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Joined: May 2017
Posts: 140
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 140 |
Will a 243 kill deer, absolutely.
That said, I won’t use one again if I can help it. I’ve killed deer with everything from 22 magnum to 300 win mag and my least favorite is the 243. I just have not had good luck with it. Deer still die, but dang they don’t leave a blood trail. Hunting in pine plantations, blood trails are a must.
If I did decide to run one again, it would be with TTSX or Accubonds. Something I wouldn’t worry about a shoulder shot with.
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 69,367 Likes: 21
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 69,367 Likes: 21 |
The .243 is a sure killer on hogs and deer.I too have lost track of how many deer I've killed with a .243 and just recently some hogs died in front of the .243 shooting 75 gr Vmax... Yep. Been killing deer and hogs with a 243 since I was in HS. Started out killing them with the old Factory 80 and 100 gr Factory Remington CoreLokt ammo. Mainly use handloads with 95 gr Nosler Ballistic Tips or Partitions nowadays. Even killed an Antelope with a 55 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip handload when a nice goat trotted across a big prairie dog down we stopped to shoot at while antelope hunting in the TX Panhandle region. Anyone that says a 243 isn’t good for deer had shot many with one.
"Allways speak the truth and you will never have to remember what you said before..." Sam Houston Texans, "We say Grace, We Say Mam, If You Don't Like it, We Don't Give a Damn!"
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,885 Likes: 5
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,885 Likes: 5 |
BrowingGuy88, It's good you know your limitations. Rio7
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,000
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,000 |
I have a 243 that actually came from ingwe. It is my favorite rifle, and with cheap ole Hornady Whitetail 100gr it lays the smack down
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 69,367 Likes: 21
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 69,367 Likes: 21 |
I have a 243 that actually came from ingwe. It is my favorite rifle, and with cheap ole Hornady Whitetail 100gr it lays the smack down Yep. The Factory 100 gr Remington CoreLoct is a sure killer also.
"Allways speak the truth and you will never have to remember what you said before..." Sam Houston Texans, "We say Grace, We Say Mam, If You Don't Like it, We Don't Give a Damn!"
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
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Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 8,800 Likes: 13
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 8,800 Likes: 13 |
Factory 100gr winchester power points kill schiet deader than dead.
For Tejas, the 243win or 6 creed is ideal.
Last edited by Jackson_Handy; 11/24/22.
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,000
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,000 |
I have a 243 that actually came from ingwe. It is my favorite rifle, and with cheap ole Hornady Whitetail 100gr it lays the smack down Yep. The Factory 100 gr Remington CoreLoct is a sure killer also. When I got the rifle, I went to get some Core-Lokts. Store didn’t have any, so I just got some American Whitetails. I just wanted to shoot the thing before some reloading components came in. I haven’t reloaded for it yet
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,306 Likes: 2
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,306 Likes: 2 |
I have a 243 that actually came from ingwe. It is my favorite rifle, and with cheap ole Hornady Whitetail 100gr it lays the smack down That must be the TC Icon...thats a helluva rifle! Glad you are putting it to use!
"...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 69,367 Likes: 21
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 69,367 Likes: 21 |
I have a 243 that actually came from ingwe. It is my favorite rifle, and with cheap ole Hornady Whitetail 100gr it lays the smack down Yep. The Factory 100 gr Remington CoreLoct is a sure killer also. When I got the rifle, I went to get some Core-Lokts. Store didn’t have any, so I just got some American Whitetails. I just wanted to shoot the thing before some reloading components came in. I haven’t reloaded for it yet 243 Factory Ammo is almost impossible to find here. Good thing I reload nowadays.
"Allways speak the truth and you will never have to remember what you said before..." Sam Houston Texans, "We say Grace, We Say Mam, If You Don't Like it, We Don't Give a Damn!"
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,000
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,000 |
I have a 243 that actually came from ingwe. It is my favorite rifle, and with cheap ole Hornady Whitetail 100gr it lays the smack down That must be the TC Icon...thats a helluva rifle! Glad you are putting it to use! Sure is. Really has turned into my favorite rifle
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 19,508
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 19,508 |
No pigs around here, unless you count the majority of people at the Cheboygan Wal-Mart, so I've never used the .243 on a hog, but I used to use the .243 on deer and I had a great experience with it on deer. In fact, I had more bang-flops with the .243 than any other cartridge I've tried.
4 out of 5 Great Lakes prefer Michigan.
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,519
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,519 |
I’ve been using a Montana in 243 for the last few years on whitetails. I couldn’t ask for anything to do a better job. I used a 7mm-08 for years and haven’t been able to tell the difference in “dead”. No hogs here to try it on.
If we live long enough, we all have regrets. But the ones that nag at us the most are the ones in which we know we had a choice.
Doug
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 21,914 Likes: 7
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 21,914 Likes: 7 |
Used one as a kid, again for a few years as an adult, daughter still uses that one.
Not a fan.
Killed a number of deer. They died. Few quickly, all eventually.
Daughter bought her own, maybe when she gets it set up I might try some BTs in that M-7. Many swear by them, maybe a change of bullets will change my impression.
Decent price on a Tikka 243 owned by a close friend? It would be mine.
Parents who say they have good kids..Usually don't!
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 152,105 Likes: 33
Campfire Savant
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Campfire Savant
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 152,105 Likes: 33 |
Grandkids kill hell out of pigs and deer with them. I have two 99’s in 243.
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Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 143
Campfire Member
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OP
Campfire Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 143 |
I'll keep ya'll posted if when I get into the 243 my old friend has said he'll sell me cheap. I also wanted the Tikka 30'06 he'd picked up on a closeout I put him onto, but he's asking way too much money for it IMO. He sez the Tikka is the pretty'ist rifle he's ever seen....I'd just like to have a 30'06 to go with the rest of my "harem". Ron
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,702
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,702 |
My son used a 243 to start out with. First with hornady reduced recoil loads then to “full power” handloads with 100gr Sierra Pro-Hunter. He killed several mature Whitetail bucks, Mule Deer, Antelope, hogs not to mention several does. No shots over 200 yards, but at least within that range performance was excellent. Honestly, changed my opinion on how effective the 243 is. Penetration was very good in all cases including smashing ahoulder on big panhandle whitetail quartering on at about 100 yards.
Lou
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,885 Likes: 5
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,885 Likes: 5 |
Women and kids can kill Deer And pigs with a .243 Big Guy's Need more GUN. Rio7
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,469
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,469 |
Women and kids can kill Deer And pigs with a .243 Big Guy's Need more GUN. Rio7 🤣🤣
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 655
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 655 |
I debated on a 243 for my daughter's first gun. Thinking was like many, light recoil and fully capable. As I researched, I decided I wanted a a 7-08. I know; that's a far cry from the 243, but here is why I landed on it:
Energy at barrel for 95 gr vs 140 gr is only 10% variance
Hole is 50% bigger and energy at 200 yards (which is far longer than she was gonna shoot) is 20% larger.
She is a killer with the gun and I would not hesitate to take it myself.
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 28,307 Likes: 5
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 28,307 Likes: 5 |
I debated on a 243 for my daughter's first gun. Thinking was like many, light recoil and fully capable. As I researched, I decided I wanted a a 7-08. I know; that's a far cry from the 243, but here is why I landed on it:
Energy at barrel for 95 gr vs 140 gr is only 10% variance
Hole is 50% bigger and energy at 200 yards (which is far longer than she was gonna shoot) is 20% larger.
She is a killer with the gun and I would not hesitate to take it myself. 17% 50% Who is counting? Not me. I do prefer a 7/08 although a 243 will work.
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