chongo469
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Cap'n Cracker
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Reged: 11/24/02
Posts: 770
Loc: Everett,Wa
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just got a savage .243 from a friend.......dont know much about that round/rifle.......would you suggest hunting with that or my mauser 30/06......i thinking if nothing it would make a great brush gun......
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When someone offers to show you one of there zippers.....make sure there talking about fishing
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buxndux
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Extremely Sensitive Mod
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Reged: 09/29/00
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Loc: Sequim
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I know alot of people that use a .243 to hunt deer in western Washington. I think it is a little small to hunt mulies or whitetail, but it is fine for most of the blacktail hunting you will do.
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Team JACE
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Drifterat
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Jig Junkie
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Reged: 05/13/02
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Loc: rowers seat
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The Savage M110 bolt actions are well made inexpensive rifles, I'm assuming that's what you have.
While hunting deer with a .243 I'd shoot nothing but "premium" cartridges. The higher quality of bullet used in the premium ones will help this nearly underpowered cartridge kill efficiently.
I used to have a buddy that hunted with one, he used cheap ammo and had some issues with bullet destruction upon impact.
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Semi-Pro Staff
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lazydrifter
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dual red striper
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Reged: 12/05/00
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Loc: Port Angeles, Wa
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Both my sons shoot .243. They've taken both whitetail and mulies with no problems. Just remember that even though they are a flat shooter your distance is limited because the bullet isn't very heavy and once you get out over 200 yards it doesn't have much energy left.
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Dogfish
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Ultimate Egg Whore
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Reged: 01/03/02
Posts: 3765
Loc: McCleary, WA
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The Savage 110s, while inexpensive, have an excellent reputation for accuracy.
Shane is right on with the premium bullet selections. The El Dorado loads from PMC come with the Barnes X copper solid hollowpoint. They have excellent weight retention and are not too expensive. They are also loaded on the upper end to the pressure chart, like the Hornady Hi-Power rounds, also another good choice. Check out the Winchester Failsafe rounds as well.
Shot placement is the key on any rifle. Make a bad shot with a .338 Win Mag and you will probably still get your deer. Make a bad shot with your .243, who knows?
Bullet weights are limited to about 100-110 grains on the upper end for the .243. Go heavy on the bullets and pay extra for the well constructed bullet. After all, you spend $50-100 just to get up into the woods, why get cheap and save $1 on teh bullet that could mean the deer of a lifetime.
Have fun with the new rifle, and it should be good for shots on any deer in Washington, unless you are shooting over 250 yards. Bear as targets of opportunity, maybe, probably not the best for elk (I'd stick with a .30 cal bullet for wapiti).
Andy
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"Give me the anger, fish! Give me the anger!"
Be like Big Stick!
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KingFisher85
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110% Cracker
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Reged: 01/29/03
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Loc: Clark
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243 in my book is one dang good deer/coyote killer. Very lite recoil and takes deer down clean if you hit them right. Never used anything but 100gr bullets out of mine.
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Keep it simple
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BobK
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Thick Tail
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Reged: 07/17/03
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Loc: Upstate NY, Lake Ontario Tribs
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I am a gun writer for a shooting magazine. I consider the Savage 110 -type rifles one of the best kept secrets in the trade as a good, reasonably-priced, very accurate rifle. You might have to do a little work (I did on my .30-06). Groups were only 2 1/4 or so at 100 yards - checked the "free-floating" on the barrel by sliding a dollar bill in, found a slight bind at a contact point, removed a little wood with a file, and now it shoots consistent 3/4 to 7/8 inch 5 shot groups at 100 yards with my handloads.
The .243 kills deer as well (if not better than) as that little .250 savage I used to have. Place the shot, and the deer folds. I don't know how much better you can ask for. Just try to stick with the 100 grain loadings in a "Premium" bullet, and if you do YOUR part, you won't have a problem tagging your venison. Lighter bullets are for woodchucks, fox and coyotes.
BobK  
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