.243 or 7mm-08 which would you buy ??

skeeter07 · #1 10-22-2009, 08:09 PM

I am fixing to buy one of these which has the least recoil and what would be pros and cons of each
any help would be appreciated

**Jake Allen** · #2 10-22-2009, 09:31 PM

7mm-08, without a doubt.
About the same recoil, lot's more bullet.

My 7mm-08 is my go to gun. (Thanks Randy!)

Dead Eye Eddy · #3 10-22-2009, 11:45 PM

I agree with JA. IMO (please don't let this start an argument), the .243 is NOT a good whitetail cartridge. I've hunted with it, and was not pleased with the results. I much prefer the 7-08. I haven't killed a deer with mine yet, but I will before the season's over.

deepwoodshermit · #4 10-22-2009, 11:49 PM

get the 7mm-08

hunter 85 · #5 10-23-2009, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dead Eye Eddy

the .243 is NOT a good whitetail cartridge. .

i have to say that there is nothing wrong with the 7-08 but 243 is a great round probably killed as many if not more deer than the 30-30 so i have to beg to differ from you Eddy if you shoot a good bullet and do your part there is nothing wrong with it i use it as my doe rifle due to the smaller grain bullet it does less meat damage but the last doe i shot with it drt at 230 yards from my range finder so it is like every thing else it doesnt matter if you are shooting a 22hornet or a 338 win mag you just have to do your part and in my attention the 243 has less recoil if you are partial to recoil and there is more bullet options for the 243 but either would be a good choice

Sargent · #6 10-23-2009, 06:23 AM

.243 win. The metric system scares me.

Rivershot · #7 10-23-2009, 06:28 AM

I love my new Marlin model 7 in 7mm-08. I have not hunted with it yet. It has very little recoil using Rem. corelokt and will put 5 shots inside a quarter at 100yds if I do my part. I picked the 7-08 because it shoots almost as flat as the .243 and has almost as much energy as a .308 with 150gr. bullets the low recoil was just a bonus for me. I think it will make a good go to gun for most Hog and Deer situations.

Cknerr · #8 10-23-2009, 06:47 AM

My preference is the 243 (or for the metric crowd - 6mm

). It has less recoil and as already mentioned, a huge selection of bullets. The 243 is good for any deer here in the south east. Sorry to disagree with you Dead Eye. They are probably the most popular first high power rifle a young man is given by his dad for hunting - for good reason. I know it was for me. Hunted with mine all over the Smokey mountains where I grew up and Colorado. When I lived in Colorado, did a lot of competitive shooting, so could hit with it. Long shots (300 yards) I just didn't take. Probably could have connected with all that practice. Just never trusted the stopping power. I have been told it would. Didn't and still don't want to chance it, breaks my heart to injure one and have to chase it down.

I am partial to the 270 over the 30-06 too

. Not by much, just my thing.

I practice enough to make sure I can hit what I aim at. That is the most important part of all!

Chris

Gumbo1 · #9 10-23-2009, 07:18 AM

As stated both are fine for deer, but I have found that 243 ammo is a lot easier to locate than 7mm-08if you don't reload. I just picked up some Hornady 243 light magnum loads that I can't wait to try out.

parolebear · #10 10-23-2009, 07:18 AM

7/08 no doubt. Alot of deer have fallen to a 243 like many other calibers. It requires a "good" hit/shot. My brother in law has killed more than enough with a 243 but he has lost more than enough also. This is my opinion and according to my wife it is always wrong.

jbroadnax · #11 10-23-2009, 07:22 AM

Both are great rounds. 7mm08 would be my choice of the two for deer. You could always split the middle and go with a 260 Rem. It too is a great round. All are inherently accurate being based on the 308 case.

Balrog · #12 10-23-2009, 11:02 AM

If you are going with 7mm-08, why not just move on up to 308 Winchester? Recoil is still not bad

cowkiller · #13 10-23-2009, 12:34 PM

7mm-08 hands down is a great deer round, I have killed deer with it and am very happy with the results. I am about to buy a Marlin XS7 in 7mm-08 for a rainy day gun. I know a guy that had a handi rifle in .243 shot a deer low in the shoulder hit bone and it did not exit. We had to look for the deer for two hours found it a the bottom of a ditch and had to shoot it again. But yes you can kill deer with a .243 just have to pick your shots.

BrianDailey · #14 10-23-2009, 12:37 PM

7mm-08 is a wonderful cartridge for deer!
One of the gun mag authors, (May have been Wooters before he retired) called it the "perfect" caliber for Whitetails.

stevetarget · #15 10-23-2009, 12:41 PM

7-08 is the winner!
a .243 has not killed as many deer as a 30-30, no way.

Rivershot · #16 10-23-2009, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowkiller

7mm-08 hands down. I am about to buy a Marlin XS7 in 7mm-08 for a rainy day gun.

Once you shoot it, it may become your everyday gun

mallardk · #17 10-23-2009, 01:55 PM

All I know is my 10 yr shot a .243 about 5 times, and then shot the 7mm0 8 once and handed it back to me saying" I don't like that one it kicks too bad" I have shot both and cant tell but if he thinks it kicks worse, not worth telling him it doesn't and went with 243, I'm sure less recoil bullets and all that could have solved the problem, but I just like to keep it simple.

skeeter07 · #18 10-24-2009, 09:15 PM

Thanks for the info . I wound up buying a savage 7mm-08 combo deal . Havent got to shoot it yet but cant wait to

hunter 85 · #19 10-25-2009, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mallardk

All I know is my 10 yr shot a .243 about 5 times, and then shot the 7mm0 8 once and handed it back to me saying" I don't like that one it kicks too bad" I have shot both and cant tell but if he thinks it kicks worse, not worth telling him it doesn't and went with 243, I'm sure less recoil bullets and all that could have solved the problem, but I just like to keep it simple.

well all i can say is that i have a rem 700 youth in 243 and a ruger frontier in 308 my dad has a rem 7600 in 35 rem and a rem model 7 7mm-08 and bot of mine and his 35 has less recoil by far so much so i prefer to shoot my 270 or 3006 or the other three over the 7mm-08 but i must be a sissy i dont know i just dont like it but it does a great job on what it is built to do my dad and cousin both hunt with it the best advise i can give is to shoot both get the one you like and practice your shooting

rkwrichard · #20 10-26-2009, 08:58 AM

For whitetail both guns work great and I have killed several deer with both. If I were going to have just one gun you can not go wrong with the 7mm-08. For deer in Georgia I shoot a 120 grain handload that works just fine. I have also used 140 and 150 grain on Bear, Mule Deer and whitetail.

Have fun and start reloading you will love your gun.

Jetjockey · #21 10-26-2009, 10:43 AM

Skeeter... Good choice. The 7mm-08 is a lot more versatile then the 243. A lot of guys might say the 243 is a little light for deer (im not one of them), but the 7mm-08 is just that much better. Heck, the 7mm-08 would be a decent elk round, moose round, bear, etc... Just make sure you make good shots and use good bullets. Im not sure why everyone loves the 7mm-08 so much (me included) but it makes a heck of a sweet setup in a lightweight package. Small gun, light kick, power to kill an elk out a long ways...... Ill take one.... Heres a thread about the 7mm-08 and elk...

http://24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads...pics/3419453/1

Buzz · #22 10-26-2009, 10:52 AM

He already bought the 7mm-08 so it's settled, but I have the say the thought that a 100g Partition (or any of the newer premium designs) out of a .243 Winchester being inadequate for deer is rather comical. All cartridges require a good hit, even a deer gutshot with a .300 Win Mag is still a gutshot deer. The .243 Winchester using proper bullets has plenty of juice to break both shoulders of a deer and exit. The last four deer I've killed have been with a .243 Winchester using 100g Partition. Three of the four dropped in their tracks, the other went ten feet. The shots were behind the shoulder or double shoulder shots. I think the reason the .243 Win gets a bad rap is that often times they are used with the lighter varmint style bullets and they are often used by many hunters as a starter gun, often by inexperienced youth and women. In my travels west, I've been surprised how popular the .243 Winchester is for deer, antelope, and mule deer hunting. You'd get laughed out of the field if you told most of them their .243 doesn't work.

Neither is a hard kicker but the 7mm-08 does kick harder, it's a simple matter of physics. The recoil factor is the recoil velocity multiplied by the energy. While to most of us, both feel rather tame the numbers show the 7mm/08 does kick significantly more.

Here are the recoil numbers, assuming an 8# rifle:

7mm/08 - 140g 2860 fps, 44g charge
Recoil Impulse: 1.78 lb/sec
Recoil Velocity: 10.29 fps
Recoil Energy: 13.17 ft/lbs
Recoil Factor: 135.57

.243 Winchester - 100g, 2960fps, 42g charge
Recoil Impulse: 1.31 lb/sec
Recoil Velocity: 8.29 fps
Recoil Energy: 8.54 ft/lbs
Recoil Factor: 70.72

Jetjockey · #23 10-26-2009, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buzz

In my travels west, I've been surprised how popular the .243 Winchester is for deer, antelope, and mule deer hunting. You'd get laughed out of the field if you told most of them their .243 doesn't work.

I agree 110%. The same thing can be said for elk calibers. 270's, 30-06's, and 7mm's are hugely popular for elk calibers back home. Yet some guys think you need a 300, or preferably a 338 to kill an elk.

florida boy · #24 10-28-2009, 02:26 PM

I have tried alottttttt of ammo trying to prove that the 243 is a good whitetail caliber . It will kill deer but it is not an effective round for consistent kills . The 7mm-08 is way more of a deer killing round .

gtparts · #25 10-28-2009, 03:27 PM

7mm-08, hands down,

TreeFrog · #26 10-29-2009, 09:16 AM

The 6mm-08 kills deer dead. More than 70 deer have fallen to my .243, all but two were DRT. 1 mm ain't enough to make up for bad shot placement.
The 7mm-08 will give you a little more bullet/weight structure and allow for hunting caribou, elk, or even some bears but it wouldn't be my first choice for any of them.
The .243 is adequate for deer-sized game and has the least recoil.
The 7mm-08 and the .260 are adequate for deer-sized game and marginal for a few other things.
The .308 is adequate for anything in North America.

grouper sandwich · #27 10-29-2009, 09:32 AM

Get the one you like the best because both are fantastic deer rounds. As for the 243 being a marginal deer weapon? It is only marginal when in the hands of a marginally skilled hunter. Are you a marginally skilled hunter? If so then neither will do you any good.

RWK · #28 10-29-2009, 09:41 AM

50 Cal.

Swamp Man · #29 10-30-2009, 06:56 PM

I would prefer the 7mm/08 over the .243 for the simple reason you have a better range of bullet weights, sectional density is better on the 7mm bullets, but you might try handloading, as that ammo is pretty hard to find where I live. My favorite 7mm is the old tried and true 7X57. I have a custom '95 mauser in that caliber and killed "several" deer with it in Georgia. One was a 182 pound 9 point at 85 yards and he fell so quick I thought I had missed him.
Hornady, Winchester and Federal make grands loads for the 7X57 mm. I shoot Federal 140 Noslers in mine. I'd prefer the 7X57 over the 7m/08. The 243 and the 7mm/08 are both based on the .308 case. That's 51 mm long. The 7X57 is 57mm long. Check out your loading manuals and you'll see what I'm talking about.

**Arrow3** · #30 10-30-2009, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dead Eye Eddy

the .243 is NOT a good whitetail cartridge.

Eddy,

You have bumped your head..

.

Ive dropped more deer in their tracks with a 243 then my 270 ever has....The 243 is a deadly whitetail caliber...

You should give it another chance....

Misfire270 · #31 10-30-2009, 08:36 PM

7mm08 definitly you have such a better choice of bullets to choose from specially if you handload

708 · #32 10-30-2009, 09:49 PM

Ok I've been reading this and have to post. In the hands of a good marksman a 17hmr is very deadly. But we are talking energy at impact. Average off the shelf ammo .243 is lighter and faster, 708 little heavier and slower- close to the same energy. I do use 708 in a 15" encore pistol only because I have like it in a rifle, 7mm bullets do well at retaining energy at distance, that said the 6mmppc is trusted at 1000 yards by some. Bottom line- place your shot or don't send it.

luke35whelan · #33 10-30-2009, 10:03 PM

Yes, he already bought the rifle, we're beating a dead horse here. I started hunting with a 7mm-08 this year. Getting ready to have neck surgery and thought a 7mm-08 would be easier on me as far as recoil goes compaired to my 30-06. What I didn't factor in was the WEIGHT of the rifle. A T3 light hunter doesn't really to help tame the recoil much, but it is one sweet rifle.

killitgrillit · #34 10-30-2009, 10:05 PM

.243 for people that can hit what there aiming at

.
7mm-08 and above for everyone else

Me personally will take a .223 with 60gr nosler partition for deer..

And Dead Eye Eddy, you need to learn how to shoot????

I can't belive anyone would say a 243 is not a whitetale round????????

GaDawgs79 · #35 10-31-2009, 12:21 PM

Like the 7mm-08 better myself. IMO

But it is to each his own.

bwm16ga · #36 11-03-2009, 12:24 PM

I echo the shot placement comments. My first deer was killed with a .223 Rem. It dropped.

I have shot the .243 and the 7/08--I would say in a bolt gun for a kid the .243 is better; the 7/08 for an adult.

What makes my upset is when people shoot at the head, I have seen jaws get shot off of several deer b/c the hunter didn't want to "waste meat". I would rather lose a front shoulder to bullet damage than maim a deer and then let if die in the woods and waste the whole thing.

I'm sure someone will let you try them both out before you buy -- get the one that is most comfortable for you when shooting.

Jetjockey · #37 11-04-2009, 07:58 AM

I have no problem with a head shot. As long as its a close head shot. But I also know exactly where my bullet is gonna hit at 25, 50, 75 and 100 yards. To many guys don't realize that there is an arc to the bullet even at close range.....

It is amazing that guys say the 243 isn't a deer gun. My father in law shoots about 10 deer a year with a .22 (and yes its legal where he is, so don't go there) .. He hasn't lost one yet. Its pretty amazing what happens when you shoot a deer where your supposed to. Too many guys think they can make up for a bad shot with a bigger caliber.

bwm16ga · #38 11-05-2009, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jetjockey

I have no problem with a head shot. As long as its a close head shot. But I also know exactly where my bullet is gonna hit at 25, 50, 75 and 100 yards. To many guys don't realize that there is an arc to the bullet even at close range.....

It is amazing that guys say the 243 isn't a deer gun. My father in law shoots about 10 deer a year with a .22 (and yes its legal where he is, so don't go there) .. He hasn't lost one yet. Its pretty amazing what happens when you shoot a deer where your supposed to. Too many guys think they can make up for a bad shot with a bigger caliber.

Headshots can be done at short range, but what if the deer moves it's head slightly in between the time the trigger is pulled and the bullet strikes. I know we're talking milliseconds but it happens, plus the shooter might flinch, etc. I agree, you should know where your bullet will hit at those (standard) hunting ranges.

My point is that most people are probably agitated at the second the trigger is pulled. Why risk maiming an animal?

Eddy M. · #39 11-05-2009, 09:20 PM

243- great round but you have to be ACCURATE at shooting it--PRACTICE until you are sure of your shots-- larger bullets allow a " little "more room for poor shot placement but not much---------- I've taken more deer with my 243's than all others I own - all fell within 20 yards if not in their tracks EDDY

DS7418 · #40 11-05-2009, 09:38 PM

Your shooting skill is more important than chooseing between a 243 and a 7-08. I own both and reload for both. Either of these will take a deer out to 300yrds with good shot placement. Most hunters do not practice for actual deer shooting situations,, you need to practice till you can hit a 6" circle "off-hand" at 100yrds. If you can do that you will be fine in most cases with either caliber you choose.
But, last year I shot a big doe broad side at 25yrds right behind the front shoulder with a Remington700 30/06 Hornady 150gr SST,, and she ran over 300yrds before she fell... c^it happens sometimes..

nwgahunter · #41 11-06-2009, 03:21 PM

Funny thing is...Why wouldn't people consider the .260. It is between the two. What is even funnier is that the .260 has more recoil than the 7mm-08. I don't get that

Buzz · #42 11-06-2009, 03:28 PM

The .260 does not have more recoil than the 7mm-08

Buckhead · #43 11-06-2009, 05:55 PM

Another vote for the .260. Great round, often gets overlooked. More versatile than a 7 mm - 08. Flat shooting with lighter bullets and will launch a 140 just about as fast as a 7 mm - 08 will, if you handload. 6.5 mm bullets have great sectional density and high BC's.

The only negatives to the .260 are limited rifle selection and you can't always find factory ammo. Remington makes several loadings as does Federal. Fusion also loads the .260.

I have a LSS Mountain rifle in .260 and it is my favorite whitetail rig. I normally shoot 125 grain nosler partitions at around 2900 fps. Works really well.

***dawg2*** · #44 11-07-2009, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hunter 85

i have to say that there is nothing wrong with the 7-08 but 243 is a great round probably killed as many if not more deer than the 30-30 so i have to beg to differ from you Eddy if you shoot a good bullet and do your part there is nothing wrong with it i use it as my doe rifle due to the smaller grain bullet it does less meat damage but the last doe i shot with it drt at 230 yards from my range finder so it is like every thing else it doesnt matter if you are shooting a 22hornet or a 338 win mag you just have to do your part and in my attention the 243 has less recoil if you are partial to recoil and there is more bullet options for the 243 but either would be a good choice

NO WAY, no how...

270 guy · #45 11-07-2009, 06:26 AM

If your a good shot all the time the 243 will and has killed many many deer not my favorite cal for deer though. If it's for a younster I would and did go with the 7mm08 for my son he never looked back and has killed many deer and hogs with it. The 7mm08 has a little bigger offering as far as size of bullet so if you happen to make a bad shot it is a little bit more forgiving so to speak.

NOYDB · #46 11-07-2009, 01:37 PM

http://forum.gon.com/showthread.php?t=436876

Don't tell these ladies that the .243 doesn't work on deer.

Doesn't it embarrass y'all even a little bit that you have so little confidence in your shooting ability that you have to compensate with excessive firepower?

Lead Poison · #47 11-07-2009, 03:13 PM

This is an easy choice!

I'll take the 7mm-08!

bastion25 · #48 11-07-2009, 04:13 PM

Neither ONE

270 guy · #49 11-07-2009, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NOYDB

http://forum.gon.com/showthread.php?t=436876

Don't tell these ladies that the .243 doesn't work on deer.

Doesn't it embarrass y'all even a little bit that you have so little confidence in your shooting ability that you have to compensate with excessive firepower?

Doesn't bother me one bit, I have shot a 270 most of my life, my son shot the 7mm08 until last year he now shoots a 270. Call it what you want if it works why change. Oh yeah I'm perfectly confident in mine and his shooting abilty as well as my older grown sons ability which shoots a 30-06.

708 · #50 11-08-2009, 08:02 PM

I have to say again, (this horse is dead and stiff) place your shots. I have a close friend that hunts with a 3006, he says it "brings'um down". He has also shot the front legs off many deer and bragged about shooting again to finish them off. -that's stupid! I've seen him shoot though junk 50 yrds before a deer. Listen please- I'm not a pita nut but please be reasonable, if you are not 100% sure where the impact will be - don't send it. Things happen though. Just shoot what you feel confident in but don't ask it to find the heart and lungs for you.... Big guns can help a bad shot but won't prevent a injured leg-less deer.