The .243 is a high-velocity cartridge and as-such performs at its best with bullets under 100 grains. I've used a lot of 85 and 90 grain bullets with great satisfaction. A bullet designed for deer, but 90 grain weight or less is great for not only deer, but maintains flat trajectory for smaller animals beyond 300 yards. I handload and rarely use any factory ammo. The cartridge, used by my grandkids for deer, has taken some nice Maine bucks and does out to over 200 yards with one shot each. The cartridge's greatest traits are it's flat trajectory and decent velocity/energy.So, I believe I have found my next rifle (see thread on Win M 670 243 Win).
Questions on the 243 Win itself...
so, this is an opportunity buy. I don’t need it yet, but my daughter will never be very large (doc expects she will grow to 4’11”). So I’ve been thinking a 243, for her hunting rifle. Still a few years away.
My normal line of thought is to go to the heavier side of whatever cartridge I’m talking about (140gr for the 270 for example). Not extreme, but higher for the BC, but also because of my theory on hunting in general. I will never take a 600 yard shot. 300 yards is stretching enough for me. Now, I know that the 243 Win is fully capable to that distance (and beyond). But my question is, based on your experience to correct or affirm my theory..., is at what point is it too heavy for this round to kill a whitetail for example at <300 yards? The 95 gr Hornady SST looks good to me for example... I know the heaviest end is ≈115gr...
Any good thoughts appreciated.
BTW, FWIW: I may be moving to ID (Hallelujah!)
Greg
I tend to use it for larger varmints like coyotes, bobcats, coons, and porcupines, but it will kill bears at shorter ranges, if necessary. When I first got a rifle in that chambering, I set up a target to sight-in at about 100 yards, using a rock wall as an angled backstop. I fired the first shot and a huge hole appeared in the target, that was mounted on a piece of cardboard. There was a bullet hole, of course, but also, another, about 1 1/2" in size and oddly shaped. It came from the rock that was hit by the bullet passing through the target and plastic-cardboard backer, about 15 feet from where the bullet struck a stone in the wall. Excuse me, but that impressed the heck out of me as to the cartridge's power!!! It's quickly killed several deer by teen grandsons and daughters and I wouldn't balk at using it for deer, should I ever need to. It seems to me that bullets of 100 grains and heavier reduce the cartridge's effective trajectory/velocity to kill smaller but tough animals. Velocity kills!!!! Flat trajectory helps to hit kill zones at various un-measured distances.
Your opinions/data are also valued, since I haven't had a plethora of experience with the cartridge on larger game, since my go-to deer rifles are .270s.