243 for deer?

[high country]

Just remember, if they develop a flinch early.....it is hard to make it go away.

My friend bought his kid the trifecta with a 22, 243 and 20ga barrel set. The gun is very light and after shooting the 20ga barrel, his kid has a tough time making shots with the other barrels now. We're it me, I would get my kids into a model 7 or 700mtn in 243, this makes for a gun light enough to pack and plenty of thump for anything in wa. It is comical that we have to use 300 ultra mags in Wa but Montana boys can make due with 22-250's.

Either gun will do more than plenty on deer and elk.....just make sure it doesn't screw up your kids form in the process.

[BULLBLASTER]

I have bang flopped more deer with my 243 than with any of my other guns. My girlfriend used it last fall to drop a big old Whitetail in its tracks at 230 yards. Broke both shoulders and passed through. 90 grain accubond going 3050 fps. I told her to aim for the biggest part of the shoulder and that's exactly where she hit. I don't think that an animal shot with a 243 will go any farther than an animal shot in the same spot with a 30 Cal provided the shots are in the vitals and similar bullets are used.

[coachcw]

would you rather hit a intruder with a .22 or a .357 ? just saying . even the .260 is a better deer gun than the .243 . I just think of a kid hitting a deer or elk maybe not a perfict shot and lossing it or having it go a few hundred yards  and having some jack waud hang his tag on it could make for a bad experiance .

[BULLBLASTER]

Comparing shooting a deer to an intruder? Wow... i agree for an intruder bigger is better when your life depends on it. as for hitting an animal with a bad shot. A gut shot or hind quarter shot is a bad shot with a 243 or a 338 ultra mag. A bullet through the lungs is a dead deer with a 338 or a 243. It is an awesome deer gun. Especially for a beginner or recoil sensitive shooter. There must be a reason a 243 is legal to hunt big game with... 

[NRA4LIFE]

My main battle rifle for mule deer is my .243 A-Bolt.  I have killed 25 or 30 mule deer with it and probably 20 or more pronghorn. 

[ELKBURGER]

GreyBull Precision Long Range HuntingThe 243 can knock em down if you put the bullet where it belongs.

[poohdog]

I started my son off with a 243 he did fine and killed a couple deer. Last year I got him a Ruger 7mm-08 and he killed a bear and a mule deer at 250 yards in Canada. He could of started with 7mm-08. I think the key for him was going out shooting the 22 with a scope alot. It helps him with picking out the target and is fun to shoot. 

[Broken Arrow]

I bought them for the boys when they started off. I was into the whole "bigger is better" mentality, now...i actually love that round. I bow hunt and ML, but if given the chance would hunt deer with that vs my 300 win mag. It will kill almost anything if placed right and I really have leanred that shooting closer is much more rewarding to me then being able to reach out and touch something.Fun gun to shoot.

[BOWHUNTER45]

Thats was a cool video  and we all know the 7MM 08 is just as deadly as a .243... Can not go wrong with either one !!!!

[coachcw]

Comparing shooting a deer to an intruder? Wow... i agree for an intruder bigger is better when your life depends on it. as for hitting an animal with a bad shot. A gut shot or hind quarter shot is a bad shot with a 243 or a 338 ultra mag. A bullet through the lungs is a dead deer with a 338 or a 243. It is an awesome deer gun. Especially for a beginner or recoil sensitive shooter. There must be a reason a 243 is legal to hunt big game with... 

just compareing ke . It's obvious that there's some .243 fans around here and it has it's place . If you have one and want to use it fine . If your going to buy a gun I just think there's better choices . I went with the .260 for my son when he was 10 and the 140's have worked well , I also watched a elk hit with a .243 take it well after the lil bullet bounced around inside for awhile , sure that elk died but he went along ways . in most places around here someone else woulda tagged that elk just saying . I wouldn't concieder most kids as skilled marksman and leaving room for a lil error just seems to make sense to me .

[hirshey]

I used a .243 from age 7 until I was 16 for mule deer... never lost a deer, and all one shot kills. They are effective if that's what is available to you and you take the time to become a proficient shooter.

[C-Money]

.243 is a great rifle. Almost zero recoil, and plenty of wallop for many hunting adventures.

[elkoholic]

.243 Killed this elk  this year 1 shot, she went 40 yards and tipped over, 100gr

[huntnphool]

Best of both worlds would be the 7mm-08, same case (.308) as the .243 but a little bit larger bullet.

[BOWHUNTER45]

Best of both worlds would be the 7mm-08, same case (.308) as the .243 but a little bit larger bullet.

I have to agree 100% ...it took me awhile to buy a 7mm-O8 but once I did and seen how it performed I am hooked for sure