Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Help me choose? .243 OR .308 for whitetail deer in the east.

Value yalls opinions as there are some pretty gun savy people on this site, so I will ask yalls opinions on this. I am looking at getting a new deer rifle, and am looking at the Coopers, in the Jackson Hunter in either .243 or .308, as that is the two they have in stock, and will be doing a little tradeing. This rifle will be used for whitetail deer in KY and GA only. Max shots will be 300 yards or so. Which caliber and why? Opinions please. Also what about the Excalibers, why do some prefer them over the Jackson Hunters, seem to be little weight difference, and to me the Jackson Hunter actually feels a little better?

Thanks
HeavyBarrel

Personally, I don't think you need either one of those -- because I know where you're shopping and I'm trying to decide between the same two!!

All joking aside, I'd go 243. It's a nice rifle and all you really need here/in Georgia. There are several 6mm bullets up to the task. Little recoil and fun to shoot. I really like the Excaliburs and have another on order. The rollover on the JH is growing on me too. Neither is a bad decision.

I'm off work today for a funeral and will be stopping by the shop in about 30 minutes. What are you trading?

Either one is fine(as you probably know) but I would choose the .308 as I like a bit more bullet weight...but I also don't shoot 'chucks or predators as a normal part of my hunting experience. If they are part of your normal pursuits I would take the .243 as it will probably serve you better in that dual capacity.

My personal choice would be to find a 7-08 or .260 over either of the two you mentioned.

I have used both here in Maine and didn't see a ton of difference. I prefer the 308 and sold the 243.

Got a couple prairie dog rifles (actually Seven Savage Model 12 BVSS's), that I no longer use. A Browning Citori White Lightning that I am thinking about trading, but unsure.
They have a nice 7mm-08 Excalibur there also, but it is 1900 and I kind of like the feel of the JH.

HeavyBarrel

They have the Jackson Game (wood stock, stainless barrel) in 260, 257 and 308 too. They also have one Excalibur in 7-08, but it has some rubberized camo stock on it. The metal has been coated though...

Just saw your post above...I type slow!

If you like to shoot a lot for fun/practice when you're not hunting, the 308 is much easier on barrels.

it doesn't really matter...
6 of one, 7.62 of the other....

I only have 4 years hunting in Virginia, but I'd take either one to the field for deer here. I'm a bigger bullet guy, so I'd prefer a .308 for the variety of bullets to feed it.

You might want look beyond the current hunt and spend a few minutes thinking about where this rifle will end up. If it's headed for a son/daughter in later years, or the grand kids, the .243 may be a better young gun caliber for them. If you see yourself hunting anything bigger than the whitetail, I'd pick the .308 first.

That was a good one; my thoughts as well.

A lot really depends upon your taste. If you like a little more bullet weight and enjoy shooting a lot, the 308 would be my choice.

On the other hand, a fast-twist .243 Win is a great "do it all" rifle that is a joy to shoot recoil-wise and gives you a great chance at the "man with one rifle" moniker... 'chucks, 'yotes, LR steel, deer, whatever w/ one rifle.

What twist is the 243 Cooper? I didn't notice if it was mentioned or not, but it could have a bearing on what bullets the barrel will stabilize.

My vote would be for the 308 though.

David

I can't think of a thing one will do better than the other at those ranges. That said if your undecided I'd say go 308 because if/when somethin funny happens the 243 is usually the first thing to get blamed.

I work with a guy that swears he shot the biggest buck of his life 4 or 5 time "right behind the shoulder". Says he barely found any blood and never seen the deer again. darn tough deer I guess..lol.

I really like the 243 and 708. I have the itch for a 260 and the only reason I wouldn't go 308 is because of all the sniper read about guys around here. Shame cause I know the 308 is a sweet lil round. I might could run one and have it stamped 30/243 or such...grin

If I was buying, and the rifle was gonna be used strictly for whitetail deer, I'd go with the .308. Do you already own a .308 or would this be your first? It's my favorite from a handloading perspective just because there is so much you can do with it, and so many bullet/powder combos that work well.

of course, saying all that, I carried a .243 or .250 savage for most of my whitetail hunting last fall. the little cartridges are just really nice to shoot.

my .308's end up getting more range time because they have heavy barrels and shoot really tiny groups.

I guess if forced to choose I would likely choose the 308, I spend more time ringing steel than shooting varmits in the off season and I like a bit more bullet weight than the 243 gives, partly because I do hunt from the ground some and some shots might be a little less than perfect and because bear is possibility where I hunt.

If I was looking at said rifle, i would be willing to spend a little more to get my perferred carteridges.. 7mm-08 or a 260

For big game hunting the 308 is excellent and the 243 is recoil matched for small folks or hunting pests.

Have you looked at other rifles besides the Cooper? I prefer the CRF and M70 type safety on the Kimbers.

That's reason enough to get a remmington 700 in 243

I'm 6'2" and 210 pounds, but my size hasn't fooled me into thinking it takes a lot of gun to hunt deer.

Exactly!!

I would go with the 308, but if you can't handle that, go for a 7.62x51.....just my opinion.

AMEN! I am 6'4 and about 280 lbs and I love the .243.