Bob Nelson I sold my .243!

[Tundra Tiger]

@TMac... Pssst... I have a single shot .243 I hope to hunt with soon. I took it to Sitka last fall but didn't have any shot opportunities. It shoots 85 grain Barnes TSXs really well. He may not be able to convert me away from it. It's a lot of fun to shoot.

 

[TMac]

The 243 is fine if used for the appropriate level of game. I think the problem is that hunters expect the 243 to be able to do the job of more powerful cartridges

Or use the wrong bullet.

 

[TMac]

@TMac... Pssst... I have a single shot .243 I hope to hunt with soon. I took it to Sitka last fall but didn't have any shot opportunities. It shoots 85 grain Barnes TSXs really well. He may not be able to convert me away from it. It's a lot of fun to shoot.

Yes they are. That’s a good bullet too. But for that area, is it bear free?

 

[Tundra Tiger]

It was not bear free down around Sitka, no. I was hunting with a friend who had a bigger rifle. It was also late in the year and the bears were headed down or down.

 

[Dr Ray]

Or use the wrong bullet.

And I have done that with a 243 - disastrously
Young and stupid

 

[TMac]

And I have done that with a 243 - disastrously
Young and stupid

Happens. Live and learn. I had to cut my hunting teeth solo. Lived and learned too, young and ignorant.

 

[TMac]

@leslie hetrick
The 358 is an under appreciated and under loved cartridge unfortunately but it punches well above its weight. Using Paco Kelly's loads turns it into a real beast that gives Remington factory loaded 35 Whelen loads a shake up.
Bob

Agreed. I regret selling a Savage 99 in 358. But he wanted it much much much $$$ more than I wanted to keep it. Still have my BLR in 358. It hits hard with 225’s and 250’s.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

And I have done that with a 243 - disastrously
Young and stupid

@Dr Ray
Problem is people are still doing it and expecting it to work.
Bob

 

[colorado]

I hunted bears (mainly black) with my 270 for many years. As I got older I moved up to a 375 H&H. The bears seem to have gotten larger as I get older. Next time my 500 Jeffery.

 

[WyoBull]

I put a 243 Win in my stable a few years ago. After working up a load using the Barnes 80 gr TTSX that is about 50 gos faster than the Barnes factory loads using the same bullet, it is a wonderful rifle for Deer and Antelope here in the US. Great for coyotes as well but I have a number of calibers, including my all time favorite, the 220 Swift for varmint hunting.
My 7mm RUM is my dedicated big game rifle here in the US but the 243 Win definitely has its place in my stable.

 

[colorado]

I had a lovely BDL in 243 I sold and put the money towards a BDL in 270 when I moved to grizzly country (Montana).

 

[Forrest Halley]

Well I was thinking of using my big bore again this year for deer season, but I think I'll shoot the .243 for the season now. I'm hearing great things about the Speer 85gr HP one guy swears by them. All kidding aside I have a line on 103gr ELD-X that should work great.

 

[colorado]

When I hunted in Arizona my BDL in 243 was awesome on deer and javelina.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Well I was thinking of using my big bore again this year for deer season, but I think I'll shoot the .243 for the season now. I'm hearing great things about the Speer 85gr HP one guy swears by them. All kidding aside I have a line on 103gr ELD-X that should work great.

@Forrest Halley
A 243 with a 103gn ELDX loaded to 2,700fps if your lucky will be about as useful as an ashtray on a motor bike. Stick with you LOTT.
Bob

 

[colorado]

I loaded Speer 105. spitzers to 3000 fps One shot kill on two elk Now I hunt elk with my 500 Jeffery. They don't get up.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I loaded Speer 105. spitzers to 3000 fps One shot kill on two elk Now I hunt elk with my 500 Jeffery. They don't get up.

@colorado
The 2 243s I loaded for mates were struggling to get 2,800fps with 100gn and that was max loads and a 22 inch barrel.
Bob

 

[colorado]

I guess I had a fast barrel I can only remember I used IMR 4350 can't remember the load it was a long time ago. Also I only had a Lee Loader, so I think the cases were only neck sized.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I guess I had a fast barrel I can only remember I used IMR 4350 can't remember the load it was a long time ago. Also I only had a Lee Loader, so I think the cases were only neck sized.

@colorado
I tried both H4831SC and H4350 and could only get 2,800fps with Max loads.
Bob

 

[Forrest Halley]

I was able to get 2920 with H1000 and 105gr A Max...but then the bullets bounced off the targets back into the cases as a laughing kangaroo appeared and took a long pull off a bottle and then staggered off laughing. Part of this story is true.

 

[CoElkHunter]

I was able to get 2920 with H1000 and 105gr A Max...but then the bullets bounced off the targets back into the cases as a laughing kangaroo appeared and took a long pull off a bottle and then staggered off laughing. Part of this story is true.

"took a long pull off a bottle"...... of Bud Light?