BeefMaster
Senior Member
My model 7 243 is my go-to deer rifle. 85 grain Barnes tsx has been a reliable showstopper.
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Any 243 users in here?
- Thread starter M77 Ruger
- Start date
My Lady has killed a pile of deer, 100+, with her old 243 in a Remington 788. She killed this 200 pound 10 point yesterday morning with it. She shoots Hornady 100 grain pointed boat tail soft points. All have been shoot throughs but one. The blood on the side of the buck pictured is the exit hole.
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M77 Ruger
Senior Member
Thanks for all the feedback fellas. Now to find the right rifle
Bucky T
GONetwork Member
That's a great buck Nick! Tell your wife congrats!
Bought a Remington Mohawk 600 in 243 when I was 10 years old from money I earned on the farm during the summer. That was 41 years ago and over 80 deer. Ive hunted with multiple calibers but I always seem to grab that Mohawk . If you shoot a 243 right it will do the job every time. I will add my next favorite is the 7mm08.
Workin2Hunt
Gone but not forgotten
I have an old tang safety M77 in .243 that I still hunt with. It's still one of my favorites.
Check The Outdoors Trader, there are usually some good deals to be found there.
Check The Outdoors Trader, there are usually some good deals to be found there.
GADawg08
Senior Member
I haven't shot a .243 since I killed my first deer back in 2000 (it was my buddy's gun) But, I bought my son a remington model 7 .243 yesterday....I may put it to use this weekend
Core Lokt
Senior Member
Dad killed another one this morning with his. Its a Rem 788 as well.
Dan DeBord
Senior Member
Ruger 243 Tang safety flat bolt. 1970 model I think .
ambush80
Senior Member
Tristan1687
Member
I just posted about this the other day. Love my .243. I didnt grow up deer hunting. Shot my first deer at 26.
I was given my grandfathers old .270 and .243. The .270 had a junk scope and the .243 had a nice one. Figured I'd use that for hunting. Flash forward a four years, Ive shot 5 deer with it. 2 died on the spot, the other three ran less than 50 yards.
Like others have said, its a great, low recoil and inexpensive round. It'll drop deer all day. And like with all rounds, shot placement matters.
I was given my grandfathers old .270 and .243. The .270 had a junk scope and the .243 had a nice one. Figured I'd use that for hunting. Flash forward a four years, Ive shot 5 deer with it. 2 died on the spot, the other three ran less than 50 yards.
Like others have said, its a great, low recoil and inexpensive round. It'll drop deer all day. And like with all rounds, shot placement matters.
snooker1
Senior Member
Killed my first deer with a Remington SPS 243, very smooth shooting gun.
rosewood
Senior Member
I am going to recommend the 6.5 creedmoor. I like the 6.5 caliber (prefer the .260, but ammo is high and rare), but didn't realize how common the 6.5 creedmoor has become. The ammo is the same price range as the standard calibers, you can get basic ammo for $20 per box and you get more energy than a .243 and minimal recoil. I love the 7mm-08, but for some reason the ammo prices are artificially high.
Rosewood
Rosewood
1gr8bldr
Senior Member
Sitting in my den just now, I heard a shot coming from the land adjacent that some hunters have been given permission to hunt. it was like BOOOOOM. I first think to myself, really, does it take a rifle that big to kill a deer. Mercy, for those who can't shoot, shoot your big guns in hopes that if you miss vitals, you might still have a mile long blood trail. My son's youth model 243 has killed 40+ deer, almost all of which dropped dead in their tracks, never having lost one. He got this gun when he was about 8 years old. He's 6'2" now at 17 and has no interest in another rifle. Inside of 300, it's a given, however I would not hesitate at 400
Russ@R&R
Senior Member
That's the only caliber deer rifle I own. I got my first Winchester Model 100 semiauto carbine when I was 12 years old. (1972) It was a used gun, owned by a friend of my family that had killed many, many deer with it. I liked so much, that I bought a brand new and last Model 100 rifle version in 243 that Winchester made. Those two Model 100's are still the only deer rifles I own or need. As years went by, my friends kept getting larger and larger caliber rifles. I never saw and still don't see the need.
I've killed a pile of deer with my .243. Never lost a single one and most dropped on the spot. I did have a couple instances of little to no blood trails that was slightly challenging, but that was due to using a different bullet than I normally had. If you can find them, Winchester Power Max Bonded are a heck of a bullet.
Headshot17
Senior Member
Recommendations
I have used the 85gr BTHP for years but I am now down to 3 bullets and my daughter wants to hunt this year. I see this bullet has been discontinued so my question is what’s the next best bullet to use??
Thanks for any input
I have used the 85gr BTHP for years but I am now down to 3 bullets and my daughter wants to hunt this year. I see this bullet has been discontinued so my question is what’s the next best bullet to use??
Thanks for any input
bonecollector123
Senior Member
I use the winchester ballistic tip 95gr in my ruger and they shoot tight groups and I have dropped every deer I have shot in it's tracks. High shoulder or neck shot
