Do I need a .243

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Do I need a .243

Post by JimTom » 29 Dec 2017, 5:25 pm

G’day again Folks.

I have a .223 and a .308, I’m just thinking about something in between the two, perhaps a .243.
The .223 is good for dogs etc, and .308 is for pigs. I am anticipating an opportunity to hunt some small deer and thought the .243 might be a good choice. Do you think it’s justifiable, is there a more suitable caliber, or could I realistically get by with what I have?
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Re: Do I need a .243

Post by JimTom » 29 Dec 2017, 5:34 pm

It would have other applications in addition to small deer. Shooting bits of paper and also something for the boy to shoot some smaller pigs reasonably close.
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Re: Do I need a .243

Post by Daddybang » 29 Dec 2017, 6:16 pm

.243 is very versatile and will cover all the uses ya stated. For about five years it was the only rifle I owned and it held its own for dogs pigs brumbies and scrubbers. :thumbsup: :drinks:
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Re: Do I need a .243

Post by groundhog » 29 Dec 2017, 6:26 pm

If you want to shoot factory ammo it is a good choice,

If however you are into reloading I would consider a 6.5mm to be more versatile, either;

6.5 Grendel (Available in the Howa mini action)
6.5 Creedmoor (Remington SPS has just become available)
6.5x55 (Everyone makes one of these)

You can run pills from 85 grain Varmint rounds doing 3200 fps to 140 grain hunting rounds doing 2500 fps and with one rifle have something that can take everything, also it has fairly minimal recoil for the young bloke.
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Re: Do I need a .243

Post by Apollo » 29 Dec 2017, 6:28 pm

EVERY Shooter should have a .243W (Pope).

I have had one ever since I graduated from a Kid with an Air Rifle to owning a property.

These days you can load them from 55gr to 100gr to suit what you want.

My first was a Brno ZKK 601 and regretted ever selling it, then a Tikka T3 Varmint which I still have BUT that became a target rifle so the Barrel is spare, plus another that is also an extra to the current Sako 85 .243W. All very, very accurate. Good enough to win 300metre competitions.

YES... You need a Pope...!!
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Re: Do I need a .243

Post by Apollo » 29 Dec 2017, 6:34 pm

PS....

My old Tikka T3 .243W is now a 6.5x47 Lapua...

It will give the Creedmoor, Grendel (Tiny) and Sweede a run for their money.

So will the Pope, don't ever deny the vertue of a 6mm.
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Re: Do I need a .243

Post by JimTom » 29 Dec 2017, 6:38 pm

Thanks for your input gentlemen. Greatly appreciated.
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Re: Do I need a .243

Post by Oldbloke » 29 Dec 2017, 6:42 pm

You could consider two loads for the 308. A180 gr for larger deer, and 130gr or 110gr for smaller stuff.
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Re: Do I need a .243

Post by bladeracer » 29 Dec 2017, 6:58 pm

Scooter wrote:G’day again Folks.

I have a .223 and a .308, I’m just thinking about something in between the two, perhaps a .243.
The .223 is good for dogs etc, and .308 is for pigs. I am anticipating an opportunity to hunt some small deer and thought the .243 might be a good choice. Do you think it’s justifiable, is there a more suitable caliber, or could I realistically get by with what I have?


I like the .243 for its versatility.
From 55gn up to 108gn if you have a tight twist with velocities from subsonic to 4000fps.

I don't know that you _need_ one but I like to have one of everything :-)
If you have an 8-inch twist .223 you can use bullets up to 80gn which is well into .243 territory, and the .308 goes down to 100gn bullets.

As has been said already, some of the 6.5's are good as well.
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Re: Do I need a .243

Post by groundhog » 29 Dec 2017, 7:19 pm

Apollo wrote:PS....

My old Tikka T3 .243W is now a 6.5x47 Lapua...

It will give the Creedmoor, Grendel (Tiny) and Sweede a run for their money.


I agree and I have all four and can thoroughly recommend the 6.5x 47 Lap but it is an expensive beast to feed!
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Re: Do I need a .243

Post by juststarting » 29 Dec 2017, 7:25 pm

Do I need a new gun?
Yes.
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Re: Do I need a .243

Post by JimTom » 29 Dec 2017, 8:14 pm

Well I could probably get away without out one by dropping my loads in the .308 as you suggested. I think I will explore that avenue in the short term and give it some more thought. Perhaps a present to myself for my birthday much later in the year. Once again, very informative posts, appreciate it.
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Re: Do I need a .243

Post by JimTom » 29 Dec 2017, 8:42 pm

Still, it would be nice to have one of every caliber you wanted eh.
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Re: Do I need a .243

Post by bladeracer » 29 Dec 2017, 10:51 pm

Scooter wrote:Still, it would be nice to have one of every caliber you wanted eh.


I still need a few more yet ;-)
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Re: Do I need a .243

Post by marksman » 30 Dec 2017, 7:32 am

does it really matter that you need one, if you want one get one :drinks:
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Re: Do I need a .243

Post by Gwion » 30 Dec 2017, 7:36 am

You're asking the wrong crowd if you're after an objective point of view! :lol:
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Re: Do I need a .243

Post by JimTom » 30 Dec 2017, 8:28 am

Yes I guess I shouldn’t have expected anything different from a bunch of like minded firearm enthusiasts :-)
Do I need one? Probably not, but do I want one? Hell yes.
Any excuse to get another one.
Thanks fellas.
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Re: Do I need a .243

Post by Daddybang » 30 Dec 2017, 8:51 am

Scooter wrote:Yes I guess I shouldn’t have expected anything different from a bunch of like minded firearm enthusiasts :-)
Do I need one? Probably not, but do I want one? Hell yes.
Any excuse to get another one.
Thanks fellas.


Now ya got the right idea!!! :lol: :drinks:
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Re: Do I need a .243

Post by JimTom » 30 Dec 2017, 10:20 am

Reckon I’ll give the old 303 a miss mate.
.22, .223, .243, .308 should cover most applications. Maybe squeeze a .22Hornet in there later on down the track just for s**ts and giggles.
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Re: Do I need a .243

Post by Stix » 30 Dec 2017, 10:32 am

Yes Scooter, i dont have one either...
So we both need one...!!!
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Re: Do I need a .243

Post by Stix » 30 Dec 2017, 10:33 am

Actually...maybe we need 2 each...a sporter weight & heavy barrel version...
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Re: Do I need a .243

Post by sungazer » 30 Dec 2017, 11:05 am

Na scooter convert it to metric and you will see the holes. You still need a 6.5 and a 7mm then your pretty good upto the 308 :)
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Re: Do I need a .243

Post by juststarting » 30 Dec 2017, 11:19 am

Objectively, you definitely need a new rifle.
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Re: Do I need a .243

Post by sungazer » 30 Dec 2017, 12:12 pm

Just in case it doesn't stand out enough for you.
You have 5.5mm(223) 6mm(243) and a 7.6mm(308) You need 6.5mm and 7mm also multiple options in great calibres.
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Re: Do I need a .243

Post by JimTom » 30 Dec 2017, 12:21 pm

Spot on gents. I’ll get to it. May take a bit of saving, or powerball to achieve it all though.
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Re: Do I need a .243

Post by Apollo » 30 Dec 2017, 12:30 pm

Scooter wrote:Reckon I’ll give the old 303 a miss mate.
.22, .223, .243, .308 should cover most applications. Maybe squeeze a .22Hornet in there later on down the track just for s**ts and giggles.


No laughing matter, a .22 Hornet is a great piece of kit. They can be fiddly to tune, most certainly not the best with Factory Ammo but go the old track from years ago...Small Pistol Primers, the correct powder like Winchester 296, Lee Collet Dies and a Lee Factory Crimp, Bullets like Berger 30gr and you produce a very accurate result in the likes of less than 0.5MOA accuracy from a very fun calibre.

Quiet and accurate.

I sold my .17HMR in favour of my also CZ Hornet. Not much more expensive to shoot, a way lot more accurate and no dramas of dud factory ammo the HMR still has problems with...
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Re: Do I need a .243

Post by JimTom » 30 Dec 2017, 12:36 pm

Yep the CZ527 in .22Hornet is a great rifle.
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Re: Do I need a .243

Post by RoginaJack » 30 Dec 2017, 2:59 pm

A 243, DEFINITELY! Ammo is readily available, not too sure about the 6.5 stuff and you can always neck down your .308 shells to .243 . Just get one (at least) and a TIKKA is good.
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Re: Do I need a .243

Post by Oldbloke » 30 Dec 2017, 3:26 pm

While you're looking think about, 7x57 or 7-08
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Re: Do I need a .243

Post by on_one_wheel » 30 Dec 2017, 7:40 pm

I don't use my .243 anywhere near as much as I used to since I bought a .223 but when I do I love it.

I haven't had the .243 past 500 meters yet but im extremely impressed with how it shoot out that far with my mildly loaded 100 grain projectiles.

You definitely need one.
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