Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles What would be a nice upgrade in caliber for my .243?

Hi guys the first rifle I ever bought is a 243 and this is my all-around rifle, I use it for everything, but I'm thinking about upgrading caliber, no I don't need nothing for big game, I just need a good deer caliber. Any suggestions will be very appreciated. Thank you in advance.

.308(Win) or .338(Fed)

IMO 6.5 ain’t much of a jump from 6mm.

358 Winchester

Hard to go wrong with a 7mm-08 or .308 there.

7mm-08
great for deer and you can go up 20-40 grains in bullet for a deer load
great factory ammo also

If you don't reload or plan to, a 308 would be a good choice.

Thanks, that is how I feel about the 6.5 Creedmoor. 338? Interesting I will look into that round. Thanks.

Right, I dont reload and the .308 sounds good, from my understanding it's easier to find .308 than 7mm-08 also.

Sell the 243 and get a 223 AND 7mm-08 or 6.5 CM.

7mm-08 vs 308... does 308 has more selection and prices ?

^^^ this..... a good .223 for most of your gunning.
The Creedmoor has a ton of really good factory ammo and is all you’d need.

.270 Winchester

Yep, then id buy a good ol 30-06 to top it off.

You already have a good deer "caliber".

That's your answer.

I too suggest the 308 for your step up. Its easy to shoot well, wads of factory loads out there-from varmints to Bison! Bison? Yep, I have a hunting buddy out here who uses one rifle, a Browning BLR he bought in 1970. He uses nothing but the 150 pointed Corlokt for everything. He has killed many mule deer/ antelope, and elk. He drew a tag for a cow buffalo ( Bison) in the henry Mountains. A very tough hunt for very wild buffalo. He finally shot her around 250yds, got complete penetration side on. Big one inch "rope" of blood poured out for feet he said. She wobbled, fell over!

Now, what kind of hunting you do most will determine if a heavy barreled varmint rifle and big scope (box stand ,long shots) works for you ( Mod 700 SPS Varmint, etc.) or a lighter, more of a Mountain Rifle type, i.e. Kimber 84M, etc. I used a .308 Mod 70 FWT 80's model and the 165 NBT for a big Axis buck at 230yds once, from a kneeling position and 4x scope. It was a good compromise rifle model! Good luck to you Pard, and let us know what you decided on!

+1

270, 280, 30-06, All great

Listen to these guys.

Any time someone asks a question like this I like to refer them to midwayusa.com. Shop the Ammunition/Rifle Ammunition offerings and show all 176 types. The number of offerings for each cartridge is shown to the right of the cartridge name. Here is a sampling:

60 = .243 Win
69 = 6.5 Creedmoor
3 = 6.5 PRC
64 = .270 Win
17 = .280 Rem
8 = .280 Rem Ackley Improved
31 = 7mm-08
67 = 7mm Rem Mag
158 = .308 Win
123 = .30-06
82 = .300 Win Mag
2 = 300 PRC
5 = .338 Federal
25 = .338 Win Mag
2 = .358 Win
44 = .45-70 Government

My suggestion would be to choose a cartridge based on your wants and needs as well as availability and cost of ammo and/or components.

If you reload or plan to do so, ammo costs are much less of a concern but you should still look into the cost, variety and availability of components - especially cartridge cases since they are the only unique component for a particular cartridge. Prices for cases can vary from under $0.50 each to over $2.00 each.

You say you don’t need a “big game” rifle. Do you plan to hunt hogs or bear as well as deer?

What about range of shots? A .243 is fine for lots of things but factory rifles are generally not twisted for heavy-for-caliber, high B.C. bullets. If you want to start stretching your range past 350-400 yards a good place to start is with the 6.5 Creedmoor – whether you plan to purchase factory ammo or reload. A .243 Win launching a 95 grain Hornady SST at 3185fps (Hornady ammo spec) delivers 992 foot-lbs energy at 400 yards. A 6.5 Creedmoor launching a Hornady 143g ELD-X at 2700fps (Hornady ammo spec) delivers 990 foot-lbs energy at 750 yards. At 750 yards the .243 will have 57” of drift in a 10mph crosswind, and less than half the energy of the 6.5CM, while the 6.5CM will drift only 35”. Another advantage of the 6.5CM is that recoil is only marginally greater than the .243 Win you already have. As you go larger in caliber and heavier in bullet weight, recoil will increase accordingly.

The ballistics of the 6.5CM, coupled with ammo and component availability are reasons I purchased one even though I have a .243 Win, .257 Roberts, 6.5-06AI and a slew of rifles in .280 Rem and larger. For Daughter #1 I purchased a lefty .270 Win and handload 150g Nosler bullets. That handload beats the 6.5CM some but not by enough to justify the cost of factory ammo if I didn’t reload for her.

While the 6.5CM was originally developed primarily for target competition but finds wide usage for hunting, the new (2019) 6.5PRC was developed for hunting but has good application for target competition. Factory rifle and ammo options are limited at the moment, although what is available is pretty good and more and more manufacturers are supporting it. I believe it will be hugely popular in years to come as it balances performance with barrel life. As with the 6.5CM, the SAAMI spec is properly twisted for heavy-for-caliber, high B.C. bullets and it adds about 250fps to what the 6.5CM can do.

Comparing Hornady factory loads for the .243 Win, 6.5CM and 6.5PRC at 500 yards with a 200 yard zero:
.243Win/95g SST = 1950fps, 802ft-lbs energy, -38.4” drop, 22.2” drift
6.5CM/143g ELD-X = 2030fps, 1308ft-lbs energy, -44.4” drop, 14.4” drift
6.5PRC/143g ELD-X = 2248fps, 1604 ft-lbs energy, -36.2” drop, 12,6” drift

A .308 Win and .30-06 are never wrong in my estimation. If you want a lot of fun, it is hard to beat lever actions like the Marlins, especially the .45-70. Standard factory loads for the .45-70 tend to be pretty mild in recoil in spite of the heavy bullets. As they say, the .45-70 can be loaded “from mild to wild” and factory options for Marlins range from trapdoor and cowboy loads to loads suitable for Cape Buffalo and grizzly bears. My subsonic 350g handloads for my .45-70 are among the most fun-to-shoot loads I have – even my daughters love them and they are very inexpensive to build.

.243 is a fine deer caliber rifle. I don't understand why it would require an "upgrade"?

Now, if you really want is simply another rifle, that I can completely understand

Since you don't reload, I'd suggest .308. There are plenty of factory loads, which gives you a wide variety of options to find out what a particular .308 rifle likes.

I'd agree with Tannhauser 100% on all his points.

For deer and things smaller, the 243 you have is as good as any. Use a good bullet on deer, and never look back.

No arguing with "I want....therefore I need". So get something bigger if you WANT one, but from what you said, you'd don't need one. Need is not important at all.
Slaves are granted what they need. Free men buy what they want.

For the non-reloader the 308 is going to be the best choice overall.

Come that is Gay!!!!

There isn’t a whitetail deer south of the Mason-Dixon that the 243 Win couldn’t handle easily. But if you must go up and contemplate a larger cervidae than southern whitetail, a 308 Win is a nice step up, 30-06 performance in a 243 Win case.

Yeah and?

Really ?

I was expecting 460 WBY


Jerry

The .460 Wby is for rabbits,Jwall.

“Use enough gun”


Jerry

Of course.

Yep - pretty well sums it up.

There is an old saying - "dance with the one who brung you".
While the 308 doesn't have a lot of recoil it does have enough that it will not be as comfortable or as much fun to shoot as the 243. - Something to think about.

drover

223 Rem

Keep the 243.

55 gr to 100 gr in a factory twist.

Can do it all

Think I'd pick a 270 if I was younger. Shoots fast and flat like a 243, and kicks less than a 308. Course the 308 I had was a six pounder with a short barrel, so I might have a different view than some. And the 270 seems like more of a step up than the slower 6.5's.
Now I want a Swede but would buy a Creed because.... off the shelf ammo.
Or a 243 with a faster twist than the one I have that doesn't like 100 grain bullets. Shoots the 80gr mono's lights out though. This is what I'd really like, Just an upgrade in rifles in the same ole 243. And I have a 30-30 for a walkin around rifle.

Another 243..........

.30-06...

I've climbed that hill and am on the way back down. Have a Kimber Hunter in .243 Win being delivered tomorrow. Have always loved the round and the recoil!

My 6.5s and 7s will still be available if need be.

g

Brevity is the soul of wit... just sayin.

A 6 mm Remington!!!

The real question here is - what do you want the upgrade to do for you? Assuming you want to stay short action:

If it's more effective range, 260, 6.5 Creedmoor or 7mm-08.
If it's much bigger game, 338 Fed or 358 Win.
If you want total flexibility, 308 Winchester. 7mm-08 is a close runner up here IMO.

The three I have experience with:
.308 - everywhere, accurate, affordable and potent. Not much that you couldn't do with it. Very popular for lots of reasons.

7mm-08 - can be better on paper than 308 for many purposes because the bullet is sleeker, but isn't quite as available and you won't be buying any surplus. Still, published loads show a 175 bullet at 2600+ fps. Which is about what a 30-06 actually was back in the day, but in a lighter easier recoiling and probably more accurate rifle.

358 - boy, I like mine. Better for a handloader, published loads will push a 225 grain Partition to 2500 fps and flip over just about anything. Shoots flatter than most people think, and kicks about like an '06. You don't want to have to buy your ammo.

Party pooper ..........

For deer, a 243 is about ideal. If you want a multipurpose cartridge for deer and larger game one of the 6.5's is the smallest I'd feel comfortable with. I've had a 243 in the past but let it go. I could do everything I need to do with a 223 and either a 7-08 or 308. I consider the 308 and 7-08 ballistic twins. On paper the 7-08 looks slightly better, but in the real world no one will ever notice. I chose 308 before I started hand loading. If not I might have gone 7-08.

I did give the 6.5 CM a try a few years ago. I do like the round and it lives up to the hype. But if you're keeping the 243 I'd skip it for 7-08 or 308.

SWOOOSH !

right over their heads.


Jerry

Thats what she said..

270 Win, 7mm-08, or 308. There ain't no flies on any of those 3.

I know that 6.5 is only a fraction bigger than your 6
but you can get the 130 and 140 and heavier for the 6.5CM
I have 270 for deer and while it’s a great all around caliber and was my go to deer round .
I think the 6.5 will be my go to and the 270 as a back up.
It’s really easy to shoot them well and ammo is cheap and bountiful
S&B 140 fmj 10.99 and SP for 11.99
If you really want something bigger, than the 06....Simply nothing better for all around rifle

243 is excellent for deer. If you're looking to step up 7-08, 280, or a 7mm Mag would serve you well. You also can't go wrong with a 30-06

Thank you for taking your time to explain this in such detail. You are very knowledgeable. That 6.5 CM sure looks like a nice upgrade to my 243. Heck even that 6.5 PRC looks even better.

Yes I definitely want another rifle in a bigger caliber.

For sure.

But if you must, 270...

In my state (Kentucky), I would go 7mm-08 because it would be legal to use in the unlikely event I get drawn for the state elk hunt. I like the trajectory, ammo selection, and recoil level as well. I use it with 139 gr. Hornady GMX bullets. Absolute hammers on deer and would not hesitate to use on elk.

If you’re not going to load your own, I’d go with a .270, .308, or .30-06. If you plan to start loading ammo, I’d also strongly consider the .280 and 7-08.

.308 seems like the natural answer.

Here in Montana, I've always said the "ideal battery" is a 22lr, 243 and 270... hard to beat that trifecta.

But since it's only Southern deer in question, the 308 seems like the logical choice for a non-handloader.

+2

A guy with a good 243 is set for deer and more.

My advice is to buy a basic reloading kit and learn to reload for it, maybe see if it'll spin the Hornady 105 hpbt.

Yup ........

6creed is the only logical answer here.

Too funny, yes “upgrading caliber” as in 6mm-how about 243AI, 6mm AI, 6mm-284, 240 Wby, 6mm-06.

I think you mean Page Pooper.

For deer only anywhere you go from a 243 is a downgrade.

Horseshit

IMO, a good next step is the 270 Win

You think a .308 or 270 would be a downgrade from a .243 ? Can you tell me why is that ? Thanks.

You might try a .244 or a .245.

Depends on the rifle. How it fits, how it carries, how it shoots, how it looks.

If you handload and want to build, I'd say a .25 Souper or Humdinger and use the same brass.

Otherwise, the 6.5 Creed....

That is entirely subjective.

.270 winchester

The 30-06 is a very good choice.

Elliot,

First and foremost practice and shooting rounds downrange is what makes a person a deadly deer hunter. The 243 is far better served for that venture than either the 270 or 308 and kills deer with ease.

A case in point would be the bear shot with 338 win mag gets away thread. Most people I know who use the 338 win mag shoot less than 20 rounds for practice and than go hunting because there a recoiling SOB and unpleasant to shoot. Basically what I'm saying is a man with a 243 and 1000 rounds downrange in practice is far deadlier than a man with a 338 win mag with 20 rounds of practice. Give a well practiced man your 243 and he would kill that same bear that got away 100 out of 100 times

375 H&H.

Thanks for your point of view, makes a whole lot of sense. I will really think about that. I never really saw it that way.

30-06

.243 win is my favorite deer rifle. If your looking for a little more power but lower recoil I would go 25-06 or 270. Good luck.

It certainly is never wrong to buy more rifles though.
That's why they call us loonies 😁

It should be part of the Bill of Rights that everyone should own a rifle chambered in 30-06.

If that is too much, then a 6.5 CM, 270 Win, or 308 Win. Ammo is everywhere, and they are all good performers.

The chain of logic, on its face, makes sense. The issue with it is, not everyone (I'd argue most) that is utilizing the .243 is going to put in the time/rounds to get to that level of proficiency. The person that will would likely also do so with a 7/08, .308, 6.5 etc.
For the guy that is going to gain the requisite proficiency, headstamps mean schitt (seems as if that's been pointed out prior). For those who won't, margins of error increase.

George

Arguably the best choice ever for a dedicated deer rifle.

For whitetail at under 50 yards from a deerstand?

I can think of at least a dozen cartridges I’d chose in that scenario over the 270.

.30-'06

Yes sir, I'll be honest I just want another rifle with a step up in caliber, but yes, absolutely. If you dont put the time ,you won't acquire proficiency. That been said I have done some soul searching and I will put more time with my .243. Thank for that advice.

Ought to be clear about what you want from any "step up".

Cuz it's not killing power, at least not for FL whitetails.

In some venues a reliable blood trail, via two leaky holes, can keep you from having a really bad day. You cannot get that from a .243 or .22 CF. Sometimes is not the same as usually.....or always.

Anyway, a .308 Win or .30-06 is a step up.

Interesting, thanks for your input. Definitely 2 hole would help.

With the right bullet the .243 leaves exit holes most of the time, IME

.243" monometals or partitions more often will exit. Exit, of itself, does not guarantee a blood trail. Fascial layers, skin overlap, bunch of reasons. Moreover, the limited expansion that makes premium bullets more likely to exit tends to make for a smaller exit hole diameter.

More likely a blood trail from .22s and .24s, such as it is, comes from the mouth.

I can think of a few myself, but I don't know anyone that would argue a .270 won't work in that situation. And some of the ones I would choose for that situation are low on the list of what I would choose for others.

Dunno. Lotta sense in a 243 and 270. That's been my choice for quite a while.

No argument from me. Just wanted to make sure we’re on the same page.

Damn. Another Texas dig. But we normally set our stands at least 100 yards from the feeder. LOL.

A real noticeable step "up" from a 243, that you can tell something different is happening when shooting deer, comes at the 30 caliber level in my experience, and a 30-06 velocity level.

So, just get a 30-06 and you won't ever have made a mistake at any range to 500 yards for deer.

Thanks, and yep, that would be a big step up with noticeable difference.

I grew up West of you on I-10, East, Tx and our deer were of similar size. I used the 30-06 a lot. I started out with Remington factory 150gr ptd Corlokt. kept my shots behind the shoulder, no wasted meat. ( That was a big thing with my dad) I later (late 70s) tried the Federal Red Box ( remember those?) with Sierra 165 SBT. They worked better for accuracy ( a jammomatic Mod 742) yet also never wasted meat on either deer or hogs. Can't never, no never ever go wrong with a 30-06, and it can be a hoss on elk with the right bullet too! After all...you have to at least "dream" of killing elk, even if it IS a long way from Florida to where they are at! Let us know what you settled on Pard, we are all rootin for you!

Thanks for your reply, that 30-06 is a beast and a very nice step up for my need, love my .243 but boy I think Alot about that 30-06.

Well then....get that aught-6!

There isn't a critter in the USA that you can't kill with it. If you're not a realoader, no big deal. If you are, even better!

30-06 is loud and kicks quite a bit more. You'll have no doubt that you have made a big step up when you fire it.

A 270 or 308 is a more docile step up. But still a substantial step up. They're both more than adequate for most North American game.

I upgraded from my trusty 243 by buying it a new adjustable cheek piece stock, better scope, using great bullets, practicing a lot and putting aside money towards the barrel its going to need shortly.

How many bullets you have to shoot before u need a new barrel?

Thousands