Max size game for 243 ?

[357smallbore]

Varmint, Whitetail, Mule deer, Pronghorn and Mt Lion I know the 243 will get it done.
But can the 243 reliably take black bear, elk and feral hogs? I'd be using handloaded 100gr Nosler Partition. Shots no further than 250yds.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Can it take elk sized game? Of course. After all Bell killed 529629438750293847502943 elephant with a 7x57 Mauser. Or something like that.
Is it a good idea? Opinions will differ, but having shot deer with a .243 and also larger calibers, I am of the opinion that it is not.

I actually like the round, and talked about it in a recent thread, so I'm not a hater by any means, but I would say whitetails and muleys would be the biggest I would use it for. And that's with the 100 grain Partitions for those.
Just one guy's opinion.

 

[jmr40]

The 243 has taken elk successfully many times.

Kasandra Cow elk 688yds.mp4

Kassandra kills her first elk at 688 yds after following a large herd for hours. Rifle was a 243 Winchester shooting the 105 VLD.

www.youtube.com

Just personal preference, but I consider it a deer cartridge. For anything bigger than deer I feel better with a 26 caliber 140 gr bullet is the minimum. But if I had a chance to elk hunt and a 243 was the rifle I had I wouldn't stay home. But I'd not buy one specifically for elk.

Bell killed 529629438750293847502943 elk with a 7x57 Mauser. Or something like that.

It was actually around 1100 elephant and the 7X57 was his preferred cartridge. He killed some with the 6.5X55 and some with other cartridges but rarely with anything over 30 caliber. He was using heavy for caliber FMJ bullets that gave extreme penetration. 7mm/175 gr and 6.5mm/160 gr. Shots were at close range into the brain.

 

[Lennyjoe]

While I’m sure it can take down Elk, I don’t think I’d go above deer with that cartridge.

 

[md7]

I think the 243 is a great cartridge on medium size game at most hunting distances.

It could be used on elk, but not what I’d consider ideal. As in…doable with a heavy for caliber bullet of good construction (mono or partition), broad side shots, sound placement, and keep your shots shorter range.

Don’t have a 243, but I do like the cartridge overall.

 

[Ru4real]

243, Nosler Partition
Black bear = yes
Elk = yes
Feral Hogs = yes

 

[bearcreek]

But can the 243 reliably take black bear, elk and feral hogs?

It's basically impossible to conclusively answer that question. Probably get lots of opinions though, mostly based on very tiny sample sizes. The guy I know who has killed the most black bears, by far, killed most of them with a 5 mm rimfire. Does that mean it will "reliably" take bears? I wouldn't say so. I wouldn't use a .243 for elk, unless it was the only option.

 

[irishlad]

The 243 has taken elk successfully many times.

Kasandra Cow elk 688yds.mp4

Kassandra kills her first elk at 688 yds after following a large herd for hours. Rifle was a 243 Winchester shooting the 105 VLD.

www.youtube.com

Just personal preference, but I consider it a deer cartridge. For anything bigger than deer I feel better with a 26 caliber 140 gr bullet is the minimum. But if I had a chance to elk hunt and a 243 was the rifle I had I wouldn't stay home. But I'd not buy one specifically for elk.

^^^^ This. I live in Elk country and my friend is a guide and he always says he always cares how they shoot, not what they shoot.

 

[gotboostvr]

I wouldn't buy one specifically for elk hunting, but if it was all that I had when my tags got drawn, I'd still go out hunting.

 

[LoonWulf]

I wouldn't buy one specifically for elk hunting, but if it was all that I had when my tags got drawn, I'd still go out hunting.

After watching multiple 800lb+ feral cattle (yes its real hunting and they are damn tough) dumped with a .243 thats what my opinion would be as well.

 

[gotboostvr]

After watching multiple 800lb+ feral cattle (yes its real hunting and they are damn tough) dumped with a .243 thats what my opinion would be as well.

I worked with a guy, whose dad had been a elk guide. My coworker claimed to have taken something like 13-14 elk, all with a 243. Claimed "use a tough bullet, get as close as you can, and take a good shot"

I think he did say his next rifle was gonna be something "big" like a 308 though.

 

[LoonWulf]

"use a tough bullet, get as close as you can, and take a good shot"

I think thats reasonably good advice in general lol.
I loaded 100gr sierra btsp at just over 2800fps for the .243 that got used on the cattle. Worked fine, but both shooters are experienced game shots.


Personally Id choose a heavier rifle, but i tend to lean that way in general

 

[gotboostvr]

I think thats reasonably good advice in general lol.
I loaded 100gr sierra btsp at just over 2800fps for the .243 that got used on the cattle. Worked fine, but both shooters are experienced game shots.

Yeah, he's one of the few people who's hunting stories I'm inclined to actually believe, not in small part to his advice was basic, but sound, and claimed to have used pretty basic stuff. A simple savage 243 packaged with a scope.

Most people blowing smoke tend to "have" fancier gear, and longer shots I've noticed.

 

[someguy2800]

I’ve never been impressed with its performance even on whitetail deer so I would only use one if I had no other options. Not a fan of 243 for any purpose honestly. I don’t like playing what’s the smallest caliber I can shoot something with.

 

[ECVMatt]

I have taken truck loads of hogs with the good old Sierra #1560 100 SPBT in both the 6mm and .243. I have also shot lots of deer and varmints. I have not shot at bear or elk, but can tell you that the 6mm Remington is more than a match for ostrich. Having shot bears with other calibers, I can say that hogs and bears are built in similar fashion and I would not hesitate to use a .243.

I would say that with a Nosler PT you should be good to go.

The .270 is also a great round that really ups the power factor without a huge increase in recoil. You pick up about 800 foot/pounds of energy. If you were solely focused on bear and elk, it is worth considering.

 

[tmd16556]

A 30-30 or an arrow are fine to kill Elk within limits. You just need more skill before the shot. A .243 means accepting some missed opportunities vs a 300 Win mag.
Feral pigs aren’t main battle tanks either. A Javelin missile isn’t necessary to kill the average pig (maybe a javelina missile is better ….).

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I have taken truck loads of hogs with the good old Sierra #1560 100 SPBT in both the 6mm and .243.

I was straightening up the loading bench area the other night and found a brand new box of 100 grain Sierra Pro Hunters. Don't even remember where I got them. A trade with someone no doubt. I know I didn't purchase them new.
Everyone is out of stock with the Partitions right now. If they still are when mine run out, I'll give them a try.

 

[adcoch1]

I could use a 243 on any huntable game animal in north America, but I sure wouldn't want too. I like a little extra horsepower if I can have it, and I think the 243 leaves too much to be desired for all game. So if using it get the best premium bullets you can find matched to the weight class of intended game animal. Luckily 243 rifles are regularly accurate, so proper shot placement is doable.

 

[.38 Special]

It's probably adequate for squirrels. Smaller ones, of course.

 

[huntersdog]

Ed Hailstone's son, has said he uses his .243 on Grizzly's and Musk Ox, he don't like to waste the meat he said.

 

[1948CJ2A]

I own 2 different bolt action rifles chambered in 243 Win. While it's a great cartridge for deer, antelope and varmits, I would probably stop there. There are better choices for elk and bear.

As for pigs, just depends on the size. The 243 Win may work great for some but I would probably go with something in the 7mm to 30 cal range for pigs.

 

[Lennyjoe]

Bottom line, it comes down to personal choice.

 

[FL-NC]

I never shot a elk or bear, so I would ask experts who have. Hogs? Absolutely. I have killed many with 223- the 243 would be excellent, with proper shot placement- just like every shot on every animal with any caliber requires proper shot placement.

 

[Bartojc]

I've shot my last two deer with a .243 and a 100gr Sierra Pro-Hunter SP. First one hit in the boiler room broadside at 80 yards, and still ran 40 yards. Small blood trail so easy to find. Second one shot quartering away at about 30 yards. No exit wound, no blood, deer ran 50-60 yards. When field dressed the lungs were much and the bottom of the heard severed. He wasn't going far, but with no trail there is the possibility that he would have been a hard one to find. Out of my sample set of two I'd say make sure you have a good shot, anything marginal could get you into trouble. I've shot all other deer with a 30.06 which is plenty for deer. They still run even when hit well. They don't go far but they run. I've never experienced no exit wound with a 30-06 though, but I bet its happened.

Like others have said, know your shot and place it well. The .243 and the 30-06 will both be going with me to camp next week, and I do not feel under gunned.

-Jeff

 

[bearcreek]

FWIW, in most places where they coexist, mule deer are often the same size or larger than the black bears in the area. Around here, a 300 lb black bear is a giant. I'd be more hesitant about a .243 with a mulie than I would with a bear.