243 win, what do you use yours for ?

[bigpete]

Just go the 358...

[duncan61]

Love the 358 obsession I got a stiffy for the 338 Fed when I first found out about it.I took the advice of this forum and agreed it will be easier and better to purchase a rifle already chambered in 338 Fed.My Howa .243 had rusted in the bag in a safe and it made me sad.The bore was oiled and the action did not rust but the 22 inch barrel was pitted and ugly.I ended up taking it to work and belt sanding it then undercoat and I hand painted it Camo with airfix paint.To answer the O.P. we Standardised our loads with 80 gn PSP on 35gn 2208 and use it for everything.Some of the blokes I hunt with buy their own factory stuff cos they dont shoot that often but I only use the reloads.I zeroed at the range the other day at 300 yards and once on was hitting the V bull 2 out of 3 my logic was to try and do a bunny at 300 but its back to 100 metre zero again as I went culling roos and that works for me.

[duncan61]

80 gn PSP doing just over 3000 fps what on the planet will shrug that of as a mozzie bite.

camo .243 2.jpg (558.19 KiB) Viewed 6232 times

[bigrich]

Lotta people I bin talking to about 243 use it to zap roo’s at distances. Would be more reliable with a heavier bullet than a 22-250 I suppose. My 222 was getting pushed around a little at 200 yesterday, the wind doesn’t faze my 6.5x55 at that distance

[bigpete]

Considering the legalities of shooting roos beyond 200m,I see zero logic in that comment. A 50gn .224 bullet to the head will do exactly the same as an 80gn .243 bullet will.....

[deanp100]

Considering the legalities of shooting roos beyond 200m,I see zero logic in that comment. A 50gn .224 bullet to the head will do exactly the same as an 80gn .243 bullet will.....

Makes perfect sense. A lot of Roos are shot under light beyond 200. A wind bucking projectile will make that job easier.

[bigrich]

Considering the legalities of shooting roos beyond 200m,I see zero logic in that comment. A 50gn .224 bullet to the head will do exactly the same as an 80gn .243 bullet will.....

Makes perfect sense. A lot of Roos are shot under light beyond 200. A wind bucking projectile will make that job easier.

I didn’t consider the 200 meter legal range perspective with Roos Pete. Either way a heavier projectile will be pushed around less as the distance increases. I’m pretty sure a lot have been shot well past that distance but . I’m not gunna say a 243 is the be all and end all, but is does seem to be flexible for a lot of different jobs depending on how it’s loaded . JMHO

[bigpete]

Wind is the only thing I would consider it being an advantage with. And 200m is certainly the maximum legal shooting distance. Once you sign that permit you gotta abide by the code of practice, so people banging on about shooting them from further are admitting to breaking the law....

[Bruiser64]

Wind is the only thing I would consider it being an advantage with. And 200m is certainly the maximum legal shooting distance. Once you sign that permit you gotta abide by the code of practice, so people banging on about shooting them from further are admitting to breaking the law....

I totally agree with you Pete. If you are going to shoot Roos it is beholden on you to comply with the Code of Practice. Many people don’t realise the COP was created to give the community confidence that roo shooting is done in a careful, humane, controlled manner. Governments in Australia want there to be a roo shooting industry and want the ability for Roos to be culled by shooting. The COP lets them say to the antis that their concerns about how humane the process is have been addressed. So if we as shooters want to support the ability to manage roo numbers through shooting we need to comply. Antis do monitor these sites so posting that you intend being non compliant is ill advised in my view.

Having said that I do use my .243 for foxes and Roos. I shoot reloads using 87 gun Vmax projectiles, AR2209 powder and CCI large rifle primers. I am pretty happy with this load.

[bigrich]

Wind is the only thing I would consider it being an advantage with. And 200m is certainly the maximum legal shooting distance. Once you sign that permit you gotta abide by the code of practice, so people banging on about shooting them from further are admitting to breaking the law....

I totally agree with you Pete. If you are going to shoot Roos it is beholden on you to comply with the Code of Practice. Many people don’t realise the COP was created to give the community confidence that roo shooting is done in a careful, humane, controlled manner. Governments in Australia want there to be a roo shooting industry and want the ability for Roos to be culled by shooting. The COP lets them say to the antis that their concerns about how humane the process is have been addressed. So if we as shooters want to support the ability to manage roo numbers through shooting we need to comply. Antis do monitor these sites so posting that you intend being non compliant is ill advised in my view.

Having said that I do use my .243 for foxes and Roos. I shoot reloads using 87 gun Vmax projectiles, AR2209 powder and CCI large rifle primers. I am pretty happy with this load.

that sounds like a nice 243 load bruiser . i might have to try that one. as for the roo shooting thing , it doesn't interest me and i haven't done it personally . you and pete are absolutely right in being compliant , and the 200 meter rule is something i hadn't remembered . sure as but , there are experienced shooters who have shot them out further . maybe they didn't have their rangefinder or tape measure handy . just sayin" if you wanted to pick off other "varmits" further out , wind drift would be less with a heavier projectile

[bigpete]

Actually,the one contract roo shooter I know personally at the moment does use a rangefinder....
What I find disturbing is the amount of folks who post "500m" head shots up on Facebook and such....

I also confess,I'm not a great fan of the 243,as I've already got a 223,22/250,and a 308,all of which shoot 10x as good as my 243.....

[duncan61]

I like the fact you can go to a small country town hardware store and if they sell ammo which most do they will have .243

[GQshayne]

I do not have ballistics records available to me, but memory tells me that compared to a .222, the .243 has a better trajectory at longer ranges.

[bigrich]

Actually,the one contract roo shooter I know personally at the moment does use a rangefinder....
What I find disturbing is the amount of folks who post "500m" head shots up on Facebook and such....

I also confess,I'm not a great fan of the 243,as I've already got a 223,22/250,and a 308,all of which shoot 10x as good as my 243.....

well a range finder would definately make the roo shooters job easier for more accurate shooting . i find it disturbing about those sorts of facebook posts as well pete . the futherest shot i've taken woulda been a bit over 200 yards , probably 220 , on a goat . chest shot with a 140sst out of a 6.5 swede, dropped instantly . and that's about as far as i would try , to ensure clean kills .like a lot of people a lot of my shots are around 100-150 i guess . as for not liking 243's , yeah well we've all got our likes/dislikes. as you know i bought this one for a 358 project, have'nt owned or used a 243, so thought i would gauge peoples opinions and decide whether or not to give it a go in 243 first before rebarreling. the jury's still out as i think my 222 and 6.5 can cover most of what i do. i notice you list a 223 in your collection. me personally , i like 222 better..

[TassieTiger]

I wasn't going to post in this as BR seemed to be wanting positive experiences...and as he has said, we all have our opinions...soooooooo here's mine.
I started my shooting career with a 243 and did not have a great experience with it. It was not a good learning tool and I had rifle issues with it. I experimented with insanely heavy pills and had little idea as to what the f I was doing and in hindsight it hindered my career more than helped it.
The 243 to me is a jack of all trades but master of none - I'm not a mainstream fan of the calibre simply because it's kind of in-between decent calibres (in my worthless opinion)...222 / 223 - perfect for 50-70gn's...250/6.5/260/270 all seem to be the logical next step shooting 90gnto150gn pills before moving to the .3's...150gn-200gn. If I could only have one centrefire - then perhaps Id reconsider it - but at the moment, my safes are happy to not have a 243 within....but all this talk of a 358 ? I did just buy another safe...lol.

[bigpete]

I have a lot of guns that have been passed on to me,in this case,the 223 was my dad's fox shooting rifle back when he used it to pay off our first house...hence why I have it,and a 22/250...also passed on to.me

[bigrich]

I have a lot of guns that have been passed on to me,in this case,the 223 was my dad's fox shooting rifle back when he used it to pay off our first house...hence why I have it,and a 22/250...also passed on to.me

sounds like there's a lot of history in those rifles pete . yeah 358 tazz . a 308 win necked up to 35 cal. much more energy transfer apparently. not that the 308 is lacking . a 35 cal 225 game king or a 250 grain round nose would be serious medicine , but with the right projectile the medium bore can still kill well on lighter game . the 358 can fit in short action rifles and works with shorter length barrels like 308 does. lighter less kicking package than the 35 whelen build i was considering . do some research taz, it's a interesting caliber

[Bruiser64]

I have a lot of guns that have been passed on to me,in this case,the 223 was my dad's fox shooting rifle back when he used it to pay off our first house...hence why I have it,and a 22/250...also passed on to.me

sounds like there's a lot of history in those rifles pete . yeah 358 tazz . a 308 win necked up to 35 cal. much more energy transfer apparently. not that the 308 is lacking . a 35 cal 225 game king or a 250 grain round nose would be serious medicine , but with the right projectile the medium bore can still kill well on lighter game . the 358 can fit in short action rifles and works with shorter length barrels like 308 does. lighter less kicking package than the 35 whelen build i was considering . do some research taz, it's a interesting caliber

Have both. You know you want to. What could possibly go wrong with re-chambering to the .358 AND get yourself a nice new dedicated.243. Or the CZ in .458 Win Mag. You know it makes sense.

[bigpete]

Oooh 458 win mag !

[bigrich]

Oooh 458 win mag !

Steady Pete, steady mate sounds like you’re getting all wet over a 458 . would be handy if you want go up the territory....

[bigrich]

I have a lot of guns that have been passed on to me,in this case,the 223 was my dad's fox shooting rifle back when he used it to pay off our first house...hence why I have it,and a 22/250...also passed on to.me

sounds like there's a lot of history in those rifles pete . yeah 358 tazz . a 308 win necked up to 35 cal. much more energy transfer apparently. not that the 308 is lacking . a 35 cal 225 game king or a 250 grain round nose would be serious medicine , but with the right projectile the medium bore can still kill well on lighter game . the 358 can fit in short action rifles and works with shorter length barrels like 308 does. lighter less kicking package than the 35 whelen build i was considering . do some research taz, it's a interesting caliber

Have both. You know you want to. What could possibly go wrong with re-chambering to the .358 AND get yourself a nice new dedicated.243. Or the CZ in .458 Win Mag. You know it makes sense.

Yeah I had considered having both bruiser, but I only have so much safe space , and as I live in suburbia and don’t get out to hunt nowhere near as much as I’d like, I gotta keep things in perspective. As far as centre fires go I’ve got a super accurate 22 hornet, 222 Winchester, 6.5x55 Winchester, a 357 marlin for fun, and the 70a Winchester I got coming that’s gunna be 358 . That’s a pretty good spread for what I do . But my local gun shop has a jm stamped marlin 444 that’s really tempting....

[bigpete]

Oooh 458 win mag !

Steady Pete, steady mate sounds like you’re getting all wet over a 458 . would be handy if you want go up the territory....

Great bunny and fox gun! Even got s mold for 570gn pills for it !

[Bruiser64]

I hear what you’re saying Bigrich. Sometimes practicality has to intrude. I personally have hit safe capacity too. I live on the south coast of WA and what I have in my safe covers all that I do as well. I did see a 22 Hornet for sale recently that tempted me. I gave it a miss as I have a 204, and I know I am always likely to use it in preference to the Hornet. Even though I love it as a calibre.

[bigrich]

I hear what you’re saying Bigrich. Sometimes practicality has to intrude. I personally have hit safe capacity too. I live on the south coast of WA and what I have in my safe covers all that I do as well. I did see a 22 Hornet for sale recently that tempted me. I gave it a miss as I have a 204, and I know I am always likely to use it in preference to the Hornet. Even though I love it as a calibre.

Sometimes it’s “just because “ factor. Hornet aren’t bad cause they use stuff all powder. I load mine with 12.5 gn of lil gun . And I use the same powder in 357 mag marlin. A hot load with 180’s is 14.8 grains. However looking at the 444 , it uses a lot more powder, so even though I’m tempted, it’s a lot more expensive to run just for fun

[sungazer]

Just behind the 308 the 243 is my favorite calibre. In fact it is probably my favorite just that I have to use the 308 more. It can use anything from the 60 grn to 105 grn. I like using the 90 grn Berger target bullets they really put them all in one hole. The bullet even says on the pack also suitable for varmints. Not that I rally need that endorsement as I would use them anyway. I really do go for the head shots with high confidence of a hit. The rifle is a Sako 85 varmint stainless wood version. I use a range finder and carry a drop sheet in 20 yrd increments with me. A 6 mm hole in the head no matter what type of bullet is a one shot humane kill. The calibre works so well a lot to do with velocity being able to send it fast really give good penetration. It will make a good indent on 10mm bissaloy where as the 308 traveling nearly as fast will vaporize.

[bigrich]

That’s the type of performance I’ve heard 243 is known for sungazer. I betcha a sako varmit is a sweet rifle

[bigpete]

Bigrich, as a matter of interest,I just got off the phone to my gunsmith,and was quoted $580 to rebarrel my 243 to 358 winchester and refit the existing iron sights..

[bigrich]

Bigrich, as a matter of interest,I just got off the phone to my gunsmith,and was quoted $580 to rebarrel my 243 to 358 winchester and refit the existing iron sights..

That’s a good price Pete. What brand of barrel is that ? I’ve been quoted around $700 by a smith in Toowoomba to fit a swan barrel. Long waiting time in Brisbane for smiths

[bigpete]

Sprinter firearms. That's the barrel built,blued, sights fitted,and fitted to the action