30-06 or 243 deer?
 

I am fixing to go deer hunting in a couple of weeks and I can't decide on whether I want to use my 243 or 30-06. I normally use my 30-06 but I shot my 243 alot this year and got really used to the tigger on its the adjustable type and the 30-06 doesn't. So I am really am thinking about using my 243 but I am not sure and any shot would be less then a 100 yards

Re: 30-06 or 243 deer?
 

Personal preferance is 30-06, but 243 is sufficient.

Re: 30-06 or 243 deer?
 

Both work well, if you do your part. .243 is my goto.

Re: 30-06 or 243 deer?
 

ditto that. I prefer to hunt most non monster stuff with my 3006.

unless a huge 'deer' a 243 should be fine.. 3006 just makes sure it's deader.. :)

Re: 30-06 or 243 deer?
 

.243 is more than adequate. And since youve been shooting it more youll be more likely to get that clean shot. take the .243

Re: 30-06 or 243 deer?
 

I've two friends that swore by the .243 durin high school, and they got theirs every year they went out huntin.

Re: 30-06 or 243 deer?
 

another vote for the .243; you won't regret it

Re: 30-06 or 243 deer?
 

Rifle Trajectory Table By Chuck Hawks
http://www.chuckhawks.com/rifle_trajectory_table.htm

Re: 30-06 or 243 deer?
 

Used to be my primary deer and antelope choice was a 243. Someone needed it worse than me. Killed many deer and antelope with a 100 grain hornady handload. Largest was an 8x8 mule deer in 1969. West side of the continental divide Montana.

Re: 30-06 or 243 deer?
 

My dad who is now 91 has used a 243 since 69 and killed his huge mulies and big elk and large antelope (every year)and a very large bull moose in 85 in his years of hunting in WY.
I never saw him shoot twice.
If you do your your part, that round WILL do exactly what it is supposed to do, every time.
Also go back to what JLR said X ten.

He is right on, IMHO.

For what it is worth,
UF

Re: 30-06 or 243 deer?
 

I am a good shot with both but I have shot the 243 alot more this year then my my 30-06 and it has a real heavy trigger and the 243 is perfect pull. the reason I have shot the 243 its a new and I have been shot to break it i.

Re: 30-06 or 243 deer?
 

I live and hunt in western canada, and am a huge fan of the .243 caliber for mule and whitetail deer, (and black bear)

using Federal Premium NP I have taken deer at 320 yards ( rangefinder) with one shot that dropped within a few feet.

I like the lack of recoil, flat trajectory, easy availability of ammo, and don't feel a need to move up ( I have also had 30.06 / 7mm Rem)

I know a lot of other people who are as confident as me, in depending on the 243 for deer.

Re: 30-06 or 243 deer?
 

Let me add another voice to the .24 supporters. Like the .06 as well and if a bear tag was included in the hunt, then I might change my mind.

Re: 30-06 or 243 deer?
 

One more for the .243 cal..
You'll have more meat for the freezer with the .243.

Re: 30-06 or 243 deer?
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtP88D6r9bg

More energy from the .06

Re: 30-06 or 243 deer?
 

both 3006 and 243 should take the same sm-med north american game equally.

I don't see how the 243 could put 'more meat' in the freezer if both can take the same game?

Re: 30-06 or 243 deer?
 

which ever you prefer would be the best choice

Re: 30-06 or 243 deer?
 

More energy isnt everything. A bullet that hits harder but misses is useless compared to a bullet that hits softer and hits it mark.

What i mean is, the OP is more practiced with the .243, so natually his chances of a clean hit are greater with it..

Re: 30-06 or 243 deer?
 

I have both and the .243 is a fabulous round.

Re: 30-06 or 243 deer?
 

+1 on the .243 as a deer round. Three deer currently in our freezers were taken by a friend with a .243. As a point of interest perhaps, I once read a pre-WW1 American Rifleman article, or perhaps it was an opinion page, in which the writer expressed his thoughts that the recently adopted Springfield M1903 in 30'06 might be overkill for deer. My, how times have changed.

Re: 30-06 or 243 deer?
 

A hunter owns two rifles. He does not know which one to use to harvest a deer. He ask others who has never seen him or his rifles which one he should choose? What if the Hunter finds 2 deer standing in the forest? Who will tell him which one to shoot? :confused:

Re: 30-06 or 243 deer?
 

That would be a different, personal choice. Very unconnected to your question.

Re: 30-06 or 243 deer?
 

And your 2 part question. God tells him his choice...

Re: 30-06 or 243 deer?
 

A post of this nature is to cause some one to think. It seems to have worked in your case.:)

Re: 30-06 or 243 deer?
 

Anyone whos ever shot a deer knows that almost everything in overkill for deer. The .243 in my mind is as close to ideal as you can get because it shoots flat, has a goodly amount of energy transfer and the bullets are just light enough to stop inside the deer most of the time. Anything bigger and more powerful is going to pass clean thru and keep going.

Among the perfect deer rounds/rifles IMO are .357 mag levergun, .44 mag levergun, .45 colt levergun. .223 rifle with barnes TSX bullets 53 gr or heavier, .22-250 with same barnes bullets, .243 with bullet heavier than 80 gr., 6mm rem with same 80 gr or heavier, 7.62X39 with any SP bullet, .30-30 with any SP bullet.

If you shoot anything more powerful than these cartridges listed, bullet choice is not as important as shot placement as most any bullet from the more powerful rounds will pass right thru a deer.