Try and convince me the 243 is actually useful

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

@Ro

Bullet construction is definitely more critical as caliber and weight decrease and velocity increases. I experienced this in my aforementioned .270 Sierra Gameking episode. I bought my first .35 Whelen on my 18th birthday (1992) and proceeded to absolutely hammer whitetails with the excellent .358" 225 grain Sierra Gameking at 2650 FPS. That load killed deer in a very dramatic fashion. A few years later, in 1997, I bought a .270 and figured I would load GameKings since they worked so well in the Whelen. I used 130 SGK at 3050 FPS. It took me two deer to realize the Game King in the smaller faster .270 was not the same as the Game King in the .35 Whelen. The second deer I shot with the .270 was a yearling doe, about 75 pounds, quartered towards me. Range was about 40 yards. At the shot she whirled and disappeared into the thick brush and grapevines. I was confident in my shot, and knew she would be lying nearby. She was not. Found a bit of hair, very little blood. Made widening circles and out of sheer luck more than anything else found her about 200 yards away. Bullet had hit at POA, but grenaded in the shoulder muscle. A small fragment had entered lungs. I quit using the Game Kings in less than .35 caliber after that experience.

The .243 can be an excellent killer of whitetails and other medium game when the right bullet is used. When the wrong bullet is used problems can arise, though I have not personally experienced this. I knew bullet selection was going to be more critical in the .243 and loaded accordingly. When the .250-3000 was introduced it had some spectacular bullet failures with the 87 grain bullet used to hit the magical 3000 FPS, when heavier more stoutly constructed bullets were used it became a very reliable deer killer. Not the cartridges fault. I have ran into quite a few hunters over the years who despise one cartridge or another because of "wounded game." I hunted with a guy who despised the .270 Winchester because of "wounded deer". Nevermind the .270 is an excellent deer cartridge, he had seen deer wounded with it and his mind was made up, despite the problems were caused by either shot placement or bullet construction, not the headstamp on the brass that launched the bullet. I tend to take folks with strong opinions on cartridges less seriously, it is the bullet that does the work. The trick is matching the right bullet for the impact velocity and game hunted. Do that with a .243, a .270, a .250 Savage, .35 Whelen, .375, or whatever, the result will be success.

@roklok
100% agree.
When I was loading for my mates 243 I used the 95gn SST. Their kill rate went up dramatically.
When I stopped loading it for them they went back to the 87 grainers and started experiencing wounding problems again.
I tried to convince them to use the 80gn TTSX but they refused because it was to expensive and the bullet was to light for them.
Some people you just can't educate.
ALWAYS match the bullet to the game and use the cartridge (regardless of calibre) of adequate power within its and your shooting capabilities. Also put the bullet in the right spot helps a lot to
Bob

 

[colorado]

Shot plenty Blesbuck and Springbuck with my Remington 700 243 over the years using Winchester 95gr XP3 ammo. Was great for distances up to 300m. I just found that over time I kept leaving the 243 in my safe for my 270W and 300WM for the same kind of shooting.
The 243 still remains a great option for women and kids who are a little recoil shy. I always found it to punch above its weight.

Agree when I started guiding I stepped up to a 270 Win. I handloaded 150g Partitions to 3000 fps. Still use that same handload today. Killed everything like they got struck by lightning

 

[yumastepside]

Not much help in this discussion, but my mate always used to say the 243 was.....too big to be small, too small to be big and too bloody loud !!

Roger

 

[375Fox]

@Bob Nelson 35Whelen I don’t think anyone convinced you the 243 is useful, but seeing your thread everyday convinced me to sight in my 243 with Barnes TTSX for a doe this fall. So you’ve unintentionally become a pro-243 advocate for others.

 

[skydiver386]

I think the .243 is the finest Poodle shooter ever invented.

 

[CBH Australia]

@Ro

@roklok
100% agree.
When I was loading for my mates 243 I used the 95gn SST. Their kill rate went up dramatically.
When I stopped loading it for them they went back to the 87 grainers and started experiencing wounding problems again.
I tried to convince them to use the 80gn TTSX but they refused because it was to expensive and the bullet was to light for them.
Some people you just can't educate.
ALWAYS match the bullet to the game and use the cartridge (regardless of calibre) of adequate power within its and your shooting capabilities. Also put the bullet in the right spot helps a lot to
Bob

Yep, put it in the right spot. Even a Whelen in the wrong spot won’t help.

Just yesterday I was relayed the story of someone dropping a Sambar with a .243. Well, that says it all .Hit it in the right spot and it’s effective

 

[MarkCZ]

I havnt read all the posts on this subject so forgive me if I,ve missed something.
Over here in the UK the 243 is very popular I think mainly because it was the minimum caliber allowed to shoot deer (22 centre fire is allowed in Scotland for Roe) I have had a 243 for 30 years and I have taken all species here in UK except Sika without any problem, I would add that I have only shot one Red Stag with it and I wouldnt intentionaly hunt Red Stag but hinds are no problem. i took it Africa once and killed a Warthog and an Oryx with it, the bullet placement with the Oryx was just behind its ear , the Warthog was shoulder shot both animals dropped on the spot.
I will be taking it to Namibia next year on a Springbok cull hunt.
I would never get rid of my Kimber 243.
Markcz

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Not much help in this discussion, but my mate always used to say the 243 was.....too big to be small, too small to be big and too bloody loud !!

Roger

@yumastepside
Roger couldn't have said it better myself.
I wholeheartedly agree with him.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

@Bob Nelson 35Whelen I don’t think anyone convinced you the 243 is useful, but seeing your thread everyday convinced me to sight in my 243 with Barnes TTSX for a doe this fall. So you’ve unintentionally become a pro-243 advocate for others.

@375Fox
There seems to be more that dislike the 243 than like it. No one has convinced me to even try one.
With the TTSX loaded to full throttle you should be fine. The other bullet I like is the 95 gn SST. Seems to hold together well and do a lot of damage especially on fallow deer, pigs and goats.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I think the .243 is the finest Poodle shooter ever invented.

@skydiver386
Mate it would be a bit vicious on poodles especially toy poodle the yuppies in California get around with in there handbag.
When shooting those useless ugly looking poodles with strange haircuts and pom poms on the end of their tails be careful. Their yuppie owners may get upset.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Yep, put it in the right spot. Even a Whelen in the wrong spot won’t help.

Just yesterday I was relayed the story of someone dropping a Sambar with a .243. Well, that says it all .Hit it in the right spot and it’s effective

@CBH Australia
Old time hunter Len Richardson use to say the 270-303 was too much gun for sambar but the 243-303 with 90gn Sako projectiles was just right. The thing is a lot of Len's deer had a hole between the eyes so go figure. There's rumours around as to why.
Bob

 

[CBH Australia]

@CBH Australia
Old time hunter Len Richardson use to say the 270-303 was too much gun for sambar but the 243-303 with 90gn Sako projectiles was just right. The thing is a lot of Len's deer had a hole between the eyes so go figure. There's rumours around as to why.
Bob

The reference was not made in reference to a headshot.

It was in fact a body shot. High heart lung ( I think)

 

[Roger Cox]

Great coyote cartridge. Get your wife or kid a 7mm/08.

 

[Roger Cox]

@375Fox
Them's fightin words.
If you own a Whelen the only reason to have a 375 is if'n you is huntin DG. That's only cause the mighty Whelen ain't quite legal. For 98% of game the Whelen will do just fine and dandy. It will do everything the mighty 350 Rigby magnum will do and you know how highly regarded that was.
Nah I'll stick with my Whelen thanks.
Bob

I agree totally with that except it should be a 9.3X62!!!

 

[gcbailey]

I love the .243 but not for scientific reasons. When I was young, my dad always deer hunted with a Remington .243. Granted, deer in Southeast Georgia aren't all that big, and a monster is 200 lbs, but dad never had a deer run on him. When I first started deer hunting, dad gave me the Remington and he started using a .270. I have killed deer with the .243 and only had one get away. That was my fault because I had made a bad shot and pushed it too soon after wounding it. I guess I love the .243 for sentimental reasons, but it has served me well back home.

 

[skydiver386]

@skydiver386
Mate it would be a bit vicious on poodles especially toy poodle the yuppies in California get around with in there handbag.
When shooting those useless ugly looking poodles with strange haircuts and pom poms on the end of their tails be careful. Their yuppie owners may get upset.
Bob

I believe these dogs often bite their owners for very good reason.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I believe these dogs often bite their owners for very good reason.
View attachment 701178

@skydiver386
Maybe instead of shooting poodles the owners may require some attention.
Bob