.243 - what's the big deal?

[Dingo]

If one had a rifle in .308 and .223, would there really be a need for this one? I see rifles chambered in it all the time on AL, and have only recently noticed just how popular it is. Is it one of those supposed "do everything" cartridges that you'd choose if you only had one rifle? I guess I'm not understanding the hype surrounding it - it just seems to throw lighter projectiles at roughly the same speed of a .308. Not knocking the round - just trying to understand the popularity...

[spqrzilla]

Low recoil. Very good accuracy. High velocity with its midrange bullet weights. Popular youth caliber or deer gun for a woman who might be a bit recoil shy. Unlike the .223 Rem, the .243 Win is legal for big game in Colorado.

[ray1970]

The ballistic coefficient of the bullets is very good as well as the accuracy potential of the cartridge. This, combined with low recoil,makes it popular.

[newracer]

I have rifles in 204, 223, 30-06, 308, and 300 win mag and am still considering picking up a 243. Mostly for my sons to use for big game.

[Zombie Steve]

There's a reason most bench rest guys are shooting a 6mm bullet. They can be really darn accurate.


I've shot it before, I like the cartridge, but I'm in the same boat as Dingo. Too much overlap with .308 to justify a new rifle (and dies, and brushes and brass and bullets and going through load development and...).

[Colorado Osprey]

Most 243's as the same make and model will be more accurate than the 308 versions. The 243 is just a plain shooter.
Also, the 243 is capable of 4000ft/sec. What 308 can do that? Even with light bullets just over 3000ft/sec is all the 308 can muster.
It is a "laser"

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

What kind of yardage could one expect from a 243 compared to a 308? Remington 700's that is.

[Rucker61]

What kind of yardage could one expect from a 243 compared to a 308? Remington 700's that is.

For hunting or targets? What game if hunting?

[Tim K]

High BC's, long barrel life, low recoil.

[Zombie Steve]

Most 243's as the same make and model will be more accurate than the 308 versions. The 243 is just a plain shooter.
Also, the 243 is capable of 4000ft/sec. What 308 can do that? Even with light bullets just over 3000ft/sec is all the 308 can muster.
It is a "laser"


All true. My father in law loves the .243 for general shootin fun and varmints. However, I can think of a few shots on big game I'd take with the .308 but not the ".240 Page Pooper".

[Hoser]

What kind of yardage could one expect from a 243 compared to a 308? Remington 700's that is.

I shoot mine out past 1,000 often. Spotting hits on heavy steel targets past that can be iffy, even with 115 gn bullets.

Several years ago lots of people gave me tons of shit for shooting a 243 in matches. Told me to grow up and get a 308 or a 260. Said all my hits would be too hard to see and be scored misses. Now days more and more long range bolt gun competitive shooters are shooting 6mm bullets.

[MarkCO]

I've never shot mine in matches, but from prarie dogs to Antelope, I've shot thousands of soft recoiling rounds at critters with it.

[Colorado Black Gun]

The best reason to own a 243 these days is you can still find bullets for your reloads. It's a great Antelope load as well.

[Tinelement]

I love my M77 .243.

Got it when I was 11 for my first whitetail rifle. She's killed plenty with 1 shot!

Never, ever, ever let that one go. Until to my son.

[jerrymrc]

I will also add that what you shoot it out of matters. I built a Fal in .243 years ago (with a rem 700 barrel) and noticed that the recoil was about the same and accuracy was a little better but all in all it was a wash for me. In something else but do not even think about it in a Fal.[Coffee]

[brutal]

I will also add that what you shoot it out of matters. I built a Fal in .243 years ago (with a rem 700 barrel) and noticed that the recoil was about the same and accuracy was a little better but all in all it was a wash for me. In something else but do not even think about it in a Fal.[Coffee]

Only you would build a .243 Fal.


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