, you can move the scope between rifles and always have a nice backup for either a deer or varmint hunting weekend. A disabled gun without a backup can ruin a spendy hunting weekend.
First Shirt
Member
Of the two, my choice would be a .270, but my personal preference would be .30-06 (I own three, right now). But my SIL shoots a 7mm-08, and it's performance on Alabama deer and hogs leaves nothing to be desired; plus, you get the short action, and light weight. Reloading is as easy as any bottleneck cartridge, and there are tons of different bullets available for it. If I didn't have a '06, I'd probably have a 7mm-08 (and may get one yet!)
JWB
JWB
SOUTHERNHUNTER
Member
7mm-08 that is the way go.Buy buy one.You will not regreate it.
txgolfer45
Member
.270 or 30-06 Either will get the job done. The furthest I've had a deer run with my .270 was 10 yds.
Shell Shucker
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If I were buying a rifle to primarily shoot at the range and learn to reload it would be a 243. I like the versatility. I can load 4000fps 55 gr varmint loads, tack driving 70 gr MatchKings, and 100 gr deer slayers.
All of these loads have less recoil than the larger calibers; you can refine your shooting/reloading skills w/o being beaten to a pulp. Shooting more rounds will make you a better shooter.
The 243 is a proven deer killer and it's all about shot placement, with any caliber. I'm not saying that larger rounds aren't better deer killers; It's basic physics............Bigger and more powerful will always have the edge. I'm saying that the 243 is a better round for learning to shoot/reload.
All of these loads have less recoil than the larger calibers; you can refine your shooting/reloading skills w/o being beaten to a pulp. Shooting more rounds will make you a better shooter.
The 243 is a proven deer killer and it's all about shot placement, with any caliber. I'm not saying that larger rounds aren't better deer killers; It's basic physics............Bigger and more powerful will always have the edge. I'm saying that the 243 is a better round for learning to shoot/reload.
41magsnub
Member
Agreeing with Springmom.. this is absolute BS. I shot god knows how many deer over my first 10 years hunting with a .243 and not a one got away before I foolishly traded it for a 22-250 and started using a 7mm mauser I inherited for deer which I still use. These are pretty large Eastern Montana Muleys stealing hay and wheat from a farm/ranch mind you. All chest shots and all dropped right there. I even took my first elk with it one year that dropped in it's place with a neck shot. As much as I hate the saying.. software, not hardware seems apt here.
If I were to buy a new hunting rifle (and I'm kind of thinking about it) for deer only .243 would definately be on the short list. It is a little light for elk though it can be done as many have proved. If there is a chance of hunting elk in your future go with the .270 or even something a little larger, otherwise I am sure you would be happy with either. Both have pros and cons.. .243 has a very light recoil and WILL kill a deer if you any kind of shot. A .270 will do all that with a little more recoil over a longer range and is a safe caliber for elk as well if you go with a large enough grain bullet.
MinnMooney
Member
Looks like you're getting plaenty of input - as is usually the case when you ask for "best caliber for _____" .
I own and shoot both the .270Win and the .243Win.
What I don't do is use them interchangeably for the same game. You could but why?
The .243Win is great at the range and on coyotes. It is supposed to be great on Antelope but they're only about 70-100 lbs. It's accurate, easy to reload, easy to find components for (brass, & bullets) and loaded ammo is easy to find even in small town hardware stores.
The 270Win is harder on your shoulder at the range and on deer-sized targets. It will put down a deer a little better than a .243Win. It has all of the .243Win's popular characterists, too. Easy to find anything related to the calibers.
I really like what some of the other High Road'rs say about the 6.5x55. It's bench-rest accurate (if it's that important to get a rifle with 1/2 MOA rather than 1 - 1 1/2 MOA accuracy. Remember, you'll be shooting at a deer sized target so 1.5 MOA at 250 yds is plenty good enough.
Hope that I've helped.
I own and shoot both the .270Win and the .243Win.
What I don't do is use them interchangeably for the same game. You could but why?
The .243Win is great at the range and on coyotes. It is supposed to be great on Antelope but they're only about 70-100 lbs. It's accurate, easy to reload, easy to find components for (brass, & bullets) and loaded ammo is easy to find even in small town hardware stores.
The 270Win is harder on your shoulder at the range and on deer-sized targets. It will put down a deer a little better than a .243Win. It has all of the .243Win's popular characterists, too. Easy to find anything related to the calibers.
I really like what some of the other High Road'rs say about the 6.5x55. It's bench-rest accurate (if it's that important to get a rifle with 1/2 MOA rather than 1 - 1 1/2 MOA accuracy. Remember, you'll be shooting at a deer sized target so 1.5 MOA at 250 yds is plenty good enough.
Hope that I've helped.
SpeedAKL
Member
If you want something in between, a couple friends of mine use .257 Roberts for deer hunting and say it works great.
rangerruck
Member
243 ammo si cheaper, it is also a 308 case necked down. You can varmint hunt with it, by loading up some 70 grainer bullets, approaching 4000 fps at the muzzle, and rock some varmint worlds with a laser shot out to 500 yds.
then you can take some 100 grain powerpoints, and drop any dear you see in North America, no problem.
then you can take some 100 grain powerpoints, and drop any dear you see in North America, no problem.
TCB in TN
Member
I have shot and owned both for many years and like both rounds, but in all reality the .270 is the more versitile round. There is very little the .243 can do that the .270 can't, while the .270 can go into much higher weight bullets more easily. That said I would echo First Shirt's 30-06 comment. The vast majority of folks who can handle either the .243 or the .270 can easily handle the 06 as well. It also has a wider variety of loads available than either of the other two and again anything they can do the 06 can just usually do better.
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