Next Caliber Choice?

dkyser · October 24, 2014, 05:56 PM

I am asking in this section because it has to do with reloading.
As I get older and start enjoy shooting targets as much as game, and no longer looking for macho status enjoy shooting lighter recoild guns.

Love my 7mm-08, loading 120 for the kids, and 140 for me this deer season.

Looking for a great overall caliber for more preditor, chucks and target but in a pinch could use for close range deer. I love the .204 but would not be ethical if for deer and not a wide range of choices as far as reloading.

Would .243 be a good choice?

Seems it could be loaded down for chucks and target, yet loaded up for coyotes and even deer.

chiefr · October 24, 2014, 06:38 PM

243 is a great choice. Taken out many small game and varmints. 100 grain for venison.

std7mag · October 24, 2014, 06:59 PM

243 is a good choice, along with 260Rem and (yeah it pains me but) 223Rem.

Have been curious about building a 25 Souper. (aka 308 necked to 25 caliber).

dkyser · October 24, 2014, 07:12 PM

Thanks guys, as an avid archer I know shot placement and range have a huge part in gun choice. Also know on opening day would not be a good day to use a smaller caliber and rely on tracking, but nice to have another gun in the safe that can cover a wide range of duties.

std7mag · October 25, 2014, 12:11 PM

People have been using 243 for deer, since I think when it came out... lol

All will get the job done, just choose the right bullet for the application.

Good luck, be safe!

hooligan1 · October 25, 2014, 03:24 PM

2506 is another good one, easy on wallet, shoulder, and killer for varmint and deer.

T. O'Heir · October 25, 2014, 03:36 PM

The only thing about the .243(40 years of it for me) that matters is the choice of bullet and somewhat the rifling twist. Light bullets prefer a fast twist, but all commercial hunting rifles, even heavy barreled, 'varmint', rifles, are rifled for deer bullets.
There are deer sized game(deer/black bear/antelope) bullets and varmint bullets. Varmint bullet are not suitable for deer sized game. Usually, under 80 grains are varmint bullets. Varmint bullets expand rapidly upon impact with little penetration. Deer bullets have controlled expansion with good penetration of deer sized game.
Coyote bullets will depend on whether or not you're hide hunting. Commercial FMJ's like the 90 grain Speer are made for that. Make a nice tiny puncture hole and do not severely damage the hide. A Speer 105 SP makes a great big hole.
All that aside, there's no reason to down load for varmints unless you are hide hunting. Nothing beats varmint hunting as practice for deer hunting with a .243.

hooligan1 · October 25, 2014, 04:49 PM

T Oheir,its heavy bullets that prefer a fast twist, light bullets may come apart in a faster twist.

MarkCO · October 25, 2014, 07:52 PM

I had a 7mm-08 and enjoyed it along with a .243 Win. I went with a .260 to cover both of those bases, and while the .260 is one of may favorites, just too close the the 7mm-08 for what you asked.

The .243 Win would be a very good choice as there are a lot of ammo/bullet choices to cover a pretty wide array. It would certainly be one of the favorites for medium game to maybe 400 down to varmints.

Other than the .243, you might look at .223Rem or the .22-250. There are now some good bonded bullets suitable for deer-sized and smaller game.

Snyper · October 25, 2014, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Light bullets prefer a fast twist

Do you shoot and hunt at all?

October 24, 2014, 05:56 PM	#1
dkyser Member Join Date: March 1, 2005 Posts: 31	Next Caliber Choice? I am asking in this section because it has to do with reloading. As I get older and start enjoy shooting targets as much as game, and no longer looking for macho status enjoy shooting lighter recoild guns. Love my 7mm-08, loading 120 for the kids, and 140 for me this deer season. Looking for a great overall caliber for more preditor, chucks and target but in a pinch could use for close range deer. I love the .204 but would not be ethical if for deer and not a wide range of choices as far as reloading. Would .243 be a good choice? Seems it could be loaded down for chucks and target, yet loaded up for coyotes and even deer.

October 25, 2014, 03:24 PM	#6
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,619	2506 is another good one, easy on wallet, shoulder, and killer for varmint and deer. __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

October 25, 2014, 04:49 PM	#8
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,619	T Oheir,its heavy bullets that prefer a fast twist, light bullets may come apart in a faster twist. __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

October 25, 2014, 07:52 PM	#9
MarkCO Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 1998 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 4,362	I had a 7mm-08 and enjoyed it along with a .243 Win. I went with a .260 to cover both of those bases, and while the .260 is one of may favorites, just too close the the 7mm-08 for what you asked. The .243 Win would be a very good choice as there are a lot of ammo/bullet choices to cover a pretty wide array. It would certainly be one of the favorites for medium game to maybe 400 down to varmints. Other than the .243, you might look at .223Rem or the .22-250. There are now some good bonded bullets suitable for deer-sized and smaller game. __________________ Good Shooting, MarkCO www.CarbonArms.us

October 24, 2014, 06:38 PM	#2
chiefr Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: AR Posts: 1,401	243 is a great choice. Taken out many small game and varmints. 100 grain for venison.

October 24, 2014, 06:59 PM	#3
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,611	243 is a good choice, along with 260Rem and (yeah it pains me but) 223Rem. Have been curious about building a 25 Souper. (aka 308 necked to 25 caliber).

October 24, 2014, 07:12 PM	#4
dkyser Member Join Date: March 1, 2005 Posts: 31	Thanks guys, as an avid archer I know shot placement and range have a huge part in gun choice. Also know on opening day would not be a good day to use a smaller caliber and rely on tracking, but nice to have another gun in the safe that can cover a wide range of duties.

October 25, 2014, 12:11 PM	#5
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,611	People have been using 243 for deer, since I think when it came out... lol All will get the job done, just choose the right bullet for the application. Good luck, be safe!

October 25, 2014, 03:36 PM	#7
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	The only thing about the .243(40 years of it for me) that matters is the choice of bullet and somewhat the rifling twist. Light bullets prefer a fast twist, but all commercial hunting rifles, even heavy barreled, 'varmint', rifles, are rifled for deer bullets. There are deer sized game(deer/black bear/antelope) bullets and varmint bullets. Varmint bullet are not suitable for deer sized game. Usually, under 80 grains are varmint bullets. Varmint bullets expand rapidly upon impact with little penetration. Deer bullets have controlled expansion with good penetration of deer sized game. Coyote bullets will depend on whether or not you're hide hunting. Commercial FMJ's like the 90 grain Speer are made for that. Make a nice tiny puncture hole and do not severely damage the hide. A Speer 105 SP makes a great big hole. All that aside, there's no reason to down load for varmints unless you are hide hunting. Nothing beats varmint hunting as practice for deer hunting with a .243.