Is the 243 the best whitetail deer cartridge?

Every rifle cartridge has its limits. .243 Winchester with a good 100gr. bullet has never failed me given I do my part of the equation. This being out to 425 give or take a yard. Resting shot of course in open terrain, light saplings, briers etc. For Kentucky it is a very versatile cartridge that is easily found, (was) in most places in 55gr projectile to 100gr. Bonded, monolithic, varmint cup and core to target. The Winchester 100gr soft point flat base is a cheap but effective bullet for anything from ground hogs to whitetail. Heavy timber, if I had my rathers, I would choose a .30 caliber just for reassurance. That is in no way saying the little .243 with a good heavier bullet isn't capable of timber hunting because I have did it more than once with positive outcomes.
 
243 or 270... I like the 270 cause it's easy to shoot and maybe better on really big deer, or longer shots.
Love the 243 and it can be accurate out to 400...
But the 270 has more energy to take a deer at a distance you are comfortable with.
 
I've hunted with the 6mm for a lot of years, I started with the .244 Rem aka 6mm Rem, then the 6mm Remington, .243 Win, 240 Wby Mag, .243 WSSM and I've settled on the 6XC which G. David Tubbs exposed me to one year shooting next to him on the line in Raton NM. I love the cartridge for game/targets and long rang as a 6mm caliber. I think from my experience with the .243 Win and the others... the performance really comes from the correct bullet choice and hand loads, here's where the shooter can make the 6mm's shine. Just my 0.2 Cheers.
 
Maybe not the best but its right up there. I too used the 243 with great success. Its no slouch but today I prefer the 7-08. The 260 and 6.5 CM deserve honorable mention too
 
bigdogone said:
A little background, my father in law debated me one time, 243 is the best deer cartridge. I said, naw, it's the 30-06. He said no way, the 243 kills them just as dead, sweetest shooting cartridge with no recoil, and very flat and fast.

Shortly after that, I 'd gotten on a lease and bought a 243 as a back up to my trusty 30-06 and for my father in law to use when I took him as my guest. Well guess what? I've come to believe he's right. I've shot deer with calibers up to 375H&H and pistol calibers 45 ACP and 41 magnum and nothing kills deer as quickly as that 243.

Since then I bought a small frame 243 Tikka T3 for my kids to use as their first deer rifle. That gun is a tack driver and kills deer dead right there. It's light, smooth action, relatively inexpensive, sized right for kids and comes with shims to grow with them. My buddy took his youngest of three sons out to hunt his first deer this weekend. Borrowed that 243. One shot, DRT! Loved the gun.

Just more proof in my mind that my father in law was right. The 243 is the best deer cartridge. I don't know what it is, speed? sweet-spot diameter of bullet? Just the right amount of energy? Love to hear others' thoughts and reactions, both pro and con!
Click to expand...
I'm just not going to get into this one. It does everything you say. 243 owner, but hunt with a 25-06 !!
 
CoSniper66 said:
Deer and Antelope are not very tough. 243 or 6.5 creed or 6 creed are more than enough. Plus, you can shoot them enough to get very accurate. May need something with more power on Elk at long ranges.
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Personally Would have to include 6mm ARC with the list you offer above. Only been working with the 6mm ARC for 2 years now (bolt action). Last years results w cup & core bullets was great. This year I tried all copper & results were stellar as well.

I grew up with the 6mm Rem which we would do well, to include in the list of very capable deer cartridges as well IMHO.
 
bigdogone said:
A little background, my father in law debated me one time, 243 is the best deer cartridge. I said, naw, it's the 30-06. He said no way, the 243 kills them just as dead, sweetest shooting cartridge with no recoil, and very flat and fast.

Shortly after that, I 'd gotten on a lease and bought a 243 as a back up to my trusty 30-06 and for my father in law to use when I took him as my guest. Well guess what? I've come to believe he's right. I've shot deer with calibers up to 375H&H and pistol calibers 45 ACP and 41 magnum and nothing kills deer as quickly as that 243.

Since then I bought a small frame 243 Tikka T3 for my kids to use as their first deer rifle. That gun is a tack driver and kills deer dead right there. It's light, smooth action, relatively inexpensive, sized right for kids and comes with shims to grow with them. My buddy took his youngest of three sons out to hunt his first deer this weekend. Borrowed that 243. One shot, DRT! Loved the gun.

Just more proof in my mind that my father in law was right. The 243 is the best deer cartridge. I don't know what it is, speed? sweet-spot diameter of bullet? Just the right amount of energy? Love to hear others' thoughts and reactions, both pro and con!
Click to expand...
I personally shot a Rusa deer with my 270W. The deer had been shot previously with a 243. When I first saw the deer he was acting a bit strange. The mob of deer were quite some distance away and he was standing but something was not right (as I found out soon after).
Rusa deer was not as big as Whitetail so I suggest unless you get a perfect shot, then the 243 is too light.
 
Charlie Brown Jr. said:
Back when we had lots of blacktails to shoot, I had a 22 cheetah Mk 2, shooting Nosler 55gr. Zipedo's near 4000 FPS, out to about 300 yds, this thing was devastating on deer, it seemed to kill by electrocution, an animal shot most anywhere would freeze in its tracks and tip over. I did an autopsy on most of the deer shot, looking for internal damage, some deer hit in the wrong spot seemed to drop instantly for no reason. Fun to shoot, 0 recoil, Lazer like trajectory. The base of the little Zipedo's would penetrate to the far side of a deer shot broad side, seemed to kill much better than it should have. Lots of better bullets available today.
Click to expand...
220 swift was my go to gun in Florida at one time
 
436 said:
I've hunted with the 6mm for a lot of years, I started with the .244 Rem aka 6mm Rem, then the 6mm Remington, .243 Win, 240 Wby Mag, .243 WSSM and I've settled on the 6XC which G. David Tubbs exposed me to one year shooting next to him on the line in Raton NM. I love the cartridge for game/targets and long rang as a 6mm caliber. I think from my experience with the .243 Win and the others... the performance really comes from the correct bullet choice and hand loads, here's where the shooter can make the 6mm's shine. Just my 0.2 Cheers.
Click to expand...
That's what I was telling the folks in my garage about 10 minutes ago.The 6 mills today with good bullet choice is good medicine .Marry Christmas and good hunting to all
 

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