Is .243 more versatile than .223 for sporting purposes?

[Subotai]

Speaking of hunting of course. Debating which is a better all-around caliber for smaller critters. I already have a .308 for pig, etc.

[HK Dave]

Not sure if it could be called more versatile but it is a monster of a round in terms of speed. 4000 fps with 55gr bullets.

I think 223 is plenty for small critters and much cheaper to boot. But I have friends that are huge fans of 243 and looking at it's ballistics... for hunting, it looks like a total win to me.

[Iloveguns]

243 is a great overall round for medium game as well as long range shooting.

[ap3572001]

.243 is VERY good round.

[Arisaka]

.243 AR? Wonder if its ben dun befoh?

[Iloveguns]

.243 AR? Wonder if its ben dun befoh?

Yup

[zack30]

What game are you looking to hunt with the .243, exactly? I personally took a 32 inch Mule Deer that fully dressed out weighed in over 180lbs from 435 yds away. So if you are looking to hunt anything around that size or smaller, I'd say you are more than good to go. Great caliber!! Second Favorite of mine all time.

[Subotai]

Yeah, looking for a good varmint gun. I haven't bought it yet. I have 223 ammo for my AR, but also wanted a nice scoped bolt gun. A 223 bolt gun would give me an advantage of a common caliber, but a 243 might be nice also since I could hunt deer or small pig with it. I'm trying to decide.

[NapalmCheese]

It seems that given the advancements in ammo more people are accepting .223 as an appropriate (if on the low end of appropriateness) cartridge for deer and small pigs.

That being said, the ballistics of the .243 are pretty darn good.

[gun toting monkeyboy]

I would take the .243 over a .223 for hunting any day of the week. I am not a big fan of anything under .25 caliber for medium game, but the .243 in the hands of somebody who knows how to use it is fully capable of taking elk. Not ideal, mind you. But I will also go with Napalm on this, .223 is becoming a full-fledged hog and small deer cartridge. Using things like the Barnes copper TSX bullets, it is bumped up out of the varmint class. OTOH, a .243 with the same type of bullet becomes a very effective medium game rifle. That was always my biggest problem with the .243. The lightweight bullets didn't hold up as well as larger diameter bullets. Then that part is removed from the equation, it makes a big difference.

-Mb

[xrMike]

Little bit of a barrel burner though?

[zack30]

Little bit of a barrel burner though?

I have had my .243 since I turned 12 (am now 26) and I would say I shoot at least 40-60 rounds a year, as it was mainly a hunting gun (although now I have turned it into my mid range 450-750 yd sniper) and I have not seen any degredation in the functionality of the barrel or the accuracy.

I'm sure if you are shooting 500 rounds a year out of the gun its going to fry it, but who shoots a bolt action that much anyway?

[Iloveguns]

I have had my .243 since I turned 12 (am now 26) and I would say I shoot at least 40-60 rounds a year, as it was mainly a hunting gun (although now I have turned it into my mid range 450-750 yd sniper) and I have not seen any degredation in the functionality of the barrel or the accuracy.

I'm sure if you are shooting 500 rounds a year out of the gun its going to fry it, but who shoots a bolt action that much anyway?

This guy!!! I shoot 50 rounds a day easy! But im getting 1500 rounds out of my rifle! Im shooting heavies (115) at 3000fps. I also can take it well past 1k. For the type of matches I shoot we have 10 round strings of fire in under a minute which cooks your barrel!

[KrizB]

.243 AR? Wonder if its ben dun befoh?

Remington makes the R-25 in .243

Was entertaining the idea several months back until I saw the +$1,200 price tag.
No idea how much they are going for now.

[russ69]

"Is .243 more versatile than .223 for sporting purposes?"

It's more versatile for any purpose.