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Started By
Message
243 for young first time hunter, did I make a mistake?
Posted on 10/17/26 at 3:40 pm
Posted on 10/17/26 at 3:40 pm
I was really wanting to get him, my 8yr old, a 7mm-08 or 350 Legend but pulled the trigger on what they had in stock which was a 243.
I know most people say they do fine on Whitetail deer but I don't know anyone who has personally used it. Got 3 different boxes of 100g to sight in and see what it likes.
Little nervous it will lack the needed power or not expand sufficiently at 100yrd.
I know most people say they do fine on Whitetail deer but I don't know anyone who has personally used it. Got 3 different boxes of 100g to sight in and see what it likes.
Little nervous it will lack the needed power or not expand sufficiently at 100yrd.
This post was edited on 10/17/26 at 3:41 pm
Posted on 10/17/26 at 3:41 pm to GREENHEAD22
I'm 59. If I went rifle hunting tomorrow, it would be with a .243.
Posted on 10/17/26 at 3:50 pm to GREENHEAD22
I've killed a many of deer with a Browning 243.
Posted on 10/17/26 at 3:51 pm to GREENHEAD22
My kids all killed their first deer with a 62gr .223 and none of them ran more than 50yds. A .243 is more than enough in southern woods.
This post was edited on 10/17/26 at 3:52 pm
Posted on 10/17/26 at 3:53 pm to GREENHEAD22
My little girl killed her first deer last year with a Savage 243. It was a broadside shot at 70 yards. The deer went about 50 yards and left a decent blood trail. I had 95gr ballistic tips in and they did a good job.
This post was edited on 10/17/26 at 3:54 pm
Posted on 10/17/26 at 3:53 pm to GREENHEAD22
Hey bud, hope all is well!
Not sure what ammo you grabbed, but try and find something loaded with Barnes TTSX for the .243. Im not a fan of them in larger rifles, I find they over penetrate with little expansion, but that penetration is great for smaller rifles. Im loading them in a 22-250, my daughter killer several deer and a few hogs with it last year and it preformed great.
Not sure what ammo you grabbed, but try and find something loaded with Barnes TTSX for the .243. Im not a fan of them in larger rifles, I find they over penetrate with little expansion, but that penetration is great for smaller rifles. Im loading them in a 22-250, my daughter killer several deer and a few hogs with it last year and it preformed great.
Posted on 10/17/26 at 4:27 pm to GREENHEAD22
old timers used to shoot deer in the heart with a .22, sit down and smoke 3 cigarettes, then go find their deer a few hundred yards away.
Posted on 10/17/26 at 4:34 pm to GREENHEAD22
The 243 should serve your kid well.
Posted on 10/17/26 at 5:18 pm to GREENHEAD22
Any 243 bullet through the rib cage and y’all eating backstraps.
Posted on 10/17/26 at 5:54 pm to GREENHEAD22
I've taken several deer with a .243, never a problem. Honestly, I prefer my .270, but a .243 will do just fine.
Posted on 10/17/26 at 6:25 pm to GREENHEAD22
other than a 308, I've put more whitetail on the ground with a 243 than any other caliber. I have zero qualms about taking it out to hunt southern whitetails.
Posted on 10/17/26 at 6:35 pm to AlxTgr
59 yr old people make dumb decisions all the time.
There are soooo many better options if people are scared of recoil
There are soooo many better options if people are scared of recoil
Posted on 10/17/26 at 6:36 pm to GREENHEAD22
The rifle is fine, just make sure he practices.
Most all lost deer are caused from a poor shot.
.22 bolt action with a similar scope is the perfect gun to learn and practice on.
Most all lost deer are caused from a poor shot.
.22 bolt action with a similar scope is the perfect gun to learn and practice on.
Posted on 10/17/26 at 6:50 pm to CaptJJ
Yra I shoot Barnes in all my rifles but they didn't have any in 243 at the store. I may order a box.
Overall looks like we should be good as long as he makes a good shot.
Lots of practice coming his way.
Overall looks like we should be good as long as he makes a good shot.
Lots of practice coming his way.
Posted on 10/17/26 at 6:57 pm to Jack Daniel
quote:It's truly amazing how dumb you are.
Jack Daniel
This post was edited on 10/17/26 at 7:04 pm
Posted on 10/17/26 at 6:59 pm to GREENHEAD22
quote:
Lots of practice coming his way.
Good deal. Best thing you can do with him.
That and a silencer.
Posted on 10/17/26 at 7:44 pm to GREENHEAD22
.243 is great. Bullet selection is a little more critical, and shot placement matters a little more as well, but it’s a fine cartridge.
What kind of rifle did you buy?
What kind of rifle did you buy?
This post was edited on 10/17/26 at 7:52 pm
Posted on 10/17/26 at 7:52 pm to GREENHEAD22
My dad, GRHS, spent all 70yrs of his life without owning more than .243, has several nice whitetail racks under his belt. He swore by it…
Posted on 10/17/26 at 7:58 pm to GREENHEAD22
Kinda in the same situation. My 13y old is 5’ and tiny. I was afraid to get her a 7-08 and didn’t want to carry my heavy 25-06 so I bought her a Bergara stoke 243. Put a dead air nomad Ti on it and it’s a sweet set up. Hoping to find an ammo it likes and I’m gonna take her to start shooting soon. I think with good placement and a good bullet it’ll kill deer for sure.
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