.243 Winchester Performance

[Joel]

Wow, this thread has sparked some debate for sure! Guns are just tools to me. There is a "right tool" for every job and some guys are better at using different tools than other guys. Boils down to personal preference.
Having said that, I'm partial to the .243 myself and have owned a few in different makes and models. I have also shot varmints with a 300 Weatherby and a .338 Win Mag. Dead is dead and I've never heard a coyote complain when it got shot with a .223 or a 458.
Lighten up a bit fellas and let's have some fun.
This thread reminds me of the Ford vs. Chevy debates when I was a kid.
Not tryin to flame anybody, just smoothing things out a bit. :-\

One of the things that I love about this site is that it is not over run by “keyboard experts”. I view this site as a serious site for serious discussion about accurate shooting.

I am also into archery and I do frequent Archery Talk. Archery Talk has some very knowledge posters; however, it is over run by “keyboard experts” who thinks it is fun to throw out “BS” statements just to see what ensues. It just sucks to have to sort through 90% BS to get 10% good info.

If the original poster asked the question “Is the 243 a good Prairie Dog caliber?” the reply’s would have been basically the same and each reader would select out the most appropriate responses. If you shoot small towns with low winds a 17HMR may be all you need for P-dogs. On the other hand if you shoot large heavily shot towns in high winds a 243 may not be enough. If you make the statement that the 17HMR is all you need for your requirements who am I to disagree with you. If you make the statement that the 17 HMR is the only cartridge any P-dog shooter needs you should be made to feel uncomfortable with that statement.

When you start a post with “.243 Winchester is not a practical Prairie Dog caliber” you fulfill the criteria as a “keyboard expert” who thinks it is fun to throw out “BS” statements just to see what ensues

I for one hope that any time a “keyboard expert” makes a statement such as “.243 Winchester is not a practical Prairie Dog caliber” they are made to feel uncomfortable so they stop throwing out “BS” statements just to see what ensues.

Can serious post be fun? Yes. Do I want to see “fun” posts that don’t educate myself or someone? H**L NO!!!!!!!!!

I for one hope this site stays a place for serious shooter to exchange ideas and for new shooter to asked questions and get serious answers.

 

[finstr]

When you start a post with “.243 Winchester is not a practical Prairie Dog caliber” you fulfill the criteria as a “keyboard expert” who thinks it is fun to throw out “BS” statements just to see what ensues


Can serious post be fun? Yes. Do I want to see “fun” posts that don’t educate myself or someone? H**L NO!!!!!!!!!

I for one hope this site stays a place for serious shooter to exchange ideas and for new shooter to asked questions and get serious answers.

Well said Joel.
Anyway, just two days ago I shot a porqupine for a friend with the .243 using a 58gr V-Max over 43.5grs of Varget. At 85 yards it blew the head clean OFF! I had to search around a bit for it but I found it 30 feet away. I guess I hit the spikey fellow between the shoulder blades and that was all it took. Not messy or anything just off...
So yeah, it's an efficient varmint caliber in my books. But I knew that already.

 

[Ackman]

Winnie pooh is great for porkies.

 

[finstr]

Winnie pooh is great for porkies.

Sure is. porky didn't complain one bit. ;D

 

[people]

Winnie pooh is great for porkies. I do not agree with that statement. Winnie pooh is not cool at all. Eeyore is the best on that show. Now for the porkies part it was an ok movie but American Graffiti was a far better show.

About the 243 I like that caliber. I do not think it is the best for shooting PD but it is no slouch. With my cash it is very hard to beat the 223 and the 6mmbr. I am up here in ND and I would rather shoot PD than deer. I normally shoot many thousands of rounds a year. Most years I shoot over 5,000rds at PD. The 243 will burn up far too many tubes for me. The 223 is a very capable round out to 500 in heavy wind. You have to watch what you are doing and you will not have any problems. The 6mmbr and bigger rounds just make it easier to hit those little critters.