243 Winchester Caliber - Dual Purpose Caliber?

Am Shooting Journal ^ | 8/17/20 | N Krieg

[w1n1]

In the plinking and precision long range world we all like to talk about which gun or caliber is better than the other. This goes the same in the hunting world as well.
Something that hunters and semi-seasoned hunters talk about is the best or versatile deer rifle/caliber. For the non-hunters most will only think of the .30-06 or .308.
All the old favorites are normally there, like the classic Marlin, Remington and Ruger rifles. They go back and forth on what’s better between a .270 Winchester, a 308 Winchester and a 30-06 Springfield. But, some experienced hunters will tell you go with the .243 caliber rifle.
This hunting rifle may be smaller than most, but it packs a pretty good punch from varmints to medium-size game. Even if you're content with whitetail in your area, that is cool as well.

The .243 Winchester cartridge was initially designed as a target/varmint round, it may be used for animals such as coyotes, black tail deer, whitetail deer, mule deer, pronghorns, and wild hogs.

At under 200 yards the .243 may just be the most accurate round. Low recoil attributes to its high accuracy. Some hunters share the sentiment that the .243 just simple isn’t big enough for a true ethical shot. However, with the added accuracy of this round, shot placement is deadly with practice. Taking a shot from 200 yards is a common thing.

Loads
We mentioned the versatility of the .243 caliber. If you handload your own, you can try these loads:
-55-grain for varmints
-70-80 grain – will retain velocity and resists the wind better and a better choices for coyote, bobcat, and fox
-90-100 grain for deer and pronghorn.
-105-115 grain – Federal Hi-Shok, Remington Corelokts and Winchester Power points are to go with.

Bolt or Lever?
When we get into the .243 rifles, a classic bolt action usually leads to better accuracy with a Ruger American. Read the rest of 243 Winchester caliber.

[eastexsteve]

Had a Remington in .243 for decades. The barrel on it is still good.

[LOC1]

I hunt Texas hill country deer with a 0.243 Have never really needed a larger caliber, even on Axis deer.

Have killed large hogs with the same gun.

Shot placement makes the difference.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Just sold my .243 Win...

[ProtectOurFreedom]

The video “Kid Caliber .243” at the end is great and heartwarming.

[1Old Pro]

I guess with this run on ammo, I’ll never see a .348 Win run from a manufacturer in my lifetime. Not when they can make a fortune with more common rounds.

[umgud]

I really like this caliber, but it isn’t a 30-06, which I use for mule deer and above.

[lgjhn23]

Used that caliber for deer hunting quite a bit when I was a kid...loved it.
Had an old bolt-action Remington in it and shot the snot out of thing over the years.
The .243 in the .308 case line of cartridges. I’ve since gone up to hand-loaded .260 Remington (my favorite) and 7mm-08 for heavier stuff. I like the .260 because it still retains a somewhat lower recoil with a little bigger/higher BC selection of bullets that suits my old age body and eyes well. But yeah, I’d have no problem grabbing a .243 for whitetail and varmints....shot a bunch of em with it when I was just a young pup.

[Bonemaker]

I prefer to have a specific caliber for each use, therefore I collect calibers. Gives me an excuse to buy more guns!😎

[READINABLUESTATE]

My brother in law set my sister up with a .243 for deer hunting. She loved it and was deadly accurate with it.

[cweese]

I usually rely on gunbroker to find .348 ammo for my Model 71. For example : https://www.gunbroker.com/item/876622608

[1Old Pro]

I’m in NY, I can’t buy it by mail.

[shelterguy]

Exactly. I have a B.B. gun for critters in the garage. A 7mm for mule deer and a gob of sizes inbetween for other purposes.

Oh wait, I DID have them before the boating accident.

[Mouton]

One of my fav rounds. Tried to get an AR in the caliber but could not come up with one at a reasonable price.

For me the fed 100 gr power points shoot great and don’t fail.

[Georgia Girl 2]

We have a Savage .243 lever action. Great little rifle.

[Joe 6-pack]

In Western PA where I grew up, the .25-06 was a favorite of those who could afford just one good rifle. It was an adequate balance for all PA game from groundhogs up through black bear with the right bullets.

[Bonemaker]

I have a cherry Sako 222 Remington Magnum bought in 1968. Try to find ammo for that! However, they do make runs once in awhile and I stocked up as it was going obsolete 30 years ago. Good now without about 500 rounds, tons of brass and dies. 348 I don’t know. Should be able to get somewhere.

[1Old Pro]

348 I don’t know. Should be able to get somewhere.

I think gun shows, but that's not an efficient method. I did get a box from someone who bought it at a gunshow years back in hopes of someday buying a model 17.

[weps4ret]

Hence why I reload .348 for my Winchester. Actually never did buy a box of ammo. Have loaded for it since day one. Brass is readily available from Starline. I use Hornady FTX projectiles, works just fine.

Gunner

[Rannug]

“In Western PA where I grew up, the .25-06 was a favorite of those who could afford just one good rifle. It was an adequate balance for all PA game from groundhogs up through black bear with the right bullets.”

I agree whole heartedly.