quote:

Originally posted by loiblb:
Tell me why you shoot .243 Does it have any advantages over other rounds?
Thanks

To answer the second part of your question. How many
cartridges have the range of animals which can be
humanely taken with the .243? Some people (who actually
know what shot placement is) have humanely killed elk
with the .243. Go from there to the lowly ground
squirrel, and anything in between. The bullet/loads
for it are endless.

This is coming from one who has several heavier rifles
and high performance muzzle loaders. That does not give
me any right to belittle the .243!

Another question: Why is the .243 good enough for kids
and women for deer while a "guy" needs some tooth-
jarring magnum for the same purpose???? Macho-ism????

I like the 243 Win. It was the 2nd 6mm bore that I acquired (after my 6mm Lee Navy).

It was always accurate and in the early 1970s I took two white tails and a mule deer with it, and it was hell on ground hogs.

It sat dormant for decades, because I was frequently stationed overseas. Then I started shooting it again in 2003.

I had bought it used and finally realized that it had a headspace problem when I started getting partial case-head separations after 4 or 5 reloads.

I gave the rifle to a friend who wanted the action to build into a 6.5-284 and I replaced the old 243 with a new Rem 700 in 243, because I had so much brass, 6mm bullets etc.

Well that rifle shot like crap no matter what I put down its throat, and when I finally decided that I had to rebarrel it, I went with the 243 AI, because I never liked the way the 243 stretched cases even with way under max loads. I seldom max-load anything and prefer to go for a "sweat" accuracy spot somewhere under max to preserve barrel life.

The rebarrel 243 AI will be ready in 2 weeks and I expect to perform like a 243 -- but slightly better -- look forward to fireforming and shooting 6mm again.

Here in Colorado the 6mm caliber is really not one of my favorites because of the 100gr minimum requirements to hunt big game. This would not be a problem with new AI because I put a 1:8 barrel on it handle the heavier bullet, but I have other rifles that are more useful for Antelope and deer. So the new AI will become my primary "walk about" varmit rifle for critter other than ground hogs.

Barstooler

quote:

Originally posted by Barstooler:

Here in Colorado the 6mm caliber is really not one of my favorites because of the 100gr minimum requirements to hunt big game.

Barstooler

This is not true.

6mm is the minimum caliber size, but 70 grains is the minimum weight for pronghorn and bear, while 85 grains is the minimum weight for elk and moose. Additionally, the impact energy at 100 yards must be 1,000-ft. pounds.

I shoot a .243 because it has negligible recoil, and shoots very flat, but can handle heavier bullets than my .22-250. I've killed a few deer with it and it worked just fine, but my primary use for my .243 is as a long-range varmint gun.

quote:

Originally posted by graybird:

quote:

Originally posted by Barstooler:

Here in Colorado the 6mm caliber is really not one of my favorites because of the 100gr minimum requirements to hunt big game.

Barstooler

This is not true.

6mm is the minimum caliber size, but 70 grains is the minimum weight for pronghorn and bear, while 85 grains is the minimum weight for elk and moose. Additionally, the impact energy at 100 yards must be 1,000-ft. pounds.

Big OOOppps.. You are absolutely correct.

But.. I would never shoot a deer/antelope/bear with a 70gr bullet nor an elk/moose with an 85gr bullet. I personally tend to be a heavy bullet for caliber kind of guy (e.g., Elmer Keith). No matter how I see it, shot placement is always required, but after that the physics of a bigger bullet is always more effective than a smaller bullet inside 350 yards. I will take big and fast over small and fast any day.

But thanks for pointing out my misinterpretation of the big game regulations.

Barstooler