I recently posted a thread requesting suggestions on what new rifle to purchase, for hunting whitetail deer.
I took my first deer with a .243 Win that was given to me by father as a birthday gift when I was about 12 years old (about 10 years ago or so). I used a 100 gr bullet.
I have been told by some that I should upgrade the caliber of the rifle for my primary deer-hunting purposes. I *did* make a mistake last year, by attempting to take a deer with a 65gr ballistic tip bullet with this same gun. That was regrettable.
Is the .243 (when using 100gr bullets or heavier) really an adequately effective deer gun, or just marginal? Is it worth buying another gun (aka .280 for deer), or is it unnecessary?
Are there loads available for the .243 Win that are heavier and still effective range-wise that are larger than 100gr?
Helpful suggestions will be appreciated.
Thanks,
--tadyson
I took my first deer with a .243 Win that was given to me by father as a birthday gift when I was about 12 years old (about 10 years ago or so). I used a 100 gr bullet.
I have been told by some that I should upgrade the caliber of the rifle for my primary deer-hunting purposes. I *did* make a mistake last year, by attempting to take a deer with a 65gr ballistic tip bullet with this same gun. That was regrettable.
Is the .243 (when using 100gr bullets or heavier) really an adequately effective deer gun, or just marginal? Is it worth buying another gun (aka .280 for deer), or is it unnecessary?
Are there loads available for the .243 Win that are heavier and still effective range-wise that are larger than 100gr?
Helpful suggestions will be appreciated.
Thanks,
--tadyson