243 rifle

[Northland]

I have a 30-30 and a 300 mag. I am contemplating a 243 for northern minn deer hunting. The longest shot I have taken is 110yds. Any advice out there

[BGunn]

Just my opinion, I'd stay with the .30-30

[Magic]

Stay with the 300 Win Mag, get a 150-200 gr bullets, sight in 1 inch high at 100yds and shoot to 300 yds. Shoulder shot and dead is dead. Practice further and shoot further, lots further.

[MrStarnes1]

i shoot a .243 here in eastern SD.... most shots i take with it are over 200 yards. you could never buy my 243 from me but if i was shooting in heavy cover in short yardage situations, i wouldn't bring this gun to the field
if i was hunting in an area where my shots were 150 or less, and also in wooded areas, i would use a gun with a little extra kick behind it... 300 is a fun gun but too much kick for my 140 pound frame. my next choice would probably be a 30.06. my father in law and a few friends shoot them and they are fast and straight shooting.

[7mmWSM]

Originally Posted by Northland

I have a 30-30 and a 300 mag. I am contemplating a 243 for northern minn deer hunting. The longest shot I have taken is 110yds. Any advice out there

The 243 will do just fine for what you describe. I admit that I use larger, more powerful cartridges, and yet when I hunted with the 243 I always brought home the venison. My theory is a person should shoot the most powerful cartridge THAT THEY CAN SHOOT WELL. It's more where you hit them than what you hit them with but a little insurance never hurts.

[tds2180]

I would step it up to a 270

[T Mac]

110 yds is .30-30 territory.
.243 will work... but more popular as an open country (antelope/deer) gun.
But get one anyway...right?

[stevefellegy]

Originally Posted by MrStarnes1

i shoot a .243 here in eastern SD.... most shots i take with it are over 200 yards. you could never buy my 243 from me but if i was shooting in heavy cover in short yardage situations, i wouldn't bring this gun to the field
if i was hunting in an area where my shots were 150 or less, and also in wooded areas, i would use a gun with a little extra kick behind it... 300 is a fun gun but too much kick for my 140 pound frame. my next choice would probably be a 30.06. my father in law and a few friends shoot them and they are fast and straight shooting.

I agree---best all around Mn. deer caliber is the 30.06--180 grain. 1.5 inches high at 100 yds. at the range and you'll be good from 10 to 200 yds. without fail! That bullet will handle more brush than the .243 and will do a better job if you make a little off the mark shot. 30.06 all that way!

[GWC]

I use a 280 Remington Mountain Rifle with a 140 or 150 grain bullet for deer. I like to walk the ravines & brush then I like to use a Marlin 30-30 with steel sights. Both have worked well for me. If I were buying another rifle it would probably be a 30-06. It has a wide range of bullets weights and can be used for a broad range of game. A 7mm would be another good choice for larger game such as elk or moose.

[bfish]

Originally Posted by tds2180

I would step it up to a 270

same here