I was about to suggest a 243 Winchester. There's a number of good deer bullets even in the 85 to 95 grain range.
traded for a .243 instead of a 6.5 creedmore
- Thread starter Lee Barner
- Start date
I was about to suggest a 243 Winchester. There's a number of good deer bullets even in the 85 to 95 grain range.
The nice thing about most of the 6.5 Creedmoor rifles is that they have a threaded barrel which means you can easily add a muzzle break, which means drastically reduced recoil compared to a 308.
Squarebutt
Member
If your .308 rifle is an old favorite, it's possible to have it re-barreled in .243, .260 Rem., 7 mm.-08 and a few others. They're derived from the .308 case and can use the same bolt and action.
Fortunately your .308 can be loaded with Federal Fusion Lite or Remington's Managed Recoil ammo. They claim greatly reduced recoil in loads tailored for .308, .30-06 and .270 Win.
Fortunately your .308 can be loaded with Federal Fusion Lite or Remington's Managed Recoil ammo. They claim greatly reduced recoil in loads tailored for .308, .30-06 and .270 Win.
jimbo728
Member
Lee,
Do you reload? If so I would be happy to share a solution to my own problems due to injury. I am using a time proven load that is very accurate and a really light push. Still manages 2800 fps in .308 Win.
Jim
ancient-one
US Veteran
A 243cal. is a good all around gun and is pretty flat shooting. I have only killed one deer and for some reason wasn't interested in killing any more. It was a ten point and field dressed out at 147lbs and I have no idea what the live weight was.
I was shooting either a Winchester or Remington 100gr. bullet and it took out a piece of the heart and pulverized the lungs. I was probably a little less than a 100 yards from the deer.
My memory is probably bad but the 243 has about 12lbs. recoil compared to 18 lbs. for the 308. Where I got this info I do not remember, but that is what is stuck in my mind. I know you can sure feel the difference.
I had a badly torn up shoulder and after it somewhat healed I could shoot the 243 with no problem.
I was shooting either a Winchester or Remington 100gr. bullet and it took out a piece of the heart and pulverized the lungs. I was probably a little less than a 100 yards from the deer.
My memory is probably bad but the 243 has about 12lbs. recoil compared to 18 lbs. for the 308. Where I got this info I do not remember, but that is what is stuck in my mind. I know you can sure feel the difference.
I had a badly torn up shoulder and after it somewhat healed I could shoot the 243 with no problem.
OP
ancient one, I traded for a ruger American predator in .243 this afternoon. I already had reloading dies, bullets etc for it. thanks again to all. lee
I think the Ruger will serve your purpose well. I have had several different
243s. Mostly BAs, Win 100 and a few others. I can't remember any that
had much felt recoil. My keeper 243 is a custom 98 semi varmit probably
9lbs. I have shot 6.5s, the truth is rifles of equal weight, shooting same
wieght bullet at same speed, would recoil so close you wouldn't be able
to tell the difference. The accuracy would be based on individual rifles. I
think the 6.5s will fade out if not adopted by govt, except for the AR nuts.
243s. Mostly BAs, Win 100 and a few others. I can't remember any that
had much felt recoil. My keeper 243 is a custom 98 semi varmit probably
9lbs. I have shot 6.5s, the truth is rifles of equal weight, shooting same
wieght bullet at same speed, would recoil so close you wouldn't be able
to tell the difference. The accuracy would be based on individual rifles. I
think the 6.5s will fade out if not adopted by govt, except for the AR nuts.
shouldazagged
Absent Comrade
The .243 is a very versatile, mild-recoiling round. Shoots flat, will take a deer quite well, great on varmints.
You'll like it.
You'll like it.
.300 Blackout......
.300 Blackout would be good to look into. Many guns are chambered for it. Also, the 7.62mmx 39 cartridge used in the SKS and AR-15 would be a good candidate if you can get a gun you wanted chambered for it.
.300 Blackout would be good to look into. Many guns are chambered for it. Also, the 7.62mmx 39 cartridge used in the SKS and AR-15 would be a good candidate if you can get a gun you wanted chambered for it.
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You already have the .243, but my experience with a .243 was pleasant. I had a Savage 110 Heavy Barrel, and loaded a 75 gr Hornady to near 3000 fps (for Prairie Dogs) and it was extremely accurate and felt recoil was almost no different than my 22-250 with 55 gr bullets.
The .243 has a nice wide variety of bullet weights available and will serve a multitude of purposes.
The .243 has a nice wide variety of bullet weights available and will serve a multitude of purposes.
kthom
Member
Lee,
FWIW, I've owned a .243 rifle for a very long while. Never had a problem with it. I typically don't shoot beyond 300 yards. I also owned a 7MM-08 and I also liked that cartridge very much. But I traded that one for a Ruger American Predator rifle in 6.5 Creed and I love both the rifle and the caliber very much. The flat shooting cartridge is definitely has a flatter trajectory than the other two which comes very close to allowing no or very little aim changes out to 300 yards on a deer size target and that works well for me.
All three cartridges are sufficient for the purpose, but I love the longer more slender bullets for the 6.5 in the same weight ranges for the 7MM-08 and the 6.5. Both of those allow the use of a heavier bullet than does the .243, and I also like that. However, a properly aimed bullet at reasonable ranges from a .243 will get the job done. Most all my hunting has been done in the wider open ranges of eastern NM and west Texas. In an area where wooded areas do not allow many shots with longer ranges than 150 yards or less, any of these three will bring home the meat. All three are very sufficiently accurate for my needs and none of them are difficult as far as recoil is concerned for me.
I am very pleased with the Ruger American Predator rifles for the money. They are plenty accurate, easily carried, and are very good rifles in my estimation. I think you will be pleased with it.
ancient-one
US Veteran
Good for you! You will be happy. I reloaded mostly with Sierra bullets. The 60gr. loaded right was fun.
Downloaded ammo.....
I love downloading my bolt rifles because they are just fun to shoot. 4895 powder can be downloaded 1/3 from its max load. If I want lower, I go to 4759. powder. For kicks and grins I can go even lower with Unique.
We have to use a 6mm minimum bullet here to hunt deer.
I love downloading my bolt rifles because they are just fun to shoot. 4895 powder can be downloaded 1/3 from its max load. If I want lower, I go to 4759. powder. For kicks and grins I can go even lower with Unique.
We have to use a 6mm minimum bullet here to hunt deer.
Congrats on the new 243! If you want to try any factory rounds then give the Hornady Lite a look. That’s what my son will be running for deer season this year. It pushes a 87 grain projectile at 2800 out of a 24” barrel and has very mild felt recoil.
gwpercle
Member
Proper stock fit and a good recoil pad can go a long way in dampening recoil. Weight of the rifle also makes a big difference. My 10 lb. 30-06 kicks me a lot less harder than my 6 lb. feather wight .
Do a search on the term "rifle recoil reducer" and you will find several reducers that will dampen recoil.
Reduced recoil loads with 4895 is another way to tame the kick. Hodgen reloading site has the data and instructions.
Gary
Do a search on the term "rifle recoil reducer" and you will find several reducers that will dampen recoil.
Reduced recoil loads with 4895 is another way to tame the kick. Hodgen reloading site has the data and instructions.
Gary
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