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

Thanks, my rifle still has a long way to go before I reach those numbers.

I haven't read the whole thread, so maybe this has been said, and I know I'm channeling Big Stick, but a bullet upgrade may be in order before a caliber upgrade.

No deer walking will survive a 243 with the right projectile.

Here's a link to an article from one of the member's here that has a bit of info about 243 bullets and shot placement. Like a lot of folks here, it leans toward tougher bullets that will get through shoulders and spines.
https://www.24hourcampfire.com/shot-placement-and-killing-power/

This is it. Shooting 165’s.

Barrel was fine at about 1300. Started using RL17, very rough first 4" and greatly extended throat in 200-250 shots. Changed back to RL22, adjusted COL and its back to ragged hole but fouls badly. I'll shoot it till it dies which I suspect will be soon.

Replacement will be a factory take off - I want to use it and practice a lot.

How much is a replacement barrel? I'm just wondering if is better to just get another rifle.

This is how my .243s become .308s. After a couple, three years, I've shot it enough to notice a degradation in accuracy, so I simply screw a .308 barrel on it. I have two like that now. RL17 has been a good powder in the cartridge in regards to speed and accuracy.

I like the .243 and have no complaint about its game-taking ability. After I was involved in a pretty bad car accident, it was a very comfortable round to shoot with no loss in confidence. 80 TTSXs and 95 Nosler BTs will roll a deer.

Just upgraded from a Kimber .243 to a Tikka .243.

Especially our Florida deer. As 'Stick would say, "Headstamps don't kill; boolits do." Or something to that effect.

Now that is a good one - right there. It's odd but in 45 years of gun buying and selling, I've never owned a .243. It always seemed to be a "tweener" - not big enough for big game, and probably too big for the varmints. I know many will justifiably differ, but its how I viewed it.

Over 40 some odd years ago, I read of a Gun Writer's experience with the 243 on Hill Country deer ( same size as Forida deer for most part). He actually ended up preferring the 80gr Winchester factory load and "high lung" shots. He felt the 100, at that time I might add, was a bit too stout. So, it pays to experiment with any bullet and shot placement, obviously. I know that when I used the old 85 xbt going 2900fps ( from a little 6mm Wildcat) hitting bone made a big difference. I myself have dropped more game ( with any round/bullet) with "high shoulder" shots. Base of the neck follows.

270Win

A good bolt gun in 7mm-08, that's that lets go hunting !!!!

Just bought my first one a few weeks ago.

If I were upgrading a 243 to something larger, I’d just go 7mm-08 or 280 Rem.

Thanks guys much appreciated all those good comments.

Keep shooting that .243. Are your buddies giving you crap or something? Jokes about being underpowered against their .270's or 30-06's? "Dont point that at me Elliott. If it went off I may need stitches". If you just want another rifle than get one (or two). If you think you need more power, you dont. .243 win in my opinion is in the top 5 best deer calibers ever conceived. Get some literature on reloading (caution its addictive AF) and you will be amazed at the versatility you can get out of that rifle.

Good luck