Hey I was wondering which rifle would be better, a 270 or a 243? The cost of the bullets are close to the same price. It would be used from everything to prairie dogs to deer to hopefully an elk someday. Any advice?

It's not even close, go with the .270 unless it will be a primary prairie dog rig that sees some deer hunting. I think you'd be better served with a .270 and then something else for varmints.

Depends on what you want to shoot? Despite what a lot of people will say about shot placement, even a knitting needle will kill in eactly the right circumstance. Whether a particular calibre "will kill" is a valif question but is not the proper issue IMO. You should be asking what you will shoot and how often. A long day on a prairie dog hunt with a .270 could result in ringing ears, aching shoulders and expensive. On the other hand, a grizzly with a .243 in most hunts is a good way to get yourself killed. If you must insist on one rifle only go .270 so you're not leaving too many wounded animals out there and you can defend yourself.

If you are going to hunt game from elk to varmints I would suggest a 30 cal (.308 or (personally) 30-06), and a .243. I say 30 cal. because on the upper end you can load to break bones. For smaller game .243 because in the lower spectrum you can still legally take a deer - many jurisdictions set 6mm/.243 as the smallest deer cartridge.

One thing about your choices makes sense to me - common factory calibres so you can buy off the shelf ammo in the boonies if you run out.

i agree with dempsey.
for deer and up i would use the 270.
for p/dogs i would buy a 223 or 22/250.
243 is too small for elk.

quote:

Originally posted by BBBruce:
Depends on what you want to shoot? Despite what a lot of people will say about shot placement, even a knitting needle will kill in eactly the right circumstance. Whether a particular calibre "will kill" is a valif question but is not the proper issue IMO. You should be asking what you will shoot and how often. A long day on a prairie dog hunt with a .270 could result in ringing ears, aching shoulders and expensive. On the other hand, a grizzly with a .243 in most hunts is a good way to get yourself killed. If you must insist on one rifle only go .270 so you're not leaving too many wounded animals out there and you can defend yourself.

If you are going to hunt game from elk to varmints I would suggest a 30 cal (.308 or (personally) 30-06), and a .243. I say 30 cal. because on the upper end you can load to break bones. For smaller game .243 because in the lower spectrum you can still legally take a deer - many jurisdictions set 6mm/.243 as the smallest deer cartridge.

One thing about your choices makes sense to me - common factory calibres so you can buy off the shelf ammo in the boonies if you run out.

+1

Dear Bird Dog:

I used a 243 Winchester on lots of groundhogs and three deer (one shot each, using Sierra bullets) in Pennsylvania.

I have shot a 270 Winchester and even a 300 Winchester Magnum at groundhogs. That gets old real fast!

I have no experience in shooting elk.

Sincerely,

Chris Bemis

quote:

Originally posted by bird dog 270:
Hey I was wondering which rifle would be better, ..... would be used from everything to prairie dogs to deer to hopefully an elk someday. Any advice?

Get two rifles! - 1 won't cover all that!

quote:

Originally posted by bird dog 270:
. It would be used from everything to prairie dogs to deer to hopefully an elk someday.

.260rem of course, this is what the 6.5's is made for

Of your two choices, I would definitely go with the 270. The 243 is fine for varmints to deer-size critters, but for elk you're asking too much. Lou

Go with the 270 it is much more versatile. You can then change bullet weights as required for the animals being hunted. Don't forget you will have to resight your rifle whenever you change your bullet weight as point of impact will change.

How often do you hunt elk?......If you say never or maybe someday is your answer then buy a .243

How often do you hunt dogs?.......If you say always or every chance I get 6 months a year buy a .223

How often do you hunt deer?......If you say it's what I hunt the most then flip a coin but I would go with the .270 over the .243
I have both and they both kill deer.

But to give a range from dogs to elk is too large of a range.

I have both.Although in England we don't have coyotes we have foxes. The only advantage that the 243 offers is at the lighter end of the bullet spectrum. But you can get light bullets in 270 in loads that turn it into a "Super 243" - that's Remington's Managed Recoil 270 loading.

If you get the 270 and do use it often you will eventually know the rifle so well that when you do get the chance on an elk you'll be 100% confident in it.

The advantage that the 270 brings is that it has a high enough velocity and flat trajectory with the standard 130 grain bullet to just be considered as an effective long range fox/coyote rifle.

But it's not ideal. As others say are two rifles not possible? If you want to bridge the gap then maybe a 25-06?

Or buy a 308 and have done with it, you can load it to perform much the same as the 243 and the 270 within sensible hunting ranges and it is common as muck so there is ammo and reloading gear in every shop.

As others have said, from the 2 you mention, you'd be best with the 270 because you can load it to perform almost exactly the same as the 243 and you can also load it to its full potential to give you a bit more. Under those circumstances you've covered all your bases with one rifle.

enfield, +1

270 of the 2.

I would also concur with one of the other posts that your spectrum of game really requires 2 rifles! Get a 223 for the small crap and use the 270 on deer/elk. Forget the 243.

From some of the postings lately on AR, I'm a little surprised that no one has told you to get a 22 Hornet but make sure you load it down for ELK. roger

Like it or not, the 270 is a monster of a cartridge for 75% of all North American game. It's not a bench ctge, but it is a true freezer filler delux.

Neither, get the .270 WSM and then when you step up to the ELK you can get an extra 200 fps over the .270 on the bigger bullets, with the .243 fading far to the rear. Good luck and good shooting.

quote:

Originally posted by bartsche:
From some of the postings lately on AR, I'm a little surprised that no one has told you to get a 22 Hornet but make sure you load it down for ELK. roger

But dont forget the SMK bullet

If you're handloading, I'd suggest a 6.5x55 or 260 Rem. I realize that wasn't the question, but I think the two cartridges I suggested would fill the jobs you have listed.

My 0.02...

If you only want one rifle, get a 30-06 or a .308

I'll agree with the fact that it depends mostly on what you will hunt most often.

A lot of prairie dogs? I wouldn't use a sporter to fill a role that is better filled by a dedicated varmint rifle. The .270 is a little much but can do it. The .243 can do it as well but again is a bit more than needed.

A lot of deer? .243 and .270 will both kill deer, but the .270 will let you do it with a little more confidence. Slightly more weight and frontal area at slightly higher velocity adds up to more effectiveness on big game.

When you step up to elk, there is simply no comparison - a stoutly loaded .270 with 150gr bullets will have no problem penetrating deep and hitting vital organs. I would not have the same confidence in a .243.

The way I see it, the .243 is best served as a mixed purpose predator and deer/antelope round while the .270 is a better choice from there on up through caribou, black bear, moose, and elk. There are better choices for varmint calibers as well as moose/elk calibers, so really you need to buy at least 5 guns - a varminter .223, a light .243 for predators and deer, standard weight .270 for deer, bear and caribou, a .300 magnum for moose and elk, and a .375 because this is Accurate Reloading and that's how we roll!

But seriously, if you are limited to just 1 gun and hunt mostly small stuff, .270 would be my recommendation. If you plan on taking a lot of deer and maybe a few outings for elk, I would think long and hard about a .30-06, it's the king for a reason!

If you are truely limited to one rifle I'd say a compromise of the two you listed and get a 7mm-08. Factory ammo is readily available, and if you handload a LARGE range of bullets.

Of the two you listed, the 270 is the way to go - by a mile. If you go with the 270, I would try my hardest to get a 22LR for P'Dogs and just plinking. Hone your staulking skills using the 22LR vs the P'dogs.

RH

The 270 is capable of taking Elk, it may not be the best choice, but it's for sure far better than the 243.

quote:

Originally posted by Grenadier:
In some states .243 is not legal to use for elk hunting.

Very sensible too!

Lets see prairie dog shooting = a lot, deer = a few, elk maybe sometime in the distant future, I say this narrows it down to a .243 with maybe a .270 in the future as $'s permit. You will find the .243 less punishing on those pd safaris and deer hunts in the meantime. Having said all that if it must be just one gun your only option of the 2 is the .270 -FWIW --- John303.

John303, I agree with your logic but not your conclusion. I love the .243 but would recommend the .270 to anyone wanting a big game hunting rifle.

Get the .270 first and learn to shoot it well, you'll be deadly on big game. Later, get a .243 or, maybe even better, a .22-250 for little critters.

Yep,
These guys are right . the .243 is to light for elk.
The .270 is a little light to0 but it will do.
I would be in the camp that says .308 is a better choice.
Ammo still cheap. Get a cheap 17 HMR for prairie dogs. (they are about usless in the wind though).
But if you really like shooting prarie dogs , get the .243 and hold off on elk hunting till you can get another rifle. Or borrow one.
.243 os a very good round for game below about 300lbs, and is easy to learn to shoot well.
...tj3006

I don't know what kind of deer you hunt, but I wouldn't for one split second shoot the big boys I encounter out west with a 243, not even some of the big boys from south Ga. For and elk a 243 is a joke.

If you handload, a 270 can be rigged to be a great varmint rig with 90 gr v-max pills etc.

If you are a factory ammo guy, get the 270 and buy some factory fodder with 100 gr pills or whatever is available for varmints, and some 140-150 premiums for elk, the 130 gr and a 270 are the quintessential combo for deer!

Another thought might be a switch barrel for 308 and 243 (same action length) and then your versatility really goes up a notch, although except for the Savage, this isn't a cheap route to go.

Good Luck!

quote:

Originally posted by ghostrider272:
If you're handloading, I'd suggest a 6.5x55 or 260 Rem. I realize that wasn't the question, but I think the two cartridges I suggested would fill the jobs you have listed.

My 0.02...

Oh, you beat me to it. Asking the 243 to take elk is a huge stretch, I don't even like it that much for deer. The 260 or 6.5x55 handloaded, can do elk in close & makes a fine all day varmint rig w/ 85gr-90gr bullets.

Is this a trick question? Anyway 270 win is a good answer to many needs.

243 answer what ifs for 22 lr, 270 win for 243 win, 375 H&H for 270 win and so on. Holes can be to small even if they are long enough. Bears can be mad even if they have a hole in their heart a few hours (I'm told), deer less so.

Get the 270 win, it is good.

English is second to me so..

That's easy for me since I'm a .270 slut. Get the .270 Win. Then, for the smaller stuff in the future, something like a .223 or .22-250.
Gotta keep in mind here that you addressed the issue of the cost of factory ammo, so evidently you don't handload.
Bear in Fairbanks

A relatively easy choice to be made here simply purchase a WSM270 .

As you yourself have already stated not much difference in bullet cost .

A one gun battery is never advisable , yet when it must suffice the above round

will do it all . As you said bullets I must assume your a re loader or will become one !.

They still make factory loads for the 243?

ddj

Alright. Thanks for the advise guys. Yes I buy some factory loads but I am going to start reloading real soon once I get enough brass. I have a 270 right now but was wondering if I should switch but I don't think I will. What are some good bullets (sush as the V-max or other types) to use for different animals?

Hornady Interlocks are my favorite non-premium bullet right now - cheap and they get the job done. I've had good results with the 150gr Nosler Partition in the .270 as well on moose and black bear. Traditionally, 130's were for deer, caribou, and antelope, while 150's were for moose, elk, and black bear. The 140's are a good compromise. I have no experience with the varmint weight bullets personally, but would suggest keeping your eyes open for a used .223 for those prairie dogs or even a cheap sporter-weight Stevens 200 with a good scope can do the job well.

I have killed deer with .243 and .270. All one shot kills. But if you only want to buy and reload for one caliber go with the .308. You just can't go wrong with a .308.
I will bet money that it won't be long till you have one of each, dies for each caliber, at least 2 presses, variety of bullets, different powders...you MUST experiment with different powders and bullet combinations...I mean what is the point of hand loading if you can't experiment. Trust me ... its addictive and I have no intention of getting help for it!
Good Luck
Ken

quote:

Originally posted by Duckear:
If you only want one rifle, get a 30-06

Good advice. I've shot many 270s over the years, and IMO they kick just as hard as any 30-06 I've ever shot. If you insist upon sticking to your two choices, get the .270 Winchester. A fine varminter with the ability to take deer, the .243 isn't the multi-purpose cartridge the others are.

Since you aspire to hunt elk the 270 is clearly the better choice. That said you have many other options in and around that power range: 30'06, 308, 280 Rem, 7x57, 7mm08, 6.5x55, or 260 Rem. None of them are the switch-hitting varminter/deer gun the 243 is though. Of course if a fella bought a Knight KP1, Mossberg SSi-One, T/C Encore he wouldn't have to choose; he could buy the right barrel for most any hunt on the planet.

quote:

Originally posted by BBBruce:
If you are going to hunt game from elk to varmints I would suggest a 30 cal (.308 or (personally) 30-06), and a .243. I say 30 cal. because on the upper end you can load to break bones.

I've hunted a few elk with the .270 and can tell you it will break bone just as well as a .30-06 will. We always talk about SD as a good indicator of penetration and the 150 grain .277 spitzer bullet and the .308 180 grain spitzer of the same brand have almost identical sectional densities. Sure the .30-06 has a larger frontal diameter and will create a larger wound channel but the .270 will penetrate just as deeply if both cartridges have similar velocities at the time of impact. I’ve never recovered a bullet from an elk with either the .30-06 or .270, and have never found where the .270 is light for elk in any way.

I have other rifles I’ll choose when I go hunting now for elk and have relegated using it mainly for deer. I wouldn’t however hesitate to loan it to a person wanting to hunt elk along with the 150 grain Nosler Partition loads I have worked up for it. As long as they ask to borrow it with enough time to become familar with my rifle and load. So if you can’t tell I’d recommend the .270 as well even though I have a .243 Win in my safe.