I am a 25.06 guy, but I used to use a short barrell .243 with 87 gr hollow points that would absolutely destroy deer inside of 100 yards. I really loved that gun, especially traveling with a treestand any longer distances. Just wondering ya'll thoughts? I miss that little gun and sometimes wish I still had it.

We still use a single shot .243 and have great luck with that killer gun. We all still use it off and on. It has its time and place. Try to neck shoot if possible with it. Does a good job.

I grew up hunting with a 6mm Rem Model 7 Youth. Bought a new model 7 stainless a couple of years ago in 6mm, probably carry it more than any of my other rifles. Place where I hunt has pretty much nothing outside of 150-200 yards. Always shot Hornady 100gr BTSP, but have been hunting with a half box of Superformance 95gr SST I had left over. Got Some NBT and Sierra Prohunters I want to try.

I've killed a few with MrsGomer's .243 Handi-rifle. Couple of them have been DRT, couple ran, but none made it more than 20-30yds. If you put the bullet where it's supposed to go, they will die, and quickly. Just maybe not quite as forgiving as a larger bullet if you make a less-than-desirable shot.

Both of my girls use a .243 (my oldest uses my old Remington 700 that my dad got me when I was 12 or so; youngest uses a Ruger M77 MarkII that my dad got her). Shoot 100 gr Rem Core-Locts...about 30 yards is the longest we've had to go to find one after the shot

Goatkiller will be along shortly to tell y’all that you’re “under gunned”
One of my favorites…

The 243 has a bad rap because of so many kids putting bad shots on them. Like most deer cartridges, when used by a person who can put the right bullet on target it's deadly.

A 100grain pill going 3000 FPS to the boiler room is definitely going to put a deer down quick. As mentioned, I think the round gets part of its bad rep from young/inexperienced hunters making poor shots, I've also personally seen a couple instances where inexperienced/ uninformed hunters bought or were recommended the wrong ammunition. there are as many varmint loads available for 243 as big game loads, and I've run into two personally using varmint ammo just because they didn't know any better and it was available.

Barnes 80 gr TTSX, deadly

I picked up a .243 a few years ago and haven't messed with it that much. A buddy of mine is big into his Ruger .243 and he knows everything about the best projectiles for his rifle. He puts them down with that rifle.

I took a nice buck with mine a few years back. Almost didn't find him, and I came close to giving up, which makes me sick when I think about it. It took me forever to find the tiniest spot of blood to see which way he went (I was on a logging road in the woods). The trail got better and better as I went and I found him about 75 yards into the woods. Shot him head on and it struck him in the lower part of the front chest. I want to say I shot him with a Rem. 100 gr. core lokt.

I'm embarrassed to say I took a shot at a real nice buck in a green field one day with the .243 and I must have completely missed him. I never found a speck of blood or hair or anything. I must have looked for over 2 hours and went in every direction. Crazy.

The ONLY issue I’ve ever had with a 243 was hitting a vine I never saw, and impacting a quartering to deer about 4” right of where I thought. Still recovered the deer, but he took another shot. That wouldn’t have mattered if I’d have been shooting a 300wm….still would have happened. OTOH, one of my better shots came with a 243 at 280-ish yards, from one ridge to the next…..that flat trajectory let me thread a 4-6” opening about 100 yards out, without much thought. I’ve had more blood where a deer died from a 243, than any I’ve ever seen. I do think the 6/6.5 CMs are actual improvements for efficiency/blast/recoil vs bullet weights and velocity in shorter barrels….for deer. However, if you want to run a bullet fast and flat inside 300, with light recoil…..then the 243 and 25-06 are tough to argue with.

I had a 243 mod 70 fwt years ago that would up being stolen. It's well-deserved nickname was poison. Still miss that rifle.

I wish hornady still made the 100gr lite Magnum for 243 . Best 243 round for deer I ever saw

I hunt with a Ruger American .243. It’s a fun little rifle to shoot. Used Federal Fusions the first year. They got scarce. Used Winchester Deer Season XP’s last year. I’m going to try the Hornady 80-grain GMX this year. My only concern has been lack of exits. It’s going to be interesting to see if the 80 grain all copper traveling 3400 FPS exits.

I never had a 243 fusion not exit, taking broadsides. That GMX will exit, for sure.

I loaded up some 103 ELD-X this evening for a buddy to use on our antelope hunt next week. They shot really good; better than the Berger 105's.

The 2 that didn’t exit were both kind of thick deer. One was broadside at a shade over 200. The other was facing me. Both fell right there.

243 ain't enough gun for bama deer.

I’ve killed truck loads of deer with a .243. I don’t use mine often, but occasionally I get it out just to bring back memories. It’s definitely enough gun for any whitetail in AL.

The wife’s model 7 in .243 is sweet. She’s going to connect this year for sure.