Try and convince me the 243 is actually useful

[Flewis]

Bob what is this 243 he speaks of. I’ve never heard of it.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Bob what is this 243 he speaks of. I’ve never heard of it.

@Flewis
I don't know mate
A pretty little 242 is akin to. Army intelligence.
Neither exists in real life.
Bob

 

[colorado]

I swapped out my 243 for a 270 What a cannon!

 

[ftrovato]

I swapped out my 243 for a 270 What a cannon!

I prefer the 257 Weatherby and 270 Winchester.

Next I'm going to hop on the "newer must be better bandwagon" and try the 6.5 PRC.

 

[CBH Australia]

I prefer the 257 Weatherby and 270 Winchester.

Next I'm going to hop on the "newer must be better bandwagon" and try the 6.5 PRC.

These newer cartridges do show less drop and drift when using the optimum load and twist rate with high BC projectiles but is that so important to most hunters?

I can shoot most of what I hunt within 200m with a .308

I have considered newer cartridges myself and come to realise that what I have is working and I could stretch the distances if I have the data and the method to calculate the ballistics.

All that said I had a Tikka rebarelled to .280a.i. Based on the ballistic data tables comparison with other cartridges and online research.

The next project might be to build a .243winchester with an optimal twist rate for heavy hunting projectiles and load it to “Full potential”

 

[ZG47]

@CBH Australia
Chris
Wash your mouth out with soap and say ten hail Mary's and ten our fathers. That is pure blasphemy .
Comparing the 243 to the majestic 25-06 is like comparing a mini minor ta race car.
Bob

What about the Morrari, @Bob Nelson 35Whelen ? YES, I am a trouble maker.

 

[Badboymelvin]

I have to be honest and say that I haven't read all the replies about this topic - but I can say without hesitation that I love the .243 and think it does what it was designed to do perfectly.

My own .243 is a little short barrelled, synthetic stocked Mauser 98 and I just love it.
Light, handy and useful - and even though it's slow by .243 standards (because of the short barrel), I still have every confidence in it to deliver the goods on the Fallow deer I hunt.

This rifle was gifted to me by a dear friend and it was the rifle that introduced my Daughter to shooting centrefires.
It will also probably be the rifle that my Son uses to bag his first deer next year...

So you could say I have a real soft spot for this rifle.

I think this topic could go on for another 10 pages and I doubt even then it will change anyone's mind... people who love it will still love it, and the people who hate it will still hate it.

And all that's fine by me. But I can say this, my safe will never be without a light, handy .243

Russ

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I swapped out my 243 for a 270 What a cannon!

@colorado
Now all you have to do is swap that 270 out for something even better like a 25-06 or a Whelen.
Bob

 

[leslie hetrick]

Bob what is this 243 he speaks of. I’ve never heard of it.

pixie dust and uniacorns.

 

[leslie hetrick]

I have to be honest and say that I haven't read all the replies about this topic - but I can say without hesitation that I love the .243 and think it does what it was designed to do perfectly.

My own .243 is a little short barrelled, synthetic stocked Mauser 98 and I just love it.
Light, handy and useful - and even though it's slow by .243 standards (because of the short barrel), I still have every confidence in it to deliver the goods on the Fallow deer I hunt.

This rifle was gifted to me by a dear friend and it was the rifle that introduced my Daughter to shooting centrefires.
It will also probably be the rifle that my Son uses to bag his first deer next year...

So you could say I have a real soft spot for this rifle.

I think this topic could go on for another 10 pages and I doubt even then it will change anyone's mind... people who love it will still love it, and the people who hate it will still hate it.

And all that's fine by me. But I can say this, my safe will never be without a light, handy .243

Russ

they are like heavy girls, fun to date. but don,t let your friends see you.

 

[HankBuck]

@colorado
Now all you have to do is swap that 270 out for something even better like a 25-06 or a Whelen.
Bob

@Bob Nelson 35Whelen, BOB, I think You believe that every Rifle should be based on the .30-06 case which was created by God and will serve Mankind thru eternity….and You are RIGHT. Neck it down to the .25-06 or Up to .35 Whelen….or larger/smaller as you wish - that case can hold enough powder to launch any projectile that you need, hunt any animal on Earth (be a bit careful on Elephant). I think that the .308 case is “almost” as good ——neck up or down. If I had all of those “variations” it would be tough to find a need for any other rifle….maybe a .22LR?? Now Bob, find it in your heart to allow room for the .243, it is closely related to the .308 and tries very hard to be useful…give that fast little bugger “a chance” and it will impress you with it’s efficiency and ability to Punch-above-it’s-weight !!

 

[ftrovato]

@Bob Nelson 35Whelen, BOB, I think You believe that every Rifle should be based on the .30-06 case which was created by God and will serve Mankind thru eternity….and You are RIGHT. Neck it down to the .25-06 or Up to .35 Whelen….or larger/smaller as you wish - that case can hold enough powder to launch any projectile that you need, hunt any animal on Earth (be a bit careful on Elephant). I think that the .308 case is “almost” as good ——neck up or down. If I had all of those “variations” it would be tough to find a need for any other rifle….maybe a .22LR?? Now Bob, find it in your heart to allow room for the .243, it is closely related to the .308 and tries very hard to be useful…give that fast little bugger “a chance” and it will impress you with it’s efficiency and ability to Punch-above-it’s-weight !!

Premium bullets certainly are game changers (no pun intended).

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

@Bob Nelson 35Whelen, BOB, I think You believe that every Rifle should be based on the .30-06 case which was created by God and will serve Mankind thru eternity….and You are RIGHT. Neck it down to the .25-06 or Up to .35 Whelen….or larger/smaller as you wish - that case can hold enough powder to launch any projectile that you need, hunt any animal on Earth (be a bit careful on Elephant). I think that the .308 case is “almost” as good ——neck up or down. If I had all of those “variations” it would be tough to find a need for any other rifle….maybe a .22LR?? Now Bob, find it in your heart to allow room for the .243, it is closely related to the .308 and tries very hard to be useful…give that fast little bugger “a chance” and it will impress you with it’s efficiency and ability to Punch-above-it’s-weight !!

@HankBuck
Unfortunately Winchester stuffed up with the 243 by over advertising it as a true dual purpose cartridge. It's like most things, spin enough bullshit long enough and people end up believing it. Winchester knew they we wrong with their pie in the sky velocities and even had to lower them back to reality (almost).
To me it is neither fish nor fowl. Maybe if they necked the 08 to 25 or dare I say it 27 cal it would have been a far better idea.
Bob

 

[colorado]

I had a BDL in 243 and loved that little gun, but when I moved up to a 270 Win it was a revelation. 150g Partitions at 3000 fps for deer, elk and bear. Sierra 90g HPBTs for varmints. Wonderful rifle.

 

[mdwest]

I didn’t make the shots… but…

I did witness 2x wildebeest dropped hard by a 243 this week…100gt norma oryx loaded to 2650… 200 yard and a 50 yard shot…

Just cause @Bob Nelson 35Whelen cant make the 243 work, doesn’t mean someone else can’t

I’m thinking too much bundy…

 

[Wyatt Smith]

The word useful is defined as “able to be used for a practical purpose, or in several ways.”
I think this thread has proven that it is by definition useful.
Just because another option is better, does not make one useless.

 

[CBH Australia]

The word useful is defined as “able to be used for a practical purpose, or in several ways.”
I think this thread has proven that it is by definition useful.
Just because another option is better, does not make one useless.

I almost read the last part as opinion. Just because Bob has one it does not make it better.

 

[steve white]

Well, here's a nail in the coffin (probably even Bob approved)--the 243 only has half the barrel life of a 308, even though they share the same case!

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I didn’t make the shots… but…

I did witness 2x wildebeest dropped hard by a 243 this week…100gt norma oryx loaded to 2650… 200 yard and a 50 yard shot…

Just cause @Bob Nelson 35Whelen cant make the 243 work, doesn’t mean someone else can’t

I’m thinking too much bundy…

View attachment 716162

@mdwest
There's no doubt the 243 will work with the right bullet but I seen it not work with the right bullet amore often than not.
Even the 100gn REM core lockt. Worked perfectly on the first fallow but the second fallow same projectile, same shot placement deer went down but in approach it got back up and ran off never to be seen again despite an intensive search over two days. The bullet recovered from the one that died was identical to yours. Range of both deer was 60-70 yards. That person now owns and uses a 25-06 for deer.
Bob

 

[Doug3006]

Who among us has worn out the barrel of their hunting rifle?