dispatch55126
Member
Just use a MN 91/30 and bayonet the thing
Self-Assessment Poll
- Thread starter Shawnee
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SSN Vet
Member
that would be a definite maybe.... 
Squidward
Member
Darn close!
Yes, I am. 35 49.30%
No, I'm not. 36 50.70%
Voters: 71. You have already voted on this poll
Yes, I am. 35 49.30%
No, I'm not. 36 50.70%
Voters: 71. You have already voted on this poll
The problem is with the question.
Would you EVER take the shot, or would you ALWAYS take the shot are different questions.
"Are you a good enough rifleman to assess the situation quickly enough to decide?" That's a better question.
Now, for those who hunt from stands, hell, why not? You can spend your spare time memorizing the distance to every landmark from your stand to 600 yards. 300 yards with a scope and a rest isn't that big of a deal; guys who are into it shoot prairie dogs from more than twice that distance.
For those who might have a nice rock to rest on, or might have to shoot offhand on uneven, steep ground, depending on where the deer shows up, it's a very different question. Unless you think you can hold a rifle steady to 1 MOA, 300 yards is pretty far for offhand shooting, if you believe in ethical hunting, in some situations. 1 MOA for the shooter, 1 MOA for the rifle means a 6" circle at 300 yards, assuming everything else is perfect.
Like a lot of deer hunting questions, the answer is greatly influenced by conditions in someone's area.
Would you EVER take the shot, or would you ALWAYS take the shot are different questions.
"Are you a good enough rifleman to assess the situation quickly enough to decide?" That's a better question.
Now, for those who hunt from stands, hell, why not? You can spend your spare time memorizing the distance to every landmark from your stand to 600 yards. 300 yards with a scope and a rest isn't that big of a deal; guys who are into it shoot prairie dogs from more than twice that distance.
For those who might have a nice rock to rest on, or might have to shoot offhand on uneven, steep ground, depending on where the deer shows up, it's a very different question. Unless you think you can hold a rifle steady to 1 MOA, 300 yards is pretty far for offhand shooting, if you believe in ethical hunting, in some situations. 1 MOA for the shooter, 1 MOA for the rifle means a 6" circle at 300 yards, assuming everything else is perfect.
Like a lot of deer hunting questions, the answer is greatly influenced by conditions in someone's area.
aspade
Member
Hit an 8" circle at 300 from a field rest? Easy.
Will that 300 yard .243 chest hit kill a large deer? Absolutely.
Will it kill the deer before it can run another 200 yards over the ridge and lose itself in the brush? Will it leave a good enough blood trail I can find it if that does happen? Even if it starts raining? I'm not so confident.
To be fair, you can't guarantee those things with a .378 Weatherby either. Actually, I'm fairly certain I would flinch and miss the deer by 10 feet. But within reason, when you're working on the margins and a significantly more powerful cartridge is available, it's irresponsible not to use it.
I wouldn't take the shot.
Will that 300 yard .243 chest hit kill a large deer? Absolutely.
Will it kill the deer before it can run another 200 yards over the ridge and lose itself in the brush? Will it leave a good enough blood trail I can find it if that does happen? Even if it starts raining? I'm not so confident.
To be fair, you can't guarantee those things with a .378 Weatherby either. Actually, I'm fairly certain I would flinch and miss the deer by 10 feet. But within reason, when you're working on the margins and a significantly more powerful cartridge is available, it's irresponsible not to use it.
I wouldn't take the shot.
whiskeytangofoxtrot
Member
I like Armed Bear's response, you can sit in your usual spot and construct a range card to tell all of the ranges. With a little work anyone could get this good and better.
The Deer Hunter
Member
Probably...Wait, is there a scope on this gun?
SpeedAKL
Member
I don't have the experience at this point (never shot a .243 in my life) to take that shot, and I'm not sure if I'd do it with .243 anyway...
Win75
Member
I have shot a lot of deer with the .243. The longest shot was around 170 yards with the deer moving.
I would not have a problem shooting one at 300.
Where I hunt, 200 yards would be a long shot because of the brush and terrain.
I would not have a problem shooting one at 300.
Where I hunt, 200 yards would be a long shot because of the brush and terrain.
theNoid
Member
Absolutely, as long as ALL of the conditions are perfect, maybe even a bit beyond 300. But hey, how often are the conditions close to, let alone perfect?
Noidster
Noidster
Legionnaire
Contributing Member
Could I? Probably. I can certainly hit targets at that range consistently with my hunting rifle ... but it's a .308 rather than a 243.
Would I? Probably not ... but mostly because I don't hunt with a .243. Regardless, I would prefer to get closer.
Would I? Probably not ... but mostly because I don't hunt with a .243. Regardless, I would prefer to get closer.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
Where's the third choice: "I don't know"
Since I've never tried to take a 300 yard shot with a .243 Winchester I can't vote honestly.
Since I've never tried to take a 300 yard shot with a .243 Winchester I can't vote honestly.
ADKWOODSMAN
Member
Only the choice of gun would be different, the .308, 7mm-08 or .270 Win.
trstafford
Member
If you can shoot ground hogs at that range??? you can hit a deer!!!!
rantingredneck
Member
Using my rifle with loads I'm familiar with and a field expedient rest, yes.
Yes, in fact a little further(ranged 335 yds.) with a good rest using shooting sticks on mature mule deer doe. 95 gr. Fusion bullet with complete pass through chest. Deer ran 30 yds. and dropped. Personally I wouldn't want to shoot any further with a 243 then this but as someone pointed out the KE was still up at that point for a clean kill. I also wouldn't have taken a quartering shoot at that range with this gun. But you know with a good bullet and 1000+ KE that should be doable also. I think the 243 is a very effective deer gun with a bullet designed for deer-size animals.
Wow, I'm surprised at the amount of honesty on this poll so far. Usually online everyone can make a 500 meter shot, one handed, with a 9mm glock, while running for cover, under heavy fire. I've only been shooting consistently for over a year now and I've yet to try myself over 100 meters. I want to build basic marksmanship skills before moving up.
hexidismal
Member
My vote: no
I've never fired a .243, so I don't know much about it first hand. Regardless of that though, I'd have to say no anyway. I'll be the first to admit it.. with a handgun I can sometimes be scary good, with a rifle on the other hand.. I'm not so great. I'm not a hunter and most of my training has been for shooting with pistols and/or SBR/SMGs within 50 yards, so I suppose that stands to reason. I've got some 'battle rifles' (fal/ak/sks) but I don't even own a set up hunting/long range rifle.
I've never fired a .243, so I don't know much about it first hand. Regardless of that though, I'd have to say no anyway. I'll be the first to admit it.. with a handgun I can sometimes be scary good, with a rifle on the other hand.. I'm not so great. I'm not a hunter and most of my training has been for shooting with pistols and/or SBR/SMGs within 50 yards, so I suppose that stands to reason. I've got some 'battle rifles' (fal/ak/sks) but I don't even own a set up hunting/long range rifle.
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