Because the .243 has been marketed as a caliber for "women and kids" and no tactical operator would be caught dead with a "black gun" in .243. (kidding...calm down...)Since the 243 Win is based on the 308 case, why aren't there more AR10's or mini 30's chambered in 243? That is an AR that I would be interested in owning. 5.56, 308, 300 blk are mediocre cartridges, IMHO.
My opinion is based on what I've witnessed. Will a 243 kill a deer? Sure. Will it do it expediently? Not unless you hit neck/head. On those tiny east Texas blacktails, it is probably really good. But they aren't much bigger than my German Shepherd.I disagree. What do you base your opinion on? You also say, “was”, does that mean it used to be over-rated but isn’t over-rated now?
I've never had to track a muley with a .243, but we can blame the arrow to save face.My opinion is based on what I've witnessed. Will a 243 kill a deer? Sure. Will it do it expediently? Not unless you hit neck/head. On those tiny east Texas blacktails, it is probably really good. But they aren't much bigger than my German Shepherd.
Personally, where I hunt, the 243 doesn't carry enough energy downrange. I have taken muleys anywhere from 50 to 350 yards. At 50 yards it would work fine. At 350, you might as well get your tracking glasses out...
I respect your opinion but I strongly disagree. There is nothing that the 243 can do that the 308 cant do. The 243 can never be shot as quiet as a subsonic 300blk out of an AR and 243 is heavier than 556 so if we are looking at things the way i see it the 243 is the mediocre cartridge. The 243 is a very good round for it purposes just like the 556 , 300blk and 308.Since the 243 Win is based on the 308 case, why aren't there more AR10's or mini 30's chambered in 243? That is an AR that I would be interested in owning. 5.56, 308, 300 blk are mediocre cartridges, IMHO.
You have obviously never hunted deer in Texas. First of all Texas has whitetail and mule deer that are indigenous. The closest blacktails would probably be California. If we want to get really technical, blacktails are a subspecies of mule deer but mule deer live in the opposite part of East Texas, namely the Trans-Pecos and Panhandle, so you’d still be wrong. The smallest deer I’ve seen are also in the hill country, not East Texas.My opinion is based on what I've witnessed. Will a 243 kill a deer? Sure. Will it do it expediently? Not unless you hit neck/head. On those tiny east Texas blacktails, it is probably really good. But they aren't much bigger than my German Shepherd.
Personally, where I hunt, the 243 doesn't carry enough energy downrange. I have taken muleys anywhere from 50 to 350 yards. At 50 yards it would work fine. At 350, you might as well get your tracking glasses out...
why aren't there more AR10's or mini 30's chambered in 243?
Anytime one asks "why so few" it almost always boils down to lack of demand
I’ll swap a Weatherby Vanguard S2 Sporter .243 for it.I have wondered for sometime why I got this DPMS in .243:
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Two reasons why so few out there:
1) It's too big and heavy compared to a 5.56 and the ammo is much more expensive.
2) If you want a big heavy semi-auto rifle, get one in .308, just like almost everyone else.
On the other hand, it does look good in the early Fall out on the back porch.
i was once helplessly misguided in thinking the 243 was a great cartrige .shot several deer and the only one that said OMG i have been shot is the one that got it in the head .
I have a 243 that I have owned over 20 years ( a simple 700 sporter). It has done a great job at taking down numerous deer. I think the reason it may be less popular for the AR is that the 308 is just better at longer distances, which seems to be the main attraction of AR10's. Also, as I understand it, 243 is hard on barrels with high round counts- also a problem for many AR10 fans.
Also ammo cost. Nobody makes 243 in bulk like they do 308 and 223/5.56. As such ammo cost to feed it wouldn’t be as attractive as a 308 option.
It's not a .22-250; how hot are those that are burning out barrels stoking them?
Well, I'll be looking forward to replacing the barrel on my friends's Axis in two years......at least they are easy.My benchrest rifles in 243win were toast within 750-1000 rounds. Even hunting coyotes and prairie dogs, I replaced 243win barrels within 1500. There’s a lot of heat and hate flying through a 243win barrel. Even running slightly LESS powder and LESS speed, I’m only getting about 1200 rounds through my 6mm Creedmoor barrels in my PRS rifles before I lose velocity and should be replacing - although I do limp them along to 1500.
I’m with you.I have no idea where anyone would get the idea that .243 can't take mule deer,
My opinion is based on what I've witnessed. Will a 243 kill a deer? Sure. Will it do it expediently? Not unless you hit neck/head. On those tiny east Texas blacktails, it is probably really good. But they aren't much bigger than my German Shepherd.
Personally, where I hunt, the 243 doesn't carry enough energy downrange. I have taken muleys anywhere from 50 to 350 yards. At 50 yards it would work fine. At 350, you might as well get your tracking glasses out...
i was once helplessly misguided in thinking the 243 was a great cartrige .shot several deer and the only one that said OMG i have been shot is the one that got it in the head .