Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting Goodbye 243 I'm done

I still have one 243 though it's days are numbered. However poor game bullet performance on deer is the main reason I'm done with it and of course poor barrel life. In the last 3 years I took 5 deer with this 243. I used the 95 gr. Ballistic Tip, 100 grain Nosler solid base and the 85 grain Nosler Partition. All were hit well solidly in the chest, 2 went down and got back up to run a ways. The only bullet that left any blood to follow was the Solid base. The Partition always exited but it was a small exit hole. A doe shot with the Ballistic Tip was the only one to drop on the spot. There is no comparison between the 243 and either my 7x57or my 308, they are both much better at bringing hogs and deer right down and if a blood trail is needed much more likely to provide one. Neither kicks much and the rifles are just as light.