going on a axis hunt in june. I have a 243 and was wondering if this is big enough gun. been shooting for long time and am comfortable with it. i shoot 100 grn corlokts. what yall think? i think it will be fine just want to make sure

Right bullet, right shot placement you are good to go. Just remember they have tough shoulders and the vitals are a little forward of a whitetail. A little quartering away where you don't have to shoot through the shoulder but the bullet goes into the forward vitals will do the trick. Or a neck shot.

I think it will work as long as you keep your range to less than 100 yds. I wouldn't push it much farther than that. I have seen quite a few drop in their tracks from a .243 when the shot is placed right. The vitals are farther forward and they can be a little tougher than whitetails. With that caliber of rifle you will have to wait for a good shot angle that will give you the best chance of sucess. Pick a heavy bullet and keep your range close to 100 yards, and try to take a quartering away shot and I think you would be fine.

I've shot several with a .243

I would use the right caliber for the game being hunted. I agree with shot placement, but why not use a bigger round for a thicker, stronger animal. A .30-06 would be great. A little faster, more energy, and a bigger bullet, just in case you do not get that pefect quartering away, 100 yard shot. If you are spot and stalking them, you will only have a few seconds to react, and find the perfect shot, or that Axis will be gone.

Get on one, get the crosshairs on it, and let the lead fly. I just would not use a .243 for an Axis. Just my personal opinion.

Yep buy some 85gr TSX and it will do the trick!

Should be fine, a family friend of ours kill piles of them with a 243....

and someone on here says a 22 hornet will slay them

A 243 will work fine. As posted above use a bigger gun and just shoot them anywhere! No matter what you shoot you want good shot placement. You shouldn't have a problem using the 243. Good luck.

Well guys I've killed Eland,Elk with a 22-250 and a ton big game with 270 so just goes to show you bullet placement with any caliber.But we are lookig at putting caliber restriction on some species Axis the past 5 months I've had 13 hunters Wounded axis deer. 4 were with 243 good shots placement and everything I watched animals go down and get back up. Some were found and some survived limping around the ranch with some scars so it goes to show you bullet placement doesn't always work. Unless head and neck-spin shots my favorite make your taxidermy do some work

Nothing is 100%

A 243 with a bullet intended for the task it is beeing used for is plenty! If it dont work then the shot placement was poor.

I have killed axis with a 6mm but at ranges up to 100 yrds. Bullet selection is important also. With any game the shot placement is critical and if the animal was wounded and got away then the shot was not placed in the right spot plain and simple. If it was they would not have gotten away.

If it's what works best for then use it. My son had a .243 but we moved to 25.06 light recoiling, and can drop a 350lb mulie in it's tracks. The best is you can get a single shot H&R for $200. Good luck on your axis hunt-knockem dead

Dont know if I understand this post, and dont know if you are antagonizing or not. Never did I say, just get a bigger gun and shoot them anywhere. That is not how I hunt and do not think just because the bigger the bullet, you can let the lead fly anywhere. I do agree with using the proper cartridge and caliber for the game you are hunting.

Yes sir it'll work there is several factors when you hunt 1. SHOT PLACEMENT!!!!!! That's king. 2. Bullet type in relation to where you like to shoot. 3. What caliber you feel most confident with.

I hunt everything with a 22-6mm or 220 swift one shoots a 52gr the other an 80 gr. I've taken everything from bobcat to nilgai with that 22-6mm.

With that said my grandpa hunted along time in south texas and took some huge whitetails with a 17 rem. Also as a guide and outfitter I've seen more deer and exotics lost with 7mags then anything else.

Just my two cents

I have heard of lots of people taking Mule Deer with a .243, so an Axis.. No problem with a good shot.

And a good bullet

The 243 will work just fine.

I won't let a hunter shoot at one with less than a .270 or 25-06.

I've seen them soak up a lot of lead.....

That's why you shoot copper

I have no doubt the .243 will work, a .22 will work. The real question is are you willing to watch that Axis run off never to be found, which could happen with using that caliber, or most will say any caliber. Just keep in mind most if not all hunting ranches have a policy if blood is found it a killed animal and you will be required to pay found or not!!why take the chance.
I have never had a problem with hunters using a .270 or larger and yes bullet placement and type is a key, I like a 95% or better bullet retention when deciding which bullet.
Hope this helps, Good luck

If you're going to use the .243 use a tougher bullet. A TSX, Accubond, or Partition will ensure better penetration to the vitals.

Yep

I'm learning a lot about hunting axis this past year. With 6 axis under my belt this past 10 months, I am getting to be an expert. They are rapidly becoming my favorite animal - challenging hunting, impressive racks, and the best eating.

Here's something I've noticed with the six animals I've taken, plus the ones taken by friends and family hunting with me.

For some reason, axis don't seem to bleed much. Their skin seems to close over even pretty large holes and blood trails are minimal. In fact, NONE of the animals we've taken has shown blood at the place they were hit, and only 1 in about 10 animals we've taken showed a blood trail - and that was only after 50 yards and the heart blew out.

So, with a .243 - you might have a real tough time tracking the animal with a marginal hit. They can be amazing hard to see when they are down, especially if they are in brush. The last one I took in March, was 230 lbs and 34" antlers and we walked past it THREE times before we stumbled across it - and that was only because we approached from an angle that allowed us to see the white belly.

Perfect double lung/aorta shot and there was NO blood trail.

Animals were taken with a 25-06 and 270, and both guns dropped animal dead (the longest run off was with the 270 actually - and that was about 175 yards). My trusty little 25-06 drops them pretty good - even that big 230 lb one.

BTW, I'm just under 6'1" and weigh 265

John,

That is a beautiful buck!!