.243 pros and cons, What can it do and what can’t it do?

[bigpete]

Ive got Ruger American ith Boyyds stock. Shooting OSA ammo, it is a ripper outfit. I constantly nail roos at 350 - 400m. Pretty hard to do much shooting over that range where I am

What’s your aim point at that range, the heart?

Supposed to be the head...

[Arcwolf]

I have a Tikka .243 T3X Lite Stainless. I like the rifle and calibre a lot. As others have said, the 243 is very versatile. When I first bought it, I used the Buffalo River 70 grain hollow point ammo. I switched to 87 grain Vmaxs as the Buffalo River ammo used a match projectile which was accurate but inconsistent in its performance on game. My version of the Tikka is designed to be carried around in the field and to make a small number of shots at a time. The barrel heats up quickly if you shoot 4 or 5 or more shots in quick succession. The rifle is accurate and I like its versatility. It will kill any game l am likely to come across here in the far south of WA.

I can recommend the Tikka. I am happy with what my rifle does and how it does it. I have posted on a number of occasions that in my experience one rifle cant do it all. Whilst the 243 is a versatile calibre, my particular iteration of it is best suited as a walk around hunting rifle. If you want something to use on the range as well, you will need to decide what end of the compromise spectrum you want to be on and make your decision accordingly. My preference is to get the right tool for the job at hand. Highly effective rifles can be had for not a lot of money, so just buy several. Especially since you live in Queensland and it is easier to get additional firearms than it is here in WA. If you like the 243 you could get a Tikka in a Lite version and a Howa in a varmint version, which covers a range of options. For me though, l would get a Lite 243, and a varmint 223.

I’m thinking the T3x lite and choosing a heavy barrel as I don’t mind carrying a little extra weight around. Eventually I will be adding a .223 and .22 but just to start out I’m pretty set on the .243 for targets and putting meat in the freezer.

[Bruiser64]

I have a Tikka .243 T3X Lite Stainless. I like the rifle and calibre a lot. As others have said, the 243 is very versatile. When I first bought it, I used the Buffalo River 70 grain hollow point ammo. I switched to 87 grain Vmaxs as the Buffalo River ammo used a match projectile which was accurate but inconsistent in its performance on game. My version of the Tikka is designed to be carried around in the field and to make a small number of shots at a time. The barrel heats up quickly if you shoot 4 or 5 or more shots in quick succession. The rifle is accurate and I like its versatility. It will kill any game l am likely to come across here in the far south of WA.

I can recommend the Tikka. I am happy with what my rifle does and how it does it. I have posted on a number of occasions that in my experience one rifle cant do it all. Whilst the 243 is a versatile calibre, my particular iteration of it is best suited as a walk around hunting rifle. If you want something to use on the range as well, you will need to decide what end of the compromise spectrum you want to be on and make your decision accordingly. My preference is to get the right tool for the job at hand. Highly effective rifles can be had for not a lot of money, so just buy several. Especially since you live in Queensland and it is easier to get additional firearms than it is here in WA. If you like the 243 you could get a Tikka in a Lite version and a Howa in a varmint version, which covers a range of options. For me though, l would get a Lite 243, and a varmint 223.

I’m thinking the T3x lite and choosing a heavy barrel as I don’t mind carrying a little extra weight around. Eventually I will be adding a .223 and .22 but just to start out I’m pretty set on the .243 for targets and putting meat in the freezer.

I think you will be pretty happy. With your choice. The 243 is very versatile. The Roos and foxes I have shot with mine were well and truly dead.

[Daddybang]

Ive got Ruger American ith Boyyds stock. Shooting OSA ammo, it is a ripper outfit. I constantly nail roos at 350 - 400m. Pretty hard to do much shooting over that range where I am

What’s your aim point at that range, the heart?

Supposed to be the head...

Yep not supposed to shootem anywhere other than the head!

[bigfellascott]

A reasonable quality secondhand 22 would be the best first rifle to gain experience easily and cheaply. If you get a decently priced one and take care of it you can resell it without loosing any money.
I'm not saying dont buy a.243, just consider getting a 22 too.

I’ve done a bit of shooting, different calibers .22, .223 and .308’s also quite a lot of pistol shooting! I definitely agree with owning a .22 as it’s a staple caliber but I’m ready to start providing food for my family by ways of hunting and the minimum caliber for deer here in QLD is a .243 and that’s about as big of an animal I’ll be going for.

Mate if you are hunting deer get a light barrel, not some heavy thing which will be a PITA to carry any great distance. Also I'd look at going a 308 or something in the 7mm family over the 243 as you have Red Deer up that way and they are reasonably solid deer and I personally think the bigger cals would be more beneficial in some of the open country up there.

I think you are on the right track with the Tikka, they are generally light so easy to carry around the hills for hours on end.

[marksman]

for what it's worth my opinion is that the 243 can be a very capable round if used with heavy projectiles
if you are going to have a crack at targets try the 105gr bergers, I use them for game as well, even head shooting rabbits for the pot at distance
I used a 243 for many years and do like the cartridge, here is a photo of it as a very lightweight carry around rifle



then I turned it into a varmint style rig in 6mm dasher with a #6 contour barrel, in target terms it is still a lightweight target profile
shoots dots at amazing ranges now with very little effort, still a hunting rifle just used for a different type of hunting



if I had any advise for you it would be to buy what will do the best job for you
a varmint style for target or longer range hunting or a lightweight for stalking

[solarpak]

Arcwolf,
the 243 in an excellent choice for your first centre fire rifle but i agree with many other posters - buying a 22LR rifle will help you with getting to learn the fundamentals of shooting a rifle well - shooting off the bench, prone, free-hand etc.....

That aside, there are many wonderful rifles and i suggest for your first 243 something like the Howa, Franchi Horizon, Ruger American (ie under $1000 price point) are a great way to start.

if you want to do mainly target shooting (informally that is) a decent 70 grain factory load will suffice and for hunting, it depends on the quarry. I gave successfully used the Norma 100 gr Oryx load and the GECO 105 gr Teilmantel for deer up to the size of Red Deer without a problem.

But its a pleasant calibre to shoot and will do almost everything....
CK

[Arcwolf]

for what it's worth my opinion is that the 243 can be a very capable round if used with heavy projectiles
if you are going to have a crack at targets try the 105gr bergers, I use them for game as well, even head shooting rabbits for the pot at distance
I used a 243 for many years and do like the cartridge, here is a photo of it as a very lightweight carry around rifle



then I turned it into a varmint style rig in 6mm dasher with a #6 contour barrel, in target terms it is still a lightweight target profile
shoots dots at amazing ranges now with very little effort, still a hunting rifle just used for a different type of hunting



if I had any advise for you it would be to buy what will do the best job for you
a varmint style for target or longer range hunting or a lightweight for stalking

Solid advice!! Much appreciated.

[Baronvonrort]

I’m thinking the T3x lite and choosing a heavy barrel as I don’t mind carrying a little extra weight around. Eventually I will be adding a .223 and .22 but just to start out I’m pretty set on the .243 for targets and putting meat in the freezer.

If you want to shoot targets you will need a 9 twist or faster with barrel for heavier VLDs and AMAX, not sure what the T3 comes with.

Since you mentioned adding a .223 and .22 later there is a bit more to consider

The .243 can send the 55gr projectiles a couple of hundred feet per second quicker than a .223 even with starting loads so not sure i would have both as i would just use the .243 for 55gr projectiles.


If i had to start from scratch again it would be 7mm-08 and .204 Ruger along with a .22lr, you can get Sierra 100gr Varmint projectiles and some Nosler 120Gr along with 139 gr SST for the 7mm-08 which is great for 100-150 gr projectiles. The 7mm-08 has good ballistics some might think higher BC means less drop at range it also means less drift in crosswind which makes it more accurate
The .204 Ruger is a great alternative to the .223.
The .22lr has the cheapest ammo

If i had to get another .243 i would go .243 AI,

[Faedy]

Ive got Ruger American ith Boyyds stock. Shooting OSA ammo, it is a ripper outfit. I constantly nail roos at 350 - 400m. Pretty hard to do much shooting over that range where I am

What’s your aim point at that range, the heart?

300 - 350 is always head shot if on a good rest.
350 + is heart shot usually.
With a rest, these are usually easily achievable if no weird wind

[Daddybang]

Ive got Ruger American ith Boyyds stock. Shooting OSA ammo, it is a ripper outfit. I constantly nail roos at 350 - 400m. Pretty hard to do much shooting over that range where I am

What’s your aim point at that range, the heart?

300 - 350 is always head shot if on a good rest.
350 + is heart shot usually.
With a rest, these are usually easily achievable if no weird wind

As bigpete mentioned earlier guys shooting roo anywhere other than the head breaches the national code and its probably best not to discuss chest shooting'em on a public forum as we know these sights are monitored by the authorities(not having a go just a heads up)

[duncan61]

Nice shooting Faedy.My best shot was 270 metres using a 7mm Rem Mag off a adjustable rest support on the ground with 100gn gamekings.I held over an inch and planted it right in the melon. I use stalkers to push the game down in to The valley where I wait fully camo and this big fellow crosses the creek and stands still under a tree freestanding my best shot is about 20 foot.I am hopeless without support.where are you culling

[bigpete]

Ive got Ruger American ith Boyyds stock. Shooting OSA ammo, it is a ripper outfit. I constantly nail roos at 350 - 400m. Pretty hard to do much shooting over that range where I am

What’s your aim point at that range, the heart?

300 - 350 is always head shot if on a good rest.
350 + is heart shot usually.
With a rest, these are usually easily achievable if no weird wind

As bigpete mentioned earlier guys shooting roo anywhere other than the head breaches the national code and its probably best not to discuss chest shooting'em on a public forum as we know these sights are monitored by the authorities(not having a go just a heads up)

Also no further than 200m....

[SCJ429]

If i had to get another .243 i would go .243 AI,

What benefits are you getting from the Ackley Improved version?

I know from a coolness point of view it looks really special and makes 6XC, Lapua and Creedmoor shooters green with envy but aside from case neck lengthening reduction are there any other pluses?

[duncan61]

I don't have my reg6 license with me however I will screen shot it next time I am in the office.This reg applies to the humane destruction of Kangaroos too be taken for sale.On private property there is no code for drop and rot.I personally head shoot cos I can and they fall on the spot and you don't spend half the night looking for them as the farms down here don't like finding dead Roos in the middle of the paddock when they mow The bones break tractor windows and are dangerous if Faedy is out in a remote station no one cares.The advantage of shooting private property.No one else should be there

[Daddybang]

I don't have my reg6 license with me however I will screen shot it next time I am in the office.This reg applies to the humane destruction of Kangaroos too be taken for sale.On private property there is no code for drop and rot.I personally head shoot cos I can and they fall on the spot and you don't spend half the night looking for them as the farms down here don't like finding dead Roos in the middle of the paddock when they mow The bones break tractor windows and are dangerous if Faedy is out in a remote station no one cares.The advantage of shooting private property.No one else should be there

So all the threafs on here that have the code linked are wrong??
As for "shooting on private land Noone cares" that may be so but discussing it on a public forum is just another example of you not getting it Duncan. Encouraging new shooters to breach the code and legislation to make yaself look like a big man is just a dumbass thing to do.

[straightshooter]

Not picking on anybody in particular.
All calibers, even the sexiest most fashionable ones fired out of the coolest rifles, are subject to the laws of physics.
So I wonder for these 300m to 400m hunting shots what rituals are required such as setting up your rest, range estimating, wind estimating and adjustment of sights or estimating how much to aim off and how often they can all be satisfactorily completed before your 'target' moves on.
When you consider the legal instant kill target area of a Kangaroo, which is smaller than the palm of your hand, then a practical limit of 200m is very sensible for one shot kills. Even 200 meters would be a challenge for many shooters.
There is a long in the tooth guru gun writer who used to dazzle other writers and invitees with his fantastic ability to down game on his property at various seemingly random ranges. Little did they realise that all those ranges were marked out with indicators familiar to him and practiced on regularly.

[bigpete]

I don't have my reg6 license with me however I will screen shot it next time I am in the office.This reg applies to the humane destruction of Kangaroos too be taken for sale.On private property there is no code for drop and rot.I personally head shoot cos I can and they fall on the spot and you don't spend half the night looking for them as the farms down here don't like finding dead Roos in the middle of the paddock when they mow The bones break tractor windows and are dangerous if Faedy is out in a remote station no one cares.The advantage of shooting private property.No one else should be there

So all the threafs on here that have the code linked are wrong??
As for "shooting on private land Noone cares" that may be so but discussing it on a public forum is just another example of you not getting it Duncan. Encouraging new shooters to breach the code and legislation to make yaself look like a big man is just a dumbass thing to do.

Precisely

[straightshooter]

I don't have my reg6 license with me however I will screen shot it next time I am in the office.This reg applies to the humane destruction of Kangaroos too be taken for sale.On private property there is no code for drop and rot.I personally head shoot cos I can and they fall on the spot and you don't spend half the night looking for them as the farms down here don't like finding dead Roos in the middle of the paddock when they mow The bones break tractor windows and are dangerous if Faedy is out in a remote station no one cares.The advantage of shooting private property.No one else should be there

So all the threafs on here that have the code linked are wrong??
As for "shooting on private land Noone cares" that may be so but discussing it on a public forum is just another example of you not getting it Duncan. Encouraging new shooters to breach the code and legislation to make yaself look like a big man is just a dumbass thing to do.

Precisely

I second that.
Making a public admission of an illegality is worse than dumb, no matter how badly somebody needs to 'big note' themselves.
The internet has a very long memory.

[Daddybang]

For the benefit of others...
"The national code of conduct sets an achievable standard of humane conduct and is the MINIMUM required of persons shooting kangaroos and wallabies for reasons other than commercial utilization of of products(meat and skins) "
So it's been developed precisely for drop and rot culling although everything I can find says that it's also in place for commercial harvesting as well!!

[Bruiser64]

Ive got Ruger American ith Boyyds stock. Shooting OSA ammo, it is a ripper outfit. I constantly nail roos at 350 - 400m. Pretty hard to do much shooting over that range where I am

What’s your aim point at that range, the heart?

300 - 350 is always head shot if on a good rest.
350 + is heart shot usually.
With a rest, these are usually easily achievable if no weird wind

As bigpete mentioned earlier guys shooting roo anywhere other than the head breaches the national code and its probably best not to discuss chest shooting'em on a public forum as we know these sights are monitored by the authorities(not having a go just a heads up)

I agree. The other thing to be aware of is that the Code of Practise stipulates is that shots should not be taken beyond 200 metres.

[duncan61]

I have learned something again.gotta love this forum

[bigfellascott]

Not picking on anybody in particular.
All calibers, even the sexiest most fashionable ones fired out of the coolest rifles, are subject to the laws of physics.
So I wonder for these 300m to 400m hunting shots what rituals are required such as setting up your rest, range estimating, wind estimating and adjustment of sights or estimating how much to aim off and how often they can all be satisfactorily completed before your 'target' moves on.
When you consider the legal instant kill target area of a Kangaroo, which is smaller than the palm of your hand, then a practical limit of 200m is very sensible for one shot kills. Even 200 meters would be a challenge for many shooters.
There is a long in the tooth guru gun writer who used to dazzle other writers and invitees with his fantastic ability to down game on his property at various seemingly random ranges. Little did they realise that all those ranges were marked out with indicators familiar to him and practiced on regularly.

Mate if you have a half decent outfit that's in a flat shooting cal those ranges aren't too hard to achieve, but you are right one's got to know their limitations and those of the cal they are using.

[Baronvonrort]

If i had to get another .243 i would go .243 AI,

What benefits are you getting from the Ackley Improved version?

I know from a coolness point of view it looks really special and makes 6XC, Lapua and Creedmoor shooters green with envy but aside from case neck lengthening reduction are there any other pluses?

They do look good that alone is enough for me.

Increased case volume so you can burn more powder resulting in more speed, cases last longer, burning more powder probably doesn't help barrel life with chemical and heat erosion in the throat. With starting loads for smaller 55gr projectiles the pressures are probably a bit lower with increased case volume.

These days I prefer the 7mm-08 it hits a bit harder and better for longer shots much better barrel life as well. The .243 is still a great calibre if I could only have one centrefire it would be it.

[SCJ429]

What sort of speeds are you getting from the AI? A friend has offered me some dies and I was thinking about putting a reamer up my barre, like you said, for looks alone. I am already getting over 3300 fps out of a 105 grain projectile.

Did you use a hydraulic forming die to form your cases?

[Baronvonrort]

What sort of speeds are you getting from the AI? A friend has offered me some dies and I was thinking about putting a reamer up my barre, like you said, for looks alone. I am already getting over 3300 fps out of a 105 grain projectile.

Did you use a hydraulic forming die to form your cases?

I had an increase of around 100-120 FPS for 87-105gr, 24 inch barrel.

You're doing well I don't know how much faster it will be for you.

Yes, the hydraulic die paid for itself (around $220 delivered) with time saved fireforming from going somewhere to shoot along with projectiles and powder not to mention barrel life. Easy to use stick it in your press fill it with water stick piston in then whack piston with a hammer a couple of times then stick it in your AI sizing die and load as normal. You need to fit a primer so water doesn't leak out, it's a good thing IMO.

[deye243]

Because you have to resight a firearm if you change the load AFAIC a 243W is nothing more than the best varmint cartridge
on the market .
And yes I have more than 10000 rounds over 10+years you just can't beat a 65VMAX at 3765fps . 75g is good but not as explosive .......

[duncan61]

I have just applied for a new commercial license for culling in the south west and have read the 2019-2024 code for the humane destruction of kangaroos.To the best of my understanding it only applies to commercially harvested fauna.I shot at 300 yards a few weeks ago and had no trouble off a bench rest putting all the shots in the V bull which is 80 mm once I was correctly zeroed.I was surprised as the .243 I used is a $700 HOWA with the scope it came with 3-10 x 40 something and I only had reloads we made for hunting a few years ago.The regs do state that every state and territory are different and to check.Not stirring the pot just need the truth

[Daddybang]

Duncan
The code of practice referenced aboge is a National Code of Practice it doesn't vary from state to state . If you can provide a link to the information you say you've read then we can look at it. IF it differs from the National code there is a serious problem with the information you are receiving. And as I said above the national code was written for drop and rot culling but hqs also been applied afaik to commercial harvesting. Anyway provide either the link or copy of the code ya read and we can look at it.

[Bruiser64]

I have just applied for a new commercial license for culling in the south west and have read the 2019-2024 code for the humane destruction of kangaroos.To the best of my understanding it only applies to commercially harvested fauna.I shot at 300 yards a few weeks ago and had no trouble off a bench rest putting all the shots in the V bull which is 80 mm once I was correctly zeroed.I was surprised as the .243 I used is a $700 HOWA with the scope it came with 3-10 x 40 something and I only had reloads we made for hunting a few years ago.The regs do state that every state and territory are different and to check.Not stirring the pot just need the truth

What specifically do you want to know? The National Code of Practise is exactly that “National” . In relation to the details of minimum calibre, minimum projectile weight, maximum shooting distance, point of aim, etc the code applies in WA. Are you referring to the WA Kangaroo Management Plan (see link below)? It really isn’t clear what you want to know.

https://www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/plants-and-a ... -australia