How many of you guys use 243's as your primary weapon's ? If so, what load(s) do you use for game ?

I used to. Either the 85 grain Sierra BTHP, or the 95 grain Ballistic Tip.
From memory 42 grains of Ar2209 got me 3010fps with the 95 grain BT. Accuracy was superb.

I dont have weapons,I have firearms.

The media love to use the word weapon not us.

87 Hornady and 85 Barnes 43 grains AR2209 rabbits to cattle kills them all.

gryphon1 ... Sorry, didn't mean to piss anyone off. I was just wondering how much the 243 was being used over there now-a-days.
Carlson Highway ... I've also been using the Sierra 85 gr HPBT as my main hunting bullet for both varmints and whitetails here in the states for a very long time ... and don't see changing that in the near future. Ben

I wasnt pissed off with you,its the term 'weapon' chosen and used by anti shooters/anti hunters and it lumps us in with the criminal side of the world.

Like "The duck hunters with their shiny glistening weapons ready for the dawn."..that`s the sort of way it continues to be written by the media and for those that dont know we are then thought of as mercenary rambos.

My favourite load was 87gn SP Hornadys with DuPont 4350.

Can't remember the load. I rechambered the gun to Ackley Improved and liked it even more.

They're devastatingly effective on most of the stuff I shot with it.

I always say "show me someone who doesn't like a .243 and I'll show you someone who can't shoot".

Great results on pigs and medium size deer with 100grn Norma bullets. A New Zealand mate use to shoot Wapiti (American Elk) with the same.

My old Tassy mate Kelvin (dec) used a Parker Hale .243 for fallow and had over 80 "fallow buck notches" cut into the old leather sling..enuff said!

I'm a fan of heavy-for-calibre projectiles. Use 100 grainers where possible , havent had any issues.

I'm in Colorado, hunt antelope, mule deer and elk. Use the .243 100 or 105's for the small stuff and .200gr GK's in a .300Win/m for elk.

I feel there's no better shooting practice than using the hunting rifles and ammo for prairie dogs. Sure has helped my shooting and ranging ability over the years.

Gryph: Right on mate, right on!!

George