I have read, on other forums, from big game guides that they see a higher rate of wounding and lost game when people use the .243 win or 6mm rem. Is this true? I realize that shot placement is everything but do any of the PH's who post here see this as true?

You bring up an interesting point and I would also like to hear what PH's and experienced African hunters have to say about it.

If I were to guess, I'd say that the number of wounded and lost animals with a .243 is less than the number of animals shot and lost with big magnum cartridges shot by hunters who think that african animals have the same armour used in tanks and a .338 whateveryoucallit magnum is the only way kill those animals. Most of these hunters are scared of their rifles and eventually end up missing or far worse wounding the animal.

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If I were to guess, I'd say that the number of wounded and lost animals with a .243 is less than the number of animals shot and lost with big magnum cartridges shot by hunters who think that african animals have the same armour used in tanks and a .338 whateveryoucallit magnum is the only way kill those animals. Most of these hunters are scared of their rifles and eventually end up missing or far worse wounding the animal.

Keep guessing, you seem to have a marvelously uncomplicated mind.

The 243 and 6mm are just "adequate" for the average whitetail deer, so in my view the answer is intuitively obvious. As to Harris' post, you've given the term "wild-assed guess" a quantum leap from it's original concept.jorge

PS: I like your motto at the bottom of your posts

I'd take at least a 270 Win. for plainsgame, along with maybe a 375 H&H for everything that needs a bigger bullet.

Or else just take a 30-06, 300 magnum of some sort, or 338 Win. Mag. and say to heck with it This is the course I recommend.........

Either way, I'd leave the 243 or 6mm at home for varmints and Hill Country whitetails!

AD

In RSA there are a lot of SAKO 243 rifles, used by the locals for plains game, of all sizes. Haveing said that, let me reinterate, LOCALS USE THEM! For the man who lives there, and knows his own, and the rifles capabilities, is not under guned with a 243 Win. However, he has all the time in the world to hunt, and to pick his shots, the client hunter does not!

In an area where no dangerous game abounds, a plain Jane old 30-06 with 180 gr Nosler Partitions is all that is needed, but a 338 Win would be a bit better if Eland or Giraffe are on the list. If, however, you are hunting plains game in an area where there are lots of Elephant, Buffalo, and Lion, then you plains game rifle needs to be at least adiquate for those animals, in case they are stumbled onto, at close range! In this case the smallest theing I would hunt with is a 9.3X62, or 74R, or the 375 H&H. The 30-06 will kill them all, but is not the best choice for the big boys.

I've been a fan of the .243 since the late 60's and have two of them in the gun safe. Saying that, I'd still only use them on antelope and light deer. There are so many better cartridges for game over 150 lbs that it just makes sense to use one of them.
Yeah, I know, the new super bullets are great, but a little more diameter, bullet weight, etc., just does the job better.

My son used one in South Africa and took impala, kudu, blesbok and bushbuck with it. No problems. Used 100 grain partitions, all one shot kills.

I think it is a little light, but the ranch owner said that he used one all of the time on the smaller game.

The biggest issue to our PH's was that the animal not run forever after being hit. The only animal that ran was the Kudu, about 75 yards on a 150 yard shot.

I would suggest using a 270 as a minimum however. The 243 was used because my son was very accurate with it.

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For Impala, springbok, Duiker, steenbok and the animals under 200 pounds, the .243 is just got to be as good as it gets. I believe most plains game hunters take two guns and if one is a .243 and the other a .30-06(or larger) It would be my opinion that this hunter was well equipped for African plains game.

In the hands of a man that can shoot it the .243 is an awesome cartridge. In the hands of a man that can't any gun is worthless.

fgulla
I agree that no matter how powerful your rifle is if you cannot shoot it well you are ion for trouble. My wife and I have sjopt a lot of deer sized game with a 243. Fot that it is excellent, but for genertal plains game hunting I think it is too light.
I have only been on one African hunt, 21 days in Zim 2004. Im used my scoped 9,3x74R.
My closest shot was a civit cat at less than 15 yards, to a kudu at a luttle over 300.All of my other shots were 200 yards or less. Many times I had to fire quickly at an animal at a less than perfect broadside angle. I even shot some impala going straight away, as well as some facing me.
As a minimum I would recommend a 7x57 with a 160 grain bullet. A Nosler Partition gives good expansion on smaller game but still penetrates deep on big game.
I use a 300 mag a lot here in the USA, If I took one to Africa I would use a 180 or 200 gr Premium bullet suitable for elk sized game.
I was suprized at how big and tough the waterbuck and kudu actually were. Big game deserves the proper bullet.
I found the 9,3 double perfect for the area I was hunting.
Also a little practice from field shooting positions is a good thing too.

Will the 243 work?? Yes!!! Would I use one only if I did not have another rifle with bigger 30 caliber...You are paying for them and if you use poor judgement you will have to pay...When shooting a bigger rifle it will do more damage and penetrate from side to side and front to back and visa versa...
If you keep all shots lungs to lungs it will kill...

Mike

First off, I think it is a little light but it is very popular in RSA. It would do for about 60% of the plains game in RSA to NAB. leave out Eland, Kudu, Gemsbuck., and the Sable. It would do fine. I shoot a 22-6mm every deer season here in Texas and I smoke about 2 deer a year. Just put it in the right spot.
I must confess that all I've used across the pond in a 375 H&H and a 350 rem mag with 250 H. RN

505ED

The .243 is no different than it is here in the states, it kills and wounds...Locals in Africa or the USA are no better or worse than hunters anywhere...That is an individual thing..I know some Africans and Americans that shouldn't be allowed to shoot anything...

I have seen a 243 100 gr. Remington Corelokt penetrate an Eland from ham to neck, and I have seen them come apart on a few Springbuck...

Bottom line is the .243 is fine for animals up to about 200 pounds anywhere in the world..but if one will modify his hunting technique then he could feasibly kill a Cape Buffalo with one.

To me plainsgame all around rifles start with the 7x57 with heavy bullets and goes up from there. A 30-06 to a 338 Win strike me as ideal...