243 range on - deer

[Link]

Just bought a Ruger 243 with the muzzle break because of ''my'' health reasons, not the deer.
What's the farthest out you would shoot a whitetail if you had a good shot in the open?
The only rifle I have used for 40 years is my 7 mag for whitetail.

ty Don

I should add 100 gr. bullet.

 

[243winxb]

300 yards for the average hunter. A lot depends on barrel length/bullet velocity.
https://www.hornady.com/4dof 900 to 1,000 ft-lbs bullet energy needed.

 

[AckleymanII]

Years ago, we killed very large corn fed deer in Nebraska, 95g Partitions, Hot load of IMR 4831 with Rem 91/2 primers. Our average shot was 300 yards, some went 450. We were shooting 3/4" groups at 200 yards. We used an old prism range finder, had Bushnell 4x12 Scope Chief scopes with the bullet drop compensator. We knew the range, dialed up the scope, and large bucks died. We got better accuracy out of the 95g Partition vs the 100g Partition.

R#26 with a cci 250 primer will boost the 100g Hornady btsp to 3175 fps on a 26" barrel at the accuracy node. R#26 is worth paying the price for in the 243 Win, I can not stress this enough.

Fast forward 20 years, I killed cow elk with 100g Partitions, max distance was 150 yards.

On a custom build, an 8T, 26" throated with a 105g VLD Berger Hunting is worth building a rifle around, R#26, CCI 250. A Tikka would be a great choice on a factory rifle, add a Gentry muzzle break that throws a lot of the concussion forward, you will be in great shape.

 

[5spd]

Range depends on shooter overall.
My sons 1st goat was 565 yds, savage 243, 90gn handload, dropped on the spot.
I've shot them from 65yds to 450 yds myself.
Shooting range time, doing markups from 200 to 600yds make a difference.

 

[K22]

The old rule of thumb for average white tail deer is 900 to 1,000 ft-lbs. at point of impact. However, shot placement is critical no matter which caliber you select, at least in my experience. So, that "rule of thumb" is not absolute. As posted by others, some have taken deer at extended ranges with the 243 Win below these energy figures. Also, the bullet technology and performance have improved significantly since when I began hunting with the 243 Win back in the late 60's.

I've taken a lot of deer with the 243 Win but none over 185 yards due to the areas where I have hunted because those areas didn't offer longer safe shot opportunities. But to answer your question, I would be comfortable taking a shot at 250 to 300 yards off my cross sticks with a high level of confidence of placing the shot in the vitals.

Also much depends on the skill of the hunter to place an accurate shot in the vitals under field conditions. This why practical practice in the manner in which you intend to shoot in the field is so important in my opinion. I personally do not know too many once a year hunters (shooters) that can place a shot in the vitals beyond 200 yards under field conditions.

 

[Link]

Also much depends on the skill of the hunter to place an accurate shot in the vitals under field conditions. This why practical practice in the manner in which you intend to shoot in the field is so important in my opinion. I personally do not know too many once a year hunters (shooters) that can place a shot in the vitals beyond 200 yards under field conditions.

I'm the op, this could be a separate post. Me. I benchrest 100 200 300 and 400 every week in the summer. Its I just have never owned a 243 before. However, I bought a new Ruger American II yesterday based on this info. All my stands are setup with adequate rests. We owe it to the animal.
thanks everyone.

 

[Link]

My first RUGER rifle. American gen II 243 old mans rifle. Pros - like the trigger, looks and accuracy- 1 moa the 4th 5th+6th shots on the new rifle off my bench.. Cons - the bolt drop or cam over is horrible. With factory ammo.

 

[Mark W]

I'm the op, this could be a separate post. Me. I benchrest 100 200 300 and 400 every week in the summer. Its I just have never owned a 243 before. However, I bought a new Ruger American II yesterday based on this info. All my stands are setup with adequate rests. We owe it to the animal.
thanks everyone.

To answer your original question, around 400 yards is my max for comfort zone for a 243. Not long after taking the attached pic, I shot a nice doe at 425. The rifle was a Gen 1 Ruger Precision Rifle chambered in .243 shooting Berger 105 Hunting VLDs.

 

[Bojo]

1964 700 ADL
Factory barrel.

85 grain Sierra Game Kings.
Mi tried the 100 grain class bullets , but accuracy as not as good .

Still shoots well within minute whitetail at 500 yards off a bipod. But I rarely shoot anything over 200 yards. I hunt some pretty hilly terrain in the Allegheny National Forest.

Those bullets put a pretty good hurting on a buck. With that bullet I yet to have a pass through.

 

[danny]

Just bought a Ruger 243 with the muzzle brake because of ''my'' health reasons, not the deer.
What's the farthest out you would shoot a whitetail if you had a good shot in the open?
The only rifle I have used for 40 years is my 7 mag for whitetail.

ty Don

I should add 100 gr. bullet.

You only bought the muzzle brake because of health reasons (I hope)?

Danny

 

[Mark W]

You only bought the muzzle brake because of health reasons (I hope)?

Danny

What’s wrong with a muzzle brake? I run a brake on over half of my rifles, and I’m in perfect health.

 

[danny]

What’s wrong with a muzzle brake? I run a brake on over half of my rifles, and I’m in perfect health.

Ask the people that shoot next to you about it, and they look like crap on an otherwise nice rifle, too.

Danny

 

[Mark W]

Ask the people that shoot next to you about it, and they look like crap on an otherwise nice rifle, too.

Danny

Guns are loud. I use ear protection. I can’t ever remember giving a shit what the guy beside me shoots. I guess some people are just overly sensitive. They look fine too. To each his own. Unless there is a rule or law forbidding it, I’ll use what I want and I encourage everyone to do the same, including you.

 

[K22]

I'm the op, this could be a separate post. Me. I benchrest 100 200 300 and 400 every week in the summer. Its I just have never owned a 243 before. However, I bought a new Ruger American II yesterday based on this info. All my stands are setup with adequate rests. We owe it to the animal.
thanks everyone.

You should do fine with the 243 Win within reasonable ranges especially since you are an experienced shooter. Using the best available rest is always a good idea and often goes a long way towards a successful hunt.

As I said, I took a lot of deer with mine. When I began reloading, after trying several load combos I was advised to try the 85 Sierra BTHP behind IMR 4064. At first, I was a bit skeptical but as I began to test this bullet's performance first on doe then graduating to bucks, I found it to be a great performer, often dropping deer quickly.

Also, as I said before, shot place is critical for a quick, humane kill no matter which caliber one uses.

Best wishes on your hunt.

 

[ohlongarmisle]

Just bought a Ruger 243 with the muzzle break because of ''my'' health reasons, not the deer.
What's the farthest out you would shoot a whitetail if you had a good shot in the open?
The only rifle I have used for 40 years is my 7 mag for whitetail.

ty Don

I should add 100 gr. bullet.

If one is an above-average shooter it can be 400 yards, but 250 to 300 yards is more realistic and doable.

 

[danny]

If one is an above-average shooter it can be 400 yards, but 250 to 300 yards is more realistic and doable.

What about if one is the guy that heads out to take a couple of shots at a stump at the beginning of the season, then heads right to the woods???

Danny

 

[Doug Casner]

I used to have an o ld reloading manuel that had muzzle energy out to 500 yds. on different loads for all calibers. Id look there. Doug

 

[ohlongarmisle]

What about if one is the guy that heads out to take a couple of shots at a stump at the beginning of the season, then heads right to the woods???

Danny

Then 100 yards could be challenging when you factor in other elements like buck fever, and Bud Lite, of which I've never drank one and never will.

 

[ohlongarmisle]

To answer your original question, around 400 yards is my max for comfort zone for a 243. Not long after taking the attached pic, I shot a nice doe at 425. The rifle was a Gen 1 Ruger Precision Rifle chambered in .243 shooting Berger 105 Hunting VLDs.

VLDS is the only way to go.

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

If one is an above-average shooter it can be 400 yards, but 250 to 300 yards is more realistic and doable.

My grandson has killed, 2 Big, Idaho Desert, Mule Deer at, 268 and 327, Yards with, the 87 gr Berger
H-VLD's at, 3,165 fps ( N-160 Powder ) from his 22.4 inch, Tikka, in .243 Win. Both,.. DRT
The 87 gr. Berger, H-VLD is, very Accurate, in a 1-10 Twist Barrel !
We've got, a 5 Shot, "Wallet Group" of .297 Ctr to ctr.,.. shot by my Son at, 103 yards, hung on the wall w/the 87's !
YUP,. .243 is Deadly, to 400 yds on Deer / Antelope,.. IF a Hunter "Knows" his Rifle and Practices,... a Bit !
Grandsons 30+ inch, 4 x 5 Muley, looks amazing, on the Wall, too !