kirbymcrae
Member
Hi all,
I was wondering how far you would consider too far for a .243?
This is shooting at a deer.
I was wondering how far you would consider too far for a .243?
This is shooting at a deer.
How far is too far for a .243?
- Thread starter kirbymcrae
- Start date
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The answer could be as simple as 500 yards using Hornady 100 gr. Bullet factory ammo.
And as complicated as:
Depends on the rifle accuracy, Shooter's ability to perform, bullet that you're using with the right rifle twist, altitude, wind velocity, muzzle velocity etc... etc... etc...
The first answer only takes in consideration the impact energy at see level at the muzzle velocity of 3100 fps.
And as complicated as:
Depends on the rifle accuracy, Shooter's ability to perform, bullet that you're using with the right rifle twist, altitude, wind velocity, muzzle velocity etc... etc... etc...
The first answer only takes in consideration the impact energy at see level at the muzzle velocity of 3100 fps.
Really subjective. There's no doubt the 243/6mm bullets kill deer very well. My issue is what I've personally experienced along side a friend who loves his little 243. While on the property line hunting whitetails on a lease, he shot a really nice buck right through the lungs with Hornady factory ammo. It was their standard interloct ammo I think. The shot distance was around 50 yards or so. That buck ran a long way down the mountain onto the next lease where another hunter put it down with his 300 even though the deer was "dead on his feet." My friend didn't get to claim that buck.
I know this is only one instance and I don't want to debate any kill-ability as I've seen many other deer drop in their tracks from a 243 or 6mm Remington. I need no convincing of its lethality. Who knows, I think had it placed the bullet sqaure in the shoulder, it would have dumped it but he's one of those "meat guys."
I've talked with a guide who has seen and personally killed adult elk at 1000 yards with a 243/Berger combo, so I would assume that a deer will also be easily taken at that distance too.
ICANHITHIMMAN
Well-Known Member
I thought by the rules of hunting the animal belongs to who ever inflicts the first mortal wound?
liltank
Well-Known Member
For me it is the construction of the bullet. One guy on here from England shoots Roe deer out to 800yrds using 87 A-max. That would be due to light bullet construction. At those distances they will open up like a premium bullet and not explode, but anything closer than 2 or 300 yards then you are looking at violent expansion. So along with everybody else, a lot of variables. Altitude contributes to the effective distance as well.
Tank
Tank
Tell that to a hunter who has a nice whitetail jogging by, he shoots it, and it crumbles in front of him, even though he heard a rifle report seconds before. The game belongs to "whoever puts it down." For all he knew, my friend missed, since there was no evidence this buck was hit at the time he shot it.
That 6mm bullet makes a very tiny hole in and out.
Just curious but do you think someone is going to relinquish a really nice buck that he believes is dead because he shot it, regardless of it having a prior hole in the lungs? Sometimes hunting isn't always a friendly hobby and this guy pretty much had the attitude that my friend was SOL.
happylilcuss
Well-Known Member
I agree with Ican, First MORTAL wound claims the animal. As far as I am concerned the guy tha took the deer is in the wrong, If I downed an animal and got up to it and it had a hold through the chest I would let the guy who shot it first have it. As long as he showed up.
When I was 13 I had a nice 6 point bull elk walk out of a thicket 30 yards away from me. I put it down in its tracks. As I was getting ready to start gutting it I noticed tat it had been shot in the guts. Well, long story short after I finished gutting it an older man that was tracking it walks up and says. "man I thought this thing would never be found." I congratulated him and let him have the elk. In my mind he would have cought up to the bull sooner or later and put a kill shot in it. I just helped him out a bit.. IMHO thats the right thing to do.
When I was 13 I had a nice 6 point bull elk walk out of a thicket 30 yards away from me. I put it down in its tracks. As I was getting ready to start gutting it I noticed tat it had been shot in the guts. Well, long story short after I finished gutting it an older man that was tracking it walks up and says. "man I thought this thing would never be found." I congratulated him and let him have the elk. In my mind he would have cought up to the bull sooner or later and put a kill shot in it. I just helped him out a bit.. IMHO thats the right thing to do.
I have hunted with a 270 for the last several years but decided to put together a 243 ai. This years antelope hunt was it's maiden voyage for big game. I had shot plenty of coyotes with it. Anyways, my son shot a doe antelope with it at 250 yds and it dropped in her tracks and then I shot a little buck at 654 yds and it dropped. This past weekend I shot a nice Coues whitetail with it at 247 yds and dropped with one shot.
I'm shooting Sierra HPBT gamekings on 45.4 grains of H4831 sc. This load is shooting at 3027 fps and shoots itty bitty groups.
I'm shooting Sierra HPBT gamekings on 45.4 grains of H4831 sc. This load is shooting at 3027 fps and shoots itty bitty groups.
Fellas, don't get me wrong, I also think my buddy should have taken the deer. I really didn't want to go into detail or offend anyone but we were in the south and among roughneck rednecks who would just assume kill somebody to claim a deer. The other hunters in question were violating the law by not wearing orange and were not even members of the other lease. Hope that's enough info on that situation. We were playing it safe. From what you guys are posting, we are all on the same page and ethical, moral hunters. These other guys were not. I'll leave it at that.
I dont know. I suppose 500 yards might be the safest thought but I think you could get a lot more. As people have said it depends on your setup, placement of your shot and a number of other things.
Personally I would reach out and get them. If you can place a good shot why not stretch it out. I took a coyote at 440 with a .243. Thats not a deer but at the same time the coyote never made a move, it was just dead.
I'm sure someone with chime in that has used one and has some specific experience.
Personally I would reach out and get them. If you can place a good shot why not stretch it out. I took a coyote at 440 with a .243. Thats not a deer but at the same time the coyote never made a move, it was just dead.
I'm sure someone with chime in that has used one and has some specific experience.
johnnyk
Well-Known Member
Well, I shoot a .243 alot and I'm not sure I'd want to shoot a deer much past 500dys. If you subscribe to the "1000 ft/lbs" of energy on game, 400yds is the limit with a 95gn Ballistic Tip launched at 3150fps. A 100gn Speer launched at 3100fps will get you to 500yds, energy wise.
For long range with the .243, the heavier pills will get the job done. JohnnyK.
For long range with the .243, the heavier pills will get the job done. JohnnyK.
trebark
Well-Known Member
Actually its driven by property rights. If you shoot a deer on your property, and he runs onto the neighbors place (and you do not have permission to hunt the neighbors place), technically, you need to go to the neighbor and ask permission to go get your deer.
So even if the second guy didn't shoot the deer, if it dies on his lease, its his discretion as to who gets the animal.
Trickymissfit
Well-Known Member
your thoughts are similar to mine, but I use a 1200 ft. lb. rule of thumb. I want a clean humane kill. Plus I'm kinda lazy and never in the mood to chase a wounded deer a mile or two
gary
KIRBYMC- deer are not created equal. in az a whitetail barely makes 75 pounds. in sask they are 300 pounds and you pay 7.5k to hunt them . i have killed a lot of deer with the .243. it is a deadly and powerful considering its size.
what kind do you have? how far do you think is too far?
