Stevens 110E 243 ?

[357smallbore]

I have a 243 with a 4x scope and will be hunting mule deer this fall. My longest shot will be 300-325 yards max. I will be using 100grn Nosler Partitions. I believe this rig will get the job done. My buddy said it is a bit light for mulies. I have taken just about every little critter/varmint that is in the lower 48. I've bagged Pronghorn, Whitetail , Bobcat and took a good shot at a cougar that was 350 yds away and missed by about a foot. Misjudged the distance. Elk, Moose, Bison and Big Bear are the only things I would not attempt with this gun/caliber.
Thoughts please.

 

[stillquietvoice]

The 243 is a great round. The 100 gr partitions are exelent bullets they will work well on mule deer out to about 350. If you shoot much farther than that itight not retain enough energy for a clean kill. Out of most 22" barrels energy levels drop to near 1000 ft lbs at or nra 350.

You mentioned not using for elk, but many people have and it will kill elk with good shot placement and at reasonable ranges. The 243 wouldn't be a first choice for elk hunting but it can be done.

Good luck on your hunt.

 

[357smallbore]

The 243 is a great round. The 100 gr partitions are exelent bullets they will work well on mule deer out to about 350. If you shoot much farther than that itight not retain enough energy for a clean kill. Out of most 22" barrels energy levels drop to near 1000 ft lbs at or nra 350.

You mentioned not using for elk, but many people have and it will kill elk with good shot placement and at reasonable ranges. The 243 wouldn't be a first choice for elk hunting but it can be done.

Good luck on your hunt.

If I am going after the bigger stuff. I use my ole 06 with 200grn partitions. Now if I were starving and needing meat, then yes I'd use the 243 on elk sized critters. I know a buddy that lives in Lolo MT. He has taken 2 cow and one bull with his 243. Said the shots were 100 to 180 yards. 5 bullets and 3 elk.

 

[rule303]

.243 is absolutely enough gun for mulies. I have seen a lot of them shot with the .243 out to around 400 yards, and most were bang-flop. The little .243 works a lot better in the field than ballistics charts would lead you to believe.

 

[CarJunkieLS1]

There isn't a mule deer on the planet that will walk away from a well placed .243 and your using an excellent bullet choice. Practice, make sure your rifle is ready, and go hunt. You hit the mulie in the vitals and you'll need a good sharp knife.

 

[troy fairweather]

yup you will be fine, guys forget the little 243 is pretty powerful. the 243 is only about 100 fps behind the 2506.

 

[stillquietvoice]

Have you worked up a load yet? How many rounds have you shot through your rifle?

I bought mine used a 111. It's throat had some erosion. Had to load longer oal to get good groups.

 

[357smallbore]

Have you worked up a load yet? How many rounds have you shot through your rifle?

I bought mine used a 111. It's throat had some erosion. Had to load longer oal to get good groups.

I use IMR 4350 I load 100 gr BT and NP for my Big Game medicine. 75 gr for my varmints. I shoot about 250 rd's a year with my 243. 300-350 is the max I will shoot with it. Thats about my skill level for a clean and humane shot.

 

[horsey300]

I have a 243 with a 4x scope and will be hunting mule deer this fall. My longest shot will be 300-325 yards max. I will be using 100grn Nosler Partitions. I believe this rig will get the job done. My buddy said it is a bit light for mulies. I have taken just about every little critter/varmint that is in the lower 48. I've bagged Pronghorn, Whitetail , Bobcat and took a good shot at a cougar that was 350 yds away and missed by about a foot. Misjudged the distance. Elk, Moose, Bison and Big Bear are the only things I would not attempt with this gun/caliber.
Thoughts please.

With a max charge of h1000 under the Sierra pro hunters, there isn't a mulie we can't knock over, they're tougher than the sgk, and I'd trust them on elk to 300.

 

[stillquietvoice]

Imr 4350 is one of the powders that I used in my savage 243. It worked out well. I also had loads worked up for win 760, imr and h 4895. A quick check at hogden's sight showed that a couple powders will achieve 3000+. Imr 7977, hybrid 100v, h1000 and h4955 are a few if you are inclined to try new powders.

 

[troy fairweather]

Imr 4350 is one of the powders that I used in my savage 243. It worked out well. I also had loads worked up for win 760, imr and h 4895. A quick check at hogden's sight showed that a couple powders will achieve 3000+. Imr 7977, hybrid 100v, h1000 and h4955 are a few if you are inclined to try new powders.

imr 4350 was always my dads go to for the 243, i did not take long to be mine to. the fps maybe lower then some but it's good stuff.

 

[LoonWulf]

I like h4350 behind 100gr bullets for the .243, and I'd be willing to shoot anything that's not armor plated, or likely to mutilate you if angry.
That said, I do prefer more bullet, so have gravitated to larger dia rounds.

 

[stillquietvoice]

imr 4350 was always my dads go to for the 243, i did not take long to be mine to. the fps maybe lower then some but it's good stuff.

My dad never reloaded in fact he quit hunting before I was 10. He did take me out and teach me to shoot. I self taught reloading for rifle and pistol rounds. Imr 4350 in is still my go to powder, worked up other loads just in case of another shortage.

 

[357smallbore]

I load my 243, 06 and 30-30 with 4350. Love this powder.