I have a Winchester Model 70 .243 with a Leupold 3 x 9 x 40mm bolted to the top of it. I've taken a few deer with it (not really much of a deer hunter) and none of them have ever taken more than a step after getting hit with the round.

I use a Winchester Supreme, 95 gr. Ballistic Silvertip round. Pretty much the most accurate factory load I've come across. At 200 yards I can plant a 5/8" group.

I live in Arizona now and know several people that hunt elk with a .243 religiously. It's a great round that is pretty versatile and will serve you well.

I shoot an ought six as well.

Pedro, how can you hit a doe with a .30-06 in the eye and not kill it? Maybe it was an undead deer?

I shoot with a .270 now, but I first started hunting with my brother's .243. The .243 has brought in many deer and hogs for the both of us. It is plenty big enough for deer and has enough power behind it for distance.

quote:

---

Pedro, how can you hit a doe with a .30-06 in the eye and not kill it? Maybe it was an undead deer?

---

Man I don't have a clue. I was completely stunned to see it move from that. At that point I lost faith in the round I was shooting and promised myself not to use them again. It was definitely my darkest hunting moment.

Anything from .243 on up is just fine for deer. As with many of the other posters, I've killed deer with a .223 as well.

I like a 6mm, but most of the time I shoot a 25-06 that was made by my grandpa.

back in the day I used an old .244 semi auto. It was a very nice gun, but very heavy. I love my 7mm now.

I put 5 in the dirt last weekend with the .30-06. A neck shot with that bad boy, and they drop in their tracks.

I have shot several deer with a .243, but the knock down power is lacking when compared to the relatively moderate kick of a .270 or .270WSM. I now shoot the latter and it is fantastic. I will not go back to the .243 when I know the .270 WSM will put the animal down in his tracks out to 400 yards easy. Of course, most whitetails are killed much clsoer than that and mine typically are in the 250 yard range across canyons or open draws. My kids will get trained with my .243 which will kill anything out to 250 yards so long as you hit the engine room. The 10 point hanging on my office wall proves that.

I use a .270 and it's works very well. It's a very versatile rifle.

I killed my first couple of deer with a .243. I shoot my great grandpa's .303 British now and I wouldn't trade it for any other gun.

Anyone ever use a .223 Remington for deer?

I have a Browning Medallion .243 wssm topped with a Nikon Tactical 2.5-10x44. I have found my true love and cannot see myself carrying another rifle in the field ever again.

This is the best of both worlds. Super flat and minimal recoil.

THE WHITETAIL DEER HUNT WITH A MOUNTAIN HOWITZER





+



=





http://www.buckstix.com/howitzer.htm

I'm a big fan of a .22-250. I'm also a chick before you guys start calling me a wuss!

My first time hunting I used me dad's .30-06 and I absolutely hated it! It was very loud and it kicked...hard. Dad hardly uses it anymore. He has a .243 now that he swears by. I may have to give it a try this season, but I'm still waiting for my own .22-250. So if anyone wants to buy me one....

You're not a wuss, CT. You're just a sissy.

Say "Hi" to your dad for me.

[This message has been edited by B-1 83 (edited 10/31/2006 9:29p).]

Very first time I ever shot the .30-06, it kicked so hard and I was too close to the scope...it hit my on the browbone. Dad laughed at me!! One reason why I hate the gun. I still don't like shooting with it. I'm content being a sissy!





I'll tell him hi if I ever get a chance...he's working 3 part-time jobs now. Stupid man just can't sit still.

Winchester 70 .270 topped with a Leupold VII 3 x 9 40mm

Guess I fall in the Jack Connors school of thought, but the .270 is hard to beat in Texas as an all around perfect calibre....and with handloads it's not hard to duplicate 270WSM performance if you want to push the envelope without having to spring for a new rifle?

*not that buying more guns is a bad thing!!!

I usually hunt in East Texas right outside of Livingston, and the preferred caliber would definitely be .270. Most shots will be covered, so a flat shooting caliber is crucial.

My prefered rifle is my .280 Remington. I also use a .30-.30 for hogs in brush, a .222 for a truck gun, and .308 for hogs in rice fields. My best friend loves his .243, although I don't care for the trigger pull on it. My brother refuses to use anything but his .257 Roberts and he has taken several large bucks in South Texas and a few big hogs with it.

In my family, my grandfather started a tradition in which he bought my father and also each of his four other sons a keep sake rifle. I have my fathers now. My father purchased my 1st rifle (.243 Browning) as well as my brothers. I just purchased my oldest sons rifle for his 11th Bday and he will be shooting his 1st deer this weekend. The following is what he is getting! What do you think! He has shot a .243 numerous times, just not at a live target!
Browning Medallion Series SA 035002211 243 Win. 22" 41 3/4" 13 5/8" 5/8" 1/2" 6 lbs. 7 oz. with a Leopold VXII 3 x 9 x 40mm

Happy and Safe Hunting to all! BTHOOU

.223 and 22-250 are too small a calibre.
.243wssm is a great round, but there has been some debate about whetehr they are too hot for the bores and might "burn them up." Frankly, I don't believe that as long as you keep it clean. Besides, I think you would hav to put 1,000 ropunds through it before you could remotely affect the boring and that is not realistic. Regardles, however, the extra bullet weight of something in the 25-06 (120-130 grain) or the .270 range (130-150 grain)really makes a huge difference down range on kill effeciency. Plus, the latter are more vrstile calibres in case you ever need to take your gun to hunt Mulies, Elk, Antelope, etc. I really love the .243 and the .243 WSSM, but it does have limitations. They are, however, great guns for kids, ladies, and guys who just hate recoil. But, you must be accurate.