Doc Posted September 8, 2008 Report Share Posted September 8, 2008 Is it fair to say that the .243 caliber rifles are perhaps the most versatile guns available, in that it can be used on everything from varmints to deer? I'm thinking that if a guy is into shooting that variety of game and can only afford one rifle, the .243 is the only logical choice. What do you all think? Is there any other calibers that fit that bill? Sometime in the near future, I may be in the position of making that kind of choice. I no longer have a varmint gun (foxes, coyotes and woodchucks), and it is very possible that rifles will be allowed for deer in our county sometime soon. I only have resources for one gun. Doc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper Posted September 8, 2008 Report Share Posted September 8, 2008 Guess its up to the person shooting the gun. Will a .243 kill a deer? Yes, is it the best choice? In my opinion No! Anything that will kill a deer will kill foxes, yotes and groundhogs...with that said, I'd prefer to use something a little larger for deer. To me, a .25 cal. (.25 WSSM, .25-06, .250 sav. to name a few) should be the min. when hunting deer. Just my opinion! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted September 8, 2008 Report Share Posted September 8, 2008 All a matter of opinion. I would not agree that the .243 is the "most" versatile. It is versatile in the regard that you posted, and in my opinion is a great caliber especially for a small(young) shooter or woman, however with rounds like the .30-06 that will do everything the .243 will and much more I just could not agree with the idea of a .243 being the most versatile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted September 8, 2008 Report Share Posted September 8, 2008 I think the 25-06, 257 Roberts or the 25 WSSM would be more versitile. You can load down to 75gr for varmints and up to 120 for deer size game and probably a bit bigger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoosierbuck Posted September 8, 2008 Report Share Posted September 8, 2008 I like the .270, don't forget the .270! HB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mathews4life Posted September 8, 2008 Report Share Posted September 8, 2008 i prefer the 7mm-08...great shooting little gun esp for beginners Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJL Posted September 9, 2008 Report Share Posted September 9, 2008 I prefer my 338 wm. Everything from varmits (don't want to eat them) to Deer (don't want to chase them) Elk (don't want to track them) to Brown Bear (don't want to be eaten). If I ever go to Africa I might need a back-up for the Elephants, but, until that time comes I'll be using my 338. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PA_Spike_King Posted September 9, 2008 Report Share Posted September 9, 2008 Doc I used a 243 for deer and ground hogs for over 22 years and I have killed so many of both that I just don't have the time to type it all. Depending on what NY says you can and can't use I would go with a bit bigger cal, BUT a 243 will get the job done. Just my opinion!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted September 9, 2008 Report Share Posted September 9, 2008 Gotta disagree. The .243 Win is an outstanding long-range varminter. It's a mediocre deer round, IMHO. The 25-06, 260 Rem, 6.5x55, 7x57, 284 Win, 7mm-08 and 308 Win (to name a few) are all infinitely better "all around" cartridges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deerhunter10 Posted September 9, 2008 Report Share Posted September 9, 2008 For me it's a 7mm-08. I have shot one for about 4 or 5 years and I absolutely love it. Very little recoil but it packs quite a punch. You may not believe me but I shot a deer last year at about 90 yards and actually blew the deers lung out the other side onto the ground. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elkoholic Posted September 9, 2008 Report Share Posted September 9, 2008 There is no way that there is a rifle caliber more versatile than the 30-06. Varmints to deer and beyond to even the big bears. It is all opinion but the evidence is irrefutable. That's the view from here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted September 10, 2008 Report Share Posted September 10, 2008 Doc, I bought a Browning Lightning BLR last year in .243 and it is a great varmint rifle. In a few more years it will be my daughters deer rifle. The .243 is not the "best" deer rifle but it gets the job done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougp Posted September 11, 2008 Report Share Posted September 11, 2008 Doc, "The most versatile caliber" debate will be raging on long after I am dead and gone. Is there one? I don't know. I hunt whitetail deer almost exclusively with a .270. I have a couple of .30-06s in the safe that I like to shoot as well and both have been to Maine with me hunting Black Bear and they were more than sufficient. Guess what, i killed a couple of coyotes while there on the second trip and they killed them just as dead as a .243 would. When I lived in NY, I got pretty hot and heavy with coyote hunting in the winter and bought a .22-.250 In a Ruger KVM-77 and loved it but I didnt NEED it. If I could only have one rifle (I cant imagine that) it would probably be a Model 70 Featherweight in .30-.06. Oh wait, I like to hunt with my 30-30 now and then too.... I am not sure if helped or made it worse! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted September 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2008 What I was thinking about was a varmint rifle that when loaded down and using metal jacketed bullets does not blow large holes in furbearers, but which also can be loaded up to do a passable job on deer. Also, a requirement of not using a barrel of powder to reload, making them expensive to shoot at regular and frequent target shooting sessions. I am retired and on a limited, fixed income and have to consider such things. Because I am no where near an expert and have very little experience with many different rifles, I have to admit that it is likely that there are other choices that fit these requirements better than the .243. That's why I phrased the post as a question and not a statement. Actually, what I really would like from a target and varmint standpoint is a .223, but I really think that may be a bit light for deer. Doc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted September 12, 2008 Report Share Posted September 12, 2008 Actually, what I really would like from a target and varmint standpoint is a .223, but I really think that may be a bit light for deer. Doc Agree with you all the way on this, the .223 is a bit light for deer imho and is not legal in many places. The .243 would be a good round for what you explain that you are looking for Doc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougp Posted September 12, 2008 Report Share Posted September 12, 2008 What I was thinking about was a varmint rifle that when loaded down and using metal jacketed bullets does not blow large holes in furbearers, but which also can be loaded up to do a passable job on deer. Also, a requirement of not using a barrel of powder to reload, making them expensive to shoot at regular and frequent target shooting sessions. I am retired and on a limited, fixed income and have to consider such things. Because I am no where near an expert and have very little experience with many different rifles, I have to admit that it is likely that there are other choices that fit these requirements better than the .243. That's why I phrased the post as a question and not a statement. Actually, what I really would like from a target and varmint standpoint is a .223, but I really think that may be a bit light for deer. Doc Well Doc, Since you put it that way, I would say that a .243 would do what you want it to do with no problems at all. Doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted September 12, 2008 Report Share Posted September 12, 2008 What I was thinking about was a varmint rifle that when loaded down and using metal jacketed bullets does not blow large holes in furbearers, but which also can be loaded up to do a passable job on deer. Also, a requirement of not using a barrel of powder to reload, making them expensive to shoot at regular and frequent target shooting sessions. I am retired and on a limited, fixed income and have to consider such things. Because I am no where near an expert and have very little experience with many different rifles, I have to admit that it is likely that there are other choices that fit these requirements better than the .243. That's why I phrased the post as a question and not a statement. Actually, what I really would like from a target and varmint standpoint is a .223, but I really think that may be a bit light for deer. Doc In that case you may think about 22-250 as another option. A lot more power than the 223. Load 45-100gr and have a possible deer caliber (if legal). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted September 13, 2008 Report Share Posted September 13, 2008 I too would stick to the .243 in that case. Winchester now has some cheaper ammo that would be perfect for plinking or you can buy bulk. Step up to a good grade bullet and you have a good deer rifle. Some people say they are undersized but they will anchor a deer. Ammo is available everywhere and in every bullet design you can imagine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Born2Hunt Posted September 14, 2008 Report Share Posted September 14, 2008 The 243 is a great round for deer to varmints but the 308 or 30-06 is great for almost everything in North America. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davetucker Posted September 15, 2008 Report Share Posted September 15, 2008 i personally like my wifes 25-06 for an all around riffle!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pendog Posted September 17, 2008 Report Share Posted September 17, 2008 My buddy shot a 300 pound bear last fall with a 150g 243, they will get the job done if you hit the animal where it counts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted September 18, 2008 Report Share Posted September 18, 2008 My buddy shot a 300 pound bear last fall with a 150g 243, they will get the job done if you hit the animal where it counts. Do you mean 115gr? I've never seen a 243 bullet bigger than 115. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted September 18, 2008 Report Share Posted September 18, 2008 Actually, what I really would like from a target and varmint standpoint is a .223, but I really think that may be a bit light for deer. Doc You are spot-on in that statement. .22 caliber centerfires will kill deer. But (even where legal) it's a pretty irresponsible stunt to pull. Most all .224" bullets are made to expand on small, soft critters. There are a few bullets made that will hold together on deer sized stuff. But most of those require a 1:8 or 1:9 twist rate not commonly found in off-the-shelf rifle barrels. Even so............you're looking at a 70 gr bullet. You're not going to have much success if any substantial bone is encountered. The .243 sound like your most logical selection........great on vermin.......will work on deer.......readily available ammo choices. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted September 18, 2008 Report Share Posted September 18, 2008 My buddy shot a 300 pound bear last fall with a 150g 243, they will get the job done if you hit the animal where it counts. Do you mean 115gr? I've never seen a 243 bullet bigger than 115. Kind of figured maybe he meant a .270. Never heard of a 150 grain bullet for a .243 either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted September 19, 2008 Report Share Posted September 19, 2008 Kind of figured maybe he meant a .270. Never heard of a 150 grain bullet for a .243 either. In that case you may think about 22-250 as another option. A lot more power than the 223. Load 45-100gr and have a possible deer caliber (if legal). .........or a 100 gr. .224" bullet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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