texashuntingforum.com logo
Main Menu
Advertisement
Affiliates
Advertisement
Newest Members
zrules11, dixondave, Suzanne miles, paharvey, Feeder Man
71971 Registered Users
Top Posters(All Time)
dogcatcher 110,785
bill oxner 91,416
SnakeWrangler 65,386
stxranchman 60,296
Gravytrain 46,950
RKHarm24 44,585
rifleman 44,461
Stub 43,690
Forum Statistics
Forums46
Topics536,621
Posts9,714,996
Members86,971
Most Online25,604
Feb 12th, 2024
Print Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
how far can i effectively shoot and kill a deer with a 243? #5683504 04/04/15 01:27 AM
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 28
O
outdoorsman916 Offline OP
Light Foot
OP Offline
Light Foot
O
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 28
Last season I killed a nice 8 pointer at about 65 yards. Well i would like to hunt from the stands that are further away from the feeder. can anyone give any advice on how far i could shoot. Would i need to go up in caliber? I am 14 and can handle recoil.

Re: how far can i effectively shoot and kill a deer with a 243? [Re: outdoorsman916] #5683507 04/04/15 01:28 AM
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,741
T
txtrophy85 Online Content
THF Celebrity
Online Content
THF Celebrity
T
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,741
30-45 yards for sure

Past that it's a crap shoot


For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
Re: how far can i effectively shoot and kill a deer with a 243? [Re: txtrophy85] #5683527 04/04/15 01:44 AM
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 5,445
B
BOONER Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
B
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 5,445
Originally Posted By: txtrophy85
30-45 yards for sure

Past that it's a crap shoot


roflmao

Practice,practice and practice! .243 will be good to go out to 250 with proper bullet and shot placement.

Re: how far can i effectively shoot and kill a deer with a 243? [Re: txtrophy85] #5683529 04/04/15 01:44 AM
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,262
3
300j Offline
Pro Tracker
Offline
Pro Tracker
3
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,262
Originally Posted By: txtrophy85
30-45 yards for sure

Past that it's a crap shoot
roflmao


All ready
Re: how far can i effectively shoot and kill a deer with a 243? [Re: outdoorsman916] #5683536 04/04/15 01:52 AM
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 8,376
N
nsmike Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
N
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 8,376
If your shooting skill is up to it, I wouldnt be afraid of shooting out to 200 yds, as long as they're under 225 lbs live weight or 180 lbs field dressed.


for every stereotype there's a prototype don't be the prototype
Re: how far can i effectively shoot and kill a deer with a 243? [Re: outdoorsman916] #5683540 04/04/15 01:57 AM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,049
J.G. Online Content
THF Celebrity
Online Content
THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,049
How far can YOU kill a deer, or how far can the cartridge kill a deer?Two different things.

The cartridge is capable very far, but the person driving the rifle needs to know how to make it happen.


[Linked Image]
800 Yard Steel Range
Precision Rifle Instruction
Memberships and Classes Available
Re: how far can i effectively shoot and kill a deer with a 243? [Re: outdoorsman916] #5683553 04/04/15 02:05 AM
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 15,603
Q
QuitShootinYoungBucks Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
Q
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 15,603
I'd say up to 300. With the right bullet, deer, and shooter, much further than that.


[Linked Image]

https://web.archive.org/web/20170223065011/http:/www.rrdvegas.com/silencer-cleaning.html
Re: how far can i effectively shoot and kill a deer with a 243? [Re: outdoorsman916] #5683568 04/04/15 02:12 AM
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,284
S
scalebuster Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
S
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,284
I killed a nice buck over 400 yards with a .243 30 years ago with factory ammo. Shot him three times , both front legs one back leg and a final shot through the lungs. I had a good rest over the cab of the truck.

Re: how far can i effectively shoot and kill a deer with a 243? [Re: outdoorsman916] #5683571 04/04/15 02:14 AM
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
S
stxranchman Offline
Obie Juan Kenobi
Offline
Obie Juan Kenobi
S
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
You can put your feeder at around 100 yards more or less and put corn at other ranges also. Rifle you have will kill a deer fine at any range you are comfortable shooting a deer at.


Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?[Linked Image]
Re: how far can i effectively shoot and kill a deer with a 243? [Re: outdoorsman916] #5683769 04/04/15 05:02 AM
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 953
N
Nate C. Offline
Tracker
Offline
Tracker
N
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 953
The largest factors are ammunition selection and your own proficiency. In general, if you are an inch high at 100 yards, you will be pretty close to zeroed at 200, and five inches low at 300, but still moving at roughly 2500 feet per second. Again, this will vary with ammunition selection and how it performs in your particular rifle.

Re: how far can i effectively shoot and kill a deer with a 243? [Re: outdoorsman916] #5683853 04/04/15 12:18 PM
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 14,948
D
don k Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
D
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 14,948
Probably about he same as you could with any other rifle. Probably most of it depends on you not the caliber.

Re: how far can i effectively shoot and kill a deer with a 243? [Re: outdoorsman916] #5685617 04/05/15 11:10 PM
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 5,394
P
Pittstate Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
P
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 5,394
I have been shooting a .243 since I was 16 years old (couldn't hunt deer under that age where I grew up). I have never had a problem at 200 or under. Past 200, the damage a factory Core Lokt 100 grain bullet does really starts to go downhill in a hurry. Had a few areas I hunted that went to 300 yards and always broke out the 30-06 for that area.

I bought my daughter the 95 grain Hornady SST's and can't wait to see what they do at 200 yards.

Re: how far can i effectively shoot and kill a deer with a 243? [Re: J.G.] #5685855 04/06/15 02:37 AM
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 367
B
BIGDOG1956 Offline
Bird Dog
Offline
Bird Dog
B
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 367
Originally Posted By: FiremanJG
How far can YOU kill a deer, or how far can the cartridge kill a deer?Two different things.

The cartridge is capable very far,gra but the person driving the rifle needs to know how to make it happen.


I agree with this unless you can get out and practice on a long rang it will give you the confidence for a long shoot.

A 243 Winchester 100 gr will have 1037 foot pound of energy at 325 yd . If you can hold a good group this near the limit,

Most hunter want a 1000 lbs of energy for a clean humane rifle kill.

Re: how far can i effectively shoot and kill a deer with a 243? [Re: outdoorsman916] #5686544 04/06/15 04:48 PM
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 545
D
DustyWyoming Offline
Tracker
Offline
Tracker
D
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 545
My son shot an antelope at over 500 yards with a 243, it didn't drop but got stiff legged then just tipped over.
I have shot several deer and antelope with the 243 over 300 and out to 400 yards and never had any lost animals. I know of guys who use the 243 to hunt coyotes and have shot them out past 700 yards.

Re: how far can i effectively shoot and kill a deer with a 243? [Re: don k] #5687093 04/06/15 09:52 PM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 110,785
dogcatcher Online Content
THF Celebrity
Online Content
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 110,785
Originally Posted By: don k
Probably about he same as you could with any other rifle. Probably most of it depends on you not the caliber.


up


Combat Infantryman, the ultimate hunter where the prey shoots back.
_____________"Illegitimus non carborundum est"_______________

[Linked Image]
Re: how far can i effectively shoot and kill a deer with a 243? [Re: outdoorsman916] #5687168 04/06/15 10:36 PM
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 21,271
S
SniperRAB Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
S
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 21,271
Windage and Elevation....


Re: how far can i effectively shoot and kill a deer with a 243? [Re: dogcatcher] #5688243 04/07/15 03:11 PM
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,135
L
landsurveyor Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
L
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,135
Originally Posted By: dogcatcher
Originally Posted By: don k
Probably about he same as you could with any other rifle. Probably most of it depends on you not the caliber.


up


"A hungry dog hunts best." Lee Trevino

www.prospectlandsurveying.com
Re: how far can i effectively shoot and kill a deer with a 243? [Re: outdoorsman916] #5688673 04/07/15 07:01 PM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 22,630
Cast Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 22,630
Get to the range young hunter and practice. That gun will outshoot you by ten miles. Practice will close that gap and build your knowledge and confidence.

I can hit anything I aim at, but lack the confidence to take a shot beyond 250 on a critter, because the range has 200 yards max for me to practice on. I'm gonna fix that with a 1000 yard range at the ranch.


Cast

[Linked Image]

I have a short attention spa
Re: how far can i effectively shoot and kill a deer with a 243? [Re: outdoorsman916] #5689832 04/08/15 01:58 PM
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 28
O
outdoorsman916 Offline OP
Light Foot
OP Offline
Light Foot
O
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 28
ok guys, thanks for te advice. i will go out and start shooting longer distances.

Re: how far can i effectively shoot and kill a deer with a 243? [Re: outdoorsman916] #5690444 04/08/15 07:48 PM
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 129
S
senderoman Offline
Woodsman
Offline
Woodsman
S
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 129
A wise man heeds the advice of his elders!BTW,my go to rifle is a Sendero with a 4x14 S&B.Not a dang thing wrong with .243 for Texas deer.

Re: how far can i effectively shoot and kill a deer with a 243? [Re: outdoorsman916] #5691263 04/09/15 03:51 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,734
P
passthru Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
P
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,734
Killed one at 265 in 2014. One shot.


I work hard, drink a little and hunt when I can.
NRA Life Member
https://sofalasafaris.com/
Re: how far can i effectively shoot and kill a deer with a 243? [Re: outdoorsman916] #5692246 04/09/15 06:34 PM
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 756
D
DirtNapTET Offline
Tracker
Offline
Tracker
D
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 756
Both me and my dad started off deer hunting with a 243 and never once had any kinds of issues dropping TX deer.

Rolled an 8 point at 365 yds about 4 yrs ago.

As Cast said, practice practice... Practice.

Re: how far can i effectively shoot and kill a deer with a 243? [Re: DirtNapTET] #5692277 04/09/15 06:51 PM
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 367
B
BIGDOG1956 Offline
Bird Dog
Offline
Bird Dog
B
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 367
Originally Posted By: DirtNapTET
Both me and my dad started off deer hunting with a 243 and never once had any kinds of issues dropping TX deer.

Rolled an 8 point at 365 yds about 4 yrs ago.

As Cast said, practice practice... Practice.


I whole hardily aree with this practice practice... Practice especially at long ranges.

Re: how far can i effectively shoot and kill a deer with a 243? [Re: outdoorsman916] #5694047 04/10/15 07:49 PM
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,170
J
Jimbo Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
J
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,170
The average hunter will shoot deer from 100 yards and closer. It depends on the terrain you will be hunting, but the .243 will take deer easily out to 200 yards and further.
Just sight in about 1 1/2 inches high at 100 and you'll be close to 0 at 200 which means if you can put the crosshairs on the kill zone of a deer out to 200+ it's meat in the freezer.
Practice at 100 and try for at least 1" groups or better at that distance and when you get consistent then a longer shot will be a slam dunk.
Something to burn into your memory is "aim small, shoot small!"

Last edited by Jimbo; 04/10/15 07:53 PM.


Thursday at 12:45 PM
#33
Once i learned that i didn't "NEED" to kill something, and that if i did kill something all the fun stopped and work began, i was a much better hunter.
Re: how far can i effectively shoot and kill a deer with a 243? [Re: outdoorsman916] #5694135 04/10/15 09:02 PM
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,829
H
Hunter-Steve Offline
Pro Tracker
Offline
Pro Tracker
H
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,829
I have taken deer at 425 yards but average in the 200 yard range for most of my shots with a .243

I do custom load my ammo and practice often. I put 3 shot groups all touching at 100 yards consistently and at 1.5 inches high. I crony the velocity and note the ballistic coefficient for the bullet so I can be confident of my vertical adjustments via software on my phone. Anything under 250 yards I hold right on. Past that I take my time and make sure I have a solid rest, know the wind and the accurate distance to figure out the bullet drop. And never shoot at a moving target at that distance.

Page 1 of 2 1 2
Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread

© 2004-2024 OUTDOOR SITES NETWORK all rights reserved USA and Worldwide
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.3