The mighty 243

[roklok]

I think he was referring to a large grizzly (not a Kodiak) that was killed in Canada by a native woman who was berry picking and had a close encounter. She dropped the bear with a .22 short in the side of the head, following up with a handfull more of shorts to the skull. Interesting story, but very little relevance to hunting discussions.

Edit; after looking up the story again it might have been a .22 Long (not LR). https://cowboystatedaily.com/2024/0...-1-shot-from-22-still-amazes-wyoming-hunters/

 

[HankBuck]

I think he was referring to a large grizzly (not a Kodiak) that was killed in Canada by a native woman who was berry picking and had a close encounter. She dropped the bear with a .22 short in the side of the head, following up with a handfull more of shorts to the skull. Interesting story, but very little relevance to hunting discussions.

Edit; after looking up the story again it might have been a .22 Long (not LR). https://cowboystatedaily.com/2024/0...-1-shot-from-22-still-amazes-wyoming-hunters/

@roklok - maybe he was referring to shooting a “Berry” with a .22 short and later that Berry was eaten by a Bear?

 

[Daisy]

Very well said. Any cartridges effectiveness depends largely on the circumstances of its use.

Tina loves her 257 Roberts, but she understands that it's best on Deer size game and smaller. Anything larger than a Mule Deer, or more than 300 yards, it's best to use a larger caliber.

What would 300 yards have to do with anything?

 

[Roosterlund]

I like a heavy barrel varmint.243 loaded with 58gr bullets some IMR 4895. Super accurate and over 4000 fps. Does a hell of a job on Chucks. .243 has killed more deer than any cartridge with exception to the .30/30. Shoot placement is everything!!!!!

 

[Ray B]

.243 has killed more deer than any cartridge with exception to the .30/30.

Please provide data to verify that claim.

 

[farmer_john]

A 243 works wonders until it doesn’t.

I have seen two situations where 243 bullets designed for medium game failed to reach the vitals because they stopped on a shoulder.

85 grain Sierra Game King and 100 grain Hornady interlock.

I have had better luck using a rifle of at least 270 caliber.

My 243s are loaned to kids when it’s all they can handle. When they are a little bigger they use a 257 Roberts or 6.5 Creedmoor with 120 grain bullets. But even these are not ideal here.

I think people who hunt in open country where game not incapacitated immediately is generally found can use lighter cartridges.

Where we hunt, an animal that goes 50 yards may be lost because of water or impenetrable thickets.

In the open areas of the west you will rarely loose an animal that goes 100 yards.

Here it gets really dicey if they go that far.

A lot of cartridge debates hinge on issues like this where a 243 may be fine or not depending upon circumstances.

I have a friend in maine who does deer recovery and tracks with a dog when hunters lose the deer. He said #1 caliber that they see on deer they have to track is the 243. Hes not particularly a fan. And him and his partner recover about 100-150 deer a season

 

[Ruraldoc]

The most deer would be killed with the most popular cartridge.

In the late 1800s that would have been a 45-70 or 44-40.

In the early 20th century a 30/30, but after World War 2, the 30/06 outsold every other cartridge by a wide margin.

In the late 20 th century, the 270 was enormously popular.

Now it’s the 308 and the 6.5 Creedmoor.

I’m betting the all time champion is the 30-06, which had a very long run as number one and is still used a lot.

The 243 has never been at the very top, and has always been chosen primarily by the minority of hunters who are highly sensitive to recoil.

To get a glimpse of cartridge popularity over the last 90 years, look at the number of used Model 70 Winchester are on the market in 30-06 compared to 243s.

Growing up in several large hunting clubs, there were always at least 5 rifles in 30-06 around for every 243.

Yes Virginia, there is a Santa, but never put a lot of 243s under trees.

 

[Ruraldoc]

I have trained tracking dogs for a large hunting lodge in Alabama.

243 is the worst offender followed by 6.5 Creedmoor now in terms of difficult tracking jobs.

The 308 and 30-06 lead to easier recovery as a rule.

 

[WyoBull]

I have trained tracking dogs for a large hunting lodge in Alabama.

243 is the worst offender followed by 6.5 Creedmoor now in terms of difficult tracking jobs.

The 308 and 30-06 lead to easier recovery as a rule.

Use the right bullet and put it where it is supposed to go and you will have no tracking jobs with the 243 Win. Obviously a larger caliber for anything is going to create more damage but the OP specifically talked about medium antelope/deer size game.

 

[Flbt]

The most deer would be killed with the most popular cartridge.

In the late 1800s that would have been a 45-70 or 44-40.

In the early 20th century a 30/30, but after World War 2, the 30/06 outsold every other cartridge by a wide margin.

In the late 20 th century, the 270 was enormously popular.

Now it’s the 308 and the 6.5 Creedmoor.

I’m betting the all time champion is the 30-06, which had a very long run as number one and is still used a lot.

The 243 has never been at the very top, and has always been chosen primarily by the minority of hunters who are highly sensitive to recoil.

To get a glimpse of cartridge popularity over the last 90 years, look at the number of used Model 70 Winchester are on the market in 30-06 compared to 243s.

Growing up in several large hunting clubs, there were always at least 5 rifles in 30-06 around for every 243.

Yes Virginia, there is a Santa, but never put a lot of 243s under trees.

The hunting clubs I was around growing up.
The only 243 you really saw were in women or kids hands.
I would say here on the 80 you would see 5 30-30 and 35r for every 243 and the 30-06 and 270 were the biggest number.

 

[farmer_john]

Use the right bullet and put it where it is supposed to go and you will have no tracking jobs with the 243 Win. Obviously a larger caliber for anything is going to create more damage but the OP specifically talked about medium antelope/deer size game.

IT is a great caliber. And as long as its used within its limitations. With quality ammo will deliver. I think the biggest issue not just with it but alot of the smaller diameter calibers. Is people over estimate their abilities. And dont practice enough with their rifle of choice. But i have noticed the 243 rarely goes clean through a deer.

 

[Flbt]

IT is a great caliber. And as long as its used within its limitations. With quality ammo will deliver. I think the biggest issue not just with it but alot of the smaller diameter calibers. Is people over estimate their abilities. And dont practice enough with their rifle of choice. But i have noticed the 243 rarely goes clean through a deer.

And I think it can be people that don’t really shoot buying the cheap ammo
Even if it’s a varmint bullets.
Had a guy a few years ago with 308 fmj to deer hunt with. Not legal in fl besides being a bad idea.

 

[Roosterlund]

Please provide data to verify that claim.

All killed with .243.

 

[Roosterlund]

Please provide data to verify that claim.

Tried to add laughing and crying emoji didn’t attach. Don’t think there’s any data on that one. Merry Christmas!!!