My old hunting buddy hunted with a 6mm rem for 30 years and never lost a deer. Sadly he passed away in 2010, but I use that rifle now and it continues to take deer. Thank you for the great videos!
I live and hunt in Saskatchewan - home of the largest whitetail deer on the planet - and we shoot truckloads of deer (and even the odd moose) with the .243. Aim behind the shoulder, use a heavy for caliber bullet and it's meat in the freezer. We shoot nothing in the shoulders as it simply just wastes meat. A bullet through the heart and lungs expands violently - whether ribs are hit or not. Our bullets of choice in the .243 are the 100 grain Nosler Partitions or 100 grain Speer Grand Slams. Quite a few of our moose have fallen to a 105 grain Speer Hotcor. All tough bullets that will penetrate even through difficult angles and will often leave a nice sized exit wound.
After almost 60 years of hunting and have the money to buy almost any gun I wanted or ever needed that being said the 243 will kill deer size game my wife’s cousin even killed a big 6 point bull elk on her first elk hunt but that doesn’t it would be my first choice with so many other calibers to choose from these days! I think the 243 is better left to the woman and kids!
And on the larger deer and game I think that behind the shoulder shot is the way to go. We just had a problem here with the fast bullets penceling small deer and just zipping right through them. That's a point I whish I had brought up. Thanks for sharing that.
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving load>>cartridge. A .243 can do almost anything if loaded with the right bullet for the intended range and use and shot to the correct location. Karamojo took elephants with a 7x57. Not sure why so many feel we need a 30 caliber anything really for hunting.
@@ethanabrams6250 strange logic...you just said the .243 will get the job done, and there's ample proof. So why leave it to "the women and kids"? If you think it's borderline ineffective, I'd say it's for the expert, not the child.
I’ve been deer hunting for over 55 years. My go to rifle is my 243. I also have a great 30-06 for shooting longer ranges but find I just don’t need it very often. As I’m in my 70 now I tend to notice the recoil more than I used to.
Thank you both for setting the record straight. I have a Rem model 788 in 243 that my father bought me for my 12th birthday in 1972. I shot it with iron sights for years until I could finally afford a scope. He would me give two cartridges to hunt with. His philosophy was " you're only shooting one deer you only need one shot". I've always used the same shot placement as Joey, Never lost one. As for the cartridge, the gun will shoot sub MOA with bullets no matter what color box they come from, green, gray or red. The key is "make the shot". 90% of the deer I've taken have been inside 100 yards, I've never even tried beyond 200. It's not that I can't, it's that I won't. Good hunters get close. I don't understand this rage about "long range hunting". To me there is no such thing. God bless.
Very good philosophy. I also got a 243 about the same year in a model 99 Savage with a brass rotary magazine. I would still have it, but it was stolen when our home was burglarized. I can't emphasize enough how the 243 gives you confidence when hunting deer.
Ive been using my .243 for close to 35 years. Never lost a deer. My grandad taught me exactly whats been discussed here. Put it in their shourlder and anchor them. I met an old guy in Alaska when i was 21 and he only owned a .243. He said hes killed caribou, sheep & moose. I couldnt belive it when he said Moose but it was backed up by a few guys that knew him. Its all about shot placement. Aim Small, Miss Small.
243 is a fine medium game cartridge. It is the caliber I bought my oldest nephew for his first rifle. Seen success with this caliber on black bear, deer and hogs. Also had a buddy from work, that used 243 growing up in Colorado for Elk, using his Grandpa's hand rolled Nosler partition load. Heard a guy say once that he thought the 243 made better hunters, due to the lighter recoil not beating folks up. I tend to agree. Good luck in the woods this season
"Heard a guy say once that he thought the 243 made better hunters, due to the lighter recoil not beating folks up. I tend to agree." I would have to agree! I just came back from a range session trying to sight in two rifles chambered for 270 Win. I was testing three types of ammo Winchester Power Point 150 gr, Browning BXC 145 gr and Federal Non-Typical 150 gr. I wanted to see which of the three rounds gave me the best groups with each rifle and also to zero the scope 1.5 inches high at 100 yds. By the time I was done I had a giant black and blue bruise on my entire shoulder. Time to reach into my gun cabinet and setup one of my 243 Win rifles. Where I live deer don't get much bigger than 150 pounds and that's a rarity so for the smaller game typical of my area the 243 win is enough gun! I will leave the 270 Win for hunting trips out west.
@@caseroj6020 Exactly. Another solid point is if you have some distances to reach out to. The 243 will serve you better than a 30-30. While I love the dirty thirty. It is a caliber I limit to 150 yards. I would double that distance for the 243. Also Juan, if you are after Whitetail, Antelope and Hog size game. There are a few manufacturers that do reduced recoil loads for a number of calibers. I have a feeling 270 would be among them. Not like we have our pick and choose of ammo right now 😆 Just something to keep an eye out for.
And because of what you just said I think the .243 is the perfect cartridge for developing shooting fundamentals. And for helping to maintain those fundamentals!
Excellent video! I’ve seen around 30 deer shot with 243 and a lot of groundhogs & crows as well and one thing I wish you would have mentioned is bullet weight. I’ve used from 60 grains for varmits to 100 grains and eventually decided you are better off to use 100 grains for everything. Shoots as accurately, bucks wind better, in practical terms just as flat shooting and you learn how much it drops. It’s the best weight for deer especially. My experience at least. Thanks for the great videos!
Exactly right! I wouldn't shoot crows with a 243 as you must be independently wealthy! I recently found out that my old Ruger 77 is actually a 1 in 9" twist unlike most factory 243 rifles which I understand were 1 in 10” twist? Owned it for 40 years and am just now finding out that bit of information. Anyway, it shoots 103gr bullets like into a quarter at 200yds! Won't shoot 80grainers in a dinner plate at 100yds, so I figured why fight something that works?
I am 70 years old and an avid handgunner. I am considering giving deer hunting a try. I have viewed many, many videos on the subject in order to learn as much as I can about the sport. Believe me when I say that you two gentlemen in this one video have provided me with the most solid information I could have asked for. Joey, you are class personified. thank you both.
I know this is a very late comment, but I hunt with both 243 and Rem 6mm and have never had any issues with getting my deer. Both shoot 1/2 MOA and if you take aim at a soot, like Joey said, you’ll hit that spot and the deer won’t go very far at all. Picking the right spot is the key, but you guys covered that pretty well in this video too. Thanks
Enjoyed the talk y’all! I’ve hunted with the 243 for several years now and have really enjoyed it! Deer either drop or don’t go far, keep up the good work!
I have taken around 30 white tails in my life, a few California black tails, wild pigs and coyotes with the .243. All had the same reaction , DRT. Farthest shot on a whitetail was lasered at 370 yards, bullet didn’t pass through, but still mushroomed perfectly deer fell after three slow steps.
Great video! Thank you for your insight. The problem I have with some of these rounds like .243 are hunters who hunt elk as much or more than deer, you limit yourself in effective range. In the Rockies 400 yard shots are not uncommon and slightly bigger rounds help make a humane kill. But 200 yards or less it’s a non-issue. For hunters who rarely go up to elk, .243 is perfect. If you do larger game more often, why not give yourself the best chance of a quick humane kill? But we’re talking deer, antelope, or coyote, .243 is the perfect round.
Great discussion. 243 is Absolutely a great caliber for deer. And you guys are right. Shot placement is critical, no matter which caliber you choose. I wouldn't shoot deer with anything smaller than 243 tho. Some folks do, but for someone that's looking for their first deer rifle, and just getting into hunting, I wouldn't recommend it. If they ask, I always say 243 or larger.
Mr. Tom, Thank you for speaking the truth on bullet construction and shot placement. Being in a hunting club for years in Mississippi I myself have witnessed this! You and Mr. Joey nailed it!! Turns out that Jack O'Conner and Elmer Keith were both right!!
Congratulations Tom on the 1000 subscribers. That is quite an accomplishment. Look forward to many more videos. P.s. I'm 80 as of Jan. 6 this year. Still hunting, still looking forward to next season.
Thanks Robert. And I have to say this little channel has really been growing since then. We're over 3,000 now. I guess there are some other people out there still interested in old hunting rifles and the coming deer season as well? And I have to hurry up and finish the a3 and FN because as I'm sure you know all to well season will be here before we know it!
Another great video Tom. I have my 2 teenage boys shooting .308's and have had great success. I have gone back to a 303 British myself and am really enjoying it.
I watched this again, and kudos on all the great tips. My Son, Levi, uses a .243 and he has done excellent on whitetails using Federal Blue Box 100 grain.
Thank you for doing this! I have no idea where this trend of needing bigger and bigger calibers to take game is coming from. Shot deer with everything from a 300WM to a long bow and processed enough to see that deer just aren't that tough honestly. Same thing happened with 308 as 243, listen to the internet and you'd think a 308 would just bounce right off and elk or moose. But ill keep using my smaller calibers that I shoot good and work year after year for me, everyone else can keep their super ultra mega magnums. Good video keep it up 👍
When I was younger very few hunters had magnum rifles. My first big game rifle was my 6mm Remington. My father was a gunsmith and neither he nor I ever even considered it wasn't a large enough caliber to harvest elk, and any time I was lucky enough to place an elk in the crosshairs it had no problem creating an ethical kill.
Was talking to a sales person in a hunting sports shop in NZ and he told me a lot of hunters over here are going for 223 for deer hunting,though the most common caliber is 308 or 270
I see no reason a 223 couldn't ethically take deer (even Northern deer like here that are substantially bigger) with the proper bullet, placement, and within a reasonable range. I've watched a close family member shoot 3 deer one year with 30-06 and couldn't find a single one, no blood nothing. His 4th one I was with him and knew he made a good shot (only 30 yards away or so), same thing as before no blood whatsoever but we managed to find this one. It had an entrance but no exit wound. Turns out he was shooting neighbors reloads and they accidentally gave him some varmint bullets and they were just exploding on impact. Moral of the story is, bullet construction trumps caliber in most cases. Big 30-06 with varmint bullets vs a little 223 with a Barnes bullet... I'll take the 223 any day of the week
100 gr, 100 gr. 100 gr!!! That is what everyone seems to think you need to use for deer size game with the 243 Win. Bullets are so much better today than what we had years ago. I load for my 243 using the Barnes 80 gr TTSX and it is devastating. I have always used the high shoulder shot as I don’t want to track the animal.
Update from my comment last year watching this videos. My 243 anchored 3 deer in three shots, a shoulder shot at 70 yards, a 120 yard neck shot and a high shoulder shot at almost 150 yards. No regrets on the 243!
I agree I shoot a 6mm rem / 244 killed over a hundred plus deer- this is my 50th year shooting that gun although I have others it’s my go to gun bullet placement is everything Let’s keep the 243 and 6mm rem. Alive they are great guns thanks for the vid👍
I’ve owned 4 of them . Model 70 featherweight, Savage model 14 , Tika lightweight, all bolts. Currently a Browning Bar MK 3 Stalker . Great cartridge , also own a model 70 22.250 win. Light recoil , fun to shoot . Confidence and practice make for good bullet placement . Great information and informative. Best wishes , to all .
Debating over the best deer caliber is an inherent part of hunting traditions and an utmost controversial activity ! To me it's undoubtedly the .243 : low recoil, flat trajectory, high velocity, powerful enough terminal energy and perfect accuracy ! I'm not narrow minded, I've got .308 and 223, but my 243 rifle is my go-to rifle, fills in the grap between those 2 calibers, is very versatile et above all extremely effective and fun to shoot !
experience. i grew up on 243 and 270, im 40 now. but i can remember, as a kid, hitting the high shoulder and remembering how it dropped deer, and using it every time. so that is the best shot placement, for a 243 or any caliber.
For deer 🦌 i consider the 243 more than adequate, probably because I've seen mulies, pronghorn, aoudad, pigs, Caribou AND elk killed with a243. -- my 243! Just have to keep my distances reasonable and I don't blow thru elk/Caribou shoulders but gets the job done
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving Anything under or at 300 yards there is no need to buy bullets that cost twice as much when corelokts been killing deer for 100 years. Lol
I use to think the. 243 was for kids, ladies and wimps until my wife started taking boar with her Pre-GARCIA SAKO Deluxe. 243 and 100 grain bullets. I was impressed shooting it enough to get myself a Pre-64 Model 70 Featherweight .243 and killed boar with mine. I was impressed and, now it's a real favorite. Never figured it would happen, but it did, by the way, one shot kills as well. Also shoulder shots too.
I have used the 243 for over 50 years deer hunting. It just flat out works!! When I pull the trigger I know there is gonna be a dead deer. I never doubt that. Shot placement is key. Excellent video Mr. Rivers.
I have many hunting rifles to choose from but one of my favorites is a youth model Savage Axis 243 with accutrigger. Shoots like a laser and is so light and easy to handle and im 6ft 200 pounds and used a 3006 for many years. Also worth noting the 2 largest bucks my family has ever killed were both taken about 30 years apart with the same 243 rifle by 2 different grown men
Jack O'Connor was like a lot of people , he was highly competitive . The person leading the cheering squad for the .243 when it was first brought out was a man named Warren Page , and Warren just so happened to hold the same position that Jack held ( Shooting Editor ) at Outdoor Life's biggest competitor publication at that time , Sports Afield . So Jack never warmed up to the .243 the way I think he would have had that not been the case , i.e. he often praised the .250 Savage , and the .243 is basically a better version of that cartridge . Gun Blue has a very good video on this subject . BTW , just recently found and subscribed to your channel , I'm really enjoying your common sense material .
Indeed, Mr O’Connor was a fan of the .257 Roberts. I have one now, and can say that the extra 20 grains of bullet is a comfort over the .243’s 100, but heck I’m just grasping at straws. Full freezers, Grant H. H.
That's my load of choice. Hoping my 9 yo boy will harvest a Caribou next weekend with it. Savage model 10 243. 100 grain Hornady Interlock btsp going 2950fps should do the trick.
In the late 60’s my Wyoming hunting guide which has over the years stacked 30 elk and a dozen black bear with a Winchester Model 70 in 243 mainly because he bought the best rifle he had and couldn’t afford another rifle until he bought a 7STW. So out of necessity he only had one rifle. I use a 243 I inherited from my father in law for all my hunting needs in Texas for deer and pig. I also use a 243 for Wisconsin and UP Michigan deer hunts. 243 is big medicine for deer and black bear.
I really enjoy listening to two good ole Southern boys. You guys, or should I say y’all, were spot on. I myself prefer Behind the shoulder even with the .243, your experience vastly outweighs mine though.
Michael I prefer behind the shoulder as well and if that's working for you with the bullet you're using then just keep doing what you're doing. But if you ever change bullets and have any issues just try what Joey was suggesting.
Thanks. I still have a lot to learn to learn about filming but I'm trying to improve my videos visually along with trying to imrpove my content. So it's nice when someone notices.
The .243 Win is a superb cartridge for all deer. A decent 100 Gr. hunting bullet put through the boiler room of any deer is a lethal shot. Personally, I aim just behind the shoulder or just a smidge into the shoulder, about one third of the way up the trunk. It takes out lung and heart. If the deer runs, it doesn't get far. The biggest mule deer buck I shot ran about 35-40 yards in the few seconds before it collapsed. I don't use my .243 for moose or elk but several successful hunters I know do just that. They get close, wait for a good opportunity on a boiler room shot and down it goes.
I started out with a 30-06 as my 1st gun. My .243 has killed more deer than any other. For me its the perfect deer gun. I reload and a 95 grain Nosler with 40.7 grain H414 or 100 grain Hornady with 44 grains RL 22 are my go to bullets and powders for deer. But bullet placement, bullet performance does it all. My shot placement I call it the hot dog bun area from the heart up. DRT dead right there.
In 1964, I was hunting with my Dad in the Davis mountains, Texas. A 10 point muley flush across a ravine running up hill across the mountain. I shot him running, the slug pierced his lung/ heart and did not come out the other side. About 300 yards, luck shot, but I got him. My first buck, I still have his rack. Im now 77. Browning bolt action .243/ 100 gr.
Love this video 243 is awesome, now I use a 250 savage 100 gr core lokt which is almost exactly same as the 243. Both are awesome rounds and work perfectly. Thanks for you video. APPRECIATE IT
Damn this was good! I love the idea of using a light, small bore, cost effective rifle but the internet seems to be mostly hate in that direction. This was extremely helpful. Thanks!
I'm glad it was useful. And you're right about the internet hating on small bores which is why I brought my friend Joey on for this one. I've seen him take way to many deer with a 243 over the years to have any doubts about it's effectiveness.
Got myself a new savage axis 2 xp 243 winchester and im happy i got a great rifle. 1moa and under for sure with 80 grain gmx hornady outfitters ammo. The rifle came with a weaver kaspa 3x9x40 scope and its perfect for this savage rifle. Ill use my 243 for deer and elk . Ive seen elk drop in 1 shot with 243. Might as well put away the 30.06 centurion until moose season.
I have hunted with savage rifles for 25 years... I have some gmx loaded but use the sst. Very similar to the partition.. it's my go to bullet... mine will shoot a ragged hole at 100
Amen on shot placement. I pass on about five before squeezing-off. Im 'choicy'. (And that's with an '06) The .243 Winchester is next ,deer/coyote combo. Agree on the 'target within the target' concept. Thank you friends ! 🙏🇺🇸
My younger brother shot this cartridge in a Remington 700 BDL Varmint barrel rifle. It was a true tackdriver and In short, he was deadly with it. He utilized the diminutive .243 work in anything from cutovers to heavy timber and made it work perfectly. I was not present, but a group of hunters he hunted with recalled a story after a successful hunt involving my brother and his Remington 700. A doe broke across an open beanfield at full tilt at a range of about 300 meters. They had all their rifles laid out on the back of a bed of the truck they were in and one of the guys bet my brother he could hit that running doe at that range. By this time the doe was nearly across the beanfield to the safety of the adjacent woodline. Needless to say, he accepted the challenge grabbed his trusty rifle, threw his coat over the hood of the truck placed his rifle down over it, and calmly took aim. He rolled the doe up at a distance of about 375 meters with one clean shot. Later in life, my brother let one of the older gentlemen in that group talk him into selling his rifle chambered in the .243W. He said it was one of his greatest regrets.
I've never owned a .243 but my first big game rifle was a 6mm Remington. I bought the rifle to hunt elk and can't imagine anyone believing it's not enough rifle to deer hunt. That rifle works well on elk.
Good topic and video and yes a .243 is quite adequate for deer. 2 points had me scratching my head a bit . One is I get not wanting to have a big tracking job but buy taking out both shoulders you ruin a huge amount of meat , it is stew or burger meat but why destroy so much of your harvest when you do not have to , Straight up from the front leg and a few inches behind will cause no major meat loss and they never go far with any centerfire at a reasonable range. The .243 expands just fine with out hitting bones or major mussel mass , a classic lung shot will give proper performance, mushrooming with 100 gr soft points and recovery will not be hard or long.
This is a topic that has been discussed for decades. I was actually reading in Jack O'Connor's book "The Hunting Rifle" about this exact topic which I thought was fascinating that this has been an issue for so long. And he preferred behind the shoulder in the lungs as well and that's the shot I've always preferred. But Jack also talked about something I've mentioned a lot in the past and that's bullets that expand rapidly vs tougher bullets that penetrate better. If you shoot deer behind the shoulder with a bullet that doesn't expand you will very likely loose it. I also talked about the problems we had with the 270 Winchester in the past when ammo manufactures made changes and all of a sudden the bullet weren't expanding like they should. The very first deer Joey ever shot was with a 270win behind the shoulder and in the lungs. He never found that deer and he immediately changed to shooting them in the shoulder and that's why he prefers that shot placement to this day.
A few years back , I bought 100 grain round nose Hornady bullets to reload in my 6mm Remington. They performed very well on every deer that I’ve harvested. I use these sparingly because Hornady does not make them anymore. I wish they did. I’m hoping to harvest a black bear with them someday. Love all of your videos Tom , thanks.
Joey mentioned picking a spot on the shoulder. Well I can relate as with my 243 I put 3 shots inside a dime at 100 yards. Thanks to low recoil that made a .38 inch group with an off-the rack, Stevens 200 with no accutrigger and no accustock, possible.
Guys, I really needed to watch this! Being left handed and recently needing to purchase a deer rifle, let's just say there wasn't alot of readily available options locally for me. I always hunted with a 270 with great success, but that gun has been long gone unfortunately. Sure, I could have bought a right handed gun in just about every caliber out there and still killed some critters. But I think you'd agree with me when I say I'm left handed therefore I should have a left handed gun! I'm very sold on bolt action rifles for the obvious reasons why they are so popular. So anyhow, I recently found a left handed Ruger in 243. I wasn't having buyers remorse, but I did get to wondering if I rushed my purchase a bit. Now I will admit, im a little concerned with the availability of 243 ammo these days and was a bit surprised on the price but it's certainly not a end all situation by any means. I'm sure I can find some around town once I check around. I have a buddy who can get hand loads in just about every caliber from pistol cartridges to rifles. So I need to reprogram my shooting memory..... shoulder shoulder shoulder! Seriously, thank you for this video! I feel much better now. By the way, you can add another to your subscriber numbers! Most importantly, God bless you guys and have a good deer season.
243 is a great caliber......taken deer with my BAR 243 using Winchester 100 grain PP bullets. Does a nice job....tip: shot placement is key as well as type of bullet. I also have taken deer with 25-06, low recoil, flat shooting ....does a nice job on deer.
I have always thought 243 was a perfect choice for a BAR? The point of a semi auto is to get quick follow up shots and I can't think of any cartridge that would give you quicker follow up shots in a BAR. And my friend Joey just got a 25/06. I can't wait to see how that does on deer.
At 200yds and closer, every centerfire caliber is lethal on deer-sized game and the lighter recoiling rounds make total sense. If you're hunting out to 300-400yds, a more powerful round can be used to lesson the trajectory drop, or, if you're hunting a much larger animal. When I was a beginning hunter I chose the good Ol' 30-06 because everyone else had one. I've since swapped to the 7x57; the recoil is easier and the deer are just as dead. My caveat is that if you're traveling and your ammo doesn't show up, using the '06 or the 375H&H means the local stores probably have what you need. Always ask your PH what are the commonly used calibers in their area and use one of those. Your rifle with NO ammo won't be very useful...
@Paul Simmons You have to reach out further than 3 to 400 yards with a 243 to be concerned about bullet drop. The 243 has less drop at 3 & 400 than even the flat shooting 6.5 creedmoor Check out these bullet drop numbers... (w/200yd Zero) 243 @300yd with 90gr ELD 6.1" 6.5 @ 300yd with 143gr ELD 7.9" 243 @400yd with 90gr ELD 18" 6.5 @400yd with 143gr ELD 22.4"
I own two 243 rifles, and they are adequate for average deer at moderate ranges. Problem is, up here in Canada, a 243 is going to feel pretty small when you're looking through the scope at a 300+ pound whitetail on the far side of the quarter section you're hunting, with just a few minutes of light left. For that kind of work, I take my 270 or 7mm RMag, thanks.
Our deer tend to run a but smaller. LOL Our deer can get to around 250lbs but that's rare for us and it's mainly because the vast majority of our bucks never reach full maturity. It's amazing how efficient we've gotten at killing deer these days and if you combine that with a lack of proper management you end up with a lot of small deer.
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving I know, Tom...I've hunted in Texas, and our alfalfa fed whitetail does up here dwarf any buck I saw down there. A 100 grain bullet out of a 243 is marginal for a mature buck at long range in crappy shooting conditions (cold, dark and windy). Under 200 yards, sure a 243 is dope, but I'd be just as confident at that distance with my hot loaded 45-70 lever gun. Problem is, these bucks get that big by not ever presenting themselves for a 200 yard shot...LOL!
Took my wife hunting this past rifle season, she shot a nice 6 point with a 243, using 100 grain Federal power shok ammo. I’ve got a bunch of speer boat tail soft point bullets to handload for it, also 100 grainers. That’s really all I need to be happy with it, that rifle has a twist rate that likes the heavier weights better than the lighter ones
I load my own and deer hunt with BARNES Bullets. It doesn’t matter shoulder or heart/lungs it works. Behind the shoulder and it looks like someone ran a boat propeller inside. On the shoulder it will go right on through. I have only found a couple of petals and NEVER found a bullet. I hunt from 22-250 through 308, not counting my 45/70.
.243 is a great round. I knew some people in school who hunted with .243 and .270. Here on youtube is a guy called deermeatfordinner and he dropped a mule deer with his beloved 6.5 Creedmoor. Fraction of the recoil of a .308 win but placed right and it does the job. Impact energy is impact energy. You could have a high sped low weight bullet equal a slower and heavier one. KE = 1/2(mv^2).
Hunting in NC I had a friend that would hunt with us that used a .243, I hunted with 30.06 and use to kid her about using a "Baby Rifle" but the truth of the matter was she took as many deer as we did, equally as well...having said that, most of our shots were under a couple of hundred yards and many a lot closer....thick pine forest and swamp....most from tree stands. I have no problem with smaller calibers until you start trying to use them at longer ranges where I personally do not think they deliver the necessary energy, especially for game the size of elk, bear and such. It also depends on the bullet you use...for me you cant beat a Nosler Partition .... Another great video...and a necessary one....thanks.
Thanks Lee for mentioning that. We meant to have covered that exact point in the video and that is something we all agree on. The comment from JDB Outdoors is Joey in the video. Those 100gr bullets work great in normal hunting ranges for most people but they start loosing energy fast after after 200 yards. They can take deer past that but shot placement gets more and more critical and at the same time it's getting harder and harder to place the shot as precisely as you get further and further out. So if Joey say's 250 yard max for him then that's what I would go by.
I came back to this video because it has great information. I only do shoulder shots. A friend he only has 6mm creedmoor atm so i am loading him 95 barnes lrx and 90 swift sirrocco. Hes taking a cow elk. So i chose tougher bullets than is normal eldx.
I think the toughest part of hunting is figuring out the shot placement for your particular rifle and bullet. Once a person does that it's just a matter of pulling the trigger and getting your game. I don't think we mentioned it in the video but Joey lost the very first deer he ever shot. He shot it behind the shoulder with a 270 Win. Had he shot it in the shoulder I doubt he would have ever got a .243? But in my case I have had great success with behind the shoulder shots but that's with much slower heavier bullets. It's just a matter of match the shot placement to bullet being used.
Tom...On a Antelope trip to WY...stopped at a place to eat in SD...It had about ten trophy Mulies on the wall...I asked the owner what he used? the 243 on all of them!
Wonderful video! I shoot a Little REM model 7 in 308 and it’s a gun that just naturally shoulders and shoots right where I’m looking. I have tried other guns and calibers but I can’t seem to get comfortable with them 🤷🏼♂️. Either way I still have not lost any deer to this day 🙂Happy Thanksgiving!!
It's a great cartridge and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. You can loose a deer with it if you make a bad shot but you'll lose deer with any rifle if you make a bad shot and the .243 makes it a lot easier for most people not to make a bad shot. It is an excellent first deer rifle and it's still an excellent rifle even after hunting for over 30 years. It's one of the cartridges that just works.
An old timer recommended a high shoulder shot with the.243/6mm, I used it once and never went back to behind the shoulder. Half a hand full of lungs and a wrecked spine !
I got one for my wife 20 plus years ago, and learned I was way more accurate myself with it. Our whole family switched to it after results of not losing a deer from 25 to 400 yards. My 15 year old son took a doe and a trophy better than I ever took at 296 yards. We use 95 or 100 grain bullets in ballistic tip or soft points. This year with shortages, my son reloaded ballistic tips at max velocity. After his results, he isn’t asking for bigger calibers. We put the bullets behind the shoulders. The shock wave on his doe actually broke its back. We fooled the crease up from the shoulder just like you were bow hunting.
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving it has turned into our favorite caliber in western Oklahoma where shots can be 25 yards or 400. It removes the flinch factor that 270 or bigger calibers may create. It drops them better than bigger calibers, maybe because the way the bullet creates a shockwave. I have had deer run 400 yards with same placement from a 270 on close shots. I have also had a heart shot with no expansion using a 220 grain 7.62 x 54r run 75 yards.
I started hurting when i was 6 years old 37 now my go to is 243 never lost a deer let a few walk because i couldn't get a shot and was not about to chance it
I just shot my first deer with a 243,this year 2022,and it put it down,small bullet but good killing power,I mostly use 30.06 or .270.now I trust the 243 to get job done also.
I have several different calibers and I like all of them but I always scout where I'm going to hunt ,to see what is beyond where I'm shooting ,alot of times I take my 44 mag or 450 ,if I got a lot of space I use my 243 thanks for posting keep shooting bro
I’ve been deer hunting with a 243 since I was 15(I’m 29 now) and I have a lot of larger calibers.. but honestly I’ve never had an issue with 243. I like that little round
You put that 243 behind the shoulder and you won't have to worry either. And you won't have to throw away any blood shot shoulders. I've seen it done time after time. 243 is a fine little deer round.
I'm currently culling deer for a landowner that lets me hunt for free. I've taken 15 deer in the last two weeks with my .243. Ranges from 75-325. Every single one was DRT. that's on top of the dozens of others I've taken with that rifle. My best was a 6x8 at 375 yards. He ran 50 yards before collapsing. The 95gr SST is fantastic. I know people say the .243 is better suited for women and children, but that never made any sense to me. Sure, men are typically less sensitive to recoil. But the deer can't tell how well you can handle recoil! If a cartridge fired from a child will kill a deer, it's not going to magically stop working when put in the hands of a full grown man. Now lately I've been using a Springfield Waypoint in 6mm Creedmoor. I'll say that I prefer it over my .243 because it does have a little more ass in it, and the rifle is insanely light and accurate. But the .243 will always be a favorite of mine, and I'll always have one in the safe.
There's no argument that with any caliber, it's about bullet placement. Plenty of deer are harvested each year with .223 and .243, but we went away from it because it doesn't leave much of a blood trail. The majority of the hunters I know shoot .270 for that reason and many are going to the 6.5 Creedmoor. One of my friends will only use 30/06 on our small deer because he doesn't want to track....too much recoil for me to shoot regularly. Florida is very thick and I don't want to ruin meat so I go for the double lung instead of the high shoulder shot...I need a blood trail!!
And that's exactly why I'm not a fan of the .223 for deer. It can certainly kill one but like you said there is very little blood. My friend Joey prefers the shoulder but like you I favor the double lung and I want a blood trail as well. And something I didn't really get into in this video but the .243 can make an impressive exit wound with a double lung shot but it takes a rapidly expanding bullet like a hollow point to do it, but good hunting hollow points are tough to find these days.
With all the new powders and bullets being produced today there's really no need for magnum type cartridges in 90percent of the hunting situations that still are prevalent as they were a hundred years ago is there a place for them? Sure but not in most hunting situations thanks for all the input on this classic cartridge that's even more viable today than when it was produced
I suspect Joey will be on again in the future. We've been friends since high school and we've always bounced ideas off of each other and talked hunting and fishing. And I think he enjoyed it.
I have shot a lot of animals with a 243. Jackal, Springbuck, Blesbuck, Warthog, Blue Wildebeest etc. With the right bullet it punches above its weight class. We culled Springbuck with a 243 during a drought and shot 79 in 3 days, we used 82 rounds for everything. I will stick with my 243 and 30-06 for everything in Africa outside of the Big 5.
Thanks for sharing that Niel. I really like what you said about the .243 punching above it's weight class and that's something I just don't think many people realize.
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving If you have the time to answer my question it would be great. Do you have any thoughts on the 6mm SLR? I am considering rebarreling my Sako model 75 to 6mm SLR. It is supposed to extend the barrel life of a 243Win and the one I shot was incredibly accurate. Thank you once again for the great videos.
I don't know what anybody else thinks but I started deer hunting with a 6 mm Remington (the Remington 243.) My son used my 6 mm when he first started deer hunting. My granddaughter (his daughter) took two deer this season. With proper placement the 243 will take Whitetail without any problem.
My brother in law borrowed a .243 from a friend to go after Mulies in Alberta. He sat on a bluff and out walked out a really husky buck. Well, he brought the .243 to his shoulder and cracked that buck. The deer took 3 or 4 steps and down it went. The lungs were all over the snow it was amazing. He actually wanted to buy that rifle but the owner told him to pound sand and that was that. He had to buy his own. Great deer cartridge. People are running around spouting about hunting deer with their AR's in .223 there is obviously no reason a .243 wouldn't kill one.
From New Zealand Tom hunter from childhood love your content and presentation your like me country boy tell it as it is. Have taken a lot of Different Deer from Reds , Sika and Fellow. Pigs Goats Possums ferrel cats. Really like this on the 243 85gr. have a Howa 1500 love shooting it, but my main battle wagon would be the 25-06 117gr. and my 30-06 125gr. Keep up the channel mate really love your presentation and content Cheers and Beers from New Zealand.
Thanks Darryl, I really appreciate that! And I have to say I'm a little jealous of the hunting y'all have down your way. I've heard it was great but I didn't realize you had that many deer species.
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving No Tags require Tom deer in NZ are regarded as a pests shoot as many as you can carry. or relay carry on a good day. Other species Wapiti, these are like your elk, Samba these are big fellas big spreads huge animals, Antelope Tar, and Chamois high in the alps, use my 280AI for these always long shots up to 700mtrs then two days walk to retrieve. Thats the Southern A Boy I'mCheers to you Tom
Thank you Tom, this was a very informative video. Although I have hunted Pheasant and other upland birds, Deer hunting is new to me. I have an old Winchester Model 70 in .243 that I enjoy shooting and plan to take White Tail hunting this year. It’s good to hear how effective the .243 is for Deer hunting. Thanks again Tom and congratulations on hitting 1000 subscribers. Stay well.
I’m glad to see .243 getting the recognition it deserves for the cartridge it is and not just as a “youth cartridge”. It truly is a fine round.
My old hunting buddy hunted with a 6mm rem for 30 years and never lost a deer. Sadly he passed away in 2010, but I use that rifle now and it continues to take deer. Thank you for the great videos!
“Don’t let people get in your head.......” what a quote! Not just for deer hunting but for life. Thank you gents for a great edit. 🦌👊🏻
Easy to say but a lot tougher to do sometimes. Glad you enjoyed.
Don’t let them live rent free in there
I live and hunt in Saskatchewan - home of the largest whitetail deer on the planet - and we shoot truckloads of deer (and even the odd moose) with the .243. Aim behind the shoulder, use a heavy for caliber bullet and it's meat in the freezer. We shoot nothing in the shoulders as it simply just wastes meat. A bullet through the heart and lungs expands violently - whether ribs are hit or not. Our bullets of choice in the .243 are the 100 grain Nosler Partitions or 100 grain Speer Grand Slams. Quite a few of our moose have fallen to a 105 grain Speer Hotcor. All tough bullets that will penetrate even through difficult angles and will often leave a nice sized exit wound.
After almost 60 years of hunting and have the money to buy almost any gun I wanted or ever needed that being said the 243 will kill deer size game my wife’s cousin even killed a big 6 point bull elk on her first elk hunt but that doesn’t it would be my first choice with so many other calibers to choose from these days! I think the 243 is better left to the woman and kids!
And on the larger deer and game I think that behind the shoulder shot is the way to go. We just had a problem here with the fast bullets penceling small deer and just zipping right through them. That's a point I whish I had brought up. Thanks for sharing that.
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving load>>cartridge. A .243 can do almost anything if loaded with the right bullet for the intended range and use and shot to the correct location. Karamojo took elephants with a 7x57. Not sure why so many feel we need a 30 caliber anything really for hunting.
@@G5Hohn And that's why I wanted to do this video. I love the 30 calibers but there are a lot of great small bores that will get the job done also.
@@ethanabrams6250 strange logic...you just said the .243 will get the job done, and there's ample proof. So why leave it to "the women and kids"? If you think it's borderline ineffective, I'd say it's for the expert, not the child.
I’ve been deer hunting for over 55 years. My go to rifle is my 243. I also have a great 30-06 for shooting longer ranges but find I just don’t need it very often. As I’m in my 70 now I tend to notice the recoil more than I used to.
Thank you both for setting the record straight. I have a Rem model 788 in 243 that my father bought me for my 12th birthday in 1972. I shot it with iron sights for years until I could finally afford a scope. He would me give two cartridges to hunt with. His philosophy was " you're only shooting one deer you only need one shot". I've always used the same shot placement as Joey, Never lost one. As for the cartridge, the gun will shoot sub MOA with bullets no matter what color box they come from, green, gray or red. The key is "make the shot". 90% of the deer I've taken have been inside 100 yards, I've never even tried beyond 200. It's not that I can't, it's that I won't. Good hunters get close. I don't understand this rage about "long range hunting". To me there is no such thing. God bless.
And BTW, It's still my "go to" gun.
Nice rifle! I hope to add a 788 to my collection one day? Those are highly underrated rifles and I haven't heard of one yet that wouldn't shoot good.
Very good philosophy. I also got a 243 about the same year in a model 99 Savage with a brass rotary magazine. I would still have it, but it was stolen when our home was burglarized. I can't emphasize enough how the 243 gives you confidence when hunting deer.
Ive been using my .243 for close to 35 years. Never lost a deer. My grandad taught me exactly whats been discussed here. Put it in their shourlder and anchor them. I met an old guy in Alaska when i was 21 and he only owned a .243. He said hes killed caribou, sheep & moose. I couldnt belive it when he said Moose but it was backed up by a few guys that knew him. Its all about shot placement. Aim Small, Miss Small.
243 is a fine medium game cartridge. It is the caliber I bought my oldest nephew for his first rifle.
Seen success with this caliber on black bear, deer and hogs. Also had a buddy from work, that used 243 growing up in Colorado for Elk, using his Grandpa's hand rolled Nosler partition load.
Heard a guy say once that he thought the 243 made better hunters, due to the lighter recoil not beating folks up. I tend to agree.
Good luck in the woods this season
"Heard a guy say once that he thought the 243 made better hunters, due to the lighter recoil not beating folks up. I tend to agree."
I would have to agree! I just came back from a range session trying to sight in two rifles chambered for 270 Win. I was testing three types of ammo Winchester Power Point 150 gr, Browning BXC 145 gr and Federal Non-Typical 150 gr. I wanted to see which of the three rounds gave me the best groups with each rifle and also to zero the scope 1.5 inches high at 100 yds. By the time I was done I had a giant black and blue bruise on my entire shoulder. Time to reach into my gun cabinet and setup one of my 243 Win rifles. Where I live deer don't get much bigger than 150 pounds and that's a rarity so for the smaller game typical of my area the 243 win is enough gun! I will leave the 270 Win for hunting trips out west.
@@caseroj6020 Exactly. Another solid point is if you have some distances to reach out to. The 243 will serve you better than a 30-30. While I love the dirty thirty. It is a caliber I limit to 150 yards. I would double that distance for the 243.
Also Juan, if you are after Whitetail, Antelope and Hog size game. There are a few manufacturers that do reduced recoil loads for a number of calibers. I have a feeling 270 would be among them. Not like we have our pick and choose of ammo right now 😆
Just something to keep an eye out for.
Excellent video. I have always loved the 243. Low recoil makes practicing fun. No flinching.
And because of what you just said I think the .243 is the perfect cartridge for developing shooting fundamentals. And for helping to maintain those fundamentals!
Excellent video! I’ve seen around 30 deer shot with 243 and a lot of groundhogs & crows as well and one thing I wish you would have mentioned is bullet weight. I’ve used from 60 grains for varmits to 100 grains and eventually decided you are better off to use 100 grains for everything. Shoots as accurately, bucks wind better, in practical terms just as flat shooting and you learn how much it drops. It’s the best weight for deer especially. My experience at least. Thanks for the great videos!
Exactly right! I wouldn't shoot crows with a 243 as you must be independently wealthy! I recently found out that my old Ruger 77 is actually a 1 in 9" twist unlike most factory 243 rifles which I understand were 1 in 10” twist?
Owned it for 40 years and am just now finding out that bit of information. Anyway, it shoots 103gr bullets like into a quarter at 200yds! Won't shoot 80grainers in a dinner plate at 100yds, so I figured why fight something that works?
I am 70 years old and an avid handgunner. I am considering giving deer hunting a try. I have viewed many, many videos on the subject in order to learn as much as I can about the sport. Believe me when I say that you two gentlemen in this one video have provided me with the most solid information I could have asked for. Joey, you are class personified. thank you both.
I just got a 243 BRNO zkk601 from my grandfather and man i am happy i found this video all the way from South Africa
I know this is a very late comment, but I hunt with both 243 and Rem 6mm and have never had any issues with getting my deer. Both shoot 1/2 MOA and if you take aim at a soot, like Joey said, you’ll hit that spot and the deer won’t go very far at all. Picking the right spot is the key, but you guys covered that pretty well in this video too. Thanks
Which one do you like better?
Thank you Tom for letting me be involved hope this helps people.
It seems like everyone appreciated your opinion on this!
Helped me big time sir! I subscribed to your channel as well. God bless you sir!
@@andrewlyon4692 thank you I am glad that the information was useful.may god bless you and have a safe hunting season.
Enjoyed the talk y’all! I’ve hunted with the 243 for several years now and have really enjoyed it! Deer either drop or don’t go far, keep up the good work!
I have taken around 30 white tails in my life, a few California black tails, wild pigs and coyotes with the .243. All had the same reaction , DRT. Farthest shot on a whitetail was lasered at 370 yards, bullet didn’t pass through, but still mushroomed perfectly deer fell after three slow steps.
Thank you! Very good video. I use a 257 Roberts & a 243 Win. and found them to be sufficient for deer.
Great video! Thank you for your insight. The problem I have with some of these rounds like .243 are hunters who hunt elk as much or more than deer, you limit yourself in effective range. In the Rockies 400 yard shots are not uncommon and slightly bigger rounds help make a humane kill. But 200 yards or less it’s a non-issue. For hunters who rarely go up to elk, .243 is perfect. If you do larger game more often, why not give yourself the best chance of a quick humane kill? But we’re talking deer, antelope, or coyote, .243 is the perfect round.
Great discussion. 243 is Absolutely a great caliber for deer. And you guys are right. Shot placement is critical, no matter which caliber you choose. I wouldn't shoot deer with anything smaller than 243 tho. Some folks do, but for someone that's looking for their first deer rifle, and just getting into hunting, I wouldn't recommend it. If they ask, I always say 243 or larger.
And that's where I stand on that also. The 243 is a great cartridge for deer but I wouldn't go any smaller.
.243 for me! I’ve been aiming behind the shoulder but y’all have convinced me to move over a little to the shoulder👍🦌
Mr. Tom, Thank you for speaking the truth on bullet construction and shot placement. Being in a hunting club for years in Mississippi I myself have witnessed this! You and Mr. Joey nailed it!! Turns out that Jack O'Conner and Elmer Keith were both right!!
And thank you for your kind words.
Congratulations Tom on the 1000 subscribers. That is quite an accomplishment. Look forward to many more videos. P.s. I'm 80 as of Jan. 6 this year. Still hunting, still looking forward to next season.
Thanks Robert. And I have to say this little channel has really been growing since then. We're over 3,000 now. I guess there are some other people out there still interested in old hunting rifles and the coming deer season as well?
And I have to hurry up and finish the a3 and FN because as I'm sure you know all to well season will be here before we know it!
Another great video Tom. I have my 2 teenage boys shooting .308's and have had great success. I have gone back to a 303 British myself and am really enjoying it.
I'm glad you enjoyed it, and the 308's are really good but there is just something special about the old 303.
I watched this again, and kudos on all the great tips. My Son, Levi, uses a .243 and he has done excellent on whitetails using Federal Blue Box 100 grain.
Thank you for doing this! I have no idea where this trend of needing bigger and bigger calibers to take game is coming from. Shot deer with everything from a 300WM to a long bow and processed enough to see that deer just aren't that tough honestly. Same thing happened with 308 as 243, listen to the internet and you'd think a 308 would just bounce right off and elk or moose. But ill keep using my smaller calibers that I shoot good and work year after year for me, everyone else can keep their super ultra mega magnums. Good video keep it up 👍
And thank you for your comments!
I actually downsized to a Tikka 243 from my Browning 270.....deer still fall like my 270....again, shot placement is key
When I was younger very few hunters had magnum rifles. My first big game rifle was my 6mm Remington. My father was a gunsmith and neither he nor I ever even considered it wasn't a large enough caliber to harvest elk, and any time I was lucky enough to place an elk in the crosshairs it had no problem creating an ethical kill.
Was talking to a sales person in a hunting sports shop in NZ and he told me a lot of hunters over here are going for 223 for deer hunting,though the most common caliber is 308 or 270
I see no reason a 223 couldn't ethically take deer (even Northern deer like here that are substantially bigger) with the proper bullet, placement, and within a reasonable range. I've watched a close family member shoot 3 deer one year with 30-06 and couldn't find a single one, no blood nothing. His 4th one I was with him and knew he made a good shot (only 30 yards away or so), same thing as before no blood whatsoever but we managed to find this one. It had an entrance but no exit wound. Turns out he was shooting neighbors reloads and they accidentally gave him some varmint bullets and they were just exploding on impact. Moral of the story is, bullet construction trumps caliber in most cases. Big 30-06 with varmint bullets vs a little 223 with a Barnes bullet... I'll take the 223 any day of the week
100 gr, 100 gr. 100 gr!!! That is what everyone seems to think you need to use for deer size game with the 243 Win.
Bullets are so much better today than what we had years ago. I load for my 243 using the Barnes 80 gr TTSX and it is devastating. I have always used the high shoulder shot as I don’t want to track the animal.
Update from my comment last year watching this videos. My 243 anchored 3 deer in three shots, a shoulder shot at 70 yards, a 120 yard neck shot and a high shoulder shot at almost 150 yards. No regrets on the 243!
May I ask what grain and brand bullet you use.
Good video guys 👍 refreshing to hear from men with genuine experience.
Thank you very much for that.
I agree I shoot a 6mm rem / 244 killed over a hundred plus deer- this is my 50th year shooting that gun although I have others it’s my go to gun bullet placement is everything Let’s keep the 243 and 6mm rem. Alive they are great guns thanks for the vid👍
I’ve owned 4 of them . Model 70 featherweight, Savage model 14 , Tika lightweight, all bolts. Currently a Browning Bar MK 3 Stalker . Great cartridge , also own a model 70 22.250 win. Light recoil , fun to shoot . Confidence and practice make for good bullet placement . Great information and informative. Best wishes , to all .
Debating over the best deer caliber is an inherent part of hunting traditions and an utmost controversial activity ! To me it's undoubtedly the .243 : low recoil, flat trajectory, high velocity, powerful enough terminal energy and perfect accuracy ! I'm not narrow minded, I've got .308 and 223, but my 243 rifle is my go-to rifle, fills in the grap between those 2 calibers, is very versatile et above all extremely effective and fun to shoot !
This kind of information is priceless. Great video!
Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
experience. i grew up on 243 and 270, im 40 now. but i can remember, as a kid, hitting the high shoulder and remembering how it dropped deer, and using it every time. so that is the best shot placement, for a 243 or any caliber.
For deer 🦌 i consider the 243 more than adequate, probably because I've seen mulies, pronghorn, aoudad, pigs, Caribou AND elk killed with a243. -- my 243! Just have to keep my distances reasonable and I don't blow thru elk/Caribou shoulders but gets the job done
Used one for many years. It was my first rifle in Winchester model 88
All I ever used was 100grain Remington corelokts
And those 100 grain corlokts is what Joey used for many years. Great bullets for deer.
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving
Anything under or at 300 yards there is no need to buy bullets that cost twice as much when corelokts been killing deer for 100 years. Lol
I use to think the. 243 was for kids, ladies and wimps until my wife started taking boar with her Pre-GARCIA SAKO Deluxe. 243 and 100 grain bullets. I was impressed shooting it enough to get myself a Pre-64 Model 70 Featherweight .243 and killed boar with mine. I was impressed and, now it's a real favorite. Never figured it would happen, but it did, by the way, one shot kills as well. Also shoulder shots too.
I wouldn't call it the perfect choice but it's capable. 7mm/08 is as low as I prefer to go but the .243 will do it.
Yes the 243 is excellent caliber. A good shot placement on large game works well.
I have used the 243 for over 50 years deer hunting. It just flat out works!! When I pull the trigger I know there is gonna be a dead deer. I never doubt that. Shot placement is key. Excellent video Mr. Rivers.
Thanks Russell
I have many hunting rifles to choose from but one of my favorites is a youth model Savage Axis 243 with accutrigger. Shoots like a laser and is so light and easy to handle and im 6ft 200 pounds and used a 3006 for many years. Also worth noting the 2 largest bucks my family has ever killed were both taken about 30 years apart with the same 243 rifle by 2 different grown men
Jack O'Connor was like a lot of people , he was highly competitive . The person leading the cheering squad for the .243 when it was first brought out was a man named Warren Page , and Warren just so happened to hold the same position that Jack held ( Shooting Editor ) at Outdoor Life's biggest competitor publication at that time , Sports Afield .
So Jack never warmed up to the .243 the way I think he would have had that not been the case , i.e. he often praised the .250 Savage , and the .243 is basically a better version of that cartridge .
Gun Blue has a very good video on this subject .
BTW , just recently found and subscribed to your channel , I'm really enjoying your common sense material .
Indeed, Mr O’Connor was a fan of the .257 Roberts. I have one now, and can say that the extra 20 grains of bullet is a comfort over the .243’s 100, but heck I’m just grasping at straws.
Full freezers,
Grant H. H.
Actually Jack O Connor was a huge fan and promoter of the 270 Win and used the round on everything! Now you can have a extra 30 grains 😂
I love the 243 with Hornady Interlocks
Those are a great hunting bullet.
That's my load of choice. Hoping my 9 yo boy will harvest a Caribou next weekend with it. Savage model 10 243. 100 grain Hornady Interlock btsp going 2950fps should do the trick.
In the late 60’s my Wyoming hunting guide which has over the years stacked 30 elk and a dozen black bear with a Winchester Model 70 in 243 mainly because he bought the best rifle he had and couldn’t afford another rifle until he bought a 7STW. So out of necessity he only had one rifle. I use a 243 I inherited from my father in law for all my hunting needs in Texas for deer and pig. I also use a 243 for Wisconsin and UP Michigan deer hunts. 243 is big medicine for deer and black bear.
Would love to see a follow up video going over his rifle set up, twist, loads, preferred bullets ect. Be a great video, two cool dudes to learn from
I really enjoy listening to two good ole Southern boys. You guys, or should I say y’all, were spot on. I myself prefer Behind the shoulder even with the .243, your experience vastly outweighs mine though.
Michael I prefer behind the shoulder as well and if that's working for you with the bullet you're using then just keep doing what you're doing. But if you ever change bullets and have any issues just try what Joey was suggesting.
as always an awesome video. i own several 243 rifles. you hit the nail on the head it is shot placement. keep up the great vids.
Thanks!
There now you have a thousand and one subscribers. Great video very informative
Nailed it. “ it is a misinformation age”. By the way Mr River , great editing improvements. Love it .👍also , like the camera angle for change .
Thanks. I still have a lot to learn to learn about filming but I'm trying to improve my videos visually along with trying to imrpove my content. So it's nice when someone notices.
The .243 Win is a superb cartridge for all deer. A decent 100 Gr. hunting bullet put through the boiler room of any deer is a lethal shot. Personally, I aim just behind the shoulder or just a smidge into the shoulder, about one third of the way up the trunk. It takes out lung and heart. If the deer runs, it doesn't get far. The biggest mule deer buck I shot ran about 35-40 yards in the few seconds before it collapsed.
I don't use my .243 for moose or elk but several successful hunters I know do just that. They get close, wait for a good opportunity on a boiler room shot and down it goes.
And that's closer to my normal shot placement. I don’t get heart but I am taking out both lungs and they don't go far.
I started out with a 30-06 as my 1st gun. My .243 has killed more deer than any other. For me its the perfect deer gun. I reload and a 95 grain Nosler with 40.7 grain H414 or 100 grain Hornady with 44 grains RL 22 are my go to bullets and powders for deer. But bullet placement, bullet performance does it all. My shot placement I call it the hot dog bun area from the heart up. DRT dead right there.
In 1964, I was hunting with my Dad in the Davis mountains, Texas. A 10 point muley flush across a ravine running up hill across the mountain. I shot him running, the slug pierced his lung/ heart and did not come out the other side. About 300 yards, luck shot, but I got him. My first buck, I still have his rack. Im now 77. Browning bolt action .243/ 100 gr.
Great shot, story and memory.
Love this video 243 is awesome, now I use a 250 savage 100 gr core lokt which is almost exactly same as the 243. Both are awesome rounds and work perfectly. Thanks for you video. APPRECIATE IT
Damn this was good! I love the idea of using a light, small bore, cost effective rifle but the internet seems to be mostly hate in that direction. This was extremely helpful. Thanks!
I'm glad it was useful. And you're right about the internet hating on small bores which is why I brought my friend Joey on for this one. I've seen him take way to many deer with a 243 over the years to have any doubts about it's effectiveness.
Got myself a new savage axis 2 xp 243 winchester and im happy i got a great rifle. 1moa and under for sure with 80 grain gmx hornady outfitters ammo. The rifle came with a weaver kaspa 3x9x40 scope and its perfect for this savage rifle. Ill use my 243 for deer and elk . Ive seen elk drop in 1 shot with 243. Might as well put away the 30.06 centurion until moose season.
I have hunted with savage rifles for 25 years... I have some gmx loaded but use the sst. Very similar to the partition.. it's my go to bullet... mine will shoot a ragged hole at 100
Amen on shot placement. I pass on about five before squeezing-off. Im 'choicy'. (And that's with an '06) The .243 Winchester is next ,deer/coyote combo. Agree on the 'target within the target' concept. Thank you friends ! 🙏🇺🇸
.243 is an exceptional round !
My younger brother shot this cartridge in a Remington 700 BDL Varmint barrel rifle. It was a true tackdriver and In short, he was deadly with it. He utilized the diminutive .243 work in anything from cutovers to heavy timber and made it work perfectly. I was not present, but a group of hunters he hunted with recalled a story after a successful hunt involving my brother and his Remington 700. A doe broke across an open beanfield at full tilt at a range of about 300 meters. They had all their rifles laid out on the back of a bed of the truck they were in and one of the guys bet my brother he could hit that running doe at that range. By this time the doe was nearly across the beanfield to the safety of the adjacent woodline. Needless to say, he accepted the challenge grabbed his trusty rifle, threw his coat over the hood of the truck placed his rifle down over it, and calmly took aim. He rolled the doe up at a distance of about 375 meters with one clean shot. Later in life, my brother let one of the older gentlemen in that group talk him into selling his rifle chambered in the .243W. He said it was one of his greatest regrets.
I've never owned a .243 but my first big game rifle was a 6mm Remington. I bought the rifle to hunt elk and can't imagine anyone believing it's not enough rifle to deer hunt. That rifle works well on elk.
Late to see this.Totally agree with the Expert Friend of yours.
God Bless Ya All
Right Bullet in Right Spot
Absolutely!
Good topic and video and yes a .243 is quite adequate for deer.
2 points had me scratching my head a bit .
One is I get not wanting to have a big tracking job but buy taking out both shoulders you ruin a huge amount of meat , it is stew or burger meat but why destroy so much of your harvest when you do not have to , Straight up from the front leg and a few inches behind will cause no major meat loss and they never go far with any centerfire at a reasonable range.
The .243 expands just fine with out hitting bones or major mussel mass , a classic lung shot will give proper performance, mushrooming with 100 gr soft points and recovery will not be hard or long.
This is a topic that has been discussed for decades. I was actually reading in Jack O'Connor's book "The Hunting Rifle" about this exact topic which I thought was fascinating that this has been an issue for so long. And he preferred behind the shoulder in the lungs as well and that's the shot I've always preferred. But Jack also talked about something I've mentioned a lot in the past and that's bullets that expand rapidly vs tougher bullets that penetrate better. If you shoot deer behind the shoulder with a bullet that doesn't expand you will very likely loose it. I also talked about the problems we had with the 270 Winchester in the past when ammo manufactures made changes and all of a sudden the bullet weren't expanding like they should. The very first deer Joey ever shot was with a 270win behind the shoulder and in the lungs. He never found that deer and he immediately changed to shooting them in the shoulder and that's why he prefers that shot placement to this day.
A few years back , I bought 100 grain round nose Hornady bullets to reload in my 6mm Remington. They performed very well on every deer that I’ve harvested. I use these sparingly because Hornady does not make them anymore. I wish they did. I’m hoping to harvest a black bear with them someday. Love all of your videos Tom , thanks.
I can see where that round nose would be a great bullet in a 6mm. It's a shame a they quite making them.
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving The 100 grain round nose was the only heavy for caliber bullet the old .244 Remington would stabilize.
Joey mentioned picking a spot on the shoulder. Well I can relate as with my 243 I put 3 shots inside a dime at 100 yards. Thanks to low recoil that made a .38 inch group with an off-the rack, Stevens 200 with no accutrigger and no accustock, possible.
243 is pretty sweet because it can be a dual purpose varmint and deer rifle. Unlike the 6.5 creedmoor which is stuck with heavy bullet weights.
Guys, I really needed to watch this! Being left handed and recently needing to purchase a deer rifle, let's just say there wasn't alot of readily available options locally for me. I always hunted with a 270 with great success, but that gun has been long gone unfortunately. Sure, I could have bought a right handed gun in just about every caliber out there and still killed some critters. But I think you'd agree with me when I say I'm left handed therefore I should have a left handed gun! I'm very sold on bolt action rifles for the obvious reasons why they are so popular. So anyhow, I recently found a left handed Ruger in 243. I wasn't having buyers remorse, but I did get to wondering if I rushed my purchase a bit. Now I will admit, im a little concerned with the availability of 243 ammo these days and was a bit surprised on the price but it's certainly not a end all situation by any means. I'm sure I can find some around town once I check around. I have a buddy who can get hand loads in just about every caliber from pistol cartridges to rifles. So I need to reprogram my shooting memory..... shoulder shoulder shoulder! Seriously, thank you for this video! I feel much better now.
By the way, you can add another to your subscriber numbers! Most importantly, God bless you guys and have a good deer season.
243 is a great caliber......taken deer with my BAR 243 using Winchester 100 grain PP bullets. Does a nice job....tip: shot placement is key as well as type of bullet. I also have taken deer with 25-06, low recoil, flat shooting ....does a nice job on deer.
I have always thought 243 was a perfect choice for a BAR? The point of a semi auto is to get quick follow up shots and I can't think of any cartridge that would give you quicker follow up shots in a BAR.
And my friend Joey just got a 25/06. I can't wait to see how that does on deer.
The 25/06 is my favorite deer cartridge!!! It’s never let me down
At 200yds and closer, every centerfire caliber is lethal on deer-sized game and the lighter recoiling rounds make total sense. If you're hunting out to 300-400yds, a more powerful round can be used to lesson the trajectory drop, or, if you're hunting a much larger animal. When I was a beginning hunter I chose the good Ol' 30-06 because everyone else had one. I've since swapped to the 7x57; the recoil is easier and the deer are just as dead.
My caveat is that if you're traveling and your ammo doesn't show up, using the '06 or the 375H&H means the local stores probably have what you need. Always ask your PH what are the commonly used calibers in their area and use one of those. Your rifle with NO ammo won't be very useful...
All very good points there!
@Paul Simmons
You have to reach out further than 3 to 400 yards with a 243 to be concerned about bullet drop. The 243 has less drop at 3 & 400 than even the flat shooting 6.5 creedmoor
Check out these bullet drop numbers... (w/200yd Zero)
243 @300yd with 90gr ELD 6.1"
6.5 @ 300yd with 143gr ELD 7.9"
243 @400yd with 90gr ELD 18"
6.5 @400yd with 143gr ELD 22.4"
I own two 243 rifles, and they are adequate for average deer at moderate ranges. Problem is, up here in Canada, a 243 is going to feel pretty small when you're looking through the scope at a 300+ pound whitetail on the far side of the quarter section you're hunting, with just a few minutes of light left. For that kind of work, I take my 270 or 7mm RMag, thanks.
Our deer tend to run a but smaller. LOL Our deer can get to around 250lbs but that's rare for us and it's mainly because the vast majority of our bucks never reach full maturity. It's amazing how efficient we've gotten at killing deer these days and if you combine that with a lack of proper management you end up with a lot of small deer.
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving I know, Tom...I've hunted in Texas, and our alfalfa fed whitetail does up here dwarf any buck I saw down there. A 100 grain bullet out of a 243 is marginal for a mature buck at long range in crappy shooting conditions (cold, dark and windy). Under 200 yards, sure a 243 is dope, but I'd be just as confident at that distance with my hot loaded 45-70 lever gun. Problem is, these bucks get that big by not ever presenting themselves for a 200 yard shot...LOL!
Took my wife hunting this past rifle season, she shot a nice 6 point with a 243, using 100 grain Federal power shok ammo. I’ve got a bunch of speer boat tail soft point bullets to handload for it, also 100 grainers. That’s really all I need to be happy with it, that rifle has a twist rate that likes the heavier weights better than the lighter ones
I bought a .240 wby mag to tryout on deer. I have 100 grain interlocks and 80 grain ttsx.
I load my own and deer hunt with BARNES Bullets. It doesn’t matter shoulder or heart/lungs it works. Behind the shoulder and it looks like someone ran a boat propeller inside. On the shoulder it will go right on through. I have only found a couple of petals and NEVER found a bullet. I hunt from 22-250 through 308, not counting my 45/70.
.243 is a great round. I knew some people in school who hunted with .243 and .270. Here on youtube is a guy called deermeatfordinner and he dropped a mule deer with his beloved 6.5 Creedmoor. Fraction of the recoil of a .308 win but placed right and it does the job. Impact energy is impact energy. You could have a high sped low weight bullet equal a slower and heavier one. KE = 1/2(mv^2).
Congratulations on 1K subscribers.
Thanks Joseph
Started missing with my 3006, so I started using my old 243 and haven't missed one since.
Between the ribs takes out both lungs and gives a good pass through and a good blood trail..
Hunting in NC I had a friend that would hunt with us that used a .243, I hunted with 30.06 and use to kid her about using a "Baby Rifle" but the truth of the matter was she took as many deer as we did, equally as well...having said that, most of our shots were under a couple of hundred yards and many a lot closer....thick pine forest and swamp....most from tree stands. I have no problem with smaller calibers until you start trying to use them at longer ranges where I personally do not think they deliver the necessary energy, especially for game the size of elk, bear and such. It also depends on the bullet you use...for me you cant beat a Nosler Partition .... Another great video...and a necessary one....thanks.
I agree the 243 max range for me was always 250 yards.
Thanks Lee for mentioning that. We meant to have covered that exact point in the video and that is something we all agree on. The comment from JDB Outdoors is Joey in the video. Those 100gr bullets work great in normal hunting ranges for most people but they start loosing energy fast after after 200 yards. They can take deer past that but shot placement gets more and more critical and at the same time it's getting harder and harder to place the shot as precisely as you get further and further out. So if Joey say's 250 yard max for him then that's what I would go by.
In the UK, the 243 is by far the most popular deer cartridge. ... By the way, the 22-250 is quite popular there as well for the same purpose
I came back to this video because it has great information. I only do shoulder shots. A friend he only has 6mm creedmoor atm so i am loading him 95 barnes lrx and 90 swift sirrocco. Hes taking a cow elk. So i chose tougher bullets than is normal eldx.
I think the toughest part of hunting is figuring out the shot placement for your particular rifle and bullet. Once a person does that it's just a matter of pulling the trigger and getting your game. I don't think we mentioned it in the video but Joey lost the very first deer he ever shot. He shot it behind the shoulder with a 270 Win. Had he shot it in the shoulder I doubt he would have ever got a .243? But in my case I have had great success with behind the shoulder shots but that's with much slower heavier bullets. It's just a matter of match the shot placement to bullet being used.
Tom...On a Antelope trip to WY...stopped at a place to eat in SD...It had about ten trophy Mulies on the wall...I asked the owner what he used? the 243 on all of them!
Wonderful video! I shoot a Little REM model 7 in 308 and it’s a gun that just naturally shoulders and shoots right where I’m looking. I have tried other guns and calibers but I can’t seem to get comfortable with them 🤷🏼♂️. Either way I still have not lost any deer to this day 🙂Happy Thanksgiving!!
I'm definitely buying myself a .243 remington 700 for my first deer rifle!!!
It's a great cartridge and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. You can loose a deer with it if you make a bad shot but you'll lose deer with any rifle if you make a bad shot and the .243 makes it a lot easier for most people not to make a bad shot. It is an excellent first deer rifle and it's still an excellent rifle even after hunting for over 30 years. It's one of the cartridges that just works.
An old timer recommended a high shoulder shot with the.243/6mm, I used it once and never went back to behind the shoulder. Half a hand full of lungs and a wrecked spine !
No doubt it works!
Another good informative video. I just got a 243 mostly for my son but can’t wait to shoot a deer with it myself.
Thanks, and I think both of you are going to be pleasantly surprised.
I got one for my wife 20 plus years ago, and learned I was way more accurate myself with it. Our whole family switched to it after results of not losing a deer from 25 to 400 yards. My 15 year old son took a doe and a trophy better than I ever took at 296 yards. We use 95 or 100 grain bullets in ballistic tip or soft points. This year with shortages, my son reloaded ballistic tips at max velocity. After his results, he isn’t asking for bigger calibers. We put the bullets behind the shoulders. The shock wave on his doe actually broke its back. We fooled the crease up from the shoulder just like you were bow hunting.
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving it has turned into our favorite caliber in western Oklahoma where shots can be 25 yards or 400. It removes the flinch factor that 270 or bigger calibers may create. It drops them better than bigger calibers, maybe because the way the bullet creates a shockwave. I have had deer run 400 yards with same placement from a 270 on close shots. I have also had a heart shot with no expansion using a 220 grain 7.62 x 54r run 75 yards.
I started hurting when i was 6 years old 37 now my go to is 243 never lost a deer let a few walk because i couldn't get a shot and was not about to chance it
Great video, Great Calibre. Flat shooting, accurate, hard hitting and low recoil.Cheers.
I just shot my first deer with a 243,this year 2022,and it put it down,small bullet but good killing power,I mostly use 30.06 or .270.now I trust the 243 to get job done also.
I have several different calibers and I like all of them but I always scout where I'm going to hunt ,to see what is beyond where I'm shooting ,alot of times I take my 44 mag or 450 ,if I got a lot of space I use my 243 thanks for posting keep shooting bro
I have A 350 legend and a 30-06 and a 308 I the savage love them all next I'm getting a 223
I’ve been deer hunting with a 243 since I was 15(I’m 29 now) and I have a lot of larger calibers.. but honestly I’ve never had an issue with 243. I like that little round
Been deer hunting with 243 for over 50 years and never an issue dropping a Pa. Buck..it’s all about the well placed shot…..
You put that 243 behind the shoulder and you won't have to worry either. And you won't have to throw away any blood shot shoulders. I've seen it done time after time. 243 is a fine little deer round.
Under 150......my 35 remington 200 gr core lokts don't care if it's shoulder or behind.....love it.
I'm currently culling deer for a landowner that lets me hunt for free. I've taken 15 deer in the last two weeks with my .243. Ranges from 75-325. Every single one was DRT. that's on top of the dozens of others I've taken with that rifle. My best was a 6x8 at 375 yards. He ran 50 yards before collapsing. The 95gr SST is fantastic.
I know people say the .243 is better suited for women and children, but that never made any sense to me. Sure, men are typically less sensitive to recoil. But the deer can't tell how well you can handle recoil! If a cartridge fired from a child will kill a deer, it's not going to magically stop working when put in the hands of a full grown man.
Now lately I've been using a Springfield Waypoint in 6mm Creedmoor. I'll say that I prefer it over my .243 because it does have a little more ass in it, and the rifle is insanely light and accurate. But the .243 will always be a favorite of mine, and I'll always have one in the safe.
Great comments! I love a .243 too!!!
There's no argument that with any caliber, it's about bullet placement. Plenty of deer are harvested each year with .223 and .243, but we went away from it because it doesn't leave much of a blood trail. The majority of the hunters I know shoot .270 for that reason and many are going to the 6.5 Creedmoor. One of my friends will only use 30/06 on our small deer because he doesn't want to track....too much recoil for me to shoot regularly. Florida is very thick and I don't want to ruin meat so I go for the double lung instead of the high shoulder shot...I need a blood trail!!
And that's exactly why I'm not a fan of the .223 for deer. It can certainly kill one but like you said there is very little blood. My friend Joey prefers the shoulder but like you I favor the double lung and I want a blood trail as well. And something I didn't really get into in this video but the .243 can make an impressive exit wound with a double lung shot but it takes a rapidly expanding bullet like a hollow point to do it, but good hunting hollow points are tough to find these days.
With all the new powders and bullets being produced today there's really no need for magnum type cartridges in 90percent of the hunting situations that still are prevalent as they were a hundred years ago is there a place for them? Sure but not in most hunting situations thanks for all the input on this classic cartridge that's even more viable today than when it was produced
Hi fellas. Let’s have both of you again. God bless and keep you
I suspect Joey will be on again in the future. We've been friends since high school and we've always bounced ideas off of each other and talked hunting and fishing. And I think he enjoyed it.
I have shot a lot of animals with a 243. Jackal, Springbuck, Blesbuck, Warthog, Blue Wildebeest etc. With the right bullet it punches above its weight class. We culled Springbuck with a 243 during a drought and shot 79 in 3 days, we used 82 rounds for everything.
I will stick with my 243 and 30-06 for everything in Africa outside of the Big 5.
Thanks for sharing that Niel. I really like what you said about the .243 punching above it's weight class and that's something I just don't think many people realize.
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving
Thank you for the reply Tom and thank you for your great content.
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving
If you have the time to answer my question it would be great. Do you have any thoughts on the 6mm SLR? I am considering rebarreling my Sako model 75 to 6mm SLR. It is supposed to extend the barrel life of a 243Win and the one I shot was incredibly accurate.
Thank you once again for the great videos.
I'll probably never get to hunt Africa, but if I do, I'm bringing my '06, one of the .416s, and maybe a 12ga. for birds.
@@nielrossouw7831 I understand that you use the .243 for culling, but this caliber is pretty easy on barrels
I don't know what anybody else thinks but I started deer hunting with a 6 mm Remington (the Remington 243.) My son used my 6 mm when he first started deer hunting. My granddaughter (his daughter) took two deer this season. With proper placement the 243 will take Whitetail without any problem.
My brother in law borrowed a .243 from a friend to go after Mulies in Alberta. He sat on a bluff and out walked out a really husky buck. Well, he brought the .243 to his shoulder and cracked that buck. The deer took 3 or 4 steps and down it went. The lungs were all over the snow it was amazing. He actually wanted to buy that rifle but the owner told him to pound sand and that was that. He had to buy his own. Great deer cartridge. People are running around spouting about hunting deer with their AR's in .223 there is obviously no reason a .243 wouldn't kill one.
I'm always amazed at how many people don't think a .243 is enough gun for deer.
From New Zealand Tom hunter from childhood love your content and presentation your like me country boy tell it as it is. Have taken a lot of Different Deer from Reds , Sika and Fellow. Pigs Goats Possums ferrel cats. Really like this on the 243 85gr. have a Howa 1500 love shooting it, but my main battle wagon would be the 25-06 117gr. and my 30-06 125gr. Keep up the channel mate really love your presentation and content
Cheers and Beers from New Zealand.
Thanks Darryl, I really appreciate that! And I have to say I'm a little jealous of the hunting y'all have down your way. I've heard it was great but I didn't realize you had that many deer species.
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving No Tags require Tom deer in NZ are regarded as a pests shoot as many as you can carry. or relay carry on a good day. Other species Wapiti, these are like your elk, Samba these are big fellas big spreads huge animals, Antelope Tar, and Chamois high in the alps, use my 280AI for these always long shots up to 700mtrs then two days walk to retrieve.
Thats the Southern A
Boy I'mCheers to you Tom
Thank you Tom, this was a very informative video. Although I have hunted Pheasant and other upland birds, Deer hunting is new to me. I have an old Winchester Model 70 in .243 that I enjoy shooting and plan to take White Tail hunting this year. It’s good to hear how effective the .243 is for Deer hunting. Thanks again Tom and congratulations on hitting 1000 subscribers. Stay well.
And thank you Stephen. You should be more than happy with that .243